Updated: Thursday, 3rd January, 2008 12:00am

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Quality award goes to Enfield garden centre

LUSK`S Garden Centre, Enfield, was the recipient of a three-star quality award in the Bord Bia Garden Centre Awards at the National Amenity Horticulture Awards ceremony.

Boyne Garden Centre was recognised with a one-star quality award.

These awards were presented at a gala celebration combining the Nursery Quality Programme Awards, the Landscape Quality Programme Awards and the Garden Centre Awards.

Almost 200 industry representatives attended the ceremony where the awards were presented by Minister of State with responsibility for food and horticulture, Trevor Sargent, TD, in Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath.

The National Amenity Horticulture Awards recognise and promote excellence across three key sectors of the industry. This year, Bord Bia presented awards to 25 garden centres, 20 nurseries and eight landscape service providers. Additionally, a number of special awards for garden centres were presented on the night.

These included: 

Bord Bia large garden centre of the year - Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Pavilion, Co Carlow; small garden centre of the year - Fernhill Garden Centre, Co Westmeath; best plant quality - O`Meara Garden Pavilion, Co Westmeath; best product information and signage - Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Pavilion, Co Carlow; best customer service - Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Pavilion, Co Carlow; best new entry - Connacht Gold DIY and Garden Centre, Co Roscommon; best specialist centre - The Secret Garden, Co Cork;  best plant merchandising - O`Meara Garden Pavilion, Co Westmeath; best local plant supplier - Schram Plants Ltd, Co  Kildare.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Sargent said: “The government, as it continues to support producers under the NDP Scheme of Investment Aid for the commercial horticulture sector, recognises the important contribution that the horticulture industry makes to the overall economy.

“Additionally, the activities of the producers, contractors and retailers contribute enormously to our quality of life. I would like to congratulate all the award recipients this evening. I appreciate every aspect of the business is investigated, and the standards are high. When a company achieves a quality award, it is a real achievement.”

Mr Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, acknowledging the importance of the evening, said: “The National Amenity Horticulture Awards provide the perfect platform to recognise the excellence of the industry and its achievements over the last 12 months.

“The market for amenity horticulture and its products has experienced significant growth in Ireland in recent years. Consumer research, carried out by TNS MRBI on behalf of Bord Bia, has shown that the time poor consumer is veering towards convenience and ready made solutions.

“This provides an opportunity for the horticulture industry to capitalise on a growing consumer need for expedient options.”

The study highlighted low maintenance and convenience as the most important factors currently influencing consumers` purchase behaviour. Further research suggests that many consumers now prefer to spend time entertaining in their garden, with maintenance and upkeep being outsourced.

The growing demand for landscaping services and the significant increase in the value of ready planted hanging baskets (a 64 per cent increase from July to September, 2007, versus the same period in 2005) is further supporting evidence of this emerging `convenience` trend.

Bord Bia has estimated the amenity/garden products industry is worth almost s1 billion, a growth of over 71 per cent since 2002.

The Bord Bia Garden Centre, Nursery and Landscape Quality Programmes are designed to define standards for the industry and encourage participants to reach them. 

The schemes are voluntary and participants receive two announced inspections over a 12-month period.