GARDEN CENTRES & REVIEWS

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🌸 Garden Centre Review:🌸

🌸 DeWaldens Garden Centre & Coffee Shop 🌸

📅 Date of Visit: 25/07/2024📅

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⭐ Overall Rating: 4 ⭐

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🌿 Location & Accessibility🌿

Address:
Ayr Road, Ayrshire, Kilmarnock, KA1 5LF

Ease of Access:

• Public Transport: Not Advised – Fairly rural spot. Visited by car myself.
• Parking: Sizeable parking area. Pretty busy but easily found a spot.

Accessibility for All:

• Easy access for all. All on one level.

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🌻 Garden Centre Layout & Design🌻

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First Impressions:
Initially I thought I was walking into Mothercare. I was greeted with an array of pretty expensive prams right at the entrance. This comprises part of the shop area and to be honest the shop area was packed with some very unique items and often locally sourced which was nice to see. In truth you would think you had entered a shopping area rather than a garden centre. My sister took a look at the prices of the prams and was woah expensive. I am sure they are worth the price but the initial impression was this would be an expensive place to buy anything. I would say later on that proved not to be the case on the purchases that I myself made.

Layout:

• Organization: Main front area is the shop. Nicely done with plenty of choice and unique items at decent prices. Some of the more unique items were of course pricier but that would be standard for bespoke items. Cafe is at the rear with the garden centre situated off the centre to the right.
• Signage: Clear and descriptive and you can always ask the staff but it is not an overly large venue to get lost in.
• Aesthetics: The look and feel internally was of a high quality establishment, everything set out well. The cafe was of a fair size and was very busy but I did not partake of any wares so on that I cannot comment. Looked inviting however and a good spot to rest your weary legs after your day of shopping or ambling about.
• Garden Centre :
• In truth the garden centre area was very disappointing but not without its saving graces. The garden centre area I was informed was being revamped and remodelled. Most of the plants within this space were being heavily reduced which of course if you know what you are looking for is wonderful news. I did find some bargains within the limited choice available so I came away a happy bunny.
• The area even when remodelled would be of limited size and I would not class it as a Garden Centre in the truest form. The shop and cafe I imagine would be the main sources of income. Altogether as a pop in visit I enjoyed the experience but for plant lovers it would offer very limited choice. I will however return and visit hopefully when the works are done and be able to update things from how they currently stand.

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🌺 Plant Selection & Quality🌺

Variety: Very limited choice on offer

Quality:
A mixed array of plants that looked a little tired and worn overall but essentially the area was being wound down ready for remodelling so kind of unfair to judge currently.

Display:
Basic displays on raised bays. Plants a little crowded and mixed up and kind of untidy looking overall.

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🛠️ Products & Accessories🛠️

Range:
Decent range of products

Quality & Brands:
Decent range of brands and cheaper alternatives.

Pricing:
Average to slightly overpriced.

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☕ Cafe & Facilities☕

Cafe Experience:

• Ambiance: Seemed to be a good vibe and clearly popular.
• Menu: Did not stop and try anything – another time for sure.
• Service: No comment as I did not try this service.

Facilities:

• Restrooms: Beautifully clean and fresh.
• Seating Areas: Within the cafe area

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💬 Customer Service💬

Staff Friendliness:
Spoke to a lady on the till. Left some items I intended on buying later behind the till with no issues. Took other items to pay and had a discussion about the gardening area where she explained why it was not a main feature at the moment.

Knowledge & Expertise:
Limited and I don’t think your coming here for gardening advice overall. I always talk about the plants I am buying with the staff at the till to see if they are aware of what they are or comment on them. This often gives away their knowledge of the plants. I would say the advice would be more likely to be around the shop items than plants. Perhaps others would have more knowledge. To me this is not an issue but for others without knowledge I am sure they would advise as best they can in a helpful and thoughtful manner.

Checkout Experience:
Very efficient. Great bargains both with plants and some shop bought items. [see pics].

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📸 Highlights📸

I enjoyed the shop area. Some really nice gifts to be be had if you are visiting and want something a little unusual at a decent price. I bought a lovely summer bag for my daughter. Reduced from £40 to £20 so not too bad. Of course I will tell my daughter it cost £80, shush say nothing lol! A lovely wooden Highland Cow plinth with a funny saying on it. Bought a number of plants all reduced by half price. Best bargain was Trachleospermum jasminoides, £6 – 3ft in size approx. in flower- bargain! Some parsley plants and a dahlia and some busy lizzies like a £1 each. Cheap as chips.

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🌟 Final Thoughts🌟

In truth your not coming for the plants I don’t think. Once remodelled and restocked could well be more choice and a nicer setup I am sure. Whole establishment was of a high quality so I am sure they will make it so and add to the experience. A great little place to visit for the shop a bite to eat no doubt and a few plant purchases. Friendly and welcoming and I would heartily recommend a visit.

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