Representing more than 200 garden centres, the Garden Centre Association (GCA) aims to help their members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability. The highest scoring member garden centres were rewarded for their excellence, during a special ceremony at the De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading held on the 27th of January.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “Through our annual inspections, and these subsequent awards given to those that score the best in those inspections, we know our member garden centres have some of the highest standards in our industry. Each year, our members go from strength to strength and the competition to reach the top spots is more hotly contested.

“All our worthy winners and runners up in each category should be very proud of the example they set to others. I’d like to congratulate every one of them for their outstanding commitment to ensuring the public receives a truly positive experience when visiting them.

“We’re indebted to Kaemingk for sponsoring our conference on Monday and to our overall headline sponsors Evergreen Garden Care and Westland Horticulture, plus our secondary main sponsor Smart Garden Products. I would also like to thank all our category award sponsors for supporting us this year too.”

2025 GCA Winners

GCA GROW Training Award: Squires Garden Centre, Reigate
Dick Allen Award for the Most Improved Garden Centre: Pyle Garden Centre
Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Creativity and Innovation: Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
Paul Cooling Environment and Sustainability Award: Castle Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree

Catering Awards

Catering Award in the Destination Garden Centre Category: Bents Garden & Home and Ruxley Manor Garden
Catering Award in the Garden Centre Category: Thetford Garden Centre
Catering Award in the Local Garden Centre Category: Rutland Nursery

GIMA Awards

GIMA Award Best Garden Products Retailer in the Destination Garden Centre category: Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer in the Garden Centre category: Klondyke Mortonhall Garden Centre
GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer in the Local Garden Centre category): Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst

Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Awards

Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup in the Destination Garden Centre category: Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup in the Garden Centre category: Castle Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup in the Local Garden Centre category: Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth

Indoor Lifestyle Awards

Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer in the Destination Garden Centre category: Bents Garden and Home
Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer in the Garden Centre category: Squires Garden Centre, Woking and Squires Garden Centre, Wokingham
Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer in the Local Garden Centre category: Rutland Nursery

The Outdoor Living Awards

Best Outdoor Living Retailer in the Destination Garden Centre category: Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
Best Outdoor Living Retailer in the Garden Centre category: Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
Best Outdoor Living Retailer in the Local Garden Centre category: Pugh’s Garden Village Wenvoe

Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award in the Destination Garden Centre category: Gates Garden Centre
Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award in the Garden Centre Category: Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
Best Food Hall/Farm Shop Award in the Local Garden Centre Category: Pugh’s Garden Village Wenvoe

Ruxley Rose Award for Best Overall Plantaria

Best overall Plantaria in the Destination Garden Centre category: Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
Best overall Plantaria in the Garden Centre category: Cowell’s Garden Centre
Best overall Plantaria in the Local Garden Centre category: Thompson’s Welling

Christmas Competition

Christmas Competition winner in the Destination Garden Centre category: Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
Christmas Competition winner in the Garden Centre category: Castle Gardens, part of The Gardens Group
Christmas Competition winner in the Local Garden Centre Category: Pugh’s Garden Village Wenvoe

Congratulations to all the winners. Full listing with second and third place winners is available from the GCA.