Garden centres in Rutland, Stamford and Bourne areas are open in second lockdown

Garden centres have welcomed the news that they will be able to remain open during the second lockdown.

Rutland Garden Village in Ashwell Road, Oakham will stay open throughout November as it was announced garden centres could continue to trade in lockdown however, non-essential shops in the complex will have to close

Miranda Jones, brand ambassador, said: “Obviously lockdown number two is a devastating blow for the retail industry including the retailers here at Rutland Garden Village.

“We delivered plants and gardening equipment to thousands of people over the course of the last lockdown so we know how much people treasure time spent in their gardens or caring for their houseplants in these challenging times.”

The general consensus from customers at Rutland Garden Village in the last lockdown was a preference for click and collect or to have purchases delivered. Staff at the garden centre will continue to offer these services - which can be found on www.rutlandgardenvillage.co.uk - alongside keeping the village open.

Miranda said: “We are relieved the garden centre can remain open for those who choose to visit, and we are determined to continue to offer an excellent service to our customers and our community.

“We will get through this - and so will our gardens.”

The team at Rassell’s Nurseries in Little Bytham, are also feeling the benefit of remaining open.

Peter Etherington, retail assistant, said: “We are delighted we’ve been able to remain open from the outset.

“Obviously we weren’t able to in the first lockdown as we were covered by the blanket closure but garden centres did open up before other retail outlets.”

He added: “As a business we are coming into quite a busy part for sales for the season.”

Peter believes that the reason garden centres have been able to remain open through the lockdown is because of the mental health benefits.

“If people are confined to their homes and garden it’s nice to be able to garden,” he said.

“We are continuing to offer delivery services to anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable coming to the nursery.

“We are providing the same levels of service and are encouraging people to embrace the autumn colours.”

Christmas trees are currently being grown at Rassell’s Nurseries which can be reserved ready for the beginning of December.

The garden centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 11am and 4.30pm.

Welland Vale Garden Centre will be open through lockdown from 9am to 4pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 4pm Sundays.

Known for its high-quality, home-grown plants, it is already attracting plenty of custom for its winter gardening range. It also has foods, gifts and Christmas decorations on sale.

Welland Vale is run by Annie Burns and her partner, Charlie Thomas.

Annie said they were pleased to be open through the lockdown and had Covid-19 measures in place throughout the garden centre to keep staff and customers safe.

“While our Orchard Cafe will be closed because of the lockdown regulations, we are still able to sell decorations, gifts and foods,” she added.

These include Christmas hampers, which can be ordered in person or over the phone, and the entrance courtyard to the garden centre will be filled with Christmas trees in a choice of sizes, with an outdoor snow machine adding to the winter wonderland feel.

Welland Vale Garden Centre is off Glaston Road in Uppingham and has a website: www.wellandvalegardeninspirations.co.uk