Re-open Garden Centres

I can walk round the garden section of B & Q but am not able to do the same at our local garden centre....why not?? Open garden centres and apply the same regulations as supermarkets and DIY stores.

Why the contribution is important

It is important for people to maintain and enjoy their gardens for wellbeing reasons.

by tilly_f on May 05, 2020 at 08:32PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.7
Based on: 79 votes

Comments

  • Posted by conniecobra May 05, 2020 at 21:30

    I think this is a necessary opening. Usually places such as these have ability to operate as supermarkets do with one way systems and social distancing. Would assist in keeping growers and sellers in work and business floating. Allow public to access gardening and household goods

  • Posted by Bethan May 05, 2020 at 21:50

    No reason why garden centres couldn't operate in the same way as supermarkets.It's also important to support these businesses, especially at a time when there is likely high demand for their products.Gardening may also encourage people to stay at home more and enjoy their own outdoor spaces,improving mental health.

  • Posted by colin546326 May 05, 2020 at 21:53

    agree with Bethan..also I am trying to buy plants online but they are closed for orders. seems a waste when they have the plants available

  • Posted by GordonMichie May 05, 2020 at 22:34

    Whilst people have extra time to spend in their gardens it is important that garden centres are reopened also allowing the growers an outlet.

  • Posted by awhiteford May 05, 2020 at 22:39

    It does seem that garden centres could open soon as generally they cover quite large spaces so social distancing could easily be put in place and would support these businesses.

  • Posted by Jeannie May 05, 2020 at 23:06

    Totally agree unfair that B & Q are selling plants etc but garden centres can’t open with the same social distance rules in place

  • Posted by Carel May 06, 2020 at 06:59

    Gardening is a healthy activity that does not involve contact with others. it should be encouraged during lockdown. Garden centres can set up one way systems etc same as other open stores.

  • Posted by DaveL May 06, 2020 at 07:57

    Most people on "lockdown" are taking advantage of the time. They are clearing out their houses, generating loads of rubbish but the tips are closed. Reopen the dumps so folk can dispose of the rubbish rather than 'fly-tipping'. As well as rubbish, those lucky enough to have gardens are doing an awful lot of gardening but unless you had already stocked up before "lockdown", you're strugling for supplies, seeds, compost new pots etc. I'm having to buy on E-bay and get stuff delivered which, isn't the most environmentally friendly approach. Much rather vist my local garden centre so I can see whats there and buy just what I need. Apart from excercise, rubbish and gardens seem to take up the bulk of peoples time just now. Re-open dumps and garden centres

  • Posted by Mthomso May 06, 2020 at 09:35

    Garden centres should be able to manage numbers and social distancing in the same way as supermarkets. Can not understand why large retailers are allowed to sell garden products but the main garden traders cannot. Will allow growers to resume work. Lockdown means we can at least work in gardens, but seems illogical that we can’t buy seeds or plants to work with.

  • Posted by jgelliot May 06, 2020 at 11:22

    Garden centres have shown imagination and understanding of the precautions required in settting up on-line sales. They are most likely to implement e.g.one way systems and lift the current feeling of oppression from lockdown. A more colourful summer will lift spirits further.

  • Posted by Bradamante May 06, 2020 at 11:30

    I support this idea. Most garden centres (not their cafés) can adult manage social distancing and they are a sector with extremely time-limited stock.

  • Posted by borisj May 06, 2020 at 12:35

    Garden centres could offer to deliver the goods you select on line or by phone. How many people are involved in you visiting a garden centre, there's you, another family member (often), the cashier at the garage where you get petrol and buy a sweetie of the journey, the assistants and checkout operators in the garden centre, the catering people if you decide to have a spot of lunch, the AA man who has to come and start your car because it's battery is flat after so many weeks doing nothing, the other customers who have touched the very yankee candle that you just picked up.

    I feel for people who are trapped, but at least you have a garden, think about the people in hi rise flats who only have four walls and a window.

    Everybody wants to get out, everybody want to carry on where they left off their life, we will only be able to do that when we all stop being selfish and stop spreading the disease... 2000 people (approx) are infected and diagnosed most days... how do you think that happened ? it didn't blow in the window, they were in contact with other people during the last week, and one of them had the infection.

  • Posted by hidalgoscotland May 06, 2020 at 12:37

    Huge amounts of seedlings and bedding plants are going to waste just at the time of year when most people want them. it is bonkers that B&Q can be open and Marks and Spencer can sell plants but Dobbies garden centre is closed (I exclude the café part).

  • Posted by jrob May 06, 2020 at 15:35

    Completely agree.

  • Posted by YvonneGunn May 06, 2020 at 20:45

    So important for people living on their own to have activities to keep them occupied. Gardening lets us work outside and enjoy fresh air. It wouldn't be too difficult for garden centres to organise social distancing and controlled numbers . I’ve been trying to buy compost all week with no success as all the open outlets are sold out, compost seems to have become the new toilet rolls or flour!!
    Opening garden centres would relieve this pressure and give us an opportunity to enhance our gardens.

  • Posted by Me May 06, 2020 at 20:58

    Keep them closed encouraging people to shop and go on non essential journeys putting others at risk for a few plants to ease someone’s boredom if all non essentials stayed closed from beginning maybe we wouldn’t be where we are now

  • Posted by johncunndainn May 07, 2020 at 08:18

    Shops in general should be able to re-open, as long as they can operate infection control measures such as distancing and masks, and protect their own staff satisfactorily. Garden centres are better placed than most shops to do this. They are also selling perishable goods, so have a commercial need to open. Very large garden centres may find it a bit more difficult, but then they have more resources. Car parks may need some re-organisation, and there may even need to be limits on number of cars at any one time.

    The basic rule is, if you can operate safely, you can open. Government guidance could clarify 'safely'.

  • Posted by frazzledhometeacherandhomeworker May 08, 2020 at 08:36

    Reopening any retail outlets that can operate the same precautions introduced by our supermarkets should happen as soon as possible. From a personal perspective the opening of garden centres would be a huge boost!

  • Posted by scottishfeminist May 08, 2020 at 14:30

    I don't know why these were shut down in the first place. They are usually outdoors and less busy than supermarkets. We should be keeping as many shops and businesses open as possible.

  • Posted by gailyg May 08, 2020 at 14:33

    Why on earth would you not let garden centres open, when B&M, Home Bargains and B&Q are open.
    These garden centres are totally reliant on a perishable product unlike the aforementioned stores.
    Surely the Government has to use common sense in their approach to easing restrictions. Why have they not thought about this?

  • Posted by Dodie20 May 11, 2020 at 21:30

    All supermarkets sell plants. Let the garden centres open so they can make some money.
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