A FAMILY run garden centre in Thurrock is proving it's possible to survive the lockdown and keep its customers satisfied.

Obviously things are far from normal but there is certainly an upbeat spirit at Thurrock Garden Centre on South Road in South Ockendon.

The business was established 40- years ago by John Walsham and is now in it's third generation.

Garden centres have not been allowed to open under lockdown legislation – something which rankles a little as bigger conglomerates like B&Q which sell plants, compost and gardening equipment have been – but the family and others in the garden centre industry are hoping they will be allowed to open within the next couple of weeks.

There has been a strong lobby by the Garden Centre Association and Horticultural Trade Association to allow centres to reopen.

Not that things have been quiet at Thurrock Garden Centre says the centre's marketing manager Anna.

"We have been able to offer a delivery service right through and that's proved very popular, whilst maintaining strict social distancing rules.

"So much so that we have been able to use our stock of plants, working closely with local growers to make sure we match supply with demand," she says.

"There's been quite a lot of media surrounding plants being thrown away because garden centres are unable to open to sell the plants provided by nurseries.'

Customers have been able to contact the centre by email and then they get a callback from a member of the team, who goes around the site explaining what is available to them via phone. That way customers have been able to order what they want and get it delivered quickly.

And the delivery service isn't just plants and composts – the centre offers a wide range of goods including garden sundries, books, gifts and furniture – so it has really been ticking over.

"It's been a challenge of course but we have some great local suppliers and great customers who are understanding so we have got through," added Anna.

"The thing about gardening is it's therapeutic and good for mental wellbeing, it certainly helps with exercise and for children it's a source of learning.

"It's really important to have been able to keep operating but obviously we are looking forward to opening up again, albeit with all the social distancing rules in place.

"We are looking forward to getting back to normality but hopefully we will come through this having built up our relationship with our customers and helped them through these difficult times.

You can visit the centre's website here or the facebook page here to find out more about the delivery service and the centre.