Please find below a copy of the press release that you should see in your local papers soon.
Family-run Stratford Garden Centre is celebrating early this year as their Christmas display has been named best in the Midlands.
Stratford Garden Centre saw off stiff competition to claim the Midlands title for the up to £3m turnover category awarded by the Garden Centre Association (GCA), the industry’s leading trade body.
Helen Lloyd, Managing Director at the original Stratford Garden Centre, located in Clifford Chambers just two miles from Stratford upon Avon town centre, commented; ‘We’re over the moon. Every year the team works hard to create an imaginative, fun and eye catching display to inspire customers and help them get into the Christmas spirit. This is the first year that we’ve entered this competition so to be recognized by those in-the-know and to win is brilliant.
‘In fact, this is the second award that we’ve won in a matter of months for our displays; we won the Ruxley Rose competition at the end of October for our inspiring approach to plant displays. Industry recognition is important for our staff and our customers; it’s a real signal that we’re in tune with what’s needed and that we’re helping to set the standard for others to follow.’
Chosen for the best Christmas display in the Midlands takes a lot of creativity. Always on the hunt for new ideas, the team begins preparing for Christmas in January every year, with trips to trade fairs as far a field as Holland for stock and ideas. Their efforts continue throughout the year and culminate in five weeks of hard work at the end of September building the display sets and decorating the garden centre in its Christmas finery.
Colour and texture are always key considerations and this year is no different. Phil Brandrick-Spink, Gift & Seasonal Manager, is responsible for Christmas at Stratford Garden Centre; ‘This year we have created seven rooms based on colour themes plus one that’s a based on a children’s theme. A big favourite is our Serenity display which gives customers festive decorating ideas using white and crystal. We also have a great display using more traditional colours which is really popular. It runs down the middle of the garden centre and includes a magnificent 15 foot tree.’
‘As well as the rooms we’ve incorporated big displays this year to give real impact and make the garden centre feel as Christmassy as possible. We’ve made a wedding dress out of lights and a snowy forest that includes animated polar bears and reindeer. It’s truly magical.’
Helen concluded; ‘Like our customers, the judges from the GCA seem particularly impressed with our large set displays and the overall festive feel that we’ve brought to the garden centre. We have such a wide range of decorations and lights this year that there is something for every taste and pocket.’
Stratford Garden Centre has won the award for the Best Christmas Display in the Midlands.
Facing tough competition from other garden centres in the Midlands, Stratford Garden Centre has been judged the best by The Garden Centre Association.
