Stamford Garden Centre owner shortlisted for National High Street Hero Awards
A garden centre entrepreneur is in the running to be crowned Britain’s best shop owner on the back of his stores’ green success.
Chris Isaac, owner of Stamford Garden Centre and the Sack Store in Boston, has been shortlisted for the final of the National High Street Hero Awards.
Chris has has made Stamford Garden Centre off Casterton Road a 'destination venue' with an award-winning restaurant.
Countryside champion Chris was shortlisted after transforming his flagship Sack Store into a sustainable site with biomass heating.
The trader has also been at the forefront of eco log-burners that have become ‘hot’ property among younger homeowners.
Chris said: “We want people to enjoy coming to our stores - to feel like they can spend hours there and enjoy the process of shopping.
“We always believed great restaurants would help bring customers in and give them somewhere to switch-off while they mull over which items to go for.
“I’m lucky to have found the room to create these spaces - and even luckier to have a team that have made them happen.
“We’re all from rural areas so we all support environmentally friendly ideas.
“It’s a team effort and it’s all the staff who deserve recognition, not just me. We feel a bit shy about this nomination but we’re happy to be flying the flag for Lincolnshire.”
Eco-certified log burners are deemed environmentally friendly because of their lower particle emissions and releasing energy from wood that would otherwise be lost.
Stamford also harnesses green energy, sourcing its electricity from solar panels.
Dad-of-three Chris opened the Sack Store in Boston 25 years ago, selling log burners, furniture, ranges, homeware and kitchenware.
Six years ago he opened Stamford Garden Centre.
Both stores also offer paint, tiles, sheds - and even shooting equipment - with bistro cafés set in the shop space.
The businesses employ more than 50 staff.
The High Street Hero Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday next week (January 23).
