Welland Vale Garden Centre in Uppingham reaches 50th anniversary

A garden centre which remains true to its traditional roots has reached its 50th anniversary.

Welland Vale started out as a landscaping business before its founders opened a nursery and expanded into wholesale growing and retail.

Trevor Burns - one of the founding trio - has since retired from the day-to-day running of the business and handed over the reins to his daughter and son-in-law.

He said: “It began when three of us wanted to start a nursery but we had no money and no land.

“We started a landscaping company first and one of our first jobs was at Uppingham School where we became friendly with one of the housemasters. Wd ended up renting half an acre in his garden.”

Trevor, who had graduated from Pershore College of Horticulture, rented a property in Uppingham with his two colleagues and by chance the field next door in Glaston Road, Uppingham, was put on the market. It became the site of Welland Vale and the company has remained there ever since.

Trevor said: “We have always been plant-orientated and our values focus on traditional gardening, but the market changed and like any business you have to evolve.”

The team started out by selling young plants for other nurseries to grow on because it offered the quickest financial return. They then moved on to growing saleable plants before introducing a stronger retail focus in 2014.

Trevor’s daughter Annie came on board a few years later.

She had pursued a career in beauty science and complementary therapy but was persuaded to join the family business after its focus changed. Her husband Charlie Thomas is also on board as managing director and learnt the horticultural ropes from his father-in-law.

Annie said: “When I was 11 my dad asked me if I wanted to work with him but I said no. I used to clean the offices after school and help out during the summer holidays but it was never my intention to work here full time.”

The couple now employ 30 staff across the business.

Annie added: “It’s important for us to keep a family feel and stay true to what Dad started with traditional values. We just want our offering to be as good as it can be.”