Frosts Garden Centres and Millbrook Garden Centre shine in regional heats
Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands and Millbrook Garden Centre in Gravesend have been named the Best Garden Centre in North and South Thames respectively.

Both winners go forward to contest the GCA's annual Garden Centre of the Year crown announced later this year.

The centres were praised after inspections by judges for best practice in a raft of disciplines including helpfulness of staff, signage, and shopability.

Frosts' centres also headed two other categories in North Thames: Best Specialist Retailer - Frosts Woburn Sands; and Best Restaurant - Frosts Brampton.

In the South Thames heats, Millbrook also picked up two additional awards: Best Gardening Retailer and joint winner of Best People.

North Thames Winners

Best People - Aylett Nurseries
Best Plant Department - Poplars
Best Service & Facilities - Aylett Nurseries
Most Improved Garden Centre - Van Hage, Chenies
Best Display Idea - Van Hage, Great Amwell
Best Specialist Retailer - Frosts Willington
Best Restaurant - Frosts Brampton
Best Gardening Retailer - Poplars
Best Lifestyle Retailer - Sunshine Garden Centre
Auditors Award for Outstanding Achievement - Burford Garden Company
Best Garden Centre - Frosts Woburn Sands

South Thames Winners

Best People - Joint winners: Millbrook Garden Centre, Gravesend and Coolings Nurseries, Knockholt
Best Plant Department - Coolings Nuseries
Best Service & Facilities - Garsons, Esher
Most Improved Garden Centre - Haskins, Snowhill
Best Display Idea - Haskins, Ferndown
Best Specialist Retailer - Garsons, Tichfield
Best Restaurant - Polhill Garden Centre
Best Gardening Retailer - Millbrook Garden Centre
Best Lifestyle Retailer - RHS Wisley
Auditors Award for Outstanding Achievement - Castle Gardens
Best Garden Centre - Millbrook Garden Centre