'Essential' Shropshire garden centres staying open through lockdown

And the news has been welcomed by green-fingered residents, with many unaware the industry was reclassified as essential following a national outcry from the Horticultural Trades Association and celebrity gardeners last year.

Kevin Turley, of Lakeside Plant Centre in Telford, said he has been informing visitors they would not close, and that some had been panic buying supplies.

The centre off Woodhouse Lane has a large premises and outdoor area suitable for socially-distanced shopping.

Mr Turley said: "We had people coming out Tuesday morning concerned that it would be their last opportunity to pick up gardening supplies for the next few months, but that isn't the case.

"It was strange to see people panic buying garden products and stocking up on compost, but it was great to see the smiles on their faces when we told them we would stay open.

"It really does make a difference – millions more people took to gardening last year and it's a great thing to do for fitness and for a mental release."

The horticultural industry was one of the first sectors to reopen to the public following the first national lockdown in 2020.

Queues stretched out of the doors as residents travelled to garden centres throughout Shropshire to stock up on supplies and take the opportunity to browse aisles in an open-air environment.

"It is a very therapeutic thing to do," said Mr Turley.

"I know in Telford there are a lot of allotment societies and with the size of them, social distancing is very much in place.

"People are able to visit their allotment and have some human interaction in a safe environment that otherwise they may not be able to do.

"It's also good from the fitness side of things. Not only are you doing a physical activity, whether it be moving heavy plants or digging up the ground, but where people are growing vegetables, they know that what's going back into their digestive system is good quality produce."

Mr Turley added: "At Lakeside we always try and hold onto excess seeds for charitable purposes and we're offering various plant and vegetable seeds out to any school that feels like they would be of use.

"It could be something they're doing in school for the few that remain open, or something to hand out to youngsters to use at home."

Those in educational settings can contact the centre and arrange a donation by calling 01952204466 or emailing lakesidepc@btconnect.com