Since March member garden centres have
been assessed across all departments and awarded an overall score by an
inspector. Those who have not yet had their impromptu visit will do so soon.
Iain
Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “So far the inspectors are reporting
back that they are pleased with what they are finding and that standards are
particularly high this year, especially at the top end.
“We
are urging all garden centres yet to be visited to be prepared for the
inspections. Inspectors drop in unannounced and garden centres are not able to
turn them away. Inspections cannot be delayed or deferred because of any
ongoing development work – customers see this when they visit and so will the
inspectors! The garden centres will not lose marks because of such works,
provided they are carried out safely and disruption is minimised with the
customer in mind.
