Dobbies’ Edinburgh store highlights how to repurpose your real cut Christmas tree
Whether you’ve got a Nordmann Fir standing pride of place, or a Fraser Fir is your tree of choice, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is encouraging you to repurpose your Christmas centrepiece once the festivities are over.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles has outlined how people can recycle their cut Christmas trees to create a wildlife haven for small animals and insects to shelter in during the winter months.
Follow Marcus’s step-by-step guide:
1. Remove the tree from your house carefully to stop any loose needles from dropping. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands.
2. Using a good quality pair of secateurs, starting from the top remove each branch as close as possible to the main trunk.
3. Stack the branches together four or five pieces high and place onto soil or leaves under large shrubs, trees or hedges.
4. Repeat this process until all the branches are used. This will provide a great shelter for small animals and insects to protect them from the worst of the winter weather. Marcus points out that the needles and branches will breakdown over time to produce organic matter than will enrich the soil.
5. For the main trunk of the tree use a pruning saw to cut into 30cm lengths, which can then be stacked to make a mini log pile which is a great habitat for wildlife to shelter in.
Positively Plants and garden resolutions at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this January
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is hosting two free workshops this January in its Edinburgh store to encourage customers of all ages to make a positive start to 2023.
Dobbies’ first Grow How session of the year takes place on Saturday 7 January at 10:30am and will give customers in Edinburgh a guide on how to incorporate houseplants into their home.
Dobbies’ experts will showcase the different air purifying houseplants available to buy, how to use them in your indoor spaces, all the benefits associated with having houseplants, and care tips on how to look after them. Incorporating houseplants into your home will help brighten your indoor space, in addition to having a positive effect on your overall wellbeing as we enter the new year.
The Little Seedlings Club is great for kids aged 4-10 and takes place on the morning of Sunday 8 January in Edinburgh with free bookable sessions. This January, attendees will learn how to have a wonderful new year in the garden, discovering the history of new year, traditions and resolutions, the luck and prosperity associated with eating black-eyed peas-beans, alongside plants to grow in January, seeds to sow and how to prepare your garden for the year ahead.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “January is a great time to make plans and learn a new skill or hobby. We’re always looking to help sow some passion and encourage our customers in Edinburgh to try something new.
“Houseplants are a great way to enhance your space and improve your mood – not only will your home feel refreshed, but so will you. We’re looking forward to our houseplant Grow How event being a popular one. For our Little Seedlings, our workshop on making a positive start in the garden aims to be both motivational and inspiring for young gardening fans.
“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our sessions throughout 2022 and are excited to kick off the year with these two, free workshops to help customers start as they mean to go on.”
Sustainability is at the core of Dobbies’ workshops and its horticultural experts will be showcasing the fantastic range of environmentally-friendly products available to purchase in-store.
For more information about both events in Edinburgh and how you can participate, visit dobbies.com/events.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has launched a new festive menu in its Edinburgh store that has something for all the family, with great-value Christmas food and drink to enjoy for breakfast and lunch.
Whether you’re a fan of an early start or have worked up an appetite from Christmas shopping, Dobbies’ Edinburgh restaurant is a great place to recharge and spend some quality time with friends or family.
Building on over 34k meals Dobbies has given away across the UK so far this year, kids aged 12 and under can dine at Dobbies’ Edinburgh restaurant for free with an adult traditional breakfast or main course. Children can enjoy breakfast, lunch or Dobbies’ pick ‘n’ mix meal plus a drink all day every day.
The Brioche French Toast and Bacon is the perfect way to kick off the morning, with sweet brioche bread dipped in free-range eggs and toasted with crispy streaky bacon and melted mature Cheddar cheese. Customers can also start off their day with Buttermilk Pancakes, served with yoghurt and winter berries, or a Scottish Smoked Salmon and free-range Scrambled Egg Bagel, topped with chopped chives.
Enjoy Dobbies’ great value two course lunch deal, priced at £14.95 per person. Traditional roast turkey Christmas dinners will be available from midday, complete with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, creamy mash, and seasonal vegetables topped with gravy.
There’s also a vegetarian option for a Christmas dinner with tasty Quorn sausages and all the trimmings. Customers can also indulge in a Christmas pudding or mince pie cheesecake as part of the offer.
For a lighter option, there’s a Festive Roll – a soft roll filled with roast turkey, sage and onion stuffing and pigs in blankets with dipping gravy.
