Business News

Let’s see what has been happening across the business

TARGETS

TARGET: £653k

TARGET: £396k

TARGET: £383k

TARGET: £103k

TARGET: £366k

TARGET: £137k

TARGET: £198k

🍂HERE'S WHAT WE'RE CRACKIN' ON WITH🍂

🍂ENPS results🍂

You said. We listened. Together, we’re improving💚

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback in our recent eNPS survey.

What we heard:

You told us that the people you work with are one of the best things about Yorkshire Garden Centres. Teamwork, friendly colleagues and the support people give one another came through as our strongest theme.

You also told us that there are areas where we need to do better, particularly around communication, consistency and fairness, workload and staffing, working conditions, and involving teams in decisions that affect them.

What happens next:

Managers will be reviewing the feedback with their teams and agreeing the priorities they can act on. We will share a brief update in each monthly newsletter so that you can see:

What you told us
What action is being taken
What has already changed
Where something may take longer, and why

Thank you for helping us understand what matters most. Your feedback will continue to help shape our priorities and make Yorkshire Garden Centres an even better place to work.

Tong Results

Score: -8
Response Rate: 38%

Tingley Results

Score: 29
Response Rate: 49%

Otley Results

Score: -11
Response Rate: 66%

Bingley Results

Score: 48
Response Rate: 86%

Pennine Results

Score: -31
Response Rate: 39%

York Results

Score: -38
Response Rate: 40%

Scarborough Results

Score: 29
Response Rate: 59%

💉Free Flu vouchers!🤧

Looking after your wellbeing is important, especially during flu season. That's why we're pleased to offer free flu jab vouchers to our colleagues.

Take a look at the poster for more information and details on how to access your voucher. 💉✨

Remember! Some people are entitled to free flu vaccinations through the NHS!

If you're eligible for a free flu vaccine through the NHS, we kindly ask that you don't redeem a voucher through the company.

If you aren't eligible for a free flu vaccine with the NHS ➡️ we've got you covered! Complete the survey & get your free flu vaccine voucher this autumn!🍂

Check if you're eligible for a free flu vaccine through the NHS!

Meet some of our new faces in Grass Hoppers!

Samantha Wilton
➡️Grass Hoppers Manager
📍Tingley Garden Centre (initially covering Shauna's maternity leave)
Sereena Gibbs
➡️Grass Hoppers Supervisor
📍Tingley Garden Centre
James Pretty
➡️ Grass Hoppers Manager
📍Otley Garden Centre
Kerry Malone
➡️Grass Hoppers Supervisor
📍Otley Garden Centre
Abbie O'Donnell
➡️Grass Hoppers Manager
📍Tong Garden Centre

💚 Kindness Pot Stories: Grown by Our People 💚

Since 2021, our Kindness Pot has helped support 300+ local causes, all nominated by team members across our seven garden centres.

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Last spring, colleagues took part in our Spring Kindness Pot giveaway, donating bedding plants or seeds from their centre to a local cause close to their heart, and the response was incredible!

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This quarter, we'll be donating bulbs to help brighten local spaces and support the communities that matter most to our teams. 🌼🌷

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Please keep an eye on the Employment Hero newsfeed to see what donations we've shared!

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Missed the last survey? That's ok! Contact hr@ygcgroup.co.uk or we release these surveys and donation opportunities every quarter, so there's always a next time!

VALUES AWARD WINNERS

Have you seen someone go above and beyond?

You can submit a values nomination on the homepage of Employment Hero.

Simply select ‘SHOUT OUT AND RECOGNISE A COLLEAGUE’. Then select ‘RECOGNISE A TEAM MATE’.

From there you can select the employee from the list.

Pick the value they have demonstrated and tell us about what they did.

They’ll be in with a chance to be a monthly values winner and win a £30 voucher

GET YOUR NOMINATIONS IN TODAY!

August's winners will be announced this week!

Recent Winners...

Barney Hanson - Team

Danielle Bird - Positive

Maria Evers - Accountable

Max Seward Sharp - Team

Jess Carroll - Accountable

Nancy Lawson - Positive

Stephen Greensmith - Accountable

Alison Lloyd - Accountable

Alex Currie - Team

Delroy Mushekwa - Excellence

Ethan Moore - Team

Nigel Unwin - Excellence

Abi Peek - Respectful

Spotlighting a few fantastic nominations!

