Bradford garden centre celebrates second anniversary of new ownership with Y30 partnership

The team at Tong Garden Centre has marked the second anniversary oftheits takeover by joining Welcome to Yorkshire's prestigious Y30 partnership, a group of Yorkshire-based businesses working with the UK's leading tourism agency to achieve more together for the county.

In the course of the last two years, the new owners Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson have invested over £1 million to transform the Tong Lane business and have created over 100 new jobs. In addition to improving the shopping experience, the centre has added the extremely popular Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground, which has been enjoyed by over 115,000 children. Earlier this year,Tong Garden Centre won Destination Garden Centre Outlet of the Year and Customer Service Excellence Awards at the prestigious Garden Retail Awards in London and more recently was announced Small to Medium Sized Enterprise of the Year in the Bradford Means Business Awards.

Of the anniversary, Mark Farnsworth said: "It's been an incredibly busy two years! Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the team, we have attracted new customers and welcomed back former customers. We have been delighted with the results so far. We're extremely pleased to have provided employment for 100 local people and together we have raised over £10,000 for Yorkshire charities.

"We're very proud of our Yorkshire roots and felt that our second anniversary was an ideal time to strengthen our links with leading tourism agency, Welcome to Yorkshire, by joining Y30. This group of businesses are ambitious, innovative and share Tong's passion for championing Yorkshire."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said:"We're delighted to be working so closely with such a fantastic business. Tong Garden Centre is leading the way when it comes to destination shopping, offering a first-class experience for the whole family with its brilliant combination of retail, food and play. The team have achieved so much in just two years and I know they'll continue to go from strength to strength."

In the last 12 months alone, the catering areas and Food Hall at Tong have undergone a transformation; the business has invested in TV advertising for the first time and has partnered with TV gardener, Katie Rushworth to bring inspirational garden ideas to Tong's customers.

Tong Garden Centre is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 750cars.

Ends

Photo: Sir Gary Verity and Mark Farnsworth from Tong

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

1. For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.ukand see the centre'sFacebook,Twitter,Instagramandnewsonline.

2. For more information about Welcome to Yorkshire, please visitwww.yorkshire.com
   

3. 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.

4. The awards that Tong has won include

   1. Winner of Destination Garden Centre at the Garden Retail Awards 2017

   2. Winner of customer service excellence in Garden Retail Awards 2017

   3. Shortlist in Welcome to Yorkshire's White Rose Awards for customer service excellence 2016

   4. Our catering team wonGreatest Garden Centre Chef Team of the Year 2016 at the Garden Trade News Awards 2016

   5. North East winner of the GCA's (Garden Centre Association) Christmas Competition for Destination Garden Centres 2016