Tag: Dobbies

Charity shopping night at Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust

Garden centre unveils fundraising festivities

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies are celebrating the festive season this November with a Christmas Shopping Night fundraiser in aid of National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust.

Families in Edinburgh are invited to join Dobbies for an evening of seasonal shopping on Thursday 30 November from 5-9pm, with tickets priced at £1 available in store and online now. To help raise awareness, vital funds and spread kindness, all proceeds from ticket sales will go to Teenage Cancer Trust, alongside additional fundraising efforts from activities on the night.

Customers can explore Dobbies brand-new Christmas themes for 2023, be inspired with great value decorations that will adorn any home and take advantage of exclusive deals. Attendees can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, enjoy seasonal songs and book in to experience Santa’s Grotto where children can meet Mr Claus himself.

Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, and for those that are lucky enough to survive, getting the right physical and emotional support is vital for recovery.

Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 are told they have cancer, and it’s projected that by 2030 this number will be closer to 10. Supporting Teenage Cancer Trust with donations helps fund specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person that’s battling cancer.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, has been working closely with Teenage Cancer Trust to raise awareness of the fantastic work they carry out.

She said: “Our late-night shopping events in Edinburgh are a great chance to gather the family, get into the festive spirit and support a charity that’s making such a difference to teenagers and young adults across the UK.

“Last year our fundraising efforts saw over £100k donated to the charity, and we’re hoping to top this benchmark with the help of our customers.”

Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationship Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night is a memorable occasion and one our team, supporters and volunteers look forward to every year.

It’s a great chance for communities to get together, share a magical experience and raise vital funds to help us deliver life-changing work to teenagers and young adults battling cancer.”

November is TCT Takeover month for Dobbies, with a social takeover on 2 November, donation weekends in store, donations encouraged for event bookings and the Christmas Shopping Night.

Tickets for the Christmas Shopping Night are £1 per person, with all funds raised going to TCT. Santa’s Grotto will be available to pre book at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. In addition, customers can enjoy 2 courses for £16.99 in the restaurant, allowing visitors to get a taste of the Christmas menu.

This is only bookable online for Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and reservations can be made by visiting Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.

For more information about Dobbies Christmas Shopping Night in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres 

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store hosts two free foraging events

Garden gifting inspiration with Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is spreading festive cheer in Edinburgh by hosting two free workshops in November encouraging families to get inspired this Christmas with Gifts from the Garden.

Focusing on foraging and cost-saving methods to fill your home, the Grow How session and Little Seedlings Club workshop in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will inspire gardeners of all ages and abilities.

Grow How, a 15-minute session that takes place on Saturday 4 November at 10:30am, will give gardeners a guide on seasonal activities. Horticultural experts will show how gardens can be foraged to create sustainable wreaths and natural decorations for the Christmas tree and home.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club takes place in the morning on Sunday 5 November and is suitable for children aged 4-10 years old.

The gardening workshop is great for children who have an interest in learning about wildlife, plants and the environment, and takes place in a friendly group setting.

This educational and interactive children’s workshop will explore the changes that happen in the garden during winter, what natural items and foraged, alongside a look the history of popular decorative items like wreaths and Christmas trees.

In a bid to showcase sustainable ways families can get the home feeling festive this year, Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, explains why these events are perfect for gardeners of all abilities.

She said: “We are always looking for ways we can bring the outside in, there’s no better way to get in the festive spirit than with some craft activities. The workshops in Edinburgh are suited for every member of the family, welcoming everyone to come together and decorate the home this Christmas.

“When decorating for the seasons, we encourage sustainable practices where possible, and foraging is the best way to use what is already in your garden.

“If you are lucky enough to find them in your garden, Pinecones and Acorns make for wonderful Christmas tree decorations and Moss, Fir, Eucalyptus and Holly leaves make a great base for a wreath.”

For more information about November’s events and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Say Ho-ho-hello to Santa at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre celebrates the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Grotto

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing its highly anticipated Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto enchanting experience in its Edinburgh store, designed to bring families together to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Whether little ones are meeting Santa and his elves for the first time, or it’s a cherished annual tradition, attendees can enjoy festive fun at Dobbies.  

Children will be welcomed by Santa’s elves who will take them through a Christmas tree forest spotting magical characters along the way, before making a special item to take home. Once they’ve spent time with Santa’s elves, they’ll get the chance to meet Santa Claus himself. Santa will greet children, share some Christmas magic, hear their wishes, and hand them a gift to take home.

The Quiet Grotto is also running this year at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, thoughtfully designed with sound and visual elements to create a relaxed atmosphere for children with additional needs. Quiet Grottos will be available from 2.30pm on Friday 8 December.

Families with canine companions in Edinburgh are in for a treat as they can bring their four-legged friends to meet Santa. Starting from 2 December, dog owners are invited along to a Santa Paws experience where they’ll receive adorable pet-friendly gifts from Santa.

