Garden centres at 70: Why do we love them?

Karen and Tony Cotton described Jacksons Nurseries in Staffordshire as a "great day out"

It is 70 years since the first garden centre opened in the UK heralding the start of a popular shopping pastime.

Seven decades on and the industry continues to thrive, with an estimated 1,500 garden centres and retail nurseries in the UK.

UK garden centre visits reached 203m in 2024, with over two-thirds of adults visiting a garden centre, according to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).

Keen gardener David Jones regularly spends his afternoons at garden centres across Staffordshire.

"Oh, you can't keep me away from garden centres,"he said, "I could live in them."

"We come up for the meal, then the walk around and the shop. They've got everything you could wish for really."

Mr Jones appreciates the gardening tips and advice given by centre’s staff

The nation's first garden centre was opened by Edward Stewart in Dorset, a humble shed at his nursery selling potted plants and garden supplies.

Jacksons Nurseries in Bagnall, Staffordshire, has been trading for 65 years.

Manager Luke Jackson left a high-powered job at Barclays in the East End of London to return home and run the family nursery.

He said he shares the customers love for the outdoors and that was a huge draw in deciding to be the third generation to run the business.

"It's quite a stark contrast being here in the rural environment," he smiled, pleased with his decision.

He said he enjoyed "the ability to be outdoors, get some fresh air and the opportunity to grow and improve the business as well."

Mr Jackson is the third generation of his family to take charge of the 10 acre nursery site

Jacksons also has a popular cafe and HTA’s research shows that 82% of gardening centre visitors used the cafe at least once during 2024.

It is certainly part of the appeal for Jacksons shopper, Julie Cooper, who described it as a place for the whole family to eat, drink and explore.

“There's good social interaction with other people, it’s relaxing and it inspires you for things that you want to do at home.”