Scotland’s decision to keep garden centres closed until the end of May has been criticised as “illogical” by a leading horticulturalist.

Nicola Sturgeon indicated this week that garden centres will remain closed in Scotland until the end of May despite them opening in England under guidance from the UK Government.

The decision by the First Minister means the businesses will be shut past peak planting season, a decision labelled “illogical” by the chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).

Queues have been spotted outside garden centres across England since they reopened, this one is Dobbies at Barlborough.

James Barnes said the decision was “deeply concerning” in a letter sent to Ms Sturgeon, reported The Times.

He said: “While I understand the health dilemmas faced, it is deeply concerning that your administration has failed to find resonance with the wealth of scientific support on the benefits of mental health and wellbeing that are derived from gardening in this period of social isolation.”

“It is illogical that some retail outlets in Scotland are being allowed to sell plants and gardening items but not garden centres – a fact which is not lost on both customers and operators alike.

“Scotland is fortunate to headquarter two of the biggest garden centres operators in the UK. It is not a sustainable proposition that while they can trade from their premises in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, their head offices and Scottish stores will remain closed.

“Of all retail premises, garden centres with significant outdoor spaces and spacious interiors are some of the best equipped to handle social distancing.”

May is one of the most important months in the garden centre industry with sales accounting for a third of total sales in any given year, meaning the decision will hit the industry even harder.

Mr Barnes added: “The grower sector within the horticultural industry suffered a catastrophic set back when lockdown coincided with peak production.

“I would plead with the First Minister to reconsider all the facts and to allow garden centres to reopen this week. Every day in May makes a difference.”

In a statement posted on the HTA website, Mr Barnes added that the situation meant garden centres were faced with a “perfect financial storm” and called for a Dutch-style grant scheme for the industry.

He said: “Scotland is now one of the last countries in Europe to reopen its garden centres. We shared data with the Scottish Government weeks ago that show we are able to reopen safely and in a managed way, so the news that garden centres in Scotland will not be opened until after the 28 May will be deeply frustrating for consumers and garden centres alike.

“As the peak selling season started back in March - with 60 per cent of sales ordinarily driven through independent garden centres - Scottish plant nurseries have suffered a perfect financial storm of perishability and seasonality, meaning huge amounts of stock has had to be disposed of because garden centres have been shut.”

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Nicola Sturgeon challenged on 'illogical' decision to keep garden centres shut in Scotland

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