Sarah Murray, who develops Dobbies’ festive line up, knows just how magical Christmas is for all the family. She said: “For every child, meeting Santa is a treasured highlight of the season.

“At Dobbies we’re dedicated to creating a Santa’s Grotto experience that resonates with every member of the community. We’re thrilled that this year’s grotto experiences in Edinburgh will continue to spark the enchantment of Christmas for all families who join us.”

If families would like to preserve a cherished memory of the day, there’s the chance to add on a professional photograph at the time of booking, or add on the day from £5 for a digital image and £7 for a photo booklet.

On Thursday 23 November, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will be welcoming Santa as he arrives from the North Pole. Santa will walk around the store, say hello to families and take selfies with children as he embarks on his new residency at the grotto.

Tickets are priced at £11.99 per child for Santa’s Grotto and Santa’s Quiet Grotto experiences, and Santa Paws is priced at £6.99 per dog. A non-refundable donation for Teenage Cancer Trust is also available at the time of booking.

For more information about Dobbies’ Santa’s Grotto experiences and to make a booking, please visit dobbies.com/events

Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores spread Christmas cheer with real tree donations to schools and nurseries

GARDEN CENTRE TO GIVE AWAY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREES – BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MAKE YOUR NOMINATION

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is spreading Christmas joy to local schools and nursery groups in Edinburgh with real tree donations as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with sustainable real tree grower, Needlefresh.

Set to twinkle corridors and delight children with yuletide cheer, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies will be donating Nordmann Fir Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to create a centrepiece for celebrations and is now welcoming nominations.

All of Dobbies’ Christmas trees are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland where the growing team do everything from planting, pruning and harvesting by hand to reduce the impact on surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.

Dobbies’ CSR and Community Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, has been delivering Dobbies’ Not Your Average Community campaign for two years and is excited announce this year’s focus. She said: “Community is at the core of Christmas at Dobbies and we love sharing the festive joy with those around us.

“We want to help create Christmas magic in local schools and nurseries in Edinburgh and hope that through the tree donations with Needlefresh, kids can come together, decorate the tree and make memories.”

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “Our sustainable Nordmann Fir Christmas trees make a wonderful centrepiece to festive celebrations as they are bushy and full, and good needle retention.

“We are excited to see how local schools and nurseries bring this classic tree to life through their decorations and we are delighted to be partnering with Dobbies on delivering a magical moment for children in Edinburgh.”

Nominations are now open. Entries close on Wednesday 25 October and successful applicants will be contacted in November to arrange a date to collect a Nordmann Fir tree from their local store.

For more information about how to get involved or make a nomination, visit Not your average community | Dobbies Garden Centres

Pumpkin-ify your home this Halloween with Dobbies

Garden Centre to host Pumpkin Patch experience

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is launching its first of a kind Pumpkin Patch experience for families in the run up to Halloween (24-31 October). This is a pumpkin-tastic opportunity to pop along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and pick the perfect pumpkin to carve at home this Halloween.

Rustic bales of hay and vibrant autumnal pumpkins make for a memorable visit to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, where families can get the pick of the patch. Here children can take a pumpkin home, carve it up using Dobbies’ guide and create their own personalised pumpkin for welcoming trick-or-treaters.

Sarah Murray, who created this year’s experience, loves Halloween and can’t wait to welcome customers along to the Pumpkin Patch. She said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Halloween offering in Edinburgh as this is the first time we’ve created a Pumpkin Patch. We warmly welcome everyone to come along and enjoy the experience.”

Pumpkins at the patch have all been grown in the UK and are priced at £2.50. No booking is required for this experience, and pumpkin availability is subject to a first come, first serve basis. There will also be an opportunity for families to use Dobbies’ Instagram frame to take a selfie of themselves at the patch and share on socials, for a chance to win a £50 gift card.

If you do come along to Dobbies and pick up a pumpkin this Halloween, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, shares his top recycling tips to help the environment.

He said: “Pumpkin flesh will make a welcome snack for wildlife and we recommend cutting the pumpkin into pieces before placing it in the garden.

“The seeds are another fantastic source of food for birds and small animals. Collect the seeds, leave them to dry out and place them on a flat surface in your garden to be enjoyed.

“If you’re feeling adventurous and would like to grow your own pumpkin next year, save seeds from this year’s pumpkin and try to grow it next April. 

“If composting is your thing, pumpkins work a treat as they break down easily and quickly. Just be sure to remove any seeds first to prevent unexpected pumpkin plants growing in your compost.”

Savour the season at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre launches festive restaurant events

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is tantalising tastebuds this Christmas with its great-value family dining experiences in its Edinburgh store, including a magical Santa’s Breakfast and its much-loved Festive Afternoon Tea.

