Meet the Team - Our Longest Serving Team Members
By Cherry Lane
Published July 2022
As you know we have recently celebrated our 21st anniversary, a very proud achievement for all of us. Over the past 21 years, we have worked with some incredible people and we are so grateful for the hard work put in by our teams every day.
We want to introduce you to some of our longest-serving team members and let them tell you more about their time working with us.
Sharn How long have you worked in the industry, and then for Cherry Lane, Sharn? “I started at Pulham Market in December 1989 as a shop/horticultural assistant. At this time Clovergate owned Long Melford and Pulham Market Garden Centres. Later, they acquired a centre in Staffordshire which I transferred to as a manager. They sold this approximately three years later and then acquired Southview and changed the company name to Chimale. At this time, I was back at Pulham Market. QD Group bought the company in 2001.” What was it like before Cherry Lane took over? “It was a Budget Garden Centre, selling all sorts of odd things, Chinese rugs, Mountain bikes and loo seats.”
Giles How long have you been in the industry, Giles? “I have worked in the industry for 30 years in total.” What did you think about the acquisition at the time? “Personally, It was quite surreal when QD took over officially and we met with the head office team; it was like coming home. They were caring and respectful, immediately putting our minds at rest and we felt like part of the QD Team very quickly. Everyone worked together to get the job of opening the centres in the new format done and the feeling of inclusion and teamwork really shone through. I remember we were invited to the Christmas manager’s meal which was shortly after the takeover and, wow, it just underlined what we were then part of. The feeling of belonging and family is very strong.”
James How has your career grown within the business? “I started back in 1997 as a trainee manager and now I am a director within the business. When we started Cherry Lane, I was the first manager from the QD Group to take over as manager at our Cherry Lane Garden Centre in Pulham Market. I class myself as extremely lucky and privileged to work for such a great company which employs so many great people. I come to work every day with the drive to push the business forward.” What do you think the future holds for Cherry Lane? “I think we are entering a period when “great value” will be more important than ever before for all customers. With our proposition, pricing and range we are hopefully in a good position to continue to grow and offer the customer that great value. We are The UK’s only value garden centre.”
Susie How long have you been part of the Cherry Lane family? “I joined the team at Cherry Lane in 2002, where I soon felt part of the family. I have met some wonderful customers over the years and love seeing our regulars.” What do you enjoy most about your job? “I am so proud to be part of such a great team and to see how we have all grown over the years. I love the variety of tasks included in my job and meeting our customers. It’s great to feel part of one big family.”
Stuart How long have you been working in the Garden Centre industry, Stuart? “After completing a degree in environmental biology, I began working at Long Melford garden centre as the plant area manager in 1998. QD Group acquired Long Melford, Pulham and South View in 2001, and I have been happily working for Cherry Lane ever since.” What were the main things that changed because of Cherry Lane taking over? “The range and volume of stock have increased massively across the store, over the years. The variety and quality of plants in my department have improved a lot.”
Simon How long have you been working in the industry, Simon? “I joined Chimale as a buyer in 1998 based at Pulham Market, but I bought products for all three stores. There were four buyers in the team, and I was responsible for many departments. In September 2000, we were told that we were being taken over by QD Group and in 2001, the Cherry Lane story began. I knew nothing of QD but did know about Lathams and regularly shopped there.” How has your role within the business grown since the takeover? “When I moved over to Cherry Lane, I transferred from being a buyer to managing the merchandising team. This role included travelling around stores, refitting them, and upgrading layouts. Within 12 months, I was offered a Store Management position at one of our smaller stores. Over the next 10 years, I moved through the stores from smallest to largest. In 2010, I was asked to join the testing team for a new IT system and fell in love with it. Since then, I now run that IT system, developing it, and providing support to the stores and other departments as the SAP Operations Manager. QD Group has supported me in all training and career development.” One big family We are so proud of all of our team members, and their many long-serving achievements within the business.
Well Done Team!
If you are interested in joining the Cherry Lane family, you can see our latest vacancies here. Find out more about our 21st Anniversary here.
