The team at a Bradford garden centre are celebrating after winning two awards at the North East and North West regional Garden Centre Association (GCA) awards that were held at Tingley Garden Centre on 5th July.

Tong Garden Centre, part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group, won awards in two categories for the North East region: The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant and The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer.

YGC’s Group Retail and Operations Manager, Andy Mears picked up the awards at the presentation that was hosted by Tong’s sister site at Tingley: “We’re so proud of our team and absolutely delighted that their hard work has been rewarded with these awards in what has been a challenging trading year. It’s particularly pleasing as we have won both awards several times in the past and the judges recognise our drive to give our customers an amazing experience, both in the restaurants and with our product ranges.”

GCA Inspector Colin Farquahar said: “The operational standards within the centres in the North East and North West during this year’s inspection window were truly outstanding with teams ensuring that customers received the best service possible. It was evident from the inspections that winning the coveted awards was a motivating factor for many to go above and beyond on a daily basis, it was a pleasure to inspect in this environment.”

The GCA is a group of 163 garden centres that champions professionalism and membership is only awarded to businesses that pass a stringent audit covering all aspects of garden centre retailing excellence.

Established in 1966, the GCA believes in sharing information and experiences at all levels, from senior management to the shop floor. Every year, its members must undergo a comprehensive annual inspection to ensure they continue to meet the stringent criteria set out by the association and therefore maintain membership.

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire’s biggest independent garden centres with 11,600m2 of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars. It is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group that also owns Tingley Garden Centre and the former Stephen H Smith’s Garden Centres in Otley and Harden, Bingley.