Nick Fairbrother: Garden Centre Manager

I started with the company as a weekend worker when it first opened and I’ve been here for 22 years.
Married with two boys I’m a big Derby County fan. In my spare time I enjoy fishing and gardening. When we get the chance, my wife and I love to get out for a Chinese meal.
As the Garden Centre Manager I’m responsible for the general day to day running of the business including overall garden care, goods, indoor and outdoor furniture and our Christmas promotions.

Spring to me means…Snow drops & daffodils in flower. The sense of the new gardening calendar year ahead. Meeting old and new customers. Giving advice on new gardening projects, and of course, Easter eggs.

Lee O’Brian: Assistant Manager

Second in command to Nick, I started as a weekend worker in 1988 and have been here ever since.
My area of expertise is garden plants so please feel free to approach me with any questions you may have.
I’m a family man and self confessed car nut. When not at Bretby you’re quite likely to find me under the bonnet of one of the MINIs I’m restoring or if the temperature is below minus 10; doing a bit of DIY in the house.

Spring to me means…Spring to me means the New Year being born again, lots of new varieties of plants arriving and longer days ahead.

Julie Shaw: Restaurant Manager

A massive Elvis fan, I also love pineapple and have a weakness for cake – especially pineapple upside down cake.
As the restaurant manager, my role is to keep the customer satisfied. Believe it or not, our visitors aren’t all gardeners; because our food is locally sourced and freshly cooked we have a loyal lunchtime crowd who regularly come along just for a good value meal and an impromptu social.

Spring to me means… Having the doors & windows open. Having some fresh air through the house. Getting the washing back on the line - it smells really fresh, better than air freshener.

Ken Sharp: Aquatic Supervisor

To say I’m passionate about fish is something of an understatement. Not content with caring for our aquatic collection during the week, I have a number of aquariums at home.
I’ve worked here at Bretby for the last 5 years and I’m always happy to help with all your tropical and pond needs or any questions you may have.
My hero is not Aquaman but Time Lord Doctor Who and I’d certainly love to have his powers as I’m quite an impatient person so time travel would be just the ticket.

Spring to me means… Spring bulbs coming through. Light nights and mornings. The new pond season starting. Going on my annual spring holiday to Gran Canaria.

Carol Crabtree: Office Supervisor

I’m a big football fan and would love to meet Gary Lineker. Married with two children and a beautiful grandchild I keep busy by knitting and love to relax by spending time on my computer.

At work I’m the office supervisor and have been actively involved with Bretby’s administration duties for the last 4 years.

Spring to me means… Light nights, spring bulbs and flowers. Going to work in the light and coming home in the light. Colourful gardens.

Pat Nicklin: Gift Shop Supervisor

Married to my lovely hubby, we have five children and five grandchildren. My hobbies include reading, playing on the Nintendo DS and going to bingo.
I’ve worked in our popular gift shop here at Bretby for the past 12 years and I‘m always on hand to help you with ideas for gifts.

Spring to me means… Sunshine and longer days. Plants sprouting and coming into bud. People seem to be brighter and it brings out the best in people.

James Davis: Hard Landscaping Supervisor

I’ve worked here at Bretby for the last 8 years and my official title is ‘Outdoor Hard Landscapes Area Supervisor’, basically that translates as ‘passionate about gardening’.
I’m particularly interested in soil science and always on the look out for new ways to produce the perfect garden compost. I enjoy designing the physical layout of gardens and creating new and exciting plant combinations for containers.

When I’m not at Bretby I enjoy reading books about the history of garden design.

Spring to me means… Compost sales on the up. Giving customers advice on landscaping goods and compost. The new season ahead.

Mel Cliff: Lifestyle Department Supervisor

I’ve worked at Bretby for the last 3 years and my main responsibilities include creating all in-store displays. I am also in charge of the indoor and outdoor furniture, bird care section and much much more.
I’ll be happy to tell you a bit more about myself, ask me when you see me around the centre.

Spring to me means… Spring colour. New spring interior designs. Next season’s furniture arriving. Spring flowers.

Paul Birch: Plant Area Assistant

Interested in all aspects of horticulture; for the last 5 years I’ve worked alongside Lee caring for our extensive plant areas.

Young free and single, I spend most of my leisure time with my mates socialising in the pub or nightclubbing.
Not the greatest of cooks, my favourite meal is a plate of traditional fish and chips.

Spring to me means… Lambs and baby bunnies. Spring bulbs and new plants arriving. Giving customers the best advice I can.

Anita Cox: Garden Care Assistant

A mother of two, I enjoy bowling and manage to find a little me time by relaxing in my garden at home. If I could survive on chocolate I’d give it a try because I’m really not keen on cooking.

I’ve worked within the company for the last 5 years and I’m pretty clued up on all aspects of garden care from tools to chemicals and fertilizers to compost so if you need a little advice or just want to chat about the pro’s and con’s of the latest pruning knives; pop in to Bretby and ask for me.

Spring to me means… Lambs, baby bunnies and colourful spring bulbs. Customers getting ready for the new season ahead.

Alan Bloor: Aquatic Assistant

I’ve worked here for the last 2 years and when I’m not helping Ken in aquatics, I’m delivering Bretby products throughout the Midlands.
My hobbies include playing darts. Unlike my hero John Lowe, I’m still waiting for that elusive 501 in 9.
I have a love/hate relationship with darts and DIY. I love darts and hate DIY: - You’ll always find me at the oche holding my arrows, there’s not the slightest chance you’ll find me at home holding a paintbrush.

Spring to me means… I like to see the snow drops and daffs coming out as I know spring is here. Lighter nights. Getting into the garden and getting to work on my allotment.

Maria Young: Check Outs

I’m a bit of a keep fit fanatic (maybe because I have a weakness for pick ‘n’ mix). The downside to keeping fit is that you can’t do it in high heeled shoes and as I’m sure my husband would confirm; I’m passionate about shoes.
I’ve worked as our checkout operator for the past 2 years and whilst I’m sure no one would try to sneak out without paying; if they did, they’d have to be pretty quick to outrun me. Otherwise, mine is the big smile that greets you at the tills.

Spring to me means… Light nights and better weather. Easter flowering spring bulbs.