Combe Garden Centre 'left in limbo' over reopening

The Government has yet to confirm whether garden centres can officially reopen this week, leaving Combe Garden Centre in Honiton unsure about whether it will happen.

Manager James Trevett commented: "While we hoped to be opening on Wednesday (13 May), I'm now not sure whether this will be the case.

"We have everything in place, but are still waiting for confirmation either way."

It follows on from earlier reports that the official go-ahead would be delivered during last night's ministerial address.

The Horticultural Trading Association (HTA) issued this statement on Saturday (9 May): "We welcome the news that garden centres will be allowed to open from Wednesday in England.

"This is a hugely positive economic move and hopefully this will be confirmed tomorrow night by the Prime Minister."

However, no such clear instruction was given and as it stands the HTA has not issued any further updates.

"This is very frustrating for us, as you can imagine," James said.

"As always, our primary concern is for the safety of our customers and members of staff and we have been strict in following Government guidelines - even closing before we had to as a precaution.

"Right now we are in limbo about whether or not we will be allowed to reopen this week, which puts us in a very tricky situation.

"We have made every effort, completely off our own backs, to ensure strict safety measures are in place throughout the store to minimise risk.

"We have sourced all our own protective equipment and hand sanitiser for people to use."

Customers are advised to keep an eye on the Combe Garden Centre Facebook page for further updates.

"Please watch this space as I'm still hopeful later today we may hear something," James added.