Business

Delicious double for Hillmount garden centre at Lisburn/Castlereagh business awards

Hillmount garden centre owners Edith, Alan and Robin Mercer are congratulated by Gary McDonald, business editor of category sponsors the Irish News, after it was named best family business at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Business Awards. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye
Hillmount garden centre owners Edith, Alan and Robin Mercer are congratulated by Gary McDonald, business editor of category sponsors the Irish News, after it was named best family business at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Business Awards. Photo: Kelvin B Hillmount garden centre owners Edith, Alan and Robin Mercer are congratulated by Gary McDonald, business editor of category sponsors the Irish News, after it was named best family business at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Business Awards. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye

HILLMOUNT, which has three garden centres in Northern Ireland, bloomed into the new spring gardening season with two awards at the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Business Awards, held in the La Mon Hotel.

Named as the council area’s best non-licensed eating establishment, the 220-seater Gardener’s Rest Café was recognised for supporting local suppliers and offering delicious home cooked quality food in a relaxed and friendly environment.

And awarding best family business to the Mercer family, the judges acknowledged their commitment to the local area, their faithful staff and loyal customers, in building an almost 80-year old business which has spanned four generations and with plans already in place to take it to the fifth generation - an accomplishment only 3 per cent of family-owned businesses in the UK currently enjoy.

The double for Hillmount (www.hillmount.co.uk) came among 16 awards handed out at a gala bash hosted by Q Radio's Stephen Clements and Cate Conway.

Alan Mercer, managing director at Hillmount, said: “This is overwhelming. Winning these two key awards is a personal honour for me. My parents and I work tirelessly day and daily at Hillmount with our staff to ensure we consistently provide our customers with the best experience whether they are buying a plant, garden furniture, a barbecue or stopping in to meet friends for lunch.”

Congratulating Hillmount on its recent 75th anniversary, former mayor Councillor Thomas Beckett, who hosted a reception at Lagan Valley Island for the Mercer family, celebrating the labour of love they have for Hillmount and the dedication they demonstrate every day, described the family owned business as a “fantastic asset to the Council area.”

Established by Hill Mercer in 1940, Hillmount is a fourth generation garden lifestyle experience operating in three prime locations by Hill’s grandson Robin, wife Edith and their sons Alan, David and Andrew.

:: A full round-up of the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Business Awards will be carried in the Irish News on Thursday.