A 50-year-old garden centre business with sites in Wiltshire and Bristol has secured funding to help it through the coronavirus crisis.
Whitehall Garden Centres, which is headquartered at Lacock near Chippenham and employs 275 people, had to close its doors under government lockdown rules but the move had a “devastating impact” on footfall and income streams, according to the firm.
The fourth-generation family business also owns and operates Whitchurch Garden Centre in Norton Lane, Bristol, and Woodborough Garden Centre near Marlborough, in Wiltshire.
It was granted the finance through Barclays as part of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) introduced by the government.
The money is being used to pay staff and suppliers, and help the business plan for its future, Whiteshall said.
“Being supported at this critical time has given us the confidence to plan for our future and gave us funds to pay our colleagues and suppliers,” said managing director Peter Self.
“[This has enabled] the management team to focus on how we can best service our loyal gardening customers, with our online home delivery and click collect services, both now being expanded at pace as part of our future offering.”
Martin Crook, relationship director at Barclays in Bath, added: "This is a business that we have worked closely with over a number of years and when the request came in for support; I was determined to help as quickly as possible.
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“Horticulture, like many other sectors in the current climate, is finding trading conditions really tough and it’s vital that we support where we can."
After lockdown started in March, Whitehall Garden Centres launched an online service and donated unused spring bedding plants to schools and organisations supporting NHS staff.
The business, which was founded in 1970 by the late Phyllis Self MBE, is now managed by Peter and Claire Self and their daughters.