📢Policy Updates

Please see below our spotlighted policies which have been given a review & refresh this month ...

All current policies can be found in:

Employment Hero → Compliance → Policies

Please note: The Food Waste & Staff Purchasing Policy has been issued as a mandatory read through Employment Hero. If you haven't acknowledged it yet, you'll continue to receive reminders until it's been completed.

Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) Policy
We've introduced a clearer TOIL Policy to ensure a consistent approach across Yorkshire Garden Centres.
✅ Key points:
- 👍TOIL must be agreed in advance with your manager.
- 💻All TOIL must be recorded in Employment Hero.
- 📅TOIL should be used within 3 months of being accrued.
- 📖Guidance is included for business travel, overnight stays and extended working days.
- 💼TOIL is intended for genuine business requirements, not day-to-day workload fluctuations.
Travel & Expenses Policy
Our updated Travel & Expenses Policy provides clear guidance on claiming business travel and work-related expenses.
✅ What it covers:
- Approved travel options
- Mileage rates
- Accommodation limits
- Subsistence allowances
- How to submit claims via Employment Hero
💡 Remember:
Travel should be:
- Necessary
- Cost-effective
- Environmentally conscious
- Approved in advance wherever possible
Food Waste & Staff Purchasing Policy
We've introduced a new Food Waste & Staff Purchasing Policy to ensure a fair and consistent approach to stock control across all YGC sites.
The policy outlines expectations around: Staff purchases, Food waste management, Staff discounts, Stock control and accountability.
This helps protect the business from loss, misuse and fraud while ensuring the same rules apply to everyone.
✅ What you need to know:
💳Always pay for items before consuming or removing them.
🚫Never reserve, hide or set aside stock for personal purchase.
🥪Food waste must be managed through approved processes and cannot be taken without authorisation.
🏷️Reduced items can only be purchased in the same way as customers and must remain available for customer sale.
🛍️All staff purchases must follow normal till procedures and be processed honestly and accurately.
⚠️Any misuse of stock, discounts, points or purchasing processes may result in disciplinary action.
📌 Important
Tills access is a part of everyone's roles therefore, all employees must acknowledge this policy. You'll continue to receive reminder notifications until this has been completed.

🌟 Charity of the Year 2025 - June 2027 🌟

Upcoming Martin House events:

Martin House Golf Day
📅Friday 4th September
📍Wetherby Golf Club
A team of 4 costs £500, this includes:
- 18 holes on the beautiful Wetherby Course
- Breakfast roll on arrival
- Entry into nearest the pin, nearest the line and the two club
- A drinks reception on the stunning balcony at the club house
- An evening of games and entertainment hosted by Duncan Wood
- A glorious three course meal
- New for 2026 – a Martin House top for each one of your 4 team
Why it matters
Signing up is a great way to do your bit for Martin House. The cost of signing up, £500, could fund a parent group, providing parents a safe space with others going through a similar experience. In our parents groups, families share stories, listen, talk, and even laugh. It’s a space where no one needs to explain, because everyone there just gets it.
✉️email HR@ygcgroup.co.uk if you'd like to take part!
Great North Run
📅Sunday 13th September
📍Newcastle
Join over 60,000 runners on the iconic 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields.
Registration fee: £68
What’s included?
- A Martin House running vest to wear during training and on race day.
- Support from our dedicated events team, keeping you motivated and on track throughout your journey.
Fundraising
We ask all our runners to raise a minimum of £500.
This incredible amount enables our specialist doctors to provide video consultations for five families whose child needs urgent symptom control - offering expert care and reassurance when it’s needed most.
Every mile you run, every pound you raise, helps us continue supporting families across our region.
✉️email HR@ygcgroup.co.uk if you'd like to take part!
Glow Together
📅Saturday 14th Novermber 2026
🕛4:30pm - 9pm
📍Boston Spa

Step into a world of twinkling lights, laughter, and magic on Saturday 14th November 2026, as Boston Spa comes alive for an unforgettable sponsored walk and family fundraising for Martin House.
Tickets:
Adult: £10
Child: £2.50
The adventure kicks off at our Glow Marquee! Warm your hands with hot drinks, grab a bite to eat, and get involved in some fundraising fun. Hear the laughter, see the glowing faces, and make memories that will light up your family story for years to come. Bring your glow sticks, neon accessories, and brightest smiles, and let’s shine together!
Be led on our glow walk through the sparkling streets of Boston Spa, discovering magical Glow Points along the way. Each corner shines with lights, laughter, and festive surprises – a fully pushchair- and wheelchair-friendly walk that the whole family can enjoy.
✉️email HR@ygcgroup.co.uk if you'd like to take part!

