A Plant Lover’s Paradise

At Suffolk Plant Centre at Pettistree, Nr Wickham Market,you’ll find a fantastic and varied range of great value plants, from the expected to the exotically unusual. You’ll also find a highly experienced team who are always available to assist you in selecting the perfect plant.

Suffolk Plant Centre has been trading for just over four years, though the onsite nursery has existed for much longer. It now employs three full time staff and one or two temporary staff in peak times. Harriet (pictured right)manages the shop and the advertising, Bella (left) is front of house and retail supervisor and Kevin (centre) looks after the watering and is the forklift driver! All three are passionate about the centre, and about plants, and work together to give customers the best experience possible.

The centre provided a delivery service between March and May, using social media to let customers know what was in stock. Now the centre is open again with social distancing measures in place and extra staff to manage the one way system and provide a reassuring smile on arrival.

Next we got into the nitty gritty – we got Harriet to tell us how the business came to be set-up, and who works with them and what their roles are within the company. “We have been trading here for just over 4 years. The nursery has always been here so it makes sense to have a retail shop on site. We are a team of 3 full time staff, and 1or 2 temporary staff in peak times. I manage the shop and the advertising, Bella is front of house and retail supervisor and Kevin looks after the watering and is our forklift driver!” We are all very passionate about the Plant Centre and work together to give our customers the best experience possible.

We also asked if there was a big market for your products or services, “There is a big market for plants, especially at the moment when people are confined at home. Gardening has become very trendy, [especially] with all the garden shows on TV, and appealing to all age groups.”

“Our customers always receive a smile and a warm welcome but it’s more important than ever right now and we want every customer to feel relaxed and to enjoy their time with us,” says Harriet. “The shop is always full of vibrant colours, which creates a positive, calming atmosphere, but nothing beats a smile and a warm welcome.”

The centre has been busy since it reopened with lots of new customers in addition to well-loved regulars.

“Demand is especially high at the moment as people are spending more time at home. Gardening has become very trendy and in addition to great plants, we can offer advice and help new gardeners choose the best plans for their space, however large or small.”

Harriet has considered writing a gardening blog but she knows customers like to visit for both inspiration and advice.

“We offer a personal shopping experience. We’re re very happy to chat to our customers who enjoy spending time amongst the plants and flowers. I’m often told a visit to Suffolk Plant Centre is mood enhancing, which doesn’t surprise me in the least. I’m at my happiest when I’m in the thick of it and it’s always a joy to see customers enjoying their time with us.”

Suffolk Plant Centre is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9am to5pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

For more information visit: www.suffolkplantcentre.co.uk