#LouiseAlhadeff

[keepthingslocal]

Garden Centre: Exploring W6’s Houseplant Jungle...

Paul Holt Paul Holt has created an exciting indoor oasis called The Green Room at the W6 Garden Centre in Ravenscourt Park Paul Holt has created an exciting indoor oasis called The Green Room at the W6 Garden Centre in Ravenscourt Park In January 2019, Paul Holt, the Creative Director of W6 (and N1) Garden Centre, was killing time before meeting Louise Alhadeff, the Manager, at the Ravenscourt Park site. ‘I was looking at the old railway arch right next to the W6 Café and wondering what we could do with it,’ he recalls. ‘We had tried selling furniture, and that hadn’t worked; Leo, the Café Manager, had looked at using it, and that hadn’t worked either.

‘Then I noticed a single cheese plant abandoned in the back corner. It had been there all winter with no heating and virtually no light, and yet was still alive. I thought, if it can survive, why don't we take out the doors, re-model the interior and convert the whole arch into a space in which to display and sell high quality houseplants. Fortunately, Louise agreed with me!’ A year on from that flash of inspiration, the original brick railway arch has been impeccably restored and The Green Room – as it was christened – is flourishing with a floor-to-ceiling indoor jungle of houseplants and stylish pots, containers and accessories. It has proved hugely popular with the Garden Centre’s customers. ‘Having plants around simply lifts the spirits,’ smiles Paul. ‘They are so important in an urban setting; even if you only have a balcony, they provide a fundamental connection with nature.’ Having studied Horticulture and worked as a Nursery Manager, Paul was introduced to Beryl Henderson, who had recently opened the N1 Garden Centre, through a fortuitous mutual acquaintance. ‘Beryl needed a temporary Garden Centre Manager and, by pure chance, I’d moved to London with no job.’ That was 20 years ago and today, as the business’s Creative Director, Paul travels throughout Europe, sourcing plants and accessories.

‘Of late, there has been such a surge of interest in houseplants,’ he says. ‘They offer so much: whether tall, small, trailing, climbing or hanging, they make perfect natural decoration for any home or office. We sell a wide cross-section – from the well-known to bthe more exotic – to suit every lifestyle. For example, if you travel for work, you don’t want a houseplant that demands constant attention; also, since we opened The Green Room at W6, we’ve found that Insta collectors – they tend to be the younger generation – love our more unusual specimens.’ The friendly Garden Centre team are always on-hand to give expert advice on caring for the houseplants and Paul ensures that the range of accessories is constantly refreshed. ‘I always try to reflect current colour trends and because so many people pop into the W6 Café regularly, I need to keep it interesting.’ And finally, which houseplant would Paul recommend? ‘It’s so hard to choose, but I love Jatropha Podagrica, commonly called The Gout Plant. It’s a succulent with a swollen stem, hence the name, small rhubarb-like leaves and neon orange and yellow flowers that come out as a stalk. It’s a real curiosity and a fantastic talking point – I’ve had one since I was 16 years-old!’

Paul Holt

Read the full article

[keepthingslocal]

W6 Garden Centre and Cafe: Dreaming Of A Green Christmas?

Louise and Leo With its new Green Room dedicated to indoor plants, stylish ranges of festive gifts and decorations, family entertainment and award-winning Cafe, the W6 Garden Centre is the place to go for festive inspiration Businesses often claim to be fully focused on customer service. But how many fulfil that commitment? It’s a test that W6 Garden Centre on the edge of Ravenscourt Park (just off King Street) passes with flying colours. Here’s a perfect example. As W6’s regulars know, the prize-winning Cafe (it won the prestigious 2019 Lux Life award for London’s Best Garden Centre Cafe) has a tranquil green outdoor area in which to enjoy its vegetarian and vegan dishes. ‘Customers suggested that they’d like to use the space all year round,’ recalls Cafe Manager, Leo Tsattalios. ‘It was an excellent idea. So, we’ve put up a marquee, installed heaters and now everyone can eat and drink outside and still be cosy.’

This prompt response epitomises the W6 philosophy. ‘Our aim is to deliver outstanding service in a life-enhancing environment in which customers feel welcomed by friendly, knowledgeable staff,’ explains Louise Alhadeff the Garden Centre Manager. ‘Equally, being active in the community is so important to us; it’s why we like to support local charities such as West London Action for Kids and green initiatives in schools.’ That community feel is very evident over the festive period. ‘Whether customers are buying a Christmas tree, shopping for gifts and exquisite handmade decorations or meeting friends, we want them to have the best experience,’ adds Louise. ‘The Cafe is hosting live events, there will be competitions and word searches for children, guest appearances by Father Christmas, our Dogs of W6 Competition (the Centre is canine-friendly) and, for the first time, the chance to explore the newly opened Green Room.’

The brainchild of Paul Holt, W6’s Creative Director, the Green Room has taken over one of the railway arches and it is devoted to houseplants and their accessories. ‘It’s very exciting. House plants lift the spirits and they’re so important in an urban environment,’ says Louise. ‘Paul has created a floor-to-ceiling indoor jungle and one of our expert team is on hand to advise about choosing the best plants for your home.’ On 22 November Christmas trees will arrive from W6’s trusted Surrey-based sustainable supplier. ‘We choose premium-grade non-drop trees and also, for something different, the slimline Fraser Fir and the Noble Fir, which has beautiful two-tone foliage (mention this article to get free local delivery). We will also have readymade wreaths, an in-house florist creating wreaths to order and a superb selection of gifts and decorations to suit all tastes and budgets.’

Leo’s Christmas menu features new seasonal salads and mezze platters and two special dishes – a Borscht (beetroot) soup and Veggie Wellington with homemade pastry and gravy – created by chef Anton Petrov. And now, if you work locally, the Cafe’s delicious dishes can be delivered to your office through Uber Eats. ‘We’re all passionate about what we do,’ smiles Louise. Whether a customer comes to W6 on a plant-hunting expedition, to buy presents or to enjoy a meal – we want to make them happy and lift their day. That’s what business should be about.’ DATES FOR THE DIARY 22/11: Christmas Trees arrive at W6 (mention this article for free local delivery) 30/11-1/12: Discount weekend (15% off Garden Centre purchases) 6/12 and 13/12: live acoustic music in the Cafe (4-6pm) 14 and 15/12: Christmas Grotto weekend

Read the full article