Pair take over plant nursery as owners

Tony Howard and Sebastien Haywood said they have big plans to develop the business, based at The Thorne, Guestling, into a nursery with a difference, hosting educational classes and courses.

The plant nursery, which re-opened on Easter Sunday (April 5), selling a range of plants and gardening accessories, has been taken over by Tony, a garden designer who was for many years the head gardener at Fairlight Hall, and Sebastien, an interior designer from Hastings with an international roster of clients.

Tony said: “We re-opened on Easter Sunday with the intention of stocking plants for gardeners of all abilities and levels of expertise.

“But further down the road, we are planning to develop the nursery into a centre for great food, for educational classes and courses, for events and a lot more besides.”

Sebastien, who moved to Hastings 10 years ago, was previously in charge of the entire build of the Decorex International interior design show, one of the most prestigious design shows in the world, which takes place in London every year.

He said: “We both love gardens and we will always keep Harborough working as one of the area’s favourite plant nurseries.

“But we also have big plans to introduce elements which will make us stand out from the normal garden centre – watch this space, is all I can say at this stage.”

Harborough Nurseries is open six days a week, 9am to 5pm.

It is closed on Mondays.

For more information about Harborough Nurseries log onto the company’s website at www.harboroughnurseriesgardencentre.co.uk.