It's heartening to see that it isn't just me who is sick to the back teeth with Wyevale's over-pricing, tricksy "special offers", crappy plants and "pile 'em up and ship 'em out" approach to what is plainly no more than a business to them, rather than anything to do with actual gardening.
Do remember to pop over to the Better Than Wyevale thread and post your independent recommendations though, please. County - Town - Name of outlet.
Still waiting for something to be recommended there near to me in Rushden, Northants; but we'll be having a trip out to a group of 3 that have been highlighted over in Peterborough direction shortly.
I have two Wyevale near me. I've been twice recently and been shocked at how dead their plants look and how bare the place is. I can't remember it before it was taken over, having only gone with my parents when I was young, but my mum said it used to be lovely and well priced. The cafe was do quiet to - their outdoor seating area was quite frankly in an embarrassing state for an supposed garden centre. Littered with napkins, overgrown plants and dull.
I couldn't believe it the last time I went into my local Wyevale in North London. I took my mum, who wanted some bedding plants, but half their stock looked like it had just been left on delivery trolleys and was bone dry and dying. I was quite upset actually. I got some 'manager's special' sweet pea plugs for a quid a pack, which have done quite well (something kept digging up my seedlings and they all died )
I'd always liked looking round before, although they were always a bit pricey. We used to go and visit the cafe which has a small softplay and then round the fish bit and then I'd make them go round the plants with me!
I've found a lovely nursery instead, although it's incredibly busy and the car-park is a terrifying experience. I usually go when is raining, much quieter.
It won't be 'one day' Beaus Mum / Joyce 21- I actually am one! The point I was making was that Wyevale isn't really a place for people interested in gardening any more. Coachloads of people, wrinkly or otherwise, are disgorged at regular intervals at our local one and simply head straight to the cafe. Wyevale is really little more than a glorified motorway service station now.
We're just back from Frosts (yes, I know... a chain!) in Brampton, bu tfound it very pleasant. A chilli festival going on with live music and chilli based food and products; but with quality plants and and gardening taking centre stage and at prices which a half of what Wyevale are trying to charge for absolute rubbish.
Staff seen attending new stock carefully and interestedly.
Wyevale have completely ruined Bridgemere garden centre on the Cheshire/Staffs/Shropshire borders,over the last 3/4 years. It is about 15 miles from where I live.
This was one which was the biggest in the country. It was a really good place with a huge range of the more unusual plants. It really upset me to see what they have done with it. They used to have a very good alpine section which is now truly awful.
Posts
It's heartening to see that it isn't just me who is sick to the back teeth with Wyevale's over-pricing, tricksy "special offers", crappy plants and "pile 'em up and ship 'em out" approach to what is plainly no more than a business to them, rather than anything to do with actual gardening.
Do remember to pop over to the Better Than Wyevale thread and post your independent recommendations though, please. County - Town - Name of outlet.
Still waiting for something to be recommended there near to me in Rushden, Northants; but we'll be having a trip out to a group of 3 that have been highlighted over in Peterborough direction shortly.
I have two Wyevale near me. I've been twice recently and been shocked at how dead their plants look and how bare the place is. I can't remember it before it was taken over, having only gone with my parents when I was young, but my mum said it used to be lovely and well priced. The cafe was do quiet to - their outdoor seating area was quite frankly in an embarrassing state for an supposed garden centre. Littered with napkins, overgrown plants and dull.
I couldn't believe it the last time I went into my local Wyevale in North London. I took my mum, who wanted some bedding plants, but half their stock looked like it had just been left on delivery trolleys and was bone dry and dying. I was quite upset actually. I got some 'manager's special' sweet pea plugs for a quid a pack, which have done quite well (something kept digging up my seedlings and they all died
)
I'd always liked looking round before, although they were always a bit pricey. We used to go and visit the cafe which has a small softplay and then round the fish bit and then I'd make them go round the plants with me!
I've found a lovely nursery instead, although it's incredibly busy and the car-park is a terrifying experience. I usually go when is raining, much quieter.
From the comments above I see kt is still being as vile as ever it was.
Handy ignore button sorted it out for me thankfully.
It won't be 'one day' Beaus Mum / Joyce 21- I actually am one! The point I was making was that Wyevale isn't really a place for people interested in gardening any more. Coachloads of people, wrinkly or otherwise, are disgorged at regular intervals at our local one and simply head straight to the cafe. Wyevale is really little more than a glorified motorway service station now.
Last edited: 09 September 2016 19:27:45
It clearly didn't as you're still moaning
oh it does sort it out kt
From a wrinkly, goodbye.
The ignore button removes the rude, not the thread (unless the rude started it)
In the sticks near Peterborough
Come on , people; let's stay on topic...
Just to bring everybody back round...
We're just back from Frosts (yes, I know... a chain!) in Brampton, bu tfound it very pleasant. A chilli festival going on with live music and chilli based food and products; but with quality plants and and gardening taking centre stage and at prices which a half of what Wyevale are trying to charge for absolute rubbish.
Staff seen attending new stock carefully and interestedly.
Excellent!
Wyevale have completely ruined Bridgemere garden centre on the Cheshire/Staffs/Shropshire borders,over the last 3/4 years. It is about 15 miles from where I live.
This was one which was the biggest in the country. It was a really good place with a huge range of the more unusual plants. It really upset me to see what they have done with it. They used to have a very good alpine section which is now truly awful.
They seem to have more pots for sale than plants.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'