Rutland Garden Village has welcomed the Lord Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, to the garden centre to open their new Garden Village Store.

This store now houses an expanded range of houseplants, cards and gifts, stocking fillers, Christmas decorations and a book shop.

It iss a true labour of love – a brave decision on the part of the owners Katey and Robin Batten to expand at such a challenging time – and a real team effort to fit, stock and display all the new merchandise.

No outside contractors were used in the making of this store, just the small team of Garden Village staff.

Dr Furness said: "This opening will give real pleasure to Rutland – we need good news stories at the moment.

"I am delighted that we have a new shop and the expansion of a thriving Rutland business – particularly so when so many businesses are suffering and closing due to the Covid restrictions.

"Covid has brought home to us all the importance of growing things and outside space for our mental well being. A source of indoor and outdoor plants and information is so welcome to us all.

"If we are lucky enough to have gardens then we have had time and impetus to relish them. Even those with no outside space have turned to house plants so the Rutland Garden Centre is meeting a real need.

"The pandemic has demonstrated that we are all a part of nature. I am delighted that the Rutland Garden Centre is making great efforts to be environmentally friendly.

"I love the 'hairy pots' which are a great substitute for the ubiquitous plastic. All credit to the Rutland Garden entre for trying to take steps to protect the environment.

"The Rutland Garden Centre is my local and I am a very keen gardener so on a personal level I could not be more pleased."