Renowned family owned garden centre Hillmount, has opened its doors in Bangor. Blooming from Castlereagh to north down has meant an investment of more than £1 million by the Mercer family and the creation of 20 new jobs.
The official opening of the new Hillmount in Bangor was performed by Bangor Mayor, Cllr Andrew Muir.
Cllr Andrew Muir, Mayor said: “We welcome Hillmount to Bangor. It’s lovely to see an independent family owned garden centre returning to the area and it’s really what the Bangor people want and need. The Mercer family already has a fantastic reputation and I look forward to their business growing in the area. I would like to commend them for creating 20 new jobs and wish them every success with this expansion.”
Alan Mercer, Managing Director of Hillmount, said: “We had planned to expand in roughly two years beyond our original site in the Castlereagh Hills but our architect approached us with details of this place a few months ago and we just knew it was the right location for us. My parents met in Milanos in Bangor some 40 years ago this year, as it was halfway between Robin’s in Castlereagh and Edith’s in Greyabbey, and we have great memories of day trips to Bangor during the summer holidays as kids. And it’s always 2° warmer than our garden centre’s location in Castlereagh so what’s not to love?!
“We did a social media campaign to involve the local community so we could stock the store with the products that they demanded rather than just making the decision ourselves. We’ve got more than £300,000 stock including plants, gardening equipment and supplies, barbecues, homeware, soft furnishings, exquisite gifts and that all important ‘Christmas shop’ bursting with any decoration you can think of to dress your home for Santa’s arrival.
“Our builders, suppliers, decorators and staff have really pulled out all the stops to ensure that the building would be ready to open its doors today. Opening in Bangor is a real natural progression for the business which was started by my great-grandfather in 1940. We have been committed to offering great value and great choice to consumers across the Castlereagh and greater Belfast area for more than 70 years and now our loyal customers from the north down area won’t have so far to travel to pick up their favourite plants, gardening equipment and exquisite gifts.”
Of the 20 new staff employed to manage the business in Bangor, 10 have been employed from the recently closed Hanna and Browne store in the town. Alan added: “It was sad to see such an iconic name disappear from the town but we are pleased that we have been able to give some of their ex-employees opportunities for employment at Hillmount.”
The 31,000 sq ft of retail space has parking for 49 cars and boasts an 80 seater restaurant ‘The Gardeners Rest’. There are more than 5,000 plants to choose from, a Christmas shop bursting with exquisite gifts, Hillmount branded jams and chutneys, a dedicated garden supplies area, Weber barbecue section and a wide range of garden furniture and accessories. Open from 9am til 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 1pm until 5pm on Sundays. Hillmount Garden Centre was established in 1940. Almost 100 staff are employed across Hillmount in Upper Braniel Road, Belfast and on Belfast Road, Bangor.
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