One of the new post-lockdown trends for ‘city dwellers’ wanting a slice of rural life is buying a greenhouse.
That’s according to a ground-breaking Saddleworth glasshouse manufacturer, who are royalty within the horticultural industry.
Now, after 83 years in business, all from the same site in Greenfield, bosses at Hartley Botanic say they’re seeing a new wave of demand from urban residents keen to get their hands dirty.
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“It is interesting to see some of the historical trends coming back into fashion today,” CEO Tom Barry said.
He added: “As in the 1970’s, we are again seeing a resurgence in city dwellers buying smaller models so they can try growing their own for the first time.
“Only this time, [it’s] as a reaction to lockdown or another way to address sustainability concerns, rather than an attempt to live ‘the good life’.”
Mr Barry’s comments come as the hugely respected firm will head down to this month’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a display celebrating its rich history.
Started by brothers Vincent — a Royal Horticultural Society fellow — and Norman Hartley in 1938, the pair quickly made a name for themselves with a ‘groundbreaking’ new greenhouse design.
The pair were the first to produce — as far as the company is aware — an aluminium greenhouse, which overtook its Victorian wood and wrought iron counterparts.
From there, the business has gone from strength to strength, and is now used by the RHS, the National Trust, Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace, and Hampton Court, to name but a few.
Additionally, this year, the company was awarded a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category.
Still to this day, the firm says every greenhouse it produces is made-to-order from its Saddleworth factory.
On the eve of the launch of the stand celebrating Hartley’s history, Tom Barry added: “Generations of customers have put their trust in the hands of our expert, time served, highly skilled craftsmen. We wanted the stand to communicate this.
“As a historic business, we are in a unique position to be able to provide an overview of the way Greenhouse design and use has developed and changed over the decades.
“From the semi-dodecagon styles of the post war years, to the small highly practical, suburban greenhouses of the 1960s and 1970s.”
As well as post-war semi-dodecagon structures, the stand will feature a Victorian Terrace greenhouse and modern-day Opus Botanic — with every greenhouse dressed in age-appropriate planting and accessories.
