Garden Centre Greenhouses

Quality design and expert knowledge

At BM Greenhouses, we are specialists in supplying the garden centre industry with high-quality commercial greenhouses for both retail and storage purposes. As one of the few market-leading greenhouse construction companies in the UK, we provide turnkey solutions for the horticultural industry, and have years of experience in delivering sustainable, future-ready builds.

Whether you are embarking on a new garden centre project or looking to expand or rebuild, we offer consultation throughout the process. Our garden centre greenhouses not only serve as structures but also enhance the retail experience for your customers. We are proud to provide garden centre greenhouse installations across the UK, ensuring that every project meets the needs of our clients.

Useful Installation Advice

Things To Be Wary Of

interior of a greenhouse with plant rows and hanging planters featuring various green plants and flowers for garden enthusiasts and indoor gardening tips 2 types of plants

Some Useful Advice for Installing Greenhouses

When considering a garden centre greenhouse, it's vital to think beyond just the construction. Here are key factors to consider during the design and installation process:

Retail Layout and Customer Flow:

Think about how customers will move through the space. We design for good visibility, clear pathways, and effective product displays. We help you create a welcoming retail environment.

Temperature and Climate Zones:

Different plants require different conditions. We can create distinct climate zones within your glasshouse, whether it's a warmer area for tropical plants or a cooler area for alpines.

Ventilation and Airflow:

Proper ventilation is essential for both plant health and customer comfort. Our designs ensure good airflow to prevent stagnant air and maintain optimal conditions.

Irrigation and Watering Systems:

Efficient watering systems are crucial. We'll design systems that meet the needs of your diverse plant stock, from automated misting to drip irrigation, saving you time and labour.

Lighting for Plant Health and Presentation:

Natural light is great, but supplementary lighting might be needed, especially in winter. We'll design lighting systems that promote plant growth and make your displays attractive to customers.

Accessibility and Safety:

Your glasshouse must be accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities. We'll ensure appropriate walkways, ramps, and safe traffic flow.

Durability and Maintenance:

Garden centres are busy places. We'll build a durable glasshouse that can withstand high traffic and is easy to maintain, reducing disruption to business.

Aesthetics and Branding:

Your glasshouse is part of your brand image. We can design a structure that fits your garden centre's style, whether that's traditional, modern, or rustic. Let's make it an attractive feature!

Storage and Workspace:

Don't forget space for potting, storage of tools and supplies, and a workspace for staff. We can incorporate these into the design to keep things organised.

Seasonal Adaptability:

Your glasshouse needs to adapt to seasonal changes. Consider shading options for summer, heating for winter, and the ability to change plant displays throughout the year.

Point of Sale Area:

Think about where the point of sale (POS) will be located. It should be easily accessible and integrated into the customer flow.

Expansion Potential:

If you plan to grow your business, consider a design that allows for future expansion. It's always better to plan ahead!

Things to be wary of

At BM Greenhouses, we understand the challenges faced by garden centres. Here are common pitfalls to avoid and how we assist you in navigating these issues:

Underestimating Customer Traffic and Space Needs:

Challenge: Garden centres can get incredibly busy, especially during peak seasons. Underestimating customer flow or space requirements leads to congestion, frustrated customers, and lost sales.

Advice: Let's analyse your foot traffic patterns and ensure the design can comfortably accommodate your peak volume. We need to allow for wide aisles and clear pathways.

Ignoring Seasonal Fluctuations:

Challenge: Garden centre sales vary dramatically with the seasons. Ignoring this leads to either overcrowding at peak times or underutilisation at off-peak times.

Advice: We'll design for seasonal adaptability. This might mean flexible display areas, shading options for summer, or adaptable heating for winter. We need to ensure it works all year round.

Neglecting Plant Health in Display:

Challenge: Simply showcasing plants without considering their needs can damage stock. Poor ventilation, inadequate watering, or incorrect lighting will lead to wilted plants and lost inventory.

Advice: Plant health is paramount. We'll design appropriate climate zones and irrigation systems to keep your plants thriving. We'll advise on displaying them in conditions they will enjoy, as well as conditions that will look good to customers.

Failing to Integrate Point of Sale (POS):

Challenge: A poorly positioned or designed POS area can create bottlenecks and reduce sales. Customers should find it easy and convenient to pay.

Advice: Let's think about the POS early in the design process. We'll strategically position it to manage customer flow, preferably somewhere open and inviting, but still secure.

Delaying Utility Connections and Power Supply:

Challenge: Delays in getting electricity, water, and other utilities connected can hold up construction and cause significant setbacks.

Advice: We'll work closely with utility providers to ensure everything is connected on time. We'll calculate the power needs for lighting, heating, and any other electrical equipment early on.

Forgetting Storage and Workspace Needs:

Challenge: Neglecting areas for potting, storage, and staff workspace leads to clutter and operational inefficiencies.

Advice: We'll make sure we factor in dedicated spaces for these essential functions. It keeps the retail area tidy and operations smooth.

Ignoring Local Planning Regulations and Building Codes:

Challenge: Failing to comply with regulations can lead to delays, fines, and the need for costly modifications.

Advice: We'll handle all planning applications and ensure the design meets local building codes. It's essential to avoid legal issues and costly revisions.

Not Planning for Potential Expansion:

Challenge: Building a glasshouse that's too small for future growth can lead to significant costs and disruption later when expanding is needed.

Advice: Let's think long-term. We can design for potential expansion or consider modular options that allow you to add to the structure as your business grows.

Overlooking Accessibility Requirements:

Challenge: Not making the glasshouse accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities, can alienate potential buyers and breach regulations.

Advice: We'll ensure compliance with accessibility standards. This means considering ramps, wide aisles, and appropriate door widths.

Compromising on Build Quality:

Challenge: Trying to cut corners on materials or construction quality can lead to structural issues, leaks, and high maintenance costs down the line.

Advice: We always recommend quality materials and experienced contractors. It might cost a bit more upfront but saves a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

man tending to potted flowers in a greenhouse surrounded by various colorful blooms showcasing gardening techniques with flowers 3 varieties 3 colors 3 blooms

FAQs

+ What services does BM Greenhouses offer?

We specialise in supplying garden centres with high-quality commercial greenhouses for retail and storage. Each greenhouse can be customised depending on business needs, to cater to customer flow, climate requirements, irrigation, and a number of other factors.