Rooted in tradition: Local family celebrates 55 years and three generations of growth

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What began on a push bike with gardening tools strapped to the handlebars in 1970 has blossomed into one of the area’s most beloved family-run businesses. 

John White, a local with a passion for the outdoors and a strong work ethic, laid the groundwork – quite literally – when he first started cutting turf and sowing seeds over 50 years ago.

From that humble beginning Acres Supply has since grown into a thriving garden and aquatics centre, complete with a dedicated landscaping team and an ever-expanding reputation for quality and service.

By 1997, John had begun to take steps back, handing over the reins to his sons, Rob and Dan. With fresh energy and a shared vision, the brothers expanded the business to include the now well-known garden and aquatics centre, setting the stage for a new chapter while keeping their father’s legacy alive.

Today, Acres Supply employs 14 hard-working local staff and operates seven days a week, offering everything from their own locally grown lawn turf and sieved soil to imported garden curiosities and a vast array of stoneware. The centre has also embraced the digital age, with online shops that cater to customers across the UK and beyond.

But what makes this business truly special is its heart: the family. Though officially retired, John and his wife Jenny are still very much involved – lending advice, sharing wisdom, and staying active in both body and mind. Rob and Dan ensure their parents remain part of key decisions, keeping that sense of continuity strong.

And the next generation is already rolling up their sleeves.

Rob’s son, Pilton, recently completed a three-year diploma at Hartpury Agricultural College and is now working full-time in the family trade – getting stuck into landscaping and managing deliveries of soil and sleepers. Meanwhile, his sister, Eden, balances A-level studies with shifts at the garden centre, where she helps customers and serves up hot coffees in the onsite coffee shop.

Dan’s son, Joey, fresh from finishing his GCSEs, is already becoming a familiar face in the aquatics centre. He helps customers choose fish, conducts water tests, and offers expert advice with a confidence beyond his years. His older brother, Murray, has been known to work in the aquatics centre part-time while completing his studies.

Known for its wide range of unique and ever-changing products – from elegant birdbaths and statues to unusual garden ornaments – this business has grown roots deep in the local community. And as it continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: it’s not just about soil and turf, plants and ponds – it’s about family, passion and a commitment to serving generations of customers with care.