Reaction to Scottish First Minister statement

In reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that Scottish garden centres can reopen from 5 April, James Barnes, Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, said: 

“This is excellent news and we are delighted garden centres can finally reopen in time for some of the key Spring trading period. Everyone has been aware of the huge contribution to mental health and wellbeing that gardening provides in lockdown.

Our members have been standing ready to welcome customers back to the naturally light, airy and large retail spaces which, together with enhanced Safe Trading Protocols, make garden centres safe and comfortable environments in which to shop. They will be delighted to enable Scottish consumers to get back to gardening, making progress with projects large and small. 

The ability to trade on Easter Monday will bring some certainty to the Scottish supply chain and a growth in confidence for an important sector of the Scottish economy, for the rest of the season.”