WARRINGTON based Bents Garden & Home has been presented with the title of Best Destination Garden Centre in the UK 2017/2018, beating off competition from over 200 other centres and GCA members.
It is the fifth occasion Glazebury based Bents has held the award which recognises quality standards within the industry.
Bents, which is based at Glazebury, were presented with the title by the Garden Centre Association (GCA) following an extensive annual audit which records scores from all member centres. The award comes at the end of what has been a celebratory 12 months for Bents as the family owned and run business marked its 80th anniversary during 2017.
Says Matthew Bent, MD of Bents Garden & Home: “There are many awards available within our industry, but this really is the big one. It is not one that requires a written submission or paid for entry; instead the audit is something that is a requirement of our GCA membership.
“It is based purely on quality standards throughout the centre, not only of our products and departments, but also our people and service, which makes it all the more special to receive again this year. We have a great team who work extremely hard and this award is a fantastic way to thank them for their input.”
As with all GCA member centres, Bents received an unannounced spot visit by the GCA auditors in Spring 2017 and recorded one of the highest scores in the country, which saw them awarded Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West. The Centre then received a further spot check to be re-audited resulting in the UK’s highest result and presentation of the prestigious industry award.
Other national awards to be presented following the audit included: Best Plant Area; Commercial, Creativity & Innovation Award; Catering Excellence Silver Award and Customer Service Silver Award.
The award also sees Bents being acknowledged as a Garden Centre of Excellence, one of only ten in the country.
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Well done Mathew and Staff – congratulations