Gordale Garden Centre named among UK's 'Garden Centres of Excellence'

Gordale Garden and Home Centre were awarded fifth place in the Top 100 UK Garden Centres list by the Garden Centre Association (GCA).

Founded in 1948 by Harold and Joyce Nicholson, Gordale is also one of the oldest garden centres in Britain and will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

After studying horticulture in England and Holland, Peter Nicholson, the son of Harold and Joyce, joined the company in 1979 and eventually became the new owner, with his wife, Jill Nicholson.

Jill Nicholson said: "We feel like we can give that little bit extra to our customers as we are a family-run business."

Inside Gordale (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

With around 100 staff, Jill explained that some members have been around for over 40 years.

She added: "They mean a lot to us. Some of our staff have worked for us for 40 years, and lots have worked for over 30 years.

"People will come in just to have a chat with them."

The winners of the GCA awards were announced at the organisation's annual conference on Tuesday, January 24, at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Blackburn.

To be in the running for an award, you have to pass an initial inspection by the GCA and are tested throughout the year.

Tests include phone calls and emails from inspectors pretending to be customers, a review of your webpage and an unannounced inspection which lasts around half a day.

Inside the garden centre (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

Jill said: "You always want to do well. Quite soon after the inspection you are given your score and we knew it was the highest score we had ever had.

"It's fantastic. We work really hard for it. It's nice to have the recognition and the staff are the ones who have done it."

Only the Top 10 Garden Centre's received a 'Garden Centre of Excellence' award from the GCA.