Growing garden centre business appoints Commercial Director

A Bradford garden centre has strengthened its senior management team with a board level appointment.

Sharon McNair has been promoted to the newly created position of Commercial Director as the business seeks to enter an ambitious growth phase. Respected in the industry, Sharon has worked in the sector for her entire career and brings almost 30 years' experience to the board with a breadth of retail knowledge in leisure, gardening, catering and seasonal ranges.

Of the promotion, Managing Director, Mark Farnsworth said: "Sharon was one of the first appointments that we made and has been instrumental in the success that we have had since we acquired Tong Garden Centre in 2015.

"Sharon's wealth of garden retail experience has already helped us to re-establish Tong as one of the leading family friendly garden centres in the area and now is the right time to for her to join the board as we look to the future".

"In addition to our ambitions at Tong, we have always stated that we intend to expand and grow our business with other centres and Sharon's skillsgives us additional strength as we try to turn those ambitions into reality."

Ms McNair is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead: "This is a great industry to be involved in and I am proud to be leading the commercial team who have achieved so much in such a short time.  The business has ambitious plans and it's an exciting time for the entire team."

Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson bought Tong Garden Centre in May 2015 for an undisclosed sum. The pair have subsequently invested nearly £2 million in improvements to the centre.  Turnover has nearly trebled since they took over and the business has created over 100 new jobs.

Tong Garden Centre 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:Sharon McNair with Tom Megginson, left and Mark Farnsworth, right Sharon McNair from Tong Garden Centre

For more information or to arrange an interview with Mark Farnsworth or Sharon McNair, 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.      Tong Garden Centre is one of the largest independent garden centres in Yorkshire, located near Bradford in West Yorkshire. It occupies a17-acre site near Tong village.Anoutdoor plant department and shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands spread across110,000 square feet of retail space. Also on-site is a Restaurant and children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers.

3.      Tong Garden Centre triumphed at the North East and North West regional Garden Centre Association (GCA) awards 2017 with a haul of five awards: Garden Centre of the Year in Destination Garden Centre Category; the Dick Allen award for the Most Improved Centre; the ifse Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant; the Gima Award for Best Garden Products retailer 2017 and the Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer.