Before becoming member of the Garden Centre Association, each garden centre has to undergo an in-depth inspection from an independent specialist consultant to ensure that the high standards, we as an association and our members are proud of, are being met.
Only when the centre has passed this inspection will it become eligible to join and receive ‘GCA Approved’ status. To ensure that the standards are maintained and to assist centres improving further, all members are then inspected annually.
The inspector’s visits are unannounced so they really can see the centre through a customer’s eyes. The inspections assess the quality of the garden centre’s infrastructure, the facilities offered, the range of products stocked with a particular emphasis on the range and quality of plants and the levels of service and expertise.