Still growing after 160 years
As Groves Nurseries in Bridport marks its incredible 160th anniversary, managing director Charlie Groves shares the company’s story
Tell us how Groves Nurseries first came to be…
My great-great grandfather started the business in 1866 in Piddletrenthide. It was a seed business originally and he would sell his seed via hawkers throughout the local area.
What was the aim when the business was first started?
My great-grandfather had a passion for growing plants and there is nothing better than starting a business that involves your passion.
How has the company grown and adapted in its offering over the years?
The business has seen two world wars and seven monarchs, so quite a lot. The seed business evolved into a nursery and a florist shop. My grandfather brought the business to its current site in Bridport in the 1960s when he purchased the Bridport Football club, which moved further up the river. My father turned to the garden centre side of the business more in the 1980s when the Bridport bypass was built but we still actively grow plants on the same site. I took over in 2001. Since then we have built a restaurant to help us through the winter months and expanded our range into an all-year-round offering including gifts, pets and Christmas items. We also sell online. In 2008 my sister joined the business and she opened Little Groves, our nursery in Beaminster.
What makes it so unique?
We are a garden centre and although we do offer a wider range than just gardening goods and plants we try to keep gardening at the heart of everything we do, whilst continuing to evolve.
How has the business stood the test of time?
Through adapting to what our customers want (and sometimes resisting adapting as well) but mainly through listening to our customers and offering the best, consistent customer service.
More recently we have invited other garden centre owners to critique our site so we can see where improvements can be made in places that we might overlook being so close too the business ourselves. We have also joined the Garden Centre Association which carries out very thorough, unannounced inspections and mystery telephone calls during the spring. This again ensures that we are maintaining high retail standards that are so important in a difficult and competitive retail market.
Did you ever think you would be marking the 160th anniversary?
I hoped so!
What celebrations do you have planned?
We’ve kicked off with a festival on March 21 with live music, gardening talks, cocktails and children’s entertainment. We will also have some extra special offers throughout the year as well as some community events and giveaways as a way of saying thank you to our loyal customers.
What plans do you have to safeguard the future of the company?
We will keep doing what we are doing. The weather is a limiting factor for us so we are looking at ways to make the site more weatherproof but in a sensitive way. We will continue to educate customers about the benefits of gardening and of course our catering offering is something that the internet and AI won’t be able to replace.
Tell us about the company’s royal connections?
The nursery and shop was situated in West Road and an amusing story from 1938, passed down through the family, recalls how the then Mrs Groves was in the shop selling flowers when King Edward VIII, on a visit through Dorset, was attracted by the colourful floral display and stopped to purchase a large bunch, the best in the shop, for Mrs Simpson! Mrs Groves was absolutely thrilled to have served his Royal Highness.
And about the events that you hold throughout the year?
We always have a spring festival to mark the start of the gardening season and to get our customers in the mood for a bit of horticulture. Mother’s Day is an important date for us as well, both in the garden centre and in our restaurant, Ivy House. The busy spring season is just that – very busy – so, whilst we do host regular gardening talks, we don’t put on many events. When we get to the autumn we will put on an Autumn Fair, just to remind people that there is still plenty that can be done in the garden. Once that is done our attention turns to Christmas. We host a successful Christmas Market, usually the second week of November which really kicks off the Christmas season for us.
Final thoughts?
We are nothing without our customers and we are very lucky to operate in west Dorset where customers are so loyal and supportive, something that is very important during more difficult times..
grovesnurseries.co.uk
