03 December 2008

That’s exactly what the National Diploma in Horticulture students were asking when they visited Hillmount Nursery Centre this week. They met Robin Mercer the owner of Hillmount Garden Centre and Robin outlined the importance of the seasonal diversification that a garden retail business requires to ensure profitability. “We put a lot of effort into attracting customers into our business during the Christmas season and have diversified into this market very successfully for many years now” said Robin.

During the visit the students who have studied a module called Garden Centre organisations, were given the opportunity to ask questions about the business and the future developments.

“It was a great visit, being able to meet the owner and ask questions about the business, it really helps your understanding of how a garden centre is run” said Emer Campbell. “I spent my industry experience last summer in a garden centre in Co. Donegal and it was amazing at the different market for garden plants and accessories in Belfast”

Visits to horticultural business form an interesting and informative part of the courses in Horticulture, and are part of all the full-time courses in Horticulture at Greenmount.

Jonathan Stanford, and Emer Campbell (students from National Diploma in Horticulture) met Robin Mercer at Hillmount Nursery Centre to view this years Christmas displays