Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has highlighted the importance of garden centres and nurseries following a visit to Tavernspite Garden Centre, thanks to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).

During the meeting, organised by the HTA, Mr Kurtz, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire met Paul Webb and his family, who have run the garden centre in Tavernspite for nearly 50 years.

Paul discussed some of the challenges that independent garden centres face in providing more environmentally friendly ways of gardening, as well as chatting about some of the issues that affect small business across West Wales, such as high energy bills, workplace recycling and business rates.

Commenting following the meeting, Mr Kurtz said: “The Tavernspite Garden Centre is a real hub, with people travelling from many miles to purchase plants and gardening equipment as well as indulging in a great coffee and cake in the Plum Tree Tea Rooms.

“Independent businesses are the life blood of our economy and I urge readers to considering using small, locally owned, family run businesses such as Tavernspite Garden Centres to ensure that they survive for the next generation,” he added, promising to raise issues surrounding energy costs and business rates at Welsh Parliament.