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SUMMARY
FOR
Good quality plants
Quality and quantity of cafe food
Range of non-gardening goods
Pet and aquatics departments
AVERAGE
Layout of plants area
Wheelchair access
AGAINST
Appearance of cafe
Layout of indoor sales area |
OUR OPINION OF FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE
THE PLANTS AREA AT FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE
It's not possible to "stack them high" as far as plants go but at
Fermoys they have crammed in a lot of plants into the available
area. Although they have avoided the boring straight line layout
adopted by some garden centres the overall impression is of a
jumbled and haphazard appearance.Signs around the plants area are
clear and go some way to helping you find your way around. The vast
majority of the area is uncovered but Devon has a good rain record
so this will not cause problems on most days.
THE PLANTS
The range of plants is good even in winter when we visited. Prices
are very competitive with the cheapest roses, for example, costing a
creditable £5.20. Plant quality is also good with no signs of weeds
and the plants looked in good general condition.
INSIDE FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE
The size of the indoor sales area is large compared to the plants
area. The range of goods is far reaching, including a small choice
of foods (see later about the butchers and delicatessen), clothes,
shoes, toys, books, cards, gifts, the list is endless. Bizarrely
they even had a couple of cars for sale near the entrance.
This wide ranging selection is all well and good but it is simply
too much with some things sparsely covered. It also has the effect
of making the indoor sales area appear very cramped and a bit like a
bazaar.
Access round the area is poor because the paths are so narrow which
makes shopping a rather stressed affair. The decor within the area
is almost non-existent with exposed metal beams.
Fermoys have an excellent butcher with top quality meat on offer.
Service is quick and the butchers are more than willing to chat with
you about your purchases. There is also a good delicatessen stocking
local cheeses, meats and other goodies.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
The outside plant area is accessible via a ramp with the main area
having good access. The interior sales area is technically OK for
wheelchairs but the aisles are narrow and the arrangement of stands
makes it difficult to get round some areas. Wheelchairs are available at no
cost.
FERMOYS CAFE
The cafe is a sectioned off area of the garden centre. It has
exposed metal beams supporting a very drab fabric ceiling. The
unattractive plastic tables and chairs are arranged in boring rows
with no thought given to making the layout appear attractive. The
lighting is an eyesore with long rows of what must be the cheapest
looking light fittings we have ever seen.
All hot meals are served to your table and the queues are acceptable
even at peak times. The range of food on offer is good with toasties,
paninis, baked potatoes and other snack meals. There were four main
meal specials when we visited all priced at a value for money £6.99. Most of the food
is on display and the kitchen area is partially open to public view.
As well as meals, the are lots of cakes, coffees, teas and other
drinks for sale.
The quality of the food is good with particularly good local cheeses
and ham. Meat meals contained good quality meat. Hot food is served
piping hot and the chips which accompany many meals are delicious
chunky ones.
In summary the decor and surroundings are very poor (although clean)
but the quality and quantity of food is good at the prices charged.
We wouldn't particularly recommend this cafe because the decor is
poor but it attracts lots of customers who appreciate the good
quality of food.
PRICES AT FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE
Prices are good at Fermoys. The plants are on the cheap side and the
goods in the interior sales are the same. For example, a reasonable
quality spade is priced £12.99.
STAR RATINGS FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE
We rate different aspects of each garden centre and then give an overall rating. We
adjust the ratings for garden centre size and purpose. So for example a small nursery
which is average compared to other small nurseries will be awarded two and half stars. A
large garden centre which is average compared to other large garden centres will also be
awarded two and a half stars.
Note that the price ratings below is based on a limited range of sample prices.
FERMOYS GARDEN CENTRE RATINGS
| FACILITY BEING RATED |
RATING |
| Plant quality |
 |
| Outside area layout |
 |
| Interior sales |
 |
| Cafe food quality |
|
| Cafe decor and atmosphere |
 |
| Prices |
 |
| Overall rating |
 |
OTHER STUFF
Car park - The car park is reasonably level and on a tarmac
surfaced.
Pet Centre - There is a large range of pet foods and pet
accessories. If you want a budgie cage the choice is enormous. Small
pets are also sold.
Aquatics - A good aquatics centre is on site.
Water Features - we saw none at the time of our visit but
there may well be some for sale in spring and summer months.
Sheds and Greenhouses - A good selection.
House Plants - A small selection in good condition
Farm Shop -
Toilets - Clean and in good working order
CONTACT DETAILS AND DIRECTIONS
Fermoys Garden Centre
Totnes Rd,
Newton Abbot,
Devon TQ12 5TN
Telephone
01803 813504
Website
Official website can be found here.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 9.00 to 5.30
Sunday 10.00 to 4.00
We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this independent review of
Fermoys
Garden Centre. Remember that it is our opinion and may be the result of one visit
only. If you are the owner of this 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.
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