Stockton Garden Centre

This garden centre is now owned by Dobbies. We had our usual free coffee for being gardening club plus member, then decided to stay for lunch. We sat tucked away from other diner, being mindful of COVID 19 restrictions. The lunches were very good. We had lamb moussaka and lasagne, both with chips and garlic bread. Neither of us managed the whole meal, which was very tasty. The cafe was quite busy with people having coffee and cake or meals. The garden centre now resembles a department store with the large array of kitchen implements and other items, not connected to gardening, for sale.

Arrived at store Sunday looking for a BBQ, was taken through all the different options by James, he helped dismantle part of it as was the last one in stock (display model) and even helped load into my car. Top class customer service from James. Thanks again.

Earlier this week, we went to the cafe for lunch. Upon arriving, we noticed that there was no staff member at the entrance managing the crowd and there was no social distancing in the line for food. The tray on top of the stack by the entrance was dirty. Eventually, a staff member instructed us to find a table before ordering our food and then put up a barrier at the entrance. We decided to leave at that point. We used to be regular customers before the pandemic, but this experience has deterred us from wanting to return.

We purchased an annual Dobbie's Club Plus Card for £10 and receive 2 hot drinks per month free of charge so well worth the investment where you can get a very good lunch and look around the garden centre at the same time.

Now taken over by Dobbies and not quite as nice. Very noisy (hard floors etc) and busy with Dobbies card holders claiming their free drink. Motorway prices for coffee and cake. Very dirty dust waiting to fall off the ceiling beams which not been cleaned. Glass panel beside rear exit to plant centre cracked so not safety glass despite being floor length. Disappointing.