A record number of members received highly-commended awards and awards of merit after the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual inspections.
Sixty-three garden centres received a highly-commended title and 150 received awards of merit.

"Our members tell us how beneficial the annual inspections are for them," commented GCA chief executive Iain Wylie. "As they don't know when the inspections will be held it means they are always 'on their toes' in order to make sure everything is running to the highest level at all times.

"This ensures that customer service and retail standards are always of a high quality throughout the important spring trading period.

"If garden centres are scoring 75% or above, as well as increased standards, members will also see increased turnover and profitability, which is a real benefit of being part of the GCA. They can also benefit by using the awards for marketing their centres, and this helps generate greater awareness and additional footfall."

In order to receive an award of merit a garden centre must reach 80% or above in any given category in the inspections.