BY MONICA CHARD, EDITOR, VILLAGE MATTERS MAGAZINES
According to the Horticultural Traders Association, lockdown spawned an estimated 3 million new gardeners, as many of us started really treasuring outside space that we may previously have taken for granted.
But one local family has been nurturing growers for decades. This year Squires celebrate 85 years. The business was started in 1936 as a landscaping and nursery business by DJ Squire, grandfather of Chairman,w Sarah Squire. It was in 1964 however, that his son Colin Squire started the garden centre business itself with the first centre opening in Twickenham, which remains head office. There are now 16 centres, and the business employs over 800 staff.
Gardening may have taken on even greater popularity during the lockdowns, but 2020 was the most challenging year Squire’s has faced. It was difficult to get stock. Brexit had already posed challenges to the supply chain, but lockdown meant a whole heap of uncertainty. During the first lockdown the business managed to find a way to offer a limited telephone ordering service, but stock was patchy. One innovation was offering customers lucky dip bundles. £50 got you £100 worth of plants and you made the most of it. It was popular. Sarah Squire makes the point of saying how grateful they are to all the patient customers who have played by the Covid rules and who have shown understanding and appreciation. Suppliers have also pulled out all the stops. But none of this would be possible without the staff. She says “Our colleagues have been amazing, and I do want to thank them. They have been flexible and cheerful, working hard and getting us through”.
Gardening will continue to be a favourite pastime. It is known to be helpful for mental health, as well as being physical and getting us out in the fresh air. There is something very special and satisfying about watching plants grow.
Squires are very community focused, supporting the ‘In Bloom’ initiatives, supplying planting to embellish local locks and roundabouts, as well as hosting local arts and crafts events, supporting local talent. They have also always been good at encouraging youngsters to explore gardening, with their ‘Create and Grow’ workshops proving very popular.
The business makes a point of sourcing plants locally, with 80% being UK grown. They have also recently appointed a Sustainability Manager to ensure that the carbon footprint of the business is managed and improved. This involves looking at waste management, the buildings, lighting and product sourcing. Black plastic is being phased out in favour of recycled and recyclable-coloured pots. Old plastic pots you no longer need can be brought back to the centre for reuse too.
Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s is the third generation. It appears that the 4th generation is already in the wings, so we say congratulations on the 85th anniversary and good luck with the future.