Oakham Nub News is pleased to announce that Welland Vale Nurseries will become our primary sponsor, supporting us in producing the latest news and opinion, free to read on our site.

Like Nub News, Welland Vale Nurseries is very much a part of the community, employing 35 local people, and working closely with the parish council, local schools and other independent retailers.

Started 45 years ago by current co-director Annie Burns' parents, the business prides itself on being the gardeners' garden centre, carefully sourcing the finest plants from home and abroad.

"We began as a wholesale nursery, supplying to other garden centres, then in 2014 we opened to the public and a year later we added our café," explains Annie.

"Outdoor living is becoming increasingly popular and people are keen to make a livable space in the garden so we offer a wide selection of garden furniture, water features and garden structures, but our main focus is always the plants."

In fact, the owners of Welland Vale are so meticulous about the plants and trees they stock that they travel to northern Italy two or three times a year on buying trips.

"We hand-pick stock over there, and literally put a tag on the plants we want," says Annie. "The quality and choice for certain types is fantastic – olive trees, for instance, are very hard to start off over here so it's far better to get them when they're already established."

In addition to plants specifically chosen for shape, size and symmetry, Welland Vale also grows all its own bedding on site, and about 90% of its herbaceous and perennial shrubs.

As a family-owned independent business, Annie says the garden centre which she runs with partner Charlie Thomas is focused on customer service.

"We have a great new garden centre manager Angela and her assistant Kate who both have so much experience and knowledge of plants," she says. "But the whole team are experts and they're there to give our customers the best advice.

"For us it's not just about making a sale, it's about giving people a personal service and answering any questions they might have to help them make the right choice. Whether someone is spending £8 or £800 on a plant, they still need to know what to do with it!"

Customers can take advantage of not just Welland Vale's unique stock and wealth of expertise, they can enjoy breakfast, afternoon tea, Sunday lunch or cake and coffee in the garden centre's café. And a soft play area is soon to be added so parents can relax while their under-5s play safely.

"We felt there was a need for something like that in the area, so we're extending through our café to create it," says Annie.

It's that focus on community which encouraged Welland Vale Nurseries to sponsor Oakham Nub News.

"Where we can support local businesses then we're keen to do that," adds Annie. "Local news is important to people and having somewhere to go to get information from a place they trust really matters - that's why we're so happy to be the site's main sponsor."

Nub News CEO Karl Hancock says: "Welland Vale Nurseries is a perfect partner for Oakham Nub News because we both share the same community values. Having the support of businesses like theirs allows us to continue providing a free news and what's on service, without pop-up adverts or surveys, as well as classifieds, property, jobs and travel sections.

"We want to give the community a voice and our sponsors play a crucial part in helping us to do that."