Podcast Spotlight: Growing with Purpose – A Conversation with Amy Stubbs of British Garden Centres
In our latest TheMorePeople Podcast episode, Richard Hanwell sits down with Amy Stubbs, Project and Development Manager at British Garden Centres – the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group. From grassroots involvement as a teenager to playing a central role in the company’s nationwide growth, Amy shares her journey, industry insights, and the challenges and opportunities of managing a rapidly expanding, community-focused retail business.
From Family Roots to National Impact
For Amy, horticulture is in the blood. Growing up in the family business meant early exposure to garden centres, weekends spent shadowing her father laid the foundation for a career that’s blossomed in step with the business itself.
“I was brought up around it. Even when I was 13 or 14, I was tagging along at weekends. I loved the environment.”
Now 26, Amy’s been formally involved in the business since age 19, starting in the nursery growing side. From there, her passion and curiosity for the industry have led her to take on a dynamic cross-functional role at the heart of the company’s evolution.
Pandemic-Driven Momentum
British Garden Centres has seen phenomenal growth in recent years – from just 10 centres pre-pandemic to over 70 today. Amy reflects on the unexpected boost COVID-19 provided to the sector:
“During COVID, when garden centres were one of the few places open, it really shined a light on what we offer. People reconnected with nature, with outdoor spaces and that translated into real growth.”
With that growth came a shift in the customer experience. Restaurants, once secondary attractions, are now a central footfall driver. Amy highlights how flexible chef hours and quality dining experiences are helping the business attract both talent and loyal customers.
Staying Local at Scale
Scaling a national brand while maintaining a local, community-first ethos is no small feat. For Amy and her team, this balance is essential:
“You walk into any of our centres and there’s consistency in pricing and branding, but each one still has its own personality. We empower local teams to take ownership – it keeps the customer experience authentic.”
British Garden Centres is proud to be more than a shopping destination. It’s a space for connection. Whether its families enjoying a day out or individuals finding a sense of community, the centres are designed to bring people together.
Shaping the Future of Horticulture
As the business looks ahead, its goals are clear: grow existing sites, explore new acquisitions, and continue becoming a household name. But expansion isn’t just about footprint – it’s about building an industry for the future.
“We want to shout more about the opportunities in horticulture. It's not just about plants, there are roles in HR, marketing, finance, operations. People don’t realise the scale.”
Amy is particularly passionate about attracting young talent. She credits organisations like the YPHA for showcasing success stories and building community among younger professionals.
Lessons Learned from Rapid Growth
When asked what she’d do differently, Amy is candid:
“We’ve grown so fast, I think if we could have brought more structured planning and slicker training in earlier, it would have eased some of the transition. But now we’re implementing systems that match our scale.”
That humility and forward-thinking attitude are emblematic of British Garden Centres’ leadership approach - rooted in family values, but ambitious in vision.