Santa’s Breakfast is a great way to enjoy some magical time with Santa and fuel up for the festivities. It’s a chance for children aged 3 to 10 to take part in activities, get into the Christmas spirit, sing along to Christmas classics and receive a gift to take home and put under the tree.

Families in Edinburgh can expect festive entertainment from Santa and his elves and a hearty breakfast. Children can choose from a traditional breakfast of pork or Quorn sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown and baked beans, or opt for a breakfast roll. All breakfasts are served with a choice of apple juice, orange juice or water.

Adults will also get a choice of breakfast options, including a traditional breakfast, vegetarian breakfast or three item breakfast roll, each served with a hot beverage.

Indulge this Christmas with Dobbies’ Festive Afternoon Tea offering, great for couples, friends and families alike. Enjoy this classic British tradition and tuck into three tiers of seasonal bites to jingle the tastebuds.

Expect all the favourite elements of an afternoon tea with a festive twist. Indulge in salmon, cream cheese and chive, and honey roast ham and mustard finger sandwiches in a mix of white and grain bread. Savour each mouthful of Cornish clotted cream and jam scones and tuck into a delicious selection of sweet treats, including blackberry delice, fruit and cream tart, carrot cake and a mini macaroon.

Children can also enjoy a mix of finger sandwiches, filled with ham, jam and tuna. In addition to Dobbies’ famous scones, kids will munch on Rudolph’s favourite snacks – carrot and cucumber sticks.

Adults will get the choice of unlimited tea and coffee refills, and children will receive a fruit juice. There will be additional extras for customers looking to wrap themselves in all the festivities, including prawn marie rose vol au vents, savoury cheese vol au vents and pigs in blankets with gravy and cranberry sauce. Drinks can also be upgraded for speciality coffees and teas, and if you fancy popping a bottle, there is an upgrade option for Prosecco.

Sarah Murray, who develops Dobbies’ festive line up, wants to make this year one for customers in Edinburgh to remember. She said: “Restaurant experiences at Dobbies are a chance to spend time with the family in a relaxed setting that involves zero cooking.

“Our Santa’s Breakfast and Festive Afternoon Tea events in Edinburgh are a great way to feel festive as Christmas approaches. The restaurant team thoroughly enjoy hosting these events and can’t wait to welcome customers.”

Santa’s Breakfast runs from 25 November through to 24 December and is priced from £9 per adult and £13.99 per child.

Festive Afternoon Tea experiences run from 1 November and is priced at £8.50 per child and £13.50 per adult.

For more information about Dobbies’ festive culinary experiences and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Little Scare-lings get in the Halloween spirit at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre to host children’s pumpkin themed event

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting children in Edinburgh to its great value Little Scare-lings event this Halloween, guaranteed to get them feeling pumpkin-tastic with a treasure trove of family-friendly activities. 

Available in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store between 26-29 October, Little Scare-lings is guaranteed to get everyone in the spine-chilling spirit. Great for kids aged 3-10, this event is action-packed and has something special in store for those hunting for the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve.

Kids can also strut their spooky style and take part in the garden centre’s annual scare-a-thon to be in the chance of winning a prize for the best dressed.

Little Scare-ling attendees will sink their fangs into Halloween treats, pumpkin-themed activities and games.

With plenty options for even the fussiest trick-or-treaters, children will have the choice of fish fingers, chicken nuggets or plant based goujons, served with chips and garden peas, or a cheese and tomato pizza with vegetable sticks.

Adults can enjoy a selection of soup and sandwich pairings or a slice of cake. Sticky chocolate orange, blueberry Victoria sponge or a nutty coffee and walnut cake ensure the parents are spoilt for choice.

Families will be invited to visit Dobbies’ very own miniature pumpkin patch. Here children can take a pumpkin home, carve it up using Dobbies’ guide and create their own personalised pumpkin for welcoming trick-or-treaters.

Sarah Murray, who created this year’s event, loves Halloween and can’t wait to welcome Little Scare-lings along for the event. She said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Halloween event in Edinburgh and warmly welcome kids of all ages to get involved with our pumpkin extravaganza.

“ These events are always extremely popular with our regular Little Seedling Club attendees, so please book in advance to save any disappointment. It’s a fang-tastic way for families to get together this Halloween.”

Tickets for Little Scare-lings are now available for Dobbies’ Club Members, priced at £9.99 per child and from £3.95 for adult tickets, which officially go on sale to all customers from 5 September.

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Little Scare-lings afternoon event, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Free children’s event: Engage your five senses at Dobbies

Join this free-to-attend children’s gardening workshop

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has announced its September Little Seedlings Club workshop in Edinburgh, a free-to-attend, inspiring and educational session around Garden Senses.

Aimed at children aged 4 to 10, this workshop will take place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on Sunday 3 September, giving young gardening fans an understanding of how they connect with their natural world through their senses. 

