Who goes to Garden Centres in January?

[Phyz]

Normally no-one but currently the destination of choice for a day out.

Admittedly the coffee shop is closed but you can still wander around the clothing franchise, the gifts, greeting cards, books, fancy fudge and other food. Browse the garden furniture and hot tubs.

All essential of course.
I wonder how many visitors actually buy a plant?
I had some sympathy with garden centres last March as Easter is their main selling season but not now.

Lots of older people like them as somewhere for a day out.

I've been recently for a new bird table, bird food and winter hanging baskets. Also got a few bargain plants being sold for a pound.
Our hot tub section has been closed off all year.
It's open late and I went just before closing and there was more staff than customers.

I haven’t been but may if I can’t get stuff online - I need to get compost, a new compost bin (ours isn’t breaking down quick enough so going to get a dalek type one) and a greenhouse for the allotment. Need to get a new spade as well, ours is broken.

I did last week to buy a bird bath for my mum's birthday. It was very quiet in there.

The more I read on here, the more I begin to hate people. Petty minded, busybody, stasi types everywhere

The more I read on here, the more I begin to hate people. Selfish, not seeing the big picture, happy for rules to apply to everyone else but them.

I ordered a raspberry cane and a fruit tree online in November which hasn't arrived yet, I wish I had gone to the garden centre

I'm going on Monday to buy a bag of potting compost because I'm worried that they are going to shut again and not having any last spring made a real mess of my allotment plans. I anticipate this taking all of 10 minutes.

@Downtothelastbottleofwine

The more I read on here, the more I begin to hate people. Petty minded, busybody, stasi types everywhere

The more I read on here, the more I begin to hate people. Selfish, not seeing the big picture, happy for rules to apply to everyone else but them.

But the garden centre is open and people are allowed to go to them. What rules are they breaking?

I was going to go and get a plant for Mum's birthday but got one from Waitrose as I was there and didn't want to go to yet another place. They don't sell anything I need right now that Wilkos/Argos don't. The garden has been covered in snow for a while-it's only just gone.
I'm not a mad keen gardener though.

Loads and loads of people. I can't understand who this is allowed in covid.

they are open as are all shops, but you are supposed to only leave the house to get 'essentials'

whats happening is people are coming out i'd say 50/50....some essentials and some not. this will probably result in stores being closed in next round of restrictions and stores going to click and collect only

last spring it was hideous and we sold out of all compost and watched our plants die.

any gardeners i would recommend you get your stuff whilst you can but of course i can't say that really because it drives you all in to store. i'm a gardener too but working in store i got what i needed no issue.

One local one includes the post office, and fresh fruit and veg and fishmonger has a pet shop and other essential stuff. Another has similar essential stuff but no post office they service very rural areas where it’s much longer to go to supermarkets than garden centres

Added to which people are now getting ready for seeds for spring, which will keep them occupied

@Oblomov20

Loads and loads of people. I can't understand who this is allowed in covid.

i'm sat watching the rugby....not sure how thats allowed either...no masks, sitting on top of each other.

I go regularly for quality hay for guinea pigs, much better than the shite they sell at pets@home. I also get lots of other guinea bits I need, today’s bargain was a “snuggle safe” heat pad, half the price of most other retailers

Co-vidiots

I would normally. Not at the moment though.

@Everleigh2021 where are you where all shops are open? I've just been on an emergency optician run (broken glasses) and your choice was Boots, Gregg's and Holland and Barrett.

I keep poultry and need the garden centre for supplies all year round.

I went out Tuesday for compost as I've got a lot of seeds to sow this spring. It was deserted. I looked at the car park as I drove past yesterday and it is still deserted. This is a big destination garden centre with loads of lovely bits, a cafe and a big plant area. I know it is usually quiet in January but not this quiet.

Of course they should be open. They sell the supplies needed to grow food and maintain the plants. What could be more essential than food?

band m
the range
wilkos
b and q
m and s
pets at home
home bargains
poundland

all open here for 'essentials'

argos
next click and collect only

is that not the same for everyone?

Those stores are open here but not on our main street which is mainly charity shops, bookies and hairdressers so they are all closed. Those stores are further out of town in mini shopping centres with their own carparks

We returned stuff we bought online from The Range today as it was still open.

@Everleigh2021

band m the range wilkos b and q m and s pets at home home bargains poundland

all open here for 'essentials'

argos
next click and collect only

is that not the same for everyone?

That's the same here open for anything they sell, Specsavers also open plus Homebase. Dunelm for C&C.