Yorkshire entrepreneur to speak at industry summit
The owner of a leading Yorkshire garden centre has been invited to talk at a major horticultural industry summit taking place in London.
Mark Farnsworth, co-owner of Tong Garden Centre in Bradford, West Yorkshire will take part in a panel discussion at the Garden Retail Summit on February 23.
AlongsideMatt Appleby, deputy editor of Horticulture Week and Tim Mason, project manager at Mappleborough Garden Centre, he will explore independent garden centres' routes to growth.
The day-long Garden Retail Summit is considered one of the leading nationalknowledge and networking events for the garden industry, and follows the Garden Retail Awards that will take place on February 22.
Mark said: "It's a great honour to be asked to sit on a discussion panel at the Garden Retail Summit, and partake in an event of this significance with respected industry executives.
"I'm looking forward to sharing our journey so far of growing an independent garden centre as well as hearing what other speakers will say about the future of the industry and bringing the learnings back to Tong."
Tong Garden Centre has been shortlisted inthe Garden Centre Outlet of the Year (Destination) and the Customer Service Excellence categories in the awards.
"We're extremely proud to be finalists in the nationalGarden Retail Awards. It's a real credit to the team that we have built the business up so quickly."
The two-day Garden Retail event is organised by Horticulture Week, and other subjects being addressed at the summit includethe opportunities and challenges facing the sector and key emerging themes and trends.The Garden Retail Summit takes place at TheGrand Connaught Rooms, London on 23 February.
Ends
Photo: Mark Farnsworth
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 visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.ukand see the centre'sFacebook,Twitterandnewsonline.
Tong Garden Centre is the largest independent garden centre in Yorkshire, located near Bradford, West Yorkshire. Anoutdoor plant department and shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands spread across 110,000 square feet of retail space. Also onsite is the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, and children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers.
For more information about the Garden Retail Summit, please visitwww.gardenretailawards.com/summitand to read more about the Garden Retail Awards, head towww.gardenretailawards.com.