GCA Crowns Champion of Champions and Garden Centres of Excellence for 2027

The Garden Centre Association revealed the recipients of its highest honours on Tuesday, January 27, 2027, during its annual conference at the Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire, held as part of the organisation’s 60th anniversary year. The ceremony recognised the top-performing garden centres across multiple categories, culminating in the announcement of the overall Champion of Champions alongside the Garden Centres of Excellence.

Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, stated that the evening celebrated the best performers in the industry, highlighting those recognised for their sustained commitment to operational and retail excellence. In addition to the leading centre awards, the association announced its Associate of the Year, as voted for by member garden centres, and presented the Worrall Cup to the garden centre judged to have delivered the strongest marketing entry. Burks also acknowledged the contribution of sponsors to the conference, including Taylors Bulbs, Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre, Davidson Richards, Quinton Edwards, Bon Bon’s and Lyme Bay, as well as CSY Retail, Euro Plants UK Ltd, Clifton Coffee Roasters and Museums & Galleries.

In the core retail categories, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre was named Destination Garden Centre of the Year, with Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree and Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill taking second and third place. Old Railway Line Garden Centre secured the title of Garden Centre of the Year, followed by Poplars Garden Centre and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne. In the Local Garden Centre of the Year category, Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group claimed first place, ahead of Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst and Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield.

The Garden Centres of Excellence, listed alphabetically rather than by inspection score, were Barton Grange Garden Centre; Bents Garden & Home; Coolings Nurseries; Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne; Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill; Old Railway Line Garden Centre; Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree; Ruxley Manor Garden Centre; Planters Tamworth; and Poplars Garden Centre.

In the supplier-focused category, Woodlodge was named Associate of the Year, as voted by GCA garden centre members, with Smart Garden and Allensmore Nurseries placed second and third. The Worrall Cup was awarded to Bents Garden & Home, while British Garden Centres and Gates Garden Centre were recognised as runners-up.

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide and states that through information sharing and its inspection programme it supports members in maintaining high standards in customer service, plant quality and operational reliability.