Cherry Lane garden centre in Long Melford invites nominations of worthy causes for donations to mark 21st anniversary

A garden centre business celebrating more than two decades of trade is seeking nominations of local causes worthy of a donation, to coincide with the milestone occasion.

Celebrations are taking place this month at Cherry Lane in Long Melford – one of the three original sites in the garden centre group, which is now marking its 21st anniversary across 17 locations.

In addition to various events and activities, the chain has pledged to donate 21 special hardwood garden benches to groups, clubs or charities based in the communities around each Cherry Lane centre.

Nominations can be submitted here by July 3.

Customers have been invited to submit nominations to help identify worthy recipients, either in store or online.

Discount retailer QD, which established Cherry Lane in 2001, also paid tribute to long-serving Long Melford employees Sharn Cleverly and Stuart Bowers, who have been part of the chain since the beginning.

Sharn is now manager at Cherry Lane in Long Melford, while horticulture manager Stuart Bowers has worked at the site since 1998, prior to its acquisition by QD.

“Great people lie at the heart of our business and it’s the entire team that makes Cherry Lane so special,” said Sharn.

“We are very excited to be taking part in these birthday celebrations – particularly as we’re one of the original three Cherry Lanes – and can’t wait to see what the next 21 years hold.

“We’ve so much planned to celebrate this brilliant milestone in store. We look forward to welcoming our customers to join us and mark the occasion.”

Nick Rubins, chief executive of the QD Group, which still owns Cherry Lane, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone.

“Since launching Cherry Lane 21 years ago, the garden centre industry has changed considerably, but our garden centres have always kept up with the times.”