Petition · past parliament

Reopen garden centres during the Coronavirus lockdown, to reduce waste.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Please consider the reopening of garden centres, during the Coronavirus lockdown, to preserve the physical and mental wellbeing of the population, avoid potential bankruptcy of these businesses and stop the waste of thousands of plants.
Apply social distancing rules, the same as supermarkets.
Reopening garden centres would save these businesses from risk of bankruptcy, stop thousands of plants from going to waste and boost the morale, physical and mental wellbeing of countless people throughout the UK, for whom gardening is hugely beneficial.
As with supermarkets, garden centre managers can apply social distancing rules, such as floor markings, signs and separate entrances and exits. During this period of uncertainty, gardening is a vital activity for individuals in self isolation.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

Since you started your petition the Government has added garden centres and plant nurseries to the list of businesses that are permitted to open: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support

You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips

You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/

You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/

Read letters asking further questions of Government Ministers: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/

Timeline

1 Apr 2020 Petition opened for signatures
18 May 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 18 May 2020

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.