Dobbies, one of the UK’s favourite garden centres, won the prestigious Garden Retail Award for ‘Best Business Development: New build, Refit or Launch’ at the Garden Retail Awards which were held in London on 12th November.
Dobbies picked-up the award for its new store at Southport which opened in March 2008. The award recognises best practice in design, innovation and environmental standards.
The judges, drawn from the media, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and business, praised Dobbies for the way that the company had created a distinctive shopping experience in a natural and appealing setting. The judging panel also commended Dobbies on placing sustainability at the heart of the building design, incorporating eco friendly principles such as a biomass boiler and a grey water system into the design of the store.
Stuart Wright, Director of Property at Dobbies said: “Winning the award is great testimony to the care, time and dedication which Dobbies puts in to each and every one of its stores. Southport represents a new generation of garden centre and we are delighted that this has been recognised by the industry.”
Dobbies Garden World in Southport is a day out destination for all the family. The store offers a diverse range of quality gardening and home product ranges at great value prices. The store also boasts a farm foodhall which sells locally sourced fresh and organic produce and an interactive visitor attraction called The Greenhouse, where adults and children alike can learn about sustainable lifestyles and the natural environment.
In addition to winning the award for best new build Dobbies was also shortlisted for Best Catering Facilities at its Edinburgh store and for Best Environmental Policy.
The Garden Retail Awards are a celebration of everything that’s excellent in retailing to gardeners, their families and their friends. The Awards are presented by the horticulture industry’s leading business and professional magazine, Garden Retail, and are now in their second year as part of Haymarket Professional Media.
