Sussex garden centres of the future put technology at the heart of success

Tates of Sussex has created a new team to work on several areas of innovation including artificial intelligence, e-commerce and App-based services. The customer App has been specially created, by leading developers, to meet the business’s unique vision and requirements for a modern-day experience.

“It’s vital that we work to future-proof our business and using technology in the most effective way is key to giving customers the very best garden centre experience," says Ben Tate who heads up the IT development work.

The family company began at Paradise Park in Newhaven 35 years ago and now has four sites across the county at South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks, Mayberry Garden Centre at Portslade and the most recent acquisition, Old Barn Nurseries at Dial Post near Horsham.

During the Covid pandemic, with garden centres forced to close, the company began to develop an online presence and now e-commerce is a growing part of the business.

“We have a dedicated e-commerce team now, operating a fleet of nine vans delivering across the county six-days-a-week," says Ben. “And work is underway not only to expand our range by adding products every day, but to deliver nationwide.”

Among the new items sold online are British-grown plants available direct from Tates’ Sussex-based nurseries in Hassocks and Dial Post which offer a sustainable source, reducing ‘plant miles’ over competitor products.