Louise, Saskia and Shawn
With a superb selection of outdoor plants for every home, a green oasis devoted to houseplants, an award-winning Café and friendly, knowledgeable staff, W6 is much more than a Garden Centre
‘There’s no doubt that many people have turned to gardening and plants for comfort and distraction as they have struggled with confinement during the lockdowns,’ reflects Louise Alhadeff, the Manager of W6 Garden Centre. ‘Whether you have a garden, a balcony, a window box or houseplants, there’s reassurance and joy in watching nature renew itself come what may.’
Located near Ravenscourt Park (just off King Street), W6 stocks a wide range of premium quality outdoor plants for all environments, has its own floor-to-ceiling indoor jungle dedicated to houseplants (The Green Room) and is renowned for the expertise and friendly customer service of its staff.
Louise is particularly proud that, despite the inevitable problems of sourcing plants over the last year, she and her team have successfully maintained W6’s usual exceptional standard and breadth of choice ‘We’re fortunate to have excellent connections and everyone has worked so hard in difficult circumstances,’ she smiles. ‘Knowing that we’ve been able to help people, even in a small way, has been very rewarding.’
In pre-pandemic times, W6’s prize-winning Café (it won the prestigious 2019 Lux Life award for London’s Best Garden Centre Café) was one of the most popular places in W6 to catch up with friends over a drink or a meal. And the good news is, the first steps have been taken towards normal service returning.
‘I’m delighted to say that we’ve recently resumed table service,’ confirms Louise. ‘To begin with, it will be at weekends only. Our Head Chef, Shawn, has been busy devising a new menu of delicious healthy dishes with the emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients as well as concocting new detox smoothies and milkshakes for children. Together with Saskia, who runs the front of house, they are really looking forward to serving customers againin our tranquil green outdoor space.’
One of W6’s unique attractions is its houseplant jungle. In a previously unused railway arch on the site, Creative Director Paul Holt created an exciting indoor oasis called The Green Room. ’I’d noticed a cheese plant abandoned in the corner,’ he recalls. ‘It had been there all winter with no heating and virtually no light, and yet was still alive. I thought, if it can survive, why don’t we remove the doors, re-model the interior and convert the arch into a space to display and sell the best houseplants. Fortunately, Louise agreed with me!’
Two years on, the neglected brick arch has been impeccably restored and The Green Room is flourishing, with houseplants for every space and setting alongside stylish pots, containers and accessories. It has proved a huge hit with W6’s regulars, and all the more so over the last year.
‘Houseplants just lift the spirits and they’re so important in an urban environment,’ says Louise. ‘We sell a wide cross-section, from the well-known to the more exotic, and our resident experts are on hand to help you choose the most suitable plants for your home and advise on how to look after them.
‘We’re passionate about what we do. Whether a customer comes to W6 on a plant-hunting expedition or to meet friends at the Café, our aim is to lift their spirits and deliver outstanding service. That’s what business should be about.’
W6 Garden Centre and Café
17 Ravenscourt Avenue,
Hammersmith W6 0SL
02085637112
info@w6gc.co.uk
http://w6gardencentre.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/W6gardencentre/
https://twitter.com/W6gardencentre
https://www.instagram.com/w6gardencentre/
Main photograph: Annabel Moeller
W6 Garden Centre and Café
17 Ravenscourt Avenue,
Hammersmith W6 0SL
02085637112
info@w6gc.co.uk
http://w6gardencentre.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/W6gardencentre/
https://twitter.com/W6gardencentre
https://www.instagram.com/w6gardencentre/