York Garden Centre

Dean's Garden Centre - York

Ken & Margaret Dean opened the doors to Dean's Garden Centre at Stockton-on-the-Forest on 7th December 1968. The original site consisted of a pre-fab building and a 14ftx60ft greenhouse and had no full time staff but was run by Ken & Margaret along with some casual help.

Over the next few years as the Garden Centre grew in popularity several building developments were put into place to extend the building. By the end of 1973 the pre-fab building was linked to an old cow shed and another greenhouse built.

In 1978 after 10 years of successful trading a major extension was built to replace some of the original, older buildings and by this time there were now 14 members of staff at the garden centre including Mr & Mrs Dean's son, Richard.

During the 1980's further improvements were made to the building including a staff room, office and upstairs storage area and the original greenhouse replaced with a newer model. In 1986 a second site at Scarborough was also purchased. It was also during this time that both of Mr & Mrs Dean's daughters, Helen Jones and Sarah Nursey came to work at the garden centre which now meant the whole family were now working together.

April 1991 saw some more re-developments including a sales area, houseplant area, covered area and store with 'The Bothy' coffee shop being built in the July, all of which still make up the site as it is seen today. Our nursery site was also purchased where we grow our own bedding and perennial plants.

After 25 years, in 1993 Ken & Margaret retired leaving the running of the garden centre in the capable hands of their children, Richard, Helen & Sarah, who still manage the business today. There are eight children between the three partners, two of whom currently work within the business.

Currently Dean's employees over 95 members of staff over the 3 sites, over 30 of which have worked for the business for 10 years or more and one member having been working for the Dean's for over 35 years. Take a look at our York Garden Centre by clicking here.