A GARDEN centre on the Herefordshire border truly is blossoming after scooping six awards at a nationwide annual awards event.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Three Cocks, Glasbury, near Hay-on-Wye, scooped the ‘Best Destination Garden Centre in Wales and West’ at the annual Wales and West Area Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards on July 28.

As well as the prestigious top prize, the independent family-run garden centre also collected another very impressive five awards, which included ‘Best Customer Service’, ‘Best Garden Products Retailer’, ‘Environment and Sustainability Award’, ‘Ruxley Rose Plant Area Shortlist’ and ‘Barton Grange Creativity and Innovation Award.’

Katie Eckley, director of operations, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded ‘Best Destination Garden Centre’ in Wales and the West.

“Thank you to the team for making this happen. Having won Best Garden Centre in the Wales and West nine years running previously, it’s an honour to have moved up to the destination category this year and to go straight to the top spot.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our achievement, which is perfect praise for our amazing, creative, hard-working team.

“We strive to deliver the very best experience for our customers and the biggest reward is seeing them enjoy their time with us. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our loyal customers over the years.

“We are extremely proud of the team’s achievements at this years’ GCA regional awards. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and look forward to the national UK results in a few months’ time.”

Awards just keep sprouting up for the centre, which earlier this year was named the best in the UK.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre was awarded the ‘Garden Centre of the Year 2021’ accolade at the UK-wide GCA Awards on February 15.

It was the second time it had achieved top spot in the UK, having been named the best in Britain in 2018.

The GCA represents over 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

The awards are decided by the results of the annual inspections, which take place at all GCA garden centres. Garden centres have no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.

The hugely popular Old Railway Line Garden Centre was established in 1990 by founders Mark and Christina Cleary. It provides customers with quality plants, gardening products, indoor and outdoor living goods, pet care products, giftware, and furniture.

It is also home to a farm shop stocking products from over 60 local and Welsh suppliers and a 150-seater restaurant offering home-cooked food.