8 February 2006
SUCCESS FOR LOCAL GARDEN CENTRES AND NURSERIES
Northern Ireland garden centres and nurseries have achieved great success at the All Ireland Garden Centre Awards in Dublin.
The awards ceremony, which took place in Dublin Castle, was jointly organised by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland and Bord Bia in the Republic of Ireland. The awards provide a vehicle for improving communication and collaboration along the supply chain and promoting better understanding of customer requirements.
The award for the Northern Ireland Large Garden Centre of the Year was presented to Donaghadee Garden Centre, Co Down, who also received an award for Best Plant Merchandising.
Inver Garden Centre from outside Larne won the award for Northern Ireland Small Garden Centre of the Year.
The award for Best Bedding Plant Supplier to local garden centres was presented to McGrane Nurseries from Tandragee, Co Armagh with Irish Garden Plants from Seaforde, Co Down winning the Best Hardy Nursery Stock Supplier Award.
The All Ireland Garden Centre Award went to Arboretum Garden Centre, Co Carlow. This award was presented jointly by Mr Pat Toal, Permanent Secretary, DARD and Mr Brendan Smith TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, ROI.
Pat Toal congratulated all participants in the awards and extended thanks to Bord Bia for hosting the awards ceremony this year. He said: "All the nurseries and garden centres involved in these awards have demonstrated the highest levels of customer service and attention to quality despite the constant challenge of 'staying ahead' in a rapidly changing marketplace."
Other Northern Ireland award winners were:
- The Landscape Centre, Dunadry, Co Antrim, for Best Customer Service
- Annett's Garden Centre, Warrenpoint, for Best Plant Quality
- Bushmills Garden Centre, Co Antrim, for Best Developing Garden Centre.
Three Star Award certificates were presented to garden centres that guarantee a wider range of quality products and services in a pleasant shopping environment. These went to Ballymoney Garden Centre, Co Antrim, and Garden Creation Garden Centre, Omagh.
In addition Four Star Award certificates went to Annett's Garden Centre, Bushmills Garden Centre, Donaghadee Garden Centre, Inver Garden Centre, The Landscape Centre and The Old Green Home and Garden Centre, Kells, Co Antrim. A Four Star rated garden centre offers premium quality products plus additional facilities, services and merchandise.
The public can obtain details on the All Ireland Garden Centre Awards scheme by contacting DARD Supply Chain Development Branch, Tel: 028 9052 4236.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619.
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