HILLIER Garden Centres, which has an outlet in Liss, has topped a record 12 months by clinching the title of Multiple Garden Retailer of the Year in the Garden Retail Awards held at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms. The award was presented to Hillier Garden Centres director, Chris Francis, in recognition of the turnaround in the company’s business.

“We are absolutely delighted to be the UK’s Multiple Garden Retailer of the Year,” said Chris Francis, who joined Hillier in June 2014.

“Hillier is all about offering great plants, great products and an engaging shopping experience for our customers.

“Our team at Hillier Garden Centres has worked incredibly hard to achieve our vision of vibrant gardening department stores, and it is brilliant to have their success recognised by the industry.”

Over the past 12 to 18 months, nine of Hillier’s 12 garden centres in the south of England have been completely refitted inside and out, including the garden centre in Liss. Outside, the floor of the plant areas have been relaid, new timber canopies erected and new benching displays installed. Inside the shops, new wood-effect flooring has been laid, new racking and display signage installed, and the cafes have been refurbished.