Garden Centres

Why not allow garden centres to open? Supermarkets,food stores, farm shops and hardware stores are selling plants and flowers. If social distancing can be observed in these outlets what is the problem withe garden centres? It seems very unfair discrimination, putting businesses at risk of closure, without good reason.

Why the contribution is important

At this time of year many people are getting their gardens ready for summer, planting flowers and shrubs. This gives much pleasure to many people, as well as ensuring healthy exercise for more elderly citizens. Surely something to be encouraged during lock-down.

by ijgc on May 08, 2020 at 07:43PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.7
Based on: 25 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Kevinsmith29 May 08, 2020 at 20:15

    People are staying at home so will want to spend more time in their gardens. Garden centres should be open. B and Q and many other DIY centres are starting to open safely selling plants etc so why not garden centres if they can introduce similar social distancing measures.

  • Posted by RucksRus51 May 08, 2020 at 21:00

    I do have great sympathy with this, as I am a trained Horticulturalist, however, many Garden Centres are so badly laid out that maintaining Social Distancing would be extremely difficult. My recommendation would be for the Garden Centre to be stripped back to its core business, selling plants, fertilisers, pesticides, growing media & mulches, containers, tools, plant supports and hard landscaping materials. They should then have a temporary layout with a strict oneway system in each department and a policy of limiting the number of people allowed in at a time. I would be happy to assist in creating a plan to enable garden centres to reopen if that helps to protect the Horticultural Industry and provide people with an opportunity to work in their gardens this year, hopefully growing their own food easing the pressure later in the year, when food shortages are possible.

  • Posted by Balmediebum May 08, 2020 at 21:49

    I agree garden centres should be opened as the can practice social distancing. Enjoying pottering in my garden, and finding it frustrating that I can’t get plants, seeds, pots etc.

  • Posted by Robertsonwoods May 08, 2020 at 22:30

    I think garden centres shoukd be allowed to 're open if they are able to do so safely. This would mean social distancing in place and safe check out systems. Click and collect systems would also be a useful way to pick up items

  • Posted by Any1 May 09, 2020 at 00:00

    Ahre thst it would be helpful to open garden centres. One sector of the economy which is largely in the open air. Large centres shouldn't be able to open their ancillary stuff like furniture and foods nor their concessions though.

  • Posted by Any1 May 09, 2020 at 00:01

    Agreee that it would be helpful to open garden centres. One sector of the economy which is largely in the open air. Large centres shouldn't be able to open their ancillary stuff like furniture and foods nor their concessions though.

  • Posted by Bash May 09, 2020 at 13:54

    Cannot understand why garden centres were not allowed to remain open in the first place. This is a low risk area and the benefits outweigh the risks. - very easy to maintain social distancing in a garden centre environment - desperately needed economic boost to The sector (nurseries and similar) - encourage physical activity - some sense of normality to support mental wellbeing Please consider
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