A POPULAR garden centre and wholesale plant nursery in Pershore is closing, it has been announced.
Bosses at Pershore College Garden Centre and Wholesale Plant Nursery have announced that the operation, which has been on the site for more than 30 years, will be winding down in the coming weeks as part of a strategic shift to provide additional learning opportunities for students and to strengthen links with employers across the horticulture sector.
The commercial operation forms part of Warwickshire College Group (WCG), and part of the site will transition into a fully student-led plant production unit, designed to enhance the educational value of the learning experience.
The Observer understands that in practice, this means students will be able to get involved with all aspects of production planning, propagation, growing on and maintenance, and then run some small student-led sales days once they have grown enough crops.
Josh Egan-Wyer, of Pershore College, said: “This is a bold and exciting step for us. By placing students at the centre of our growing operations, we’re giving them meaningful, real-world experience of running a specialist nursery that truly prepares them for the demands of the industry.
“We also have several excellent, industry-leading nurseries and garden centres in our locality that we want to build stronger relationships with so our students benefit from their insight and knowledge.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone, particularly our hardworking staff, who have supported our garden centre and nursery over the years, from loyal customers to the brilliant growers and businesses we collaborate with. This isn’t the end – it’s the beginning of a renewed focus on learning, innovation and partnership.”
A retail sale on some remaining stock starting on Monday, June 16 will give customers a final opportunity to purchase plants and products before the current operations draw to a close.
