Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre Brand to go Nationwide! With the announcement that the Horkans family will be taking a lease on the Paul Sexton Cornelscourt garden centre to open a boutique style offering, watch out for a Horkans centre opening in a town or city near you. In Paraic Horkans own words “We will continue to look for new opportunities to expand the Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre brand throughout the country.”
Paul Sexton had decided to lease the Cornelscourt centre to free up time to concentrate on the 8 acre Glen of the Downs branch. They are looking at redeveloping the garden centre itself with the possibility that they will add a much needed food offering to the serious amount of passing traffic on this busy stretch of dual carriage-way. The plan is also to offer a number of Licenses for Concession Spaces that are an affordable way for new and existing horticulture businesses to expand or start up. Given the location on the busy N11 and the 8 acre Glen site there is huge potential to develop the centre into a leading destination for the gardening public before a ‘Dobbies’ comes in and
makes an offer you couldn’t refuse!
Diamuid Gavin gave a sometimes emotional interview on RTE Radio’s Marianne Finucanne Show. Apart from what he described overall, as a negative experience in dealing with the sponsors/paymasters, just like the rest of us in business, he had serious issues about getting paid on time. We all know and can emphasise with him on the stress that involves. Our stated opinion here is once again to congratulate him on bringing home the Gold for Ireland. Our other stated opinion is that it was a complete waste of money for Bord Failte and Cork CoCo in the first place. To our shame it is looking like Ireland will have no participation at Floriade 2012 which may cost about €100,000 and be seen by millions of people versus the millions of euro spent on a ‘Celtic Tiger’ type project that was seen by thousands. A missed opportunity unless…….
I recently met with David Jordan the Sales Manger of Nilfisk Ireland who has chosen to advertise because we were the most visible online horticulture destination plus he can target the various sectors he wants to in one place. HortiTrends Advertisement Offerings continues to benefit by the move away from Golden Pages and print type directory advertising. Also in Davids own words “HortiTrends sounded like good value”. They are a truly international brand and you will be surprised over the coming year just how much horticulture related products they carry. The deciding factor for Nilfisk Egholm was the ability we offered them, to change the ‘Call to action’, quickly and cost effectively as the seasons change and the emphasis moves on from Snow Clearance, Road Sweeping and Grass Cutting to name a few of their product line offerings. They also have in place an excellent nationwide distributor and maintenance network to support both the existing and new product range. Find Out More Here
This is the last newsletter for 2011 but if you get a little bored after the turkey you will find ‘New News’ published daily over the festive season. We will be back in 2012 with all the latest data and information that will help insure that your business flourishes and stays up-to-date with the Latest Horticulture News & Trends in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the World.
Christmas Wishes to all and thank you for the over 100,000 visits to the site in 2011. We wish you a Peaceful personal and Prosperous business New Year in 2012.
Thank you.
Joseph (Editor at HortiTrends)
