2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 2 March 2021.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:42, 2 March 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. Trefnydd, can I call for a statement on the reopening of garden centres in Wales? You'll be aware that in both England and Scotland garden centres have been considered to be essential services, because of the impact of gardening on both physical and mental health and well-being. And I think it's a great shame that here in Wales our garden centres are still closed, especially given that many supermarkets and DIY stores are selling many of the products that would be available in our garden centres across the country. Can you tell us what consideration the Welsh Government is giving to this at the moment? I do think it would be prudent now to have a statement on their future, given that so many are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy as well, because of the fact that many of them can have significant staff and other running costs, which have not been completely met by the Government support programmes to date.