Blooms Gloucester Garden Centre

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Description	Cafe	Contact	Opening Hours	Coming soon

REVIEW SUMMARY

FOR
Top quality plants.
Spacious feeling inside and outside.
Helpful staff.
Large parts of the outdoor area were covered.
Large range of clothing.

AVERAGE
Prices

AGAINST
None

REVIEW RESULTS - BLOOMS GLOUCESTER GARDEN CENTRE

Dating back to 1975, Blooms of Gloucester was originally owned by the Jardinerie chain. It was then taken over by Blooms which in turn was taken over by Wyevale's. The building itself, modern and impressive looking, was completely rebuilt in 2005.

As we were walking round we overheard two of the staff reminiscing about the "old days" when the garden centre was owned by Blooms. When I joined in the conversation it became clear that many of the previous Blooms staff still remained four years after the takeover.

It seems that the new owners, Wyevale, have heeded the old saying 'if it ain't broke, don't mend it'. Of course many things have changed but Blooms Garden Centre of Gloucester really have a heritage which they can be proud of.

THE OUTSIDE AREA
When you walk out of the main garden centre building you enter a very large covered plants area for tender plants and some not so tender. This area is very pleasantly laid out with lots of colour. Quite clearly significant effort has gone into the layout resulting in an area which is modern but still has some character.

The uncovered plants area follows the same theme, attractively designed making for a very pleasant shopping experience. With lots island beds and the odd display or two, this area is far from boring. The main path round the edge of the area is well covered offering good protection for inclement weather conditions. All the paths were wide and on solid tarmac.

There is an appealing feeling of space in this area with wide, obstacle-free paths. We were impressed. The overhead signs were slightly lacking however but the plants were arranged alphabetically.

To either side of the main plant area were garden outbuildings, pots and a very comprehensive rang of fencing and landscaping materials.

THE PLANTS
The plants were healthy looking and entirely free from weeds, they all looked in excellent condition. Wyevale Garden Centres give a life time hardy plant guarantee which is the maximum possible. There are lots of plants at Blooms of Gloucester, more than enough to satisfy the needs of most gardeners.

Shade loving plants were well-represented with a good range of plants in their own covered area. There were also lots of ornamental and fruit trees to choose from. Not quite a speciality but the range of roses for sale was extensive.

We checked the prices and found them to be average to just slightly lower than average. Some examples of typical prices follow. New Horizon peat free compost 60 litre, �4.99 or 3 for �12. Roses started at �6.99, clematis were from �8.99 upwards with a typical shrub costing from �6.99. Yeoman garden spade or fork were both �12.99 with stainless steel Bentley models priced at �24.99.

INSIDE BLOOMS GLOUCESTER GARDEN CENTRE
This is a relatively modern building dating back to only 2005 and the decor inside reflects that. Very few oppressive metal girders, this building is a pleasant place to shop in. The main aisle leading to the cafe is very decorative with a long line of trees. As with the plant area outside, there is a pleasant feeling of spaciousness with no crowding.

It's also a large interior sales area with, of course, a large choice of gardening goods. It also sells lots of non-gardening goods and specialises in clothing and footwear. We counted three separate clothing outlets, all selling quality goods. These included Yeoman, Dash, Cotton Traders and Moshulu. Other sales areas included cards, books, barbecues, The Works Bookshop, gifts, excellent houseplants, bird feeds and accessories and probably lots more we have forgotten to mention.

The garden and conservatory furniture is attractively displayed and the "no pressure" sales staff are attentive and offer good advice.

Immediately outside the garden centre is a Laura Ashley shop, Aquajardin selling fish, fish accessories and everything to do with water in the garden. this shop was very well designed. Finally there was a Pet's Corner selling everything to do with pets except live animals.

Blooms of Gloucester have their own club card scheme (Wyevale Garden Centres scheme) with various benefits for their members. Details of the club and a comparison with the clubs of other garden centres can be found by clicking here. If you are thinking of visiting this garden centre to make a purchase it may well be worth taking a look at their discounts and rewards.

DISABLED ACCESS
Exceptional all round. Wide, clear paths make wheelchair access very easy. There are free wheelchairs at the entrance.

OTHER STUFF
Car park - Large, immediately next to the entrance and on flat well-drained tarmac. Unusually, in the car park, there are bowls of water for your dogs! Never seen that before - see picture on the right.
Pet Centre - There is a separate Pets Corner shop adjacent to the garden centre.
Aquatics - Yes, comprehensive choice of fish and accessories.
Water Features - Yes, in the aquatics shop
Sheds and Greenhouses - Yes, a good selection.
Toilets - These were clean and well-maintained with ladies, gents baby changing and disabled facilities.
Children's Play Area - We mention this in our review of the cafe. It is part of the cafe and is excellent.

CONCLUSION
Blooms Gloucester Garden Centre is top quality in many areas and fails in none. A large garden centre which we highly recommend.

AVERAGE USER RATING

1 REVIEWS LEFT SO FAR

	8 April 2014	Comment From: Dawn Greenaway
I am so disappointed in the service I got at this garden centre. Last week i wanted to purchase a wooden rocking chair for my husbands birthday and was told that I could not buy the one that was in store and that one has to be ordered which was fine. This was on the Monday 31 March I was told that it would be in on that coming Thursday the 3rd April which would be just right as husbands birthday was the 5th. I even went in to make sure on the 2nd and saw the young man who ordered it. He said yes madam don't worry I have ordered 5 they will be here on Thursday, I have your phone number, I will ring you. So I waited and waited. On the Thursday I phoned, could not get through to Blooms all weekend the family tried, the phone was either off or no one answered it. My daughter has gone in this morning and has been told that no one knew anything about it and that if we still want one it will be next Thursday! This has spoilt my husbands special birthday and I will not be shopping at this garden centre again.

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We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this independent review of the Blooms Gloucester Garden Centre. Remember that it is our opinion and may be the result of one visit only. If you are the owner of the Blooms Gloucester Garden Centre and want to discuss this review with us then please contact us by going to our "contact us" page which can be found here.

Description

Cafe

Contact

Opening Hours

Coming soon