The Welsh Government should consider reopening garden centres given the positive impact of gardening on both physical and mental wellbeing, according to Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George.
The Member of Welsh Parliament for Montgomeryshire has said that Wales should follow England and Scotland's lead by opening garden centres at the Welsh Government's next review of restrictions. Since the latest lockdown came into effect at Christmas, garden centres have been closed because they are not listed as essential.
Mr George said:
“If English and Scottish garden centres are allowed to open, the Welsh Government should follow their lead and open our garden centres at the next review of restrictions.
"We should have a level playing field with those in England especially given that there are huge benefits for people’s physical and mental wellbeing that can be derived from gardening. Not only that but it would also help businesses survive the economic storm caused by the pandemic.
“There are a number of fantastic garden centres in Montgomeryshire and it is grossly unfair that they are not able to sell their goods while the big supermarkets sell plants, weedkillers and other goods in their stores.
“The Welsh Government really needs to consider this and prioritise their reopening before some of these garden centres are forced to shut their doors forever.”
