Top prize for centre

Worcester Garden Centre was named Garden Centre of the Year in the national Nurseryman & Garden Centre awards.

The Droitwich Road firm was also judged as having one of the best employees in the country, after plant sales supervisor, Laura Marsh, aged 23, came runner-up in the Young Retailer of the Year category.

Centre manager Bob Tannahill picked up the trophy at a special ceremony in London last week, hosted by Nexus Horticulture, which publishes Nurseryman & Garden Centre magazine, and the Horticultural Trades Association.

"We've always known Worcester Garden Centre was the best in the country and now we've proved it," said Mr Tannahill, following the ceremony.

"Although Laura didn't win her category, we're all tremendously proud of her achievement in being short listed."

Miss Marsh, who trained at Pershore College, has a National Diploma in garden centre sales and a Higher National Diploma in crop technology.

She joined Worcester Garden Centre in 1997 as senior sales assistant in the plantaria and went on to become the youngest trainee plant sales supervisor ever at the centre, managing a team of four.

Mr Tannahill said the award was a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all the staff at the centre, described by judges as "a model centre - well balanced and profitable".

Business is booming at the centre, with a 14 per cent growth in sales for the first half of 2001, compared with the same time last year. During 2000, an eight per cent growth in sales was recorded.

The centre was also praised for its commitment to customer service, its facilities for the disabled and mother-and-babies, its support of the local community and charities, staff training and its promotional activity.

A customer database of 9,000 names forms the basis for a quarterly What's On mailing, and regular, product-related mail shots are sent out.

The centre has undergone extensive improvements and further developments are scheduled.