Committed staff at Bradford garden centre rewarded with invitation to the White Rose Awards

The efforts by seven staff members to deliver exceptional service and commitment at Tong Garden Centre are being rewarded with an invitation to a prestigious awards ceremony.

Steve Smith (Plants Buyer); Jackie Price (Catering Supervisor front of house); Sam Grainger (Kitchen Assistant); Diane Farrar (Tills Manager); Ben Hooper (Sales Assistant); Andy Pickering (Head Butcher) and Lee Parnham (Head Baker)will accompany some of the management teamto theWelcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards on November 12, where Tong Garden Centre is once again shortlisted in the Customer Service category.

All were selected fortheir positivity and commitment which contributed to the exponential growth during a long, hot summer that saw huge demand for outdoor plants, garden furniture and fresh produce for barbecues.

Tong's co-owner, Mark Farnsworth said: "Every member of our team works hard to surprise and delight our customers, but these staff members have gone the extra mile todeliver an exceptional level of service and we're looking forward to attending the awards with them."

The Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards honour Yorkshire's £8 billion a year tourism economy and are the largest celebration of tourism excellence in the UK.The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on 12 November atHarrogate Convention Centre.

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: L - R Lee Parnham, Catharine Westmoreland, Sam Grainger and 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

1. For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.ukand see theTwitterandFacebookpages.
2. Tong Garden Centre is the largest independent garden centre in Yorkshire, located near Bradford, West Yorkshire. On site, visitors will find anoutdoor plant department, shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands such as Mountain Warehouse, Pavers and Bonmarché, the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, and the children's outdoor adventure playground, Grass Hoppers.
3. For more information about the White Rose Awards, please visithttps://wra.yorkshire.com/
4. Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson acquired Tong Garden Centre in May 2015 fromprevious owner Ron Harker, whose family had run the business since 1984.