The Gardens Group founders receive Outstanding Contribution Award
On Thursday 15 June, Mike and Louise Burks, who founded The Gardens Group together in 1987, were presented with an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Western Gazette Business Awards, held at Westlands in Yeovil. Recognised for their longstanding and considerable contribution to the Dorset and Somerset business community over the past 30 years, Mike and Louise were selected by the judges for their “willingness to give their time for the cause of their business and others in the community.”
Now employing over 100 staff across three multi award-winning garden centres in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury, Mike and Louise were commended for their significant impact on the local economy over the years, as well as their commitment to the community, support for charities and not-for-profit organisations and educational initiatives with schools. The Gardens Group’s multi award-winning and much anticipated Christmas displays were also given high praise by judges, who said, “at Christmas time, visitors are in for a special treat, with unrivalled festive displays that are free to all and amaze every year.”
Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains; “Receiving this award was a huge surprise for Louise and I, and we are truly honoured to receive it, especially in the year that Brimsmore Gardens celebrates its 25th anniversary and Castle Gardens celebrates its 30th. We believe that local businesses should all support each other to ensure that communities thrive and that working in partnership with all types of community groups helps to forge stronger, healthier ties for the benefit of everyone.”