During the workshop, Dobbies’ team of gardening experts will focus on the five fundamental human senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Through engaging activities and demonstrations, children will learn how to use their senses when exploring their outside space.

From the rustling of leaves to the chirping of birds, participants will understand the role that sight and sound play in their garden. The workshop will delve into humans’ intricate sense of taste, explaining why certain fruits like apples taste sweet and vegetables like broccoli taste earthy. 

Children in Edinburgh will learn how touch receptors in the skin send signals to the brain to interpret the different textures of plants in the garden, as well as the science behind how we are able to smell lovely scents in the garden. Chrysanthemums play a large role in enhancing sensory gardens and there will be the chance to uncover how these vibrant flowers can engage multiple senses at once.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The five senses play a crucial role in how we connect with the garden and environment around us. It’s an interesting subject and we’re delighted to be using it as a topic for our next Little Seedling Club workshop in our Edinburgh store.

“We’re looking forward to making nature even more exciting to young gardening fans and helping them understand how their senses all work in harmony.”

Little Seedlings Ambassador, Iniya Raj, adds: “I’m really looking forward to September’s workshop and learning all about how I can use each of my senses in the garden.

“I enjoy listening to the different sounds in the garden, especially the birds and little creatures that live there.”

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club session, visit Garden Senses | Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies team members in Edinburgh won’t miss a beat with new lifesaving CPR training

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has rolled out a potentially lifesaving defibrillator and CPR training programme in Edinburgh supporting the British Heart Foundation (BHF), to help improve survival rates from cardiac arrest.  

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, but less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them don’t have the skills or confidence to perform CPR.   

Now to help save more lives, Dobbies’ 4,000 team members across all 76 of its stores, including Edinburgh, and its Central Support Office are being encouraged to complete RevivR – the BHF’s online tool which teaches vital CPR skills for free in just 15 minutes – and all that is needed is a mobile phone and a firm cushion to practice on.   

RevivR shows how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of using a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to help in the ultimate medical emergency.  

The retailer has also committed to registering all of its 77 defibrillators, one in each store and Central Support Office, on The Circuit2, the national defibrillator network, which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK. This ensures in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. 

Paul Green, Head of People Experience, at Dobbies, said: “We are proud to be working with the British Heart Foundation on this important initiative, which we hope will help save lives.

“We want to enable all our team at the Edinburgh store to learn CPR and to know how simple defibrillators are to use. We are committed to creating a safe environment for our customers and our team, and I am proud to celebrate this landmark moment for our stores.” 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation said: “A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and it could happen to someone you love.

“Knowing what to do in those vital moments could mean the difference between life and death. We want to thank Dobbies for their support and for working with us to make sure even more people have the skills they need to save a life.” 

To find out more about RevivR please visit: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes  

Visit TheCircuit.UK for more information or to register your defibrillator.   

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store celebrates the start of summer with free events for children

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing summer workshops in its Edinburgh store to celebrate the  start of summer.

The Little Seedlings Club workshop will teach children how to look after the garden with the  warmer temperatures, and Dobbies’ Holiday Club workshop is about the different herbs and microgreens that can  help your pizza taste great.  

Suitable for children aged 4-10, these free and interactive sessions in Edinburgh are guaranteed to keep them  busy during the school holidays and encourage them to discover more about nature.  

Taking place on Sunday 2 July, the Little Seedlings Club workshop is set to be fun-filled and educational with a  focus on how to effectively conserve water when looking after the garden this summer.

Children will learn about  the fascinating water cycle in plants and why plants need our help to stay green and lush, particularly during the  hotter months. 

Dobbies’ horticultural experts will teach the children in Edinburgh when to water the plants and how to preserve  water usage through sustainable mulching and planting drought-resistant species like Cordyline, Lavender and  Hebe. Mulching not only saves water but also suppresses weeds, provides nutrients to the plants and enhances  the overall appearance of the garden. 

Dobbies’ Holiday Club takes place from the start of July where children will learn about the different herbs and  microgreens that can be used as pizza toppings.

The Holiday Club session will show the difference herbs can make  to a pizza, adding bold or subtle flavours as well as having nutritional value. The children in attendance will also  learn how to grow herbs and microgreens at home with ease.  

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell said: “We are excited to be hosting two  fantastic sessions for kids in our Edinburgh store this summer.

“Not only are these sessions a great way to keep  children entertained and busy during the holidays, but it’s a great chance for them to meet friends and try  something new. If you haven’t already checked out our free sessions, please do come along this July and get  involved.”

Advance booking is required to secure a free spot at July’s Little Seedlings Club workshop and Pizza Planting  Holiday Club. The Holiday Club will run throughout the school holidays and customers are encouraged to visit the  Dobbies’ website for booking as each store’s availability differs.  

For more information on how children can participate, visit: Events | Dobbies Garden