Last week, Torwood Garden Centre had a trio of successes, winning three awards at the Falkirk Herald business awards dinner.

Having never entered the Falkirk Herald Business Awards before the garden centre decided to apply for the awards after a year of events and celebrations to mark the company's anniversary. It's restaurant, Blossoms, has seen success before with the Falkirk Herald, winning Café of the Year in 2015 as voted for by members of the public. This award recognised the hard work staff have put in to making Blossoms a destination for customers and community groups alike through their service and quality of food. The award really lifted the status of restaurant and gave Torwood great exposure in the local area. 

The business awards are judged by members of the local council as well as business leaders and staff from the paper.  When presenting to the judges Jamie Stevenson, Torwood Garden Centre's manager, talked about our success over the last 75 years, the growth of the garden centre and changes we have made.  Judges were impressed by the range of community projects the centre has been involved with as well as the ongoing work being carried out with local charities with £64,000 raised over the last 6 years. 

Mr Stevenson said of presenting for the awards; “It was very different presenting the business to judges as when Blossoms won Café of the Year in 2015 it was our customers who voted for us to win.  I am incredibly proud to be a part of such a successful family business and to be carrying on what my great grandfather started 75 years ago. This year in particular we have had many customers coming in to share with us stories of their past visits and to congratulate us.  It was this which made us consider entering the competition and I know that everyone, customers, staff and family, are delighted to have had such great success!

“We were also delighted to be awarded the top prize on the night for Outstanding Achievement of the Year having already been shortlisted for Best Business in the Community and awarded the Best Independent Business and Best for Tourism.  The awards were very well attended with more than 200 people from over 40 local businesses with Torwood being the oldest business represented in the awards.”

Owner of Torwood Garden Centre, Dorothy Stevenson, was caught by surprise when she was asked to up to accept the award having been frantically letting staff know we had already won the awards for best Independent and Best for Tourism.  She was delighted to accept the award presented by Drew Carmicheal, Johnston Press sales director for Scotland. Dorothy thanked all of the staff for their commitment to the success of the garden centre as well as her parents for making the business the success it was today.  Looking forwards she stressed the importance of working with the community to encourage gardening and outdoor projects in the local area as this legacy would be central to the continued success of Torwood in years to come as the next generation of the family joined the business.

Drew Carmichael said Torwood Garden Centre stood out for its “longevity, willingness to adapt to changing times, community spirit and continued success in an increasingly competitive sector”

The company would like to thank the Falkirk Herald and Falkirk Council, as well as all of the judges, for their support and for recognising Torwood Garden Centre with these fantastic awards.