REVIEW RESULTS - BLOOMS IN RUGBY

Blooms Garden Centre, Rugby started life as Bernhard's Corner Nursery but was virtually raised to the ground in 2005 when Blooms bought and massively redeveloped it. In turn Blooms were taken over by Wyevale Garden Centres in 2007 who left it largely as it was.

THE OUTSIDE AREA AT BLOOMS GARDEN CENTRE, RUGBY
This is a big garden centre without any doubt and the outside sales area is impressively large. As you step outside of the interior sales area there is a very large covered area which is home to the seasonal or more tender plants. From March to September there is always a colourful display of plants in this area.

Further outside there is a large, mainly uncovered plants area which has a horseshoe shaped covered path. This has two two advantages, the first being that that it offers some rain protection. Most of the plants are near the covered walkway making it possible to shop for plants in all but the most hard rain.

The second advantage is that it breaks up the large area thus avoiding the regimented look which is present at many other Wyevale Garden Centres large garden centres. The rows of plants radiate outwards and inwards from the covered path giving a pleasant layout.

The paths are wide allowing easy access and they are kept relatively free from obstructions. Our only criticism is that in some places there were puddles of water, even in dry weather, presumably caused by plant watering.

A pet hate of ours is piped music in outdoor areas and Blooms of Rugby was pleasantly free from this. What did disappoint us though was the severe lack of signs which made finding some plant groups nearly impossible in such a large area.

THE PLANTS AT BLOOMS, RUGBY
With so much outdoor space the number of plants for sale was very large. They were in excellent condition and carry Wyevale Garden Centres life time guarantee which demonstrates the confidence they have in their plants. They certainly looked healthy, well watered and weed free.

All the major varieties of plants were available for sale, not surprising given the size of the sales area. What was lacking though were any plants out of the ordinary. Why no significant display of larger plants for instant impact, why no significant display of grasses? All the plants on display were the normal ones found in almost all large garden centres. No attempt had been made to distinguish the range of plants for sale at Blooms Garden Centre in Rugby from any other garden centre.

INSIDE BLOOMS GARDEN CENTRE, RUGBY
The interior sales area is very large and they stock an enormous range of goods. A full range of gardening equipment, feed, fertilisers and everything horticultural is available for sale.

As well as gardening goods there is a huge array of all those other items which large garden centres are so fond of stocking. Conservatory furniture, gifts, cards, books, luggage (Antler), clothes Cotton Traders), bird feeds, barbecues, the list goes on and on. If other garden centres stock it then so does Blooms in Rugby.

Getting round the interior area is easy with wide paths and good signs. It is beginning to look a bit dated though especially the ugly, oppressive ceiling with exposed metal beams.

As far as prices go they were about normal for a larger garden centre with Miracle Gro at £4.99, Yeoman spades and forks £13.99, 56 litre J Arthur Bowers multi-purpose compost was £4.99 or 3 for £12.99, roses and clematis start at £8.99 and your average shrub such as a potentilla were £7.99.

Blooms of Rugby 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
Disabled access is excellent all round, we saw no problems at all. Wheelchairs are available for free use at the front door.

OTHER STUFF
Car park - Large, flat, free-draining and never too far from the entrance.
Pet Centre - Yes and selling a wide range of pet feeds and accessories. No live animals are sold.
Water Features -Yes, a good range is available in the aquatics section.
Aquatics - Yes, a very large World of Water selling lots of fish and aquatics accessories. See our individual review of this aquatics centre here.
Sheds and Greenhouses - Yes, the range of sheds for sale was excellent, the range of greenhouses more limited.
Toilets - Ladies, gents and disabled in working order and kept clean.

NORMAL OPENING HOURS: BLOOMS GARDEN CENTRE, RUGBY
	Open	Close
Monday	9.00am	6.00pm
Tuesday	9.00am	6.00pm
Wednesday	9.00am	6.00pm
Thursday	9.00am	6.00pm
Friday	9.00am	6.00pm
Saturday	9.00am	6.00pm
Sunday	10.30am	4.30pm
EASTER OPENING TIMES Good Friday - 9.00am to 6.00pm Easter Saturday - 9.00am to 6.00pm Easter Sunday - CLOSED Easter Monday - 9.00am to 6.00pm CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES Christmas Eve - 9.00am to 4.00pm Christmas Day - CLOSED Boxing Day - 11.00am to 5.00pm New Year's Eve - 9.00am to 4.00pm New Year's Day - 11.00am to 5.00pm BANK HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES Includes May and August Bank Holiday: Open 9.00am, closes 6.00pm