Published on 2 - February - 2010

News

Glazebury-based centre wins prestigious GCA award for the second year in a row.


For the second year in a run Bents Garden & Home has been presented with the national title of GCA Garden Centre of the Year 2010. It is in fact the third time the garden centre, based in Glazebury near Warrington, has held the prestigious award.

Bents was presented with the title by the Garden Centre Association (GCA) following an intensive annual audit, which records scores from more than 200 garden centres throughout the UK.

Bents Garden & Home md Matthew Bent said: "There are many awards available within our industry, but this really is the big one. It is not one that requires a written submission; instead the audit is something that is a requirement of our membership of the GCA.

"It is based purely on quality standards throughout the centre, not only of products and departments, but also people and service, which makes it all the more special to receive it again this year. We have a great team who work extremely hard and this award is a fantastic way to thank them for all their input."

Bents received a spot visit by the GCA auditors in spring 2009 and recorded one of the top scores in the country, which saw the centre named Best Garden Centre in the North West. Bents then received a further spot check, along with four other centres, to be re-audited resulting in the UK's highest result and presentation of the prestigious industry award.

Categories acknowledged by the audit included the centre's disabled facilities, garden care department, Fresh Approach restaurant, houseplants and seasonal plants.

The GCA's Gillie Westwood said of the announcement: "The Garden Centre of the Year award is extremely important within the industry. Centres don't pay to enter or put themselves forward; our members are all visited by our inspectors with no prior knowledge of the exact date so we can ensure standards remain high at all times.

"We are delighted for Bents. It is a fantastic achievement to retain the title for a second consecutive year and even more impressive when up against such strong competition."

Bents is also acknowledged as a Garden Centre of Excellence - one of only 16 in the country.

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