Lifestyle
Dobbies Garden Centre in Swansea reopens after Welsh Government relax lockdown restrictions
Following updated guidance from the Welsh Government that garden centres may open, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres has reopened its Swansea store.
Dobbie’s say the safety of team members and customers remains their number one priority and social distancing measures are already in place to allow the store to operate safely.
There are a limited number of customers permitted in the store at one time. A queuing system is in operation outside the store, with two metre markers in place to help maintain social distancing. Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations are available at the entrance.
There are protective screens at tills and customers will be asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible. Team members have been provided with PPE. Rigorous daily hygiene routines will continue throughout the stores. The restaurant and soft play will remain temporarily closed.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We welcome this updated guidance from the Welsh Government, enabling us to reopen our Swansea store. We have followed all social distancing guidelines while our foodhall and pet department were open, and will continue to do so. The safety of our team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority.”
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director of Dobbies, said: “Spring is the time when people want to get back out into their gardens, and with proven health and wellbeing benefits, this is a positive development. The trends for grow you own, edible plants, al fresco dining and family gardening are what we are seeing across the Dobbies’ estate, and with new educational information in our stores, we look forward to helping people have success with their gardens.”
Dobbies Swansea is well-stocked with a comprehensive range of plants including hardy plants, bedding plants, vegetable plants and houseplants. The new Dobbies’ branded Rose collection is also available. New spring and summer seasonal items, including outdoor living, will be landing in store over the coming weeks.
The store will be open 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 to 16.30, Sunday.
For the full list of Dobbies stores visit dobbies.com
Lead image: Dobbies Garden Centre to re-opening, Swansea, Horticultural manager Ricky Williams
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Dafen-based Llanelli Motor Company have broken ground on a new development that will see their forecourt double in size over the coming months.
Led by Managing Director Ian Jonathan, the two-phase project will see the independent car dealership increase the number of used vehicles it has on sale to over 400 by January 2023.
“It’s certainly an exciting period for the business,” said Ian, “and with the significant changes to the used car market, we felt now was the right time to start the project, which has been in the pipeline for over five years.”
Although the business was potentially looking at 2020 as a start date for the developments, the Coronavirus Pandemic put the brakes on the project.
However, since the easing of lockdown restrictions and the delay in obtaining new vehicles, the used car market has seen an unprecedented spike in demand.
“The last 12 months have been exceptionally busy,” continued Ian.
“No sooner are we finalising our 140-point safety check on vehicles before placing them on the forecourt, than they are being purchased within a matter of days”.
With the ability to stock 150 nearly new vehicles of all makes and models at the moment, the 1-acre expansion will increase this to 250 by September before more than doubling it to 400 by the spring of 2023.
In order to facilitate this growth, the company will also be entering a recruitment phase and looking to employ at least 10 new members of staff across its sales, workshop and admin teams as well as taking on new apprenticeships.
A Swansea man who was feeling lucky during the working week was left in a state of delighted disbelief on finding out he had won a combined £37,000 cash-and-car prize with online competitions company BOTB.
Anthony Brain from Swansea could not believe his luck when BOTB’s Christian Williams picked up the phone to let him know he was the winner of its Midweek Lifestyle competition.
Anthony, who works for Swansea-based automotive products company Marelli, scooped a brand new BMW 128ti, as well as a cash prize of £2,000.
After recovering from his initial shock, Anthony said: “It’s absolutely unbelievable – I’m over-the-moon and still on a real high from it. It’s rare that I take part in the Midweek Lifestyle Competition – I think I’ve only entered it once or twice before – but I was feeling lucky during the working week, so thought ‘why not?’ When I got the call to say I’d won, I was stunned.
“Being a car enthusiast, I’m really excited about winning the car but the cash is brilliant too. We’ve already booked some holidays with some of the winnings, including to Italy and Florida. It’s nice to have something to look forward to.”
Anthony said his prize win has prompted colleagues to throw their hat in the ring and give BOTB’s competitions a go.
He added: “The thing is you’ve got to be in it to win it – and I think once you know someone who has won, you feel more hopeful that you could be in with a chance. I’d encourage anyone thinking about entering to try it for themselves.”
Other recent winners have bagged a motorbike, a luxury holiday to Barbados and £15,000 in cash.
The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £47m worth of cars so far.
Food & Drink
Winner winner, weekday dinners: Morrisons introduces midweek dinners for under a fiver in its cafés
Amidst the cost of living crisis, supermarket giant Morrisons is introducing a ‘meal of the day’ for under a fiver to its cafés nationwide.
Every weekday from 3pm, a ‘Daily Special’ will be discounted, offering a saving of up to £3.89 on the individual product price.
The meal on offer will rotate each day and customers can choose from British roast chicken served with chips and coleslaw, a hearty chicken tikka masala, a 9-piece breakfast brunch, a succulent British cheeseburger served with chips and coleslaw and the ultimate beer-battered fish and chips.
The offer includes a drink and vegetarian alternatives are also available.
Each meal will be priced at £4.99, which the supermarket chain says makes them cheaper than the same evening meals at Wetherspoons, Harvester and Beefeater.
Morrisons also say that kids can also eat free all day with the purchase of any adult meal, meaning a family of four can enjoy a meal out together for just £9.98.
Ali Lyons, Head of Morrisons Cafés, says: “We know how hard it is for our customers at the moment and we want to make sure they are still able to enjoy a meal out, even on a budget. We’ve handpicked these favourites so that no matter what day it is, our customers can enjoy a saving.”
Morrisons £4.99 offer will be available in its 406 cafés nationwide after 3pm every weekday. The ‘Daily Specials’ on offer are:
Monday Roast Chicken served with Chips & Coleslaw or Cheese & Onion Quiche served with Chips & Coleslaw Tuesday Chicken Tikka Masala or Mac ‘n’ Cheese Wednesday Breakfast Brunch or Full Vegetarian Breakfast Thursday Cheeseburger served with Chips & Coleslaw or Vegetarian burger served with Chips & Coleslaw Friday Ultimate Fish & Chips
(Lead image: Morrisons)
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