Coming up roses in Tong Garden Centre

“This year, we have all recognised just how valuable our outdoor space is,” says the centre’s head of marketing Jo Dales. “No matter how big or small, being outdoors and enjoying your garden is so good for you and your mental health and wellbeing.”

With people spending so much time at home, families have spent time creating their own worlds within their gardens, backs yards and even window boxes.

“We were busy throughout summer as customers have been inspired to add to or transform their outdoor spaces into their own haven,” says Jo.

“In the first lockdown, people were undoubtedly investing in their gardens and enjoying the good weather. Plants, compost and grow-your-own were very popular. This time, as winter draws in, houseplants are in very much in demand and, of course, people are choosing their Christmas decorations.”

She adds: “At this time of year, you can still enjoy getting out in your garden, planting up some colour with winter bedding such as cyclamen and pansies and beautiful shrubs that come into their own, like hellebores - the pretty Christmas rose - and berried plants such as skimmia or cotoneaster. They not only look great but feed the birds too. Attracting wildlife and birds into your garden at this time of year with a constant supply of food is very rewarding.”

Following the first national lockdown garden centres were the first businesses allowed to reopen to the public and were granted permission to open during the second lockdown.

“We are extremely grateful to be able to remain open and the safety of customers and team is our main priority.” Says Sharon McNair, the centre’s commercial director.

Measures have been introduced to ensure a safe shopping experience, including limiting the number of customers entering, a socially distanced queueing system, wider aisles and sanitising points.

Tong’s knowledgeable team are asked anything and everything about gardening, in particular about low maintenance gardening and plants that look great all year round.

“We are also asked about plants for problem places such as shady or dry areas,” says Jo. “Our experts regularly advise on how to prune and give tips for greener lawns.”

She adds: “Our team really know their onions and are on hand to help - it’s a real team effort. Joe in our plant department creates hundreds of beautiful hanging baskets and containers every summer and autumn - many are bespoke. He’s always happy to share advice and questions. His pop up planting sessions are so popular, they’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“We are fortunate to have lovely loyal customers who visit us regularly, especially in our plant department, restaurant and The Food Hall,” says Jo.

At Christmas, the centre is transformed with inspiring festive themes.

“We have seven new looks this year,” says Jo, giving examples from a winter romance woodland theme, to a classic country Christmas and a red and green ‘Highland fling’.”

This year, demand for Christmas lights has soared. “Lighting your home to create pretty twinkles inside and out is taking off,” says Jo. “Whether it is cluster lights filling the tree, strings of twinkling lights in garlands, outdoor lights to illuminate garden features, the ways to create a warm, welcoming glow or a striking display are better than ever.

“It’s a wonderful atmosphere over Christmas and we all really enjoy the festive spirit. Customers are always wowed by what we create, including the magical moving displays and are excited to see the festive transformation,” says Jo.

Yorkshire’s largest independent garden centre, it gets its name from its location in the village of Tong, to the east of Bradford.

The garden centre was opened in 1984. Following a serious fire in 2000 it was completely re-built incorporating a range of buildings including retail sales, a restaurant, warehousing, glass houses and poly-tunnels.

In 2015, it took on a new lease of life after being acquired by friends and business partners Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson from East Yorkshire.

Mark said at the time “We want to take Tong Garden Centre from a successful business to a multi-million pound turnover business which will not only provide a fantastic destination for our customers but will also dramatically increase the number of employees thus helping the local economy.”

That pledge has certainly been fulfilled. The garden centre has rapidly expanded with many new offerings and the team has grown from less than 50 employees to 196.

Some staff have worked there for many years. “Asif has been here for a long time and is always recognised for his excellent customer service, and Zoe and the Christmas display team work so hard to transform the garden centre by creating stunning, inspirational displays and beautiful room sets,” says Jo.

The garden centre is a hub of activity, bustling with life as customers stroll round filling their trollies, having a bite to eat, watching their children play or simply enjoying the atmosphere.

New additions include an improved plant department with a new canopied building for tender and bedding plants. There are also departments offering gifts, homeware, cookware, books and greeting cards.

The introduction of a food hall has brought a selection of delicious, fresh and locally sourced produce.

“Early every morning the bakers produce a wide selection of fresh cakes and tray bakes and our team of butchers prepare cuts of meat as well as a wide choice of sausages, including our bestsellers Old English and Cumberland,” says Jo.

Families can eat out, with choices including afternoon tea - a traditional treat more associated with luxury hotels than garden centres.

Not long after Mark and Tom took over they created Grass Hoppers with a large outdoor playground that quickly became a popular attraction for young families.

“It was so popular that in 2019 the centre expanded to offer indoor play too,” says Sharon. “It has proved to be a big hit.”

This year, the ambitious garden centre has completed a second phase of development with an extension that is now home to an extended gardening range, pet care products and its second restaurant, The Mezzanine.

The centre hosts many events, from opportunities to learn more about gardening, to meeting local makers and sampling their produce.

*tonggardencentre.co.uk