Hundreds flock to Blackpool and Fylde garden centres on first day of reopening

Eager gardeners could be seen descending on The Plant Place near Norcross roundabout for its 8am re-opening today.

Around 20 cars had parked up outside the garden centre within minutes of its opening, with customers soon struggling to find spaces.

The Plant Place is one of dozens of garden centres across Lancashire that is welcoming customers back today after they were forced to close on March 24 due to lockdown.

Management said it has introduced a number of measures to protect the welfare of its staff and customers.

A new queuing system is in place to ensure people remain 2 metres apart, as well as social distancing markers throughout the centre.

Till areas have also been fitted with sheets of clear plastic to help shield workers.

A spokesman for Plant Place garden centre said: "As you are aware we have been closed during the lockdown period but I am happy to say we will be opening the garden centre today (Wednesday, May 13).

"We take our responsibilities very seriously as one of the first non-essential retailers who are allowed to open.

"We are often a place for people to visit in order to browse, relax and de-stress, but we are asking our customers to please 'help us to help you' during the initial stages, so it is safe and calm.

"We want to get our customers in and get them home gardening again safely.

"We will also be commencing a home delivery service from next week for customers that can't or don't want to venture out just yet."

The Plant Place is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am till 4.30pm on Sundays.