Plans to reopen West Sussex’s garden centres welcomed

The imminent reopening of many garden centres in West Sussex has been welcomed by two of the county’s MPs.

The Government has announced a number of changes to lockdown measures as it unveiled its new message to the public: ‘stay alert, control the virus, save lives’.

One of these changes will allow people to visit garden centres from tomorrow (Wednesday) as long as they continue to observe social distancing guidelines.

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Both Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, and Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, have been lobbying for garden centres to reopen during the first wave of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Mr Gibb said: “It is very welcome news that garden centres throughout the country will be able to reopen. West Sussex growers supply nearly a third of the plants sold in garden centres, with May and June being important months for selling produce. The representations made by the West Sussex Growers’ Association and local MPs combined with the clear scientific advice has made this possible.

“I know that gardeners all over the country will be delighted by the news, helping to improve people’s wellbeing as the important social distancing requirements continue in the battle against the coronavirus.”

Mr Griffith added: “I am pleased to have played a small part in helping this important sector of the outdoor economy to get back to business.”

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Last month, the MP spoke in Parliament, calling on the government to protect plant growers and garden centres at a crucial point of their growing and selling season.

West Sussex has many ornamental plant businesses who feared they would have to destroy their stock with no means of selling it without the support of the garden centres.

Mr Griffith also asked Government to prioritise garden centres ‘when the time is right as they’re important to the emerging mental health crisis’, recognising the enormous health benefits gained from tending to plants, especially during these challenging times of isolation.

The nursery market is worth £1.5 billion in the UK, and garden centres will be welcoming customers back to fill up their flower beds and buy outdoor leisure products.

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The centres will be putting in the necessary measures to provide the safest shopping trip and supporting social distancing measures.

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