Northampton plant nursery will stay shut to 'keep customers safe' despite Government advice

The owner of a Northampton plant nursery says she feels the only way to keep her customers is to go against Government advise and stay closed.

Garden centres across the UK have become some of the first businesses allowed to reopen to the public this week.

The industry was singled out in the Government's 'phased' coronavirus plan on Monday as a business that could reasonably open again with social distancing in place.

But despite this, Kingsthorpe's Cramden Nursery will not reopen this week - because owner Emily Mitchell says the Government's go-ahead is not enough to keep her customers and staff safe.

"I just don't feel we can provide enough space to do social distancing," Emily told the Chronicle & Echo.

"The Government says we can open again - but I feel our layout is much different to a garden centre.

"The area isn't very spacious at all. On a busy day in any other year, it can be full and really quite a social experience, with people talking to each other and looking in each other's baskets.

"I want to open again. But I think we need to be sensible and protect our staff and customers."

Cramden Nursery, off Harborough Road, joined countless businesses on March 23 when it shut for the lockdown, and has been closed for over seven weeks.

The plant nursery has been able to adapt with an online marketplace and delivery service for customers - but much of this spring's vital trade has been lost without the chance to invite customers through the door.

Emily said: "We've sold plants but not nearly as much as when customers come through the door.

"And the weather has been so beautiful too. I can't believe the number of times I've said 'Can you imagine what we could have done if this had been our season?'

"We don't know when we will open again. I feel deeply sad. The whole situation is terrible but I feel so grateful to our customers that have ordered online. We've had so many thank-you emails from people who say how having some new flowers has made their week.

"We just hope it's all worthwhile."

Garden centres across the UK are expected to suffer severe financial loss this year. Growers have also been forced to throw away or compost hundreds of thousands of flowers scheduled to bloom this spring but could not be sold.

It comes after both of Northampton's Dobbies Garden Centres reopened today (May 13).