April 3, 2020
The Garden Centre Association has come up with a great new scheme to connect taxi firms across the country with local garden centres in order to provide an alternative home delivery service. This would allow keen gardeners access to new plants and gardening equipment this spring, without having to leave their homes.
A Green-Fingered Idea
Garden centres all over the UK are stocked with flowers, trees, compost and more, as this time of year is the most popular for getting gardens tidied up and looking picturesque in time for summer – around 70% of garden supplies are purchased during the three-month spring period.
However, as we are in national lockdown, it is likely that much of these fresh materials might go to waste.
It’s been estimated that up to £200 million worth of green produce might be thrown away if it cannot be used due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 2,000 stores being forced to close. Traditionally, garden centres and nurseries have not operated online deliveries on a large scale, rather relying on in-store visits.
We’re currently being told not to leave our homes to buy anything other than essential items. Although this type of product is not necessarily essential, it can go a long way toward giving people purpose and positivity at this troubling time. With this in mind, the Garden Centre Association (GCA) has come up with a novel idea.
How Cabbies Can Help
The GCA has proposed that taxi drivers who are still working and are willing, could join forces with local garden centres and arrange home deliveries to those who make orders with the stores. This will save the public from going out to purchase the items but means they are still able to keep busy in their gardens, whilst staying safe.
Cab Direct is fully backing this scheme, alongside the National Taxi Association. NTA representative Karen Barlow told the Daily Express: “A lot of business for our members has closed down and some are keen to get involved in collecting food from shops or delivering items from places like B&Q.
Karen continued: “We’re definitely interested in this. It is so heartbreaking for the garden centres, with all those beautiful plants going to waste. If we could help get them out to gardeners, it would be wonderful.”
On top of saving the produce, this could also be a lifeline for black cab and private hire drivers all over the nation, who’re trying to keep working through the crisis but finding themselves much quieter than usual.
If you’re a taxi driver and are interested in finding out more or getting involved in this plan, please email info@gca.org.uk, with the name of the town you work in as the subject header of the email.
Lets all hope for a ‘fare’ spring in the garden, at least.
