Inverness firm Simpsons launches ‘virtual’ garden centre
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Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness has launched a new online shop as interest in gardening grows.
The firm has been inundated with calls since the coronavirus lockdown was announced, and has now transformed its operation to become a virtual garden centre for the duration of the shutdown.
More than 200 products are available online, including flowering plants and shrubs, bedding plants, grow your own fruit and vegetables, bird care products and garden tools and accessories. A wide range of luxury food and cosmetic hampers are also available for home delivery.
The switch to online means Simpsons can now sell its existing stock of plant products and support its small business suppliers, many of which have been hit hard by the lockdown.
Colin Harrison, operations director at Simpsons Garden Centre, said: “Like many retail businesses we have been hit by the Covid-19 lockdown but we have been working hard to transform the business from a largely in-store operation to an online garden centre.
“This is traditionally the busiest time of year for gardeners and our customers have been desperate to get back out into their gardens. The response since we launched our online store has been phenomenal and we are already looking to expand the range of products we offer.
“The switch to online means that we can now meet some of the increased demand from customers and also support our small business suppliers, who have also been hit hard by the lockdown.”
The firm is currently delivering orders to households around Inverness and North Kessock, but may expand the service.
Mr Harrison added: “We are very grateful to our loyal customers. They continue to support us through these difficult times and, for a local business like Simpsons, that kind of loyalty is priceless.”
