Help John show his business is blooming

Alan Bunce • Published 20 Aug 2009 14:00 0 Comments

A GARDENER is plotting to make business blossom by entering one of the UK's top flower shows - but he needs sponsors to make it happen.

John Gutteridge from Ilchester Mews, Caversham Park Village says his business was already weathering the recession well and he was busier now than at any time in the 12 years since he launched.

But to raise his profile further he teamed up with Arthur Norcott from Isleworth, a fellow gardener he met on a training course, for an ambitious project to enter the small gardens category of next year's Hampton Court Flower Show with a 5x7 metre garden themed on sustainability.

The pair need between £10,000 and £12,000 and have already secured £2,000.

The garden will be named after the main sponsor but all sponsors stand to gain publicity.

John said: "It's a good showcase if you are a garden designer and ideally we would get a medal.

"It's a long way off at the moment but that is the ultimate aim."

Sponsors, he said stood to gain, largely through positive publicity.

He added: "There will be potential exposure through the media because the RHS and Hampton Court show get plenty of publicity including TV coverage."

Around 165,000 people visit the show and there are hospitality opportunities.

For the garden they plan a central fire pit with wood and charcoal from a local managed woodland; hard landscape materials which are either sustainable or recycled; many self-seeding plants and gravel mulch for water retention and low maintenance. The garden will aim to attract butterflies and bees.

John said companies which want to be associated with sustainability would be best suited as sponsors. John added: "People are still keen to spend money on something they enjoy like their garden, either by having it maintained or designed."

Contact john.dte@ntlworld.com

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 20 Aug 09

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