KLONDYKE GROUP LIMITED’s Post

Lots of front runners, with our plant teams champing at the bit to get the season started; the odds were on for a great day at our annual Plant show last week. Held within the Exhibition Hall at Aintree Racecourse, close to the group’s Lady Green Garden Centre, over 30 suppliers exhibited at the show. The show, which was attended by the Group’s 22 Plant Managers and Horticultural Buying Team,gave the perfect opportunity to plan and select stock for the 2024 season by bringing them together with many of the best from the UK plant supply chain and gardening suppliers. The day before the show the Group also toured the nurseries of Ivan Ambrose, along with informative talks on sustainability and plant health from Wyevale Nurseries and Bransford Webbs. Klondyke’s Head of Buying Andy Smith organised the show and commented “We really appreciate the support of our suppliers, we will continue to work closely with our supply base to introduce new and interesting lines to our ranges. Without the support of our suppliers, we have no business, so it is very important for us to work with them for the continued success of our business. I would like to thank all our suppliers for the support they have given our business over the last few years, I hope 2024 is a success for everyone”. During the show, Ivan Ambrose were presented with the Klondyke Group’s award for Supplier of the Year 2023.  Other awards presented were to RocketGro for Supplier Innovation and to Bransford Webbs for Supplier Environmental and Sustainability. Corina Lavelle, Director at Ivan Ambrose received the award and commented “We are delighted to have been awarded Supplier of the Year at the Klondyke Plant Show this year. Klondyke are a brilliant partner to work with when developing new ideas, whether that be additions to our range or improvements to how we deliver it. Long may it continue!" High Legh Garden Centre was awarded the Groups Plant Team of the Year: with Mortonhall Garden Centre receiving Destination Plant Area of the Year award for 2023; Astbury Meadow Garden Centre were winner of the Plant Area of the Year category.

A sprinkling of Sherbert through the Cottage garden; the simplicity and calmness of Urban Nature through to the mood and mystery of Moroccan Delights; these were amongst the main themes revealed at the Klondyke Group's Outdoor Living Showcase Event hosted this week at our Polmont centre. The event launches the 2024 outdoor living ranges to our 22 centres and is attended by our Furniture Team members. It allows the teams to see, touch, feel and experience the new ranges. With a continued focus on the garden as a space for relaxation, socialising and dining; the 2024 range includes bar concepts, tipi style dining, outdoor kitchens and modular sets, as well as dining and lounge sets, bbqs, pizza ovens and grill concepts . There was a great sense of excitement from all the teams as they explored each theme and range. Our suppliers are integral to the success of the showcase; they provide the top tips, details and benefits of our ranges so we can pass these onto our customers so they can select the right products for their lifestyle and outdoor space. George Summerscale, Furniture Buyer commented “This is the most exciting date in my diary; the one that I look forward to the most - to be able to show our team members our furniture and BBQ ranges for 2024. The showcase is the perfect platform for our teams to come along and get to fully know the ranges and ask our suppliers any questions they have on the products. By the end of the day everyone is excited to get back to their centres and pass on this knowledge and inspiration to their customers”.

Very excited to announce that we have acquired THE CRIEFF FOOD COMPANY LIMITED from founder Jamie Landale. The award winning Perthshire business, includes a food hall, café and gift shop. The food hall offers a wide range of products from local suppliers and producers, plus its own butchers and deli selection. The shop will continue to trade under the Crieff Food Company name and all of the staff will be retained by Klondyke. Our Chief Executive David Yardley commented ‘The Crieff Food Company has been long admired by Klondyke and is a great addition to the group. The nature of the business works nicely alongside our garden centres and we look forward to working with the team at Crieff to learn from their foodie expertise.” #klondykestrikesgardencentres #foodhall #farmshop #thecriefffoodcompany #foodie #gardencentres

We are excited about this great opportunity to get chatting to young people thinking of their next steps or looking for career opportunities. Our HR manager Sally is running a 'Virtual Career Tour' with Speakers for Schools this Thursday afternoon between 2.30 and 3.30pm. She'll be talking about all the opportunities available with us within our garden centres and restaurants - from customer service to visual merchandising; chefs to baristas; plant experts to management roles; talk about our apprenticeship programme and give young people the chance to hear about the career paths on hand with us. #klondykeandstrikesgardencentres #speakersforschools #careeropportunitites #nextsteps #gardencentrecareers