A SCOTTISH FAMILY run garden centre scooped a prestigious award at a national event in which big players such as B&Q, Homebase and John Lewis were also in the running.
Forres-based Mackenzie & Cruickshank has been named Best Independent Garden Centre after being nominated by its suppliers.
The garden centre was crowned the winner at the 2017 Glee Buyers Power List at the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday night. Glee is the premier trade show for garden centres and outdoor living, and attracts buyers from the largest garden centres in the country.
The award recognises buying talent in the garden centre industry, and M&C were up against 15 of the biggest garden centres in the country. Owner of the company which recently underwent a half million pound extension, Peter Wilson, said he was delighted with the win.
He said: “We are thrilled with the result and whilst I know we have a superb team, we were up against some stiff competition. The category we were in, is a who’s who of the largest and best-known garden centres throughout the UK. This is a huge achievement for what is a small family run business based in the north of Scotland.
“The M&C buying team travels thousands of miles every year, including trips to Europe to source a unique and varied range of goods to sell. Scooping this award is recognition of our efforts to buy high quality goods for our customers.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the whole M&C team and we will definitely be having celebration to ensure that everyone knows their hard work is appreciated.”
Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein confirmed: “The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise a key group of decision makers in the gardening industry who are often overlooked: garden retail buyers.
“Through these awards, we are pleased to be able to celebrate and reward their continued hard work, passion and dedication. Our huge congratulations to all of the winners, the finalists and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”