The title was awarded by the Garden Centre Association (GCA), with the winners announced earlier this year during the organisation’s annual conference at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire
The winner is an independent family-owned business(Image: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre)
The UK’s finest garden centre has been revealed. The accolade was presented by the Garden Centre Association (GCA), with winners announced on earlier this year at the organisation’s annual conference held at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire.
The GCA represents over 200 garden centres nationwide. Its accolades are determined through surprise inspections conducted throughout the year, with establishments assessed on customer service, product quality, retail standards, staff expertise and the complete visitor experience.
This year’s top honour went to The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Powys, Wales.
The independent family-owned enterprise initially launched in 1990 and has developed from a modest plant nursery into one of Britain’s most renowned garden centres.
It began when founders Mark and Christina Cleary started selling home-cultivated bedding plants from a compact greenhouse positioned near the site’s entrance, reports the Express.
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, located in Powys, was named the winner(Image: Google Maps)
The enterprise has grown considerably over the decades and now encompasses a substantial garden centre, farm shop, restaurant, homeware section and outdoor living space.
Guests can explore indoor and outdoor plants, gardening supplies, gifts, seasonal arrangements and furniture, while the farm shop specialises in locally-sourced Welsh produce and beverages. The centre also features a well-regarded restaurant and coffee shop.
Alongside being crowned the UK’s premier garden centre, The Old Railway Line also secured Best Farm Shop and Best Garden Products Retailer. It additionally received Centre of Excellence status.
The Old Railway Line said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news. We’ve been crowned Best Garden Centre in the UK at this year’s Garden Centre Association Awards!
“It was a fantastic evening celebrating the very best garden centres from across the country, and we’re still buzzing from the results.”
In addition to the overall UK title, the centre achieved third place nationally for Customer Service, Catering Excellence and Indoor Lifestyle.
It also finished in the UK’s top 10 for Christmas Displays and the GCA Grow Award.
The garden centre also has a farm shop, restaurant and homeware section(Image: Google Maps)
The Old Railway Line said: “To be recognised across so many categories in one year honestly means the world to us.”
The garden centre also paid tribute to its workforce, stating: “For us, these awards are really about our people. Every member of the team plays a part in creating the experience our customers enjoy.
“From the plants and products we carefully select, to the food in our farm shop and the friendly faces you meet when you visit.”
Garden Retail Director Liam Cleary added: “Being awarded Centre of Excellence once again also shows how important it is to us to keep improving. We’re never satisfied with ‘good enough’. We’re always looking for ways to do things better, offer more, and make every visit to the Old Railway Line Garden Centre a great one.”
The Old Railway Line previously claimed the overall UK title in both 2018 and 2021.
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