As lockdown measures continue to allay across the UK , there is no star sign of the incredible growth in sales by garden heart slowing . In Fact , overall sales for twelfth April - 12th May 2021 are 22 % up vs the same menstruum in 2019 ; and garden / horticulture sale within this are +34 % . And as all body politic except Northern Ireland began welcoming patrons back inside cafe and eating place from Monday ( 17/5 ) there ’s great news about consumer confidence , too .
The HTA have been chase consumer confidence in visiting both garden centres and garden center cafes , set in the context of COVID - good measures being in piazza . The upshot from the most recent wafture show that 80 % of British adults now feel confident visiting garden centres and 67 % feel confident in visiting a garden centre café or eating house . This is the highest these numbers have been since trailing began - welcome news show for garden centres , which declare oneself a divers kitchen range of eating experiences .
Catering is of great grandness to many garden centre ’s revenue streams , helping to counteract the seasonal nature of business , particularly in inhuman month . There ’s a wide chain of mountains of cordial reception on offering across UK garden centres , from small , traditional tea parlour , to full - on seat - down restaurant . Garden centre catering follows all the necessary COVID - unafraid measure but urge client to be reverential of fellow customers and staff and continue to watch the guidepost specify out .
Changed menusMatthew Bent is Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home in Warrington , which boasts a Tapas Bar , a Coffee Hut , and various other dining options , including a Pet Café with favorite - safe treat such as ‘ pupacinos ’ and ‘ pupcakes ’ .
He said : " The past year has been a very thought-provoking clip for everyone , and although as a garden centre we have been fortunate to stay open for much of the time , like other hospitality venues our indoor dining destination stay close in line with government guidepost . We were delighted when the first steps in the Road Map were announced and we were capable to extend outside dining options , and now we are look forward to extending this to inwardly .
“ We ’ve had to make many change , including a somewhat reduced bill of fare and concentrate cover to ensure everyone ’s safe . Not all our dining finish have re - open up yet , but our co-worker have embraced the challenge and create welcoming address where buffet car can enjoy their meal in our bright , relaxing and attractive surround . ”
In line with government guidelines , garden centres are doing everything they can to foreclose the spread of coronavirus . Many have implemented new safety criterion such as deal sanitizing stations and are expect visitors to stay socially distanced . Glendoick Garden Centre and Café in Dundee is adjusting to the unexampled normal with the help of a mobile ordering app to aid patrons avoid queue . Owner Jane Cox say :
“ Our café brings in a third of our income and the lockdowns have had a vast encroachment on our dollar volume . It ’s a relief to be open again and a joyousness to see our staff and customers smile , beaming to be back . imbed the app has had its challenge in the first two weeks , but faculty and customers are now savor its benefits . We hope to add more tables as lockdown simplicity and count forward to serve our customers in a really safe and friendly setting . ”
