For years now, it seems as though the two big DIY chains have tended to dominate the gardening market. They offer very cheap products, in comparison with the local centres, and UK garden centers can really struggle to compete when a chain is within their vicinity.
So why would you want to choose a local garden centre when you can find everything you need much more cheaply in a one-shop, huge centre?
There are two good reasons why you may wish to shop at your local garden centre. Firstly, you would be supporting your own local economy. Of course, the big centres do employ a lot of staff but all profits will not eventually feed down into your local area. Supporting the local gardening centres will mean that you are doing your bit for the local community in which you live.
The second very good reason is that there is usually a much better choice of products available through the local centres. Also, you are far more likely to find local products that may be more in keeping with the demands and requirements of your particular area.
The big Gardening chains will tend to offer rather boring products and they are usually made as cheaply as possible and therefore do not last. Yes, you may pay a little more for products from local garden centres but at least they will tend to last for more than a couple of years.
At the end of the day though it is your call - but I know which I would rather.
