The award for Independent Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Foods From Spain, went to family business Garsons. Garsons has two garden centre and farm shop locations, featuring local produce and the best speciality food, at Esher in Surrey and Titchfield in Hampshire, and has been led by five generations of the Thompson family.
As well as a large modern garden centre with a restaurant, Garson Farm at Esher is the biggest Pick Your Own farm in the country, with 35 different fruit, vegetable and flower crops. The farm shop at Esher is situated in converted farm buildings and devotes 75 per cent of its floor space to fresh produce, whilst promoting local and specialist foods to create a really exciting experience.
The fresh produce at Garsons farm shops is supplied by local producers and by direct suppliers from specialist producers. The produce season is also extended and worldwide diversity obtained from London markets and wholesale suppliers Hillards. The Farm shops promote the label of ‘75 food miles’ for its locally sourced foods but obviously the Pick Your Own has the unique distinction of ‘Zero Food Miles’, which is a concept without competition.
Recently the winner of FARMA’s National Pick Your Own of the Year Award and regional winner of the Farm Shop Retailer of the Year Award, Garsons has already had a good year and this latest trophy highlights the business’ success even further.
Garsons fought off competition from finalists Arcade Fruits and Strongs to win the award.
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