First Minister for Wales review

Reacting to news that the Welsh government will consider non-essential retail in a review on 11 March, James Barnes, Chairman of the HTA, said:

"With the busiest season for horticultural businesses about to start, the First Minister's statement today leaves us with very little room for manoeuvre  and anxious to see garden centres opened on 11 March.

"Our members - growers and retailers alike - need certainty around opening dates and the key trading occasion of Mother's Day will be even more important after such a difficult period which will now include closure on St David's Day.

"We recognise the part we have to play in seeing this pandemic brought under control and have revisited our Safer Trading Guidance so that garden centres, which naturally lend themselves to Covid-secure trading with open and airy spaces, continue to provide one of the safest retail environments.

"Plants and gardening contribute to health and wellbeing and provide activities which have helped people safeguard their wellbeing and kept them occupied at home during lockdown. We call on the Welsh government to recognise the valuable contribution horticulture has to make as the country begins the process of recovering from the pandemic, by enabling garden centres to trade again as soon as possible."