The Old Railway Line Garden Centre has been awarded ‘Garden Centre of the Year 2021’ at the National Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards.
The family-run business has won the title of ‘Best Garden Centre’ nine years running for the Wales and the West area, but this is just the second time they have achieved top spot at the GCA’s National Awards.
This is a highly prestigious award for the independent garden centre, located in Three Cocks between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye.
As well as scooping the top prize on February 15, The Old Railway Line also picked up first place in the ‘Best Customer Service’ award and second place for ‘Christmas 2021’ and ‘Best Garden Products Retailer’ - all fantastic achievements for an independent, rural business.
Usually, the awards are a large scale event in person but due to the current restrictions, the GCA turned it into an online awards presentation.
Mark Cleary, founder of the Old Railway Line Garden Centre, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded as Best Garden Centre in the UK for 2021. Up against Garden Centres across the country, we were happy to have made it to the top 10. Then then be crowned top spot is a real honour, we’re all over the moon.
“The team has been amazing through all of the challenges we’ve faced over the past couple of years. Their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed and it’s incredible to be recognised for this.
“We strive to deliver the very best shopping experience for our customers. The biggest reward for us is seeing them enjoying their time here at our centre. We couldn’t achieve this without the loyalty from our customers who have supported us over these testing times.
“I’m extremely proud of the team’s achievements at this years’ GCA national awards and I’m looking forward to seeing how we grow from here.”
The GCA represents over 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability. The awards are decided by the results of the annual inspections, which take place at all GCA garden centres. Garden centres have no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.
The award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre was established in 1990 by founders, Mark and Christina Cleary. It provides customers with quality plants, gardening products, indoor and outdoor living goods, pet care products, giftware and furniture. The Old Railway Line is also home to a farm shop stocking products from over 60 local and Welsh suppliers and a 150-seater restaurant offering delicious home cooked food.