James Vincent with supporters at the time of his redundancy
THE former general manager of Palmer Gardens in Trowbridge has opened a new garden centre in Bradford on Avon.
James Vincent was general manager of the Shaw Trust operated garden centre in Islington, Trowbridge, for 21 years until his role was made redundant in February 2007.
Palmer Gardens was given to the people of Trowbridge in 1912 to educate children in the ways of horticulture.
It was run by Wiltshire's local authority for many years and produced food for locals in the Dig for Victory campaign during the Second World War. In 1984, the Shaw Trust took over the running of the charity and after a long and protracted battle with Mr Vincent last year about the way the centre was run, ousted him by making his position redundant.
Hundreds of people from the local community took his side, writing letters of support and vowing to boycott Palmer Gardens on principle.
Since the period of turmoil Mr Vincent has invested into a new business, which he aims to run with the same spirit that signified Palmer Gardens, before it was taken over by Shaw Trust.
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Together with many of the old employees so valued by customers, Mr Vincent opened Avonfield Gardens on Wednesday, backed by hundreds of supporters.
The new company is located opposite the town cemetery and is part of the Westdale Nurseries garden centre in Bradford on Avon.
Mr Vincent said: "Shaw Trust ripped the heart and soul out of Palmer Gardens.
"It was so sad because we had so many loyal customers. Everybody who walked in left with a smile on their face.
"We cared for our customers and our focus was helping the community. That's what Palmer Gardens was set up for in the first place and Shaw Trust have forgotten that."
The Bradford on Avon man has chosen the old colours of the local football team for his company colours and has promised to sell only stock from British growers.
He added: "We will stock a wide range of seasonal bedding plants produced in our own nursery. We won't be selling pot pourri, candles, picture frames or pots of jam.
"If customers want that sort of stuff they can buy from local businesses in the town who rely on the sales of such items. The garden will be at the heart of our garden centre and we'll be championing old fashioned Great British values where the customer always comes first."
At the time of Mr Vincent's redundancy, Shaw Trust Palmer Gardens' managing director Tim Cooper said decisions had been made to secure the financial viability of the garden centre and ensure it continued to work with disabled people to improve their vocational skills and move towards employment.
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