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    From a landscaping business to the dream of owning a garden centre, read about the history of Shannons

1959

A landscaping company was started in 1959 by Henry Shannon who saw the need for a company that provided good service and good standards of work. It was a hard life in those days as there were no machines to dig, load or move materials around as there are today. No mobile phones either!

The company, as others were, was extremely reliant on its workforce and Henry was fortunate to find the best. Not long over from Ireland, he found many of his own relations along with others were best suited to the work as they all had farming backgrounds. This paid off and many of the employers stayed with the company for over 20 years or more. The work then and through the 1960s, 70s and 80s were generated by the Greater London Council, the Inner London Education Authority and the various local councils throughout the London area.

The demise of the GLC and the ILEA, along with the cutbacks in spending that affected all councils in the 1980s, meant that the same number of firms were chasing fewer and fewer contracts. Henry realised that this could not continue and looked for alternative business opportunities.

1989

Henry had always wanted to have his own garden centre and in 1988, an opportunity arose to purchase some land in Forest Hill, London, very close to the company’s existing offices. This seemed like a good time to diversify, the land was purchased, and he set about building the garden centre.

As always, Henry Shannon had his own ideas and ways of working. He would always say that if you are going to do something then it is best done to the highest possible standards the first time. He used his own workforce along with the trusted sub-contractors that had worked with him over the years and he oversaw the whole project from start to finish. The results of which can be seen today – a good-looking, modern building which has stood the test of time.

The garden centre opened in 1989 and the first few years were a struggle as the whole country fought to get out of the recession that was with us then. But the perseverance, determination and hard work that had started the company originally showed again and business started to improve.

Today

In 2012, we received the Mayor of Lewisham’s Business Award for Best Customer Service and today, the centre is still growing. We have a good reputation and a core of regular customers with new ones finding us each week. It has taken a few years, but the centre now has a vast selection of goods in stock and long-standing relationships with our able suppliers.

The garden centre is now run by Henry’s children alongside some trusted staff; and Jacob, the black cat often asleep in the shop, actually lives locally and comes daily to visit us.

Keep up-to-date with SHANNONS news

For everything from gardening tips to what’s new in stock, subscribe to our newsletter which comes out approx. 4 times a year.

Recent
  • National Garden Gift Vouchers,23/03/2022 - 2:10 pm
  • Composts now in – 19th March13/03/2022 - 4:30 pm
  • Fruit trees now in. 24th Feb24/02/2022 - 2:05 pm
Popular
  • Buying the right houseplants.24/08/2020 - 6:59 pm
  • Take a look at our selection of pots.03/09/2020 - 6:56 pm
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Wonderful two weekends of art and design open house. Still open for another 2.5 hours at Walters way SE23

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Love_SE4@Love_SE4💙@Love_SE4·
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Today and tomorrow in Forest Hill. Well worth a visit @HavelockStudios 👍🏻😁❤️

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From Our Range

  • Pots – Indoor & Outdoor15/09/2020 - 4:26 pm
  • Houseplants06/09/2020 - 4:29 pm
  • Seeds & Bulbs05/09/2020 - 8:13 pm
  • Outdoor Shrubs & Plants05/09/2020 - 12:27 pm

shannonsgardencentre

Open Mon to Sat 9-5pm Sunday 10-4pm

Shannonsgardencentre
Date for diary #se4 #se23 Date for diary #se4 #se23
Lots of pots and saucers back in stock #glazed #sa Lots of pots and saucers back in stock #glazed #saucers #se4 #se23
Lots of gorgeous herbs, bedding and veg for your g Lots of gorgeous herbs, bedding and veg for your garden #se4 #se23
After all this rain everyone is suffering with the After all this rain everyone is suffering with the effects of slugs and snails- we have different products to help you deal with them.  #traps #pellets #barriers #copper-tape #se23 #se4 #organic
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Where to find us

Malham Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 1AH

020 8291 1502 / 1507

Our opening times

Mon-Sat: 9am – 5pm

Sun: 10am – 4pm

We reserve the right to adjust these times at short notice

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© Shannons Garden Centre 2021 | Website designed by Grey Swan
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