“ We have sought urgent talks with the Scottish Government to ascertain when a date will be set for the reopening of garden centres in Scotland as soon as safely possible . The current place will confuse the populace and put the Scottish gardening diligence at a disadvantage to the rest of the UK . We have made the same case to the Northern Ireland Executive .
“ As an industry , our responsibleness is to now work together to render a reopening programme safely and responsibly . The HTA has producedSafe Trading Guidance , which covers all face of how garden centre can re - candid while ensuring staff and client safety at all times .
“ Although opening horticulture essence is hugely welcomed , this is n’t the single answer for the £ 1.5bn British greenhouse market , which has already had to dispose of century of tonnes of plant . We will cover our talks with DEFRA to batten down a rescue package for this sector . The best selection now is for the UK Government to go after a dewy-eyed Dutch - elan compensation scheme , which will help save our horticultural diligence .
“ We have been working tight with garden centres and while many are quick to open up and have been working hard to put in blank space the necessary measure to ensure the base hit of both their customers and their staff , our priority over the coming days will be to provide help to those that postulate further support . This is to insure that we can get as many business organisation back up and running but only when they can open safely .
“ Due to the popularity of gardening we know that there will be a huge surge in demand . We would ask customers before setting out on their journeying to discipline first that their garden eye is open . ThePlants Near Mewebsite will show which garden centres have sign up to the Safe Trading Guidance We hope that the populace will be patient with us while we adapt to these new trading conditions . ”
Scottish Government decides not to reopen garden centres this weekThe First Minister Scotland announce that current restriction on garden centres would not be lifted this week in Scotland , James Barnes , Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association said :
“ While we understand the Scottish Government ’s medical principle for not repair the current restrictions , we are disappointed to see a twin glide slope , which will confuse the world and will put the Scotch horticulture diligence at a disadvantage to the remainder of the UK .
“ We have sought pressing talk with the Scottish Government to empathise how garden heart and soul can reopen as shortly as is safely possible . It is important to have a date established so garden centres can adequately prepare and avail staff back to work .
“ The HTA has launch aSafe Trading Guidancedocument for garden centres to follow to ensure a dependable and managed reopening subprogram . The illogicality of some retail vent being able to deal plants while garden centres have to detain unsympathetic in Scotland is staggeringly frustrating for Scots gardeners and our members likewise . For model , Klondyke Garden Centres based near Falkirk will not be allowed to spread but also has premise south of the border , while Dobbies is the largest garden kernel manipulator in the UK , and following this annunciation its Edinburgh top dog office will continue closed , while its English depot will be allowed to open up . That is not a sustainable proposition .
“ We have repeatedly highlighted to both Westminster and Holyrood the plight of the UK horticultural sector and that opening garden substance would be part of the solution to forestall up to a third of the nursery sector becoming insolvent .
“ We receive Westminster ’s announcement today that garden substance will be allowed to reopen in England from Wednesday . We are in efflorescence season , when 70 % of plant sold are between March and June . This is not only a prescribed economic move but gardening benefits the mental wellness and well - being of so many people isolating at plate and the grandness of sustain something to do at home keep on you at home . ”
secure Trading GuidanceThe HTA has produced aSafe Trading Guidancewhich let in a series of recommendation to protect customers .
The counseling document has been found on penetration from top HTA retailers , the British Retail Consortium , and from government advice as a passport of best pattern regarding social distancing . Cafes , restaurants and children ’s gaming field will not be allow to reopen under the rule of thumb .
Recommendations include advice on client numbers in stores , entranceway and expiration protocols , and queueing and checkout routine . It also check practical advice on how to protect the health and wellbeing of staff .
What customers can expect
The HTA latterly launch a website -plantsnearme.hta.org.uk- to help customers find local garden nitty-gritty that are offer up home speech or come home and amass services . Members of the public will now be able to use the web site to see which business have reopened and are following the Safe Trading Guidance .
For more informationHorticultural Trades AssociationHorticulture House19 high-pitched StreetThealeReadingWest BerkshireRG7 5AHT : +44 ( 0)118 930 3132Fax : +44 ( 0)118 932 3453NGGV : +44 ( 0)118 930 2092www.the-hta.org.uk
