Poundbury Gardens has been named Local Garden Centre of the Year at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Summer 2026 Midlands, Wales & West regional awards. Richard and the team were presented with the award on Thursday 16 July during a presentation at Gates Garden Centre in Hinckley.

We’ve had lots of cause to celebrate already this year as we marked our 20th anniversary, and this announcement is the icing on the cake. We were recognised for showing excellent examples of best practice when it comes to customer service, plant quality and sustainability. Following a second inspection, Poundbury Gardens has been listed in the top three UK local garden centres nationally and will find out the result in January 2027.

Brimsmore Gardens, Castle Gardens and Poundbury Gardens all returned from the presentation event with awards in the Garden Centre and Local Garden Centre Categories. The full list of awards is below.

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer:
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – Third place

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:
Garden Centre
Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group – Second place
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:
Garden Centre
Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place
Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group – Second place
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – Third place

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:
Garden Centre
Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group – joint third place with Pugh’s Radyr
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place
Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:
Garden Centre
Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group – First place
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – joint first place with Webbs Garden Centre, West Hagley

Pots and Outdoor Ornamentation
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – Third place

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose):
Garden Centre
Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group – Third place
Local Garden Centre
Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group – Second place