Message from:  Madeleine Scott-Nash

On the evening of Thursday 3 March a fire broke out at Castle Gardens and extensive damage has been caused to the greenhouse and the shop building at the Garden Centre.

Of course we are all devastated and shocked but as with all circumstances, there is something to be grateful for, and in this instance we are extremely thankful that no one was physically injured.

The team of fire fighters who arrived from several stations worked through the night, they and the police were magnificent. By morning we could see the damage — and there were a few tears as so much effort had been put in over the last few weeks getting the centre in great shape for the Spring season. In fact I had walked the whole site on Thursday late in the afternoon and had a great feeling of pride in how it all looked.

Although the damage to the building is severe, the team have as always been magnificent and on Friday we reorganised the site and with our suppliers coming up trumps we will have a full range of stock before Easter including a marquee for the furniture display in the Butterfly House and in the garden behind the restaurant.

It goes without saying that your understanding and loyalty will be the things that keep us buoyant over the coming days and please don’t stay away! Please come in to see us at Castle Gardens but don’t forget that Brimsmore Gardens and Poundbury Gardens are also looking fantasist and the teams are ready to welcome you at all of the Centres.

We have had some wonderful support from the community in the last few days and we are determined that this will not stop us from continuing to provide the elements of our ethos which are of course high quality product with high quality expertise and customer service in a wonderful environment. It may be a bit singed at the moment but watch it come back to life.