On 2016-03-27 14:15:09 +0000, Janet said:

In article , says...

"Chris French" wrote

alan_m Wrote
, BobHobden wrote:
As Sacha seems to have moved to Facebook and Twitter I repost this from
Hill House Nursery's Facebook page.....

A nursery is a commercial enterprise and if they cannot be bothered to
do this for themselves then perhaps they deserve to die. It's much like
some publicans who believe their lack of trade is not their fault as the
public owe them a living.

Why exclude chains etc.? They often give the general pubic much better
value for money than a poorly run independent nursery!


I assumed it's as much about a resource for potential customers
who might not know about the places.

I presume excluding chains becuase they are generally well enough
known about already?



Alan, is this not exactly what you suggest? They are starting to do it for
themselves but because there isn't an association of small nurseries, a
trade association covering everyone, there is no list anywhere

That is just not true.

http://britishplantnurseryguide.co.uk/

"Welcome to our family of independent nurseries!

The British Plant Nursery Guide is a collection of independent nurseries
that have that ?little something?. Whether it?s because they win awards
for their fabulous plants, offer excellent customer service or are
located in a beautiful location, all our nurseries have that little
something extra which makes them totally unique!"

Ray's nursery is a member of it.

Janet.

That guide has 21 nurseries in it and is not being kept up to date.
Since the idea for the new app was launched on 26th March, I have
received the names of 77 nurseries, either asking to be listed, or
suggested by their customers. That Guide has been discussed at length
on the Facebook group All Horts! which is where the idea for a new app
that will be basic and simple to use, has started. Several
professionals post to it, as well as 'civilians'.

We have not received one customer via the British Plant Nursery Guide,
and other nurseries have said the same. It was last updated two months
ago and that was with a copy of a Tweet. Unfortunately, either BPNG
hasn't received enough publicitiy or it hasn't pushed itself enough.
From what I've read at All Horts! the owner of BPNG has probably moved
on to other things and like so many of us, is time-poor.
Nurseries have to pay a minimum of £100 to join it, whereas the new app
is to be as low cost as is humanly possible and a non-profit-making
source of information. The only criteria is that it is for independent
nurseries, not chains. The idea behind it is for independent
nurseries to support and help each other, as well as their customers.
The information given will be absolutely basic with name, location,
contact & short info on any specialities stocked. It will then be up
to the customer to contact the nursery or to visit it, as they wish.
We won't be giving opinions or comment. It is a guide, pure and simple.

Chains are well known already and can afford to advertise much more
heavily than the average nursery. And it is rare for them to have
unusual plants and knowledgeable staff. Many are supermarkets for
plants where what counts is whether or not someone can operate the
till, not help and advise. Nurseries are different.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon