As the Easter holiday weekend draws near, frustration over Easter Sunday trading law among centres hit by tough trading conditions during March is at its height. Petitioners will be canvassing the public in their bid to getsignatures in favour of Easter Sunday opening. Garden centres say they are a special case because it is the gardening season and gardeners will need plants and seeds available to buy. Burcot Garden Centre owner Neil Gow said: They can trade their outdoor areas and they can trade their catering operations provided they can satisfy themselves on an operational front that it is sensible and that they take steps so as not to compromise the safety of their staff and customers.

From the point of view of their catering, what is the difference between this and every pub and larger eatery in England and Wales? Horticultural Trades Association policy manager Gary Scroby said: If garden centres intend testing the law they should write to the local council or trading standards to ask if it is legitimate and get that surety.

I can see the temptation to open but it would be foolish when there have been incidents where people have been fined. The law is the law, though we will do all we can top change it. GCA chairman Peter Burks said: Easter Sunday trading could be worth 25 per cent of the total sales for the Easter week. We want to change this and ensure gardeners can have four days of uninterrupted sowing and planting.

The GCA centres will have forms out to sign and a website. But garden centres with over 3, square feet of selling space, are subject to the Sunday Trading Act which prohibits large shops in England and Wales from opening on Easter Sunday and limits them to a maximum of six hours trading on other Sundays during the year. The act superseded the Shops Act. But retailers in Scotland can trade on Easter Sunday and with smaller format chain supermarkets, which can open on Easter Sunday, opening, advocates for change say the law is becoming obsolete.

Keep Sunday Special campaigner John Ashcroft said: HTA director general Carol Paris said: It is time for change and we will work with the Garden Centre Association and other stakeholders, to influence government to amend this outdated and unnecessary legislation. Furthermore, garden centres play important roles as leisure destinations and as a focus for families and f t livestock market palmyra mo within their communities.

More fundamentally, the existing laws increasingly look out of place in an era of 24 hour internet trading. This Easter, the Garden Centre Group will be opening restaurants on Easter Sunday for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. GCG has also decided to extend its opening hours during the Easter forex rp to allow customers the option to shop at more convenient times.

Some 55 centres will be offering Easter breakfast, while all 95 restaurants except Stevenage, Sudbury, Country Gardens Handcross, Keynsham, Heathlands, Country Gardens Winnersh will be open on Easter Sunday.

All GCG centres will buy stocks nintendo closed on Easter Sunday, with the exception of Bridgemere Nursery and Garden World.

Loopholes in the law allow centres to open restaurants and outdoor areas, and if they are nurseries rather than garden centres. CEO Kevin Bradshaw said: We hope to see a number of our customers dining with the Easter bunny and participating in our Easter hunt.

Before commenting please read our rules for commenting on articles.

If you see a comment you find offensive, you can flag it as inappropriate. In the top right-hand corner of an individual comment, you will see 'flag as inappropriate'. Clicking this prompts us to review the comment. For further information see our rules for commenting on articles. Stay signed in for 30 days. It is no longer enough for garden centres forex center of gravity simply offer a catering service - the standards of catering are at an easter sunday trading laws garden centres high and now retailers need to have a wow-factor to stand out.

These long-flowering thistle-like daisies are well worth a go for consistent interest in the border, writes Miranda Kimberley. Leading British growers will be showcasing their latest offerings at this year's trade plant show at Stoneleigh Park, writes Matthew Appleby. An in-depth look at individual garden centres, their business models, offering, strategy and plans for the future. Skip to Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Information Links Skip to Site Search Skip to Footer Skip to Accessibility Information Home Page.

Information Links Sign in Free Trial Bulletins Subscribe Advertise HortWeek. Garden centres enduring worst March for years decry Easter Sunday trading law as sector gets behind petition plan 26 Marchby Matthew Appleby, Be the first to comment As the Easter holiday weekend draws near, frustration over Easter Sunday trading law among centres hit by tough trading conditions during March is at its height.

Have you registered with us yet?

Easter trading revolt: Garden centre chain opening on Sundaybut can't sell anything | Daily Mail Online

Register now to enjoy more articles and free email bulletins Sign up now Already registered? Close Essential information for the horticulture community. Take your 14 day free trial today. Sign up now Already Registered?

What is the next step for garden centre catering? Berkheya These long-flowering thistle-like daisies are well worth a go for consistent interest in the border, writes Miranda Kimberley.

All garden centres 'should be open on Easter Sunday' - BBC News

HTA National Plant Show Leading British growers will be showcasing their latest offerings at this year's trade plant show at Stoneleigh Park, writes Matthew Appleby. Lead Gardener Dacorum Borough Council Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire Environmental Operative Dacorum Borough Council Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire Technical Manager Volmary Ltd Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech South West Area Sales Manager Volmary Ltd Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech Plant Retail Manager - J Horticruitment Cambridge, Cambridgeshire More Horticulture Jobs.

Horticulture Week Top GARDEN CENTRES Our exclusive ranking of garden centre performance by annual turnover. View the Top Garden Centre Profiles An in-depth look at individual garden centres, their business models, offering, strategy and plans for the future.