Jacksons Nurseries, a family-run garden centre based in Bagnall, North Staffordshire, is thriving under new leadership as Luke Jackson takes over the reins. After a successful career in corporate finance with Barclays, Luke has returned to his roots to lead the business. This change enables his parents, Roger and Ruth Jackson, to enjoy their retirement, while Luke and his wife Priya celebrate the birth of their son, Edward.
For over 65 years, Jacksons Nurseries has been a cherished destination for gardeners and food enthusiasts alike. Located in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands, the garden centre is well-known for its plant expertise, home-cooked meals served in its cosy tea room, and a farm shop offering locally sourced produce, homeware, and unique gifts.
Reflecting on his new role, Luke Jackson said: “It’s a big change to swap Canary Wharf for the village of Bagnall and exciting to take on the challenge of running the business full time. We’re fortunate to have a fantastic, friendly and hard-working team who are committed to protecting our heritage and family-run ethos while driving the business forward into the future. I enjoyed taking cuttings when I was growing up and helped build Jacksons’ first ecommerce website, so transitioning into the business now is a natural next step.”
The nursery was founded in the 1960s by Peter Jackson, a school teacher whose passion for plants inspired him to create a market garden. Since then, the business has flourished, producing over 300,000 plants annually from its 10-acre site. These are sold both at the garden centre and through the nursery’s online store, which serves customers across the UK.
To enhance its customer offerings, Jacksons has recently launched a personalised shopping service. This initiative provides customers with tailored advice from plant consultants, ensuring they receive expert guidance for their gardening needs. Ben Mills, a customer who used the service, said: “The advice from Jacksons plant expert Peter Lea was second to none. He was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of ideas and inspiration. We are looking forward to putting the planting plan that Peter produced for us into action.”
Jacksons is also expanding its plant offerings for the upcoming gardening season. Hayden, the nursery production manager, explained: “We’re currently in the process of growing 160 new varieties of perennials, ready for the coming gardening season. This includes smaller plants we will offer in 9cm pots at a lower price point, as well as our existing larger two-litre pot size. We’ll be announcing the new varieties in spring, so watch this space.”
Supporting the local community remains a key focus for Jacksons. The team recently provided 16 root-balled Christmas trees for Pontypool council and continues to assist with displays at St Chad’s Church in Bagnall. Local resident Esther Buckle expressed her gratitude, saying: “Jacksons have historically supported St Chad’s at Christmas time. This year they kindly provided the lovely tree which looked particularly festive in the entrance to the church. We are always very appreciative of Jacksons help.”
Situated on Thorney Edge Road in Bagnall, ST9 9LE, Jacksons Nurseries continues to thrive under the leadership of the next generation. For more details, visit www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
