Bradford Garden Centre is announced as finalist in national industry awards
Directors and staff at a Bradford Garden Centre are celebrating after being announced as finalists of two awards in a prestigious national competition.
Tong Garden Centre was acquired last year by new owners who wasted no time in investing in a series of improvements to its plant, catering, retail and play areas.
It is these improvements, together with the extension of the Grasshoppers Adventure Playground to cater for the growing number of visitors that have earned the team a place in the final in the Garden Centre Outlet of the Year (Destination) category of the Garden Retail and Garden Industry Awards. To reach the final, Tong had to demonstrateexcellence in areas including growth, customer satisfaction, community awareness, staff motivation, product range and marketing.
The team at Tong has also been shortlisted in the Customer Service Excellence award that will be awarded to the garden retail outlet that shows customer service above and beyond the norm.
Tong Garden Centre co-owner, Mark Farnsworth is delighted with the news: "It's a credit to the team at Tong, who have worked exceptionally hard to implement huge changes, that we've reached the final of this national competition.
"Exceptional service in all areas underpins everything we do at Tong and it's very rewarding that our efforts to achieve customer service excellence have been recognised nationally. I'm very proud that this is the second Customer Service award that the team has been shortlisted for this year."
Hosted by leading industry title, Horticulture Week, The Garden Retail & Garden Industry Awards recognise and celebrate the best businesses in the garden retail industry. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 22ndFebruary at London's Grand Connaught Rooms.
The announcement comes as the team prepares to embark on further improvements to its catering areas.
Tong Garden Centre occupies a 17 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.
Ends
Photo: The team at Tong celebrate the good news
For more information or to arrange an interview with Mark Farnsworth, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visithttp://www.tonggardencentre.co.uk
For more information aboutThe Garden Retail & Garden Industry Awards, please visithttp://www.gardenretailawards.com/