The Cosmic Watchdog

Dobbies has announced that it is to close some of its garden centres as the business adapts to fewer customers.

The company has shut the doors of 16 of its branches since December, with more set to close by the end of this month.

Another, In Northampton, will go in March.

Garden centres are often go-to days out of the house for older people, as they seek stimulating time outside with their partners, wider family or friends.

It has become a sort of cliche, but this doesn’t detract from the fact that these places are important, especially as loneliness among more senior people becomes more prevalent.

In December, it was reported that 7% (one in 14 people) aged 65+, equivalent to 940,000 older people, in the UK are often lonely. 

270,000 older people in England go a week without speaking to a friend or family member – around 1 in 40 people older than 65, Age UK added.

A browse around the venue’s stock of flowers is usually followed by a look through its other sections – which seem to have multiplied in recent years as centres seek to diversify.

People can often now buy animals, such as hamsters, rabbits and fish, and pet supplies, clothes, shoes, books, ornaments and household items.

Midway through the outing, or in the middle as an interval, visitors tend to have a sit down and eat a slice of cake and have a cup of coffee.

Depending on the time, it might be better to have a spot of lunch. 

I did this a lot with my nan and other family members at weekends while growing up in the Midlands.

One of the centres closing I used to visit a lot in Stapleford. I will not have been the only one, and Dobbies’ venues will still be places where families and loved ones spend valuable time together.

The mix of offerings included stuff that kept me interested – and of course there were the scones (oh, the lovely scones) and tea – while the older people I was with got to enjoy themselves too.

I even got to wheel my nan around in her wheelchair from time to time. I also remember her treating me to many, many books and, oddly, puppets. I went through a phase.

This often involved the covert handing over a few quid, concealed from my mum. A classic move.

At Christmas, I very much enjoyed the huge festive displays put on.

All of my grandparents are gone now, and these days out at the garden centre, which were routine at the time, I now treasure as very pleasant memories.

Dobbies was also a crucail stop for a full English breakfast on the way to Wales for family holidays.

The recent and upcoming closures of Dobbies branches will impact the routines of locals. 

Hopefully, there are alternatives nearby that can still be reached easily, and people can still enjoy those fun little few hours out.

Naturally, Dobbies will be enjoying the custom of fewer people as their regulars pass away. But it is important that those who remain are catered for.