Frome garden centre falls foul of the credit crunch
One of Frome’s longest trading garden centres will close in September as it becomes yet another victim of the credit crunch.
The Pluss Garden centre, on Manor Road, Frome, which is jointly run by Somerset County Council and Pluss, a subsidiary of the council, has been in the town for the past 18 years, and employs six people with learning difficulties.
The council has said the centre is no longer financially viable, and is being affected by the opening of a new garden centre in the area.
But this is not good enough according to one man, who has links with the centre, and wished to remain anonymous.
He said: “I’m absolutely disgusted that the council have decided to close the centre.
“Six disabled people will lose their jobs, just because the council has run it into the ground.”
The man has contacted Frome’s MP David Heath but said he has heard nothing back.
He added: “It can’t close, too many people will be affected.”
A spokeswoman for the county council said: “It is with regret that Pluss is announcing the closure of the Frome Garden Centre by the end of September.
“The Garden Centre has provided valuable employment opportunities for people with disabilities over many years, however, the business is not financially viable and unfortunately can no-longer be sustained.
“The situation has been made worse by the current difficult economic climate and the opening of a large competitor which is part of a major retail chain.
“The Company has, therefore, reluctantly decided that we can more effectively use the investment that is currently put into this service.
“Pluss is committed to finding suitable alternatives for the six staff affected, and we will be working closely with them over the coming months, with potential opportunities already identified for three.”
4 Comments
by terry cleveland, radstock
Thursday, February 25 2010, 3:14PM
“Once again councillersare hitting those who need help the most.”
by Pamela Storey, S E Spain
Monday, July 13 2009, 11:33AM
“I am so sorry to hear that this garden centre is closing. My husband and I used it all the time when we lived in Frome, and still visit from Spain to buy plants to bring back for our garden here. A little bit of Frome. The staff have always been so helpful and friendly, and the centre itself is a pleasure to visit - clean and tidy and with such hard working people looking after the plants. It is a great shame that it is closing, and that the hard working staff will be left unemployed. We wish them all the very best in the future - perhaps another privately run garden centre somewhere without local council interference!”
by Amanda Smythe, Frome, Somerset
Thursday, July 09 2009, 10:09AM
“I think its very sad that the garden centre is closing as i use it regularly, and surprised they can't make it viable when they are the only garden centre left in Frome, not everybody wants to buy plants from DIY stores, how can they blame a large store opening in Shepton Mallet when i for one wouldn't travel all that way to buy a few plants, and don't know anybody else that would.
The staff have always been friendly, helpful, and given great advice and i wish them luck finding work in the future, hopefully for a firm that doesn't see just pound signs.”
by Valerie Ley, Frome
Sunday, July 05 2009, 9:27PM
“I am sorry to hear that this is due to close having benefitted from the friendly advice given on many occassions.
I wish all those facing such a huge change in their circumstances the very best for the future.”