Location

Tong Tingley Otley Bingley Dean's York Dean's Scarborough Pennine

Tong

Santa's Grotto - The Magical Pocket Watch

Tong Only

TEAM DISCOUNT PRICING
£18.95 per child
£13.95 under 12 Months
25-30 Minutes Experience

Step into a magical Christmas story at Tong Garden Centre. Join Santa's elves on a festive journey through enchanting scenes as you help solve the mystery of the missing pieces of Santa's magical pocket watch. Complete your adventure with a special visit to Santa and a quality gift for every child.

Max 3 children per group
Max 2 adults per child

Find out more

Tingley, Dean's York, Pennine

Santa's Grotto

Tingley, Pennine & York

TEAM DISCOUNT PRICING
£11.95 per child
£9.95 under 12 months
10-15 Minutes Experience

Enjoy a magical festive visit with Santa at Tingley, York & Pennine. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, pose for a festive photo and receive a special toy gift to take home.

Tingley:- 6 children max per group
Pennine & York:- 5 children max per group
Max 2 adults per child

Find out more

Tingley

Santa's Light Trail at Tingley Garden Centre

New for 2026, families can choose from two magical experiences.

TEAM ENJOY AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF ON TOP OF THE THE PUBLIC EARLY BIRD 20% DISCOUNT*

Santa's Light Trail (Limited availability)
Children from £21.90 - SUPER OFF PEAK
Adults from £11.95 - SUPER OFF PEAK

Enjoy the magical Light Trail after visiting Santa in his festive grotto. Every child will meet Santa, receive a special toy gift and enjoy a festive photo opportunity.

Plus, experience the enchanting Light Trail and festive activities throughout the park.

Light Trail Only
Children from £4.95 - OFF PEAK
Adults from £9.95 - OFF PEAK

Enjoy the enchanting Light Trail, festive craft activities and magical photo opportunities throughout the park.

* Not available for Super Off Peak sessions

Find out more

Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, Dean's York

Breakfast with Santa

Available at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, York

Calling all Parents, Grandparents and Grown ups - make magical memories with your little ones this Christmas at our Breakfast with Santa experience available at all our centres.

TEAM PRICING

Child Set Breakfast – £16.95

Includes a set breakfast of sausage, bacon, baked beans, fried egg (only), one slice of toast, unlimited juice, cracker, toy and visit from Santa.

Adult Set Breakfast – £12.95

Maximum of 2 Adults per child - Includes a full set breakfast of sausage, two bacon, fried egg(only), baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash brown and 2 slices of toast and butter plus a pot of Yorkshire Tea or regular filter coffee.

Please select your preferred Standard or Vegetarian tea option when booking.

Find out more

Dean's Scarborough, Pennine

Tea with Santa

Available at Pennine & Scarborough

Make magical Christmas memories with your little ones at our enchanting Tea with Santa experience.

TEAM PRICING

Child Tea with Santa – £16.95

Includes Small Christmas Dinner - Roast Turkey, A pig in blanket, roast potatoes, carrots, peas & gravy with squash to drink, plus cracker, toy and visit from Santa.

Adult Tea with Santa – £12.95

Maximum of 2 Adults per child - Includes Turkey carvery bap with gravy and chips, with a tea or filter coffee

Find out more

Tingley

Winter Ice Skating

Experience the Magic of Winter at Tingley Garden Centre’s INDOOR Ice Rink

Looking for a festive family activity this Christmas? Discover the joy of real ice skating at Tingley Garden Centre’s enchanting ice rink – the perfect winter experience for all ages!

40% DISCOUNT- 14TH & 15TH NOVEMBER
25% DISCOUNT- 21ST TO 29TH NOVEMBER
20% DISCOUNT- 30TH NOV TO 18TH DECEMBER

Find out more