RETAILING
SQUIRE’S WELCOMES FRENSHAM TO THE FAMILY
During a preview evening showcasing the latest addition to the Squire’s Garden Centres business, deputy chairman Sarah Squire spoke passionately about the family business’ plans for its portfolio and why being unique is celebrated within the organisation. Fiona Garcia reports.
North and West London. Established in 1935 by David Squire, the business now operates 15 centres and was delighted to bring Frensham into the fold earlier this year. Previously
F owned by David
Wheelhouse, Frensham has served the locals in Farnham for more than a decade, with a range of plants, gardening sundries and tools, housewares, a farm shop, plus a huge camping offer that the business is renowned for; including an impressive 150 tents erected in an outdoor area. David relaunched
12 DIY WEEK 09 NOVEMBER 2018
amily-run Squire’s has been trading for 85 years, with garden centres across Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex,
the business in 2006 following a £900,000 refurbishment, which saw him increase the centre’s retail areas by nearly 50%, as well as doing extensive work on the entrance, camping shop, back- office functions, and re-surfacing the car park. Squire’s kept all of the centre’s
staff on, when it took over on August 1, including centre manager Brian Phillips, who has worked at Frensham for 17 years. Speaking to DIY Week, Mr Phillips explains he was initially wary of what a new owner would mean for the business but any fears have since been allayed and he is thrilled to be part of the Squire’s group. “It’s great to be part of something bigger and to have that structure in place,”
he says. “We have also been given a budget for new staff, which is fantastic. We have just taken on an apprentice in the plant area, and we also have two extra cashiers.”
Investing in training
Brian enthuses about the willingness to share knowledge across the business
and the investment in
training that Frensham now benefits from, being part of the Squire’s network. “When we were first taken over, we had lots of staff from other Squire’s centres come over to help us integrate,” he says. “I went to the Badshot Lea centre for five weeks. It was great because it meant that, away from my day job, I wasn’t in demand and could really get my head down and learn.
“They are also going to send other members of staff to other centres to learn different roles. Our assistant manager, for example, is going to Milford for three months. We have some roles that are really integral to the centre and, to have other people know how to step in, means we have greater flexibility and the ability to provide cover. The investment in staff and training by Squire’s is amazing!” Addressing customers and employees at a private preview evening, deputy chairman Sarah Squire paid tribute to the Frensham staff and welcomed them to the Squire’s family. “I’d like to thank Brian and his team here for their immense support and enthusiasm over the past three months… A
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