Children 12 and under can also tuck into a Christmas Dinner with a half portion of the traditional roast turkey dinner, served with a pig in blanket, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, creamy mash, seasonal vegetables and gravy, all for £5.20 if not part of the kids eat free offer. A veggie option for is available for little ones too, with a free children’s drink.
For those who prefer a non-traditional Christmas dinner, there’s the option of a delicious chickpea and sweet potato curry. Served with wild rice, two onion bhajis, mango chutney and salsa, this dish is also suitable for vegans.
Customers in Edinburgh can expect to see a range of delicious pastries and sweets from Christmas Pudding to Christmas Drizzle Cake. Dobbies’ popular scone is being given a festive twist alongside Christmas Muffins, while there’s a Mince Pie Cheesecake for the ultimate festive dessert.
New for 2022 is a selection of festive-inspired hot drinks in selected stores. Customers can choose between sipping on a Bailey’s Latte or the Christmas classic, mulled wine. There will also be a Gingerbread Latte complete with whipped cream and served with a tasty gingerbread biscuit.
Dobbies’ great value Festive Afternoon Tea is now two for £20, with free tea and coffee refills. This also includes the option to add a savoury plate for only £2.95 per person. The Festive Afternoon Tea can be booked in advance the perfect opportunity to make some time over the busy Christmas period to catch up with loved ones.
Adam Veysey, Dobbies Development Chef, said: “We are very excited to introduce our 2022 Christmas menu, having spent months finalising the details and selecting the best ingredients.
“There are some firm favourites and some new additions that offer Christmas with a twist. We can’t wait to introduce our great value festive menu to customers in Edinburgh and hope families across the region have the opportunity to take advantage of our kids eat free offer.”
For Edinburgh’s restaurant opening times visit dobbies.com.
John Lewis click and collect orders can now be picked up from selected Dobbies’ stores. Customers at Dobbies in Edinburgh and little dobbies in Stockbridge can now collect their John Lewis parcels in store.
This expands the relationship between Dobbies and the John Lewis Partnership after it was announced in July that Waitrose would have a dedicated area offering more than 2,000 products in 50 of the garden centre’s foodhalls. The roll out is already underway having been launched in 12 Dobbies’ stores, including Edinburgh.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re committed to providing convenience to our customers and this new collaboration enables us to further develop this focus. It’s important that we share a commitment to great value, quality and customer service with our partners.
“We hope our customers in Edinburgh find this new development beneficial.”
Ged Keogh-Peters, Director of Supply Chain Planning & Development for the John Lewis Partnership, adds: “The introduction of click and collect further strengthens our partnership with Dobbies and underlines our ambition to find new ways to be more convenient for our customers.
“The service is growing in popularity every year with customers increasingly wanting the ease of being able to pick up their order at a time and place which works for them.”
Dobbies is the latest retailer to join the existing network of over 350 John Lewis and Waitrose Click & Collect points, along with over 800 Co-op, Shell and Booths locations.
The other Dobbies’ stores offering Click & Collect are Dunfermline, Aberdeen, Gillingham, Atherstone, Brighton, and little dobbies in Westbourne Grove, London.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, encourages families in Edinburgh to get artistic in the garden this autumn with its free Little Seedlings Club workshop next Sunday 6 November.
During the autumn months the trees change colour and bronzed leaves pave the ground, so it’s the perfect time of year to give your garden a colourful makeover.
Dobbies’ November workshop will show kids aged 4 to 10 how to create beautiful garden art using existing pots, natural objects, and recycled materials to brighten up any garden.
This interactive workshop will spark the children’s imagination and teach them how to be creative with nature in a sustainable way. Dobbies’ Edinburgh team will share a variety of fun craft activities.
The team will highlight the value of exploring the outdoors and how children can use natural materials like sticks, rocks, and flowers to create striking art in a sustainable way.
They will also learn about recycling, its importance to the environment and how recycled items, such as plastic bottles or aluminium, can be used to create a colourful piece of garden art.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming our Little Seedlings Club attendees this November.Gardens are full of warm tones during autumn, and we hope that our workshop helps children explore their creativity with arts and crafts to brighten their outside space sustainably.
“Our workshop is a great place for locals in Edinburgh to meet new friends, learn more about the environment and try something new.”
For more details on Dobbies’ Edinburgh free November Little seedlings workshop, visit: events.dobbies.com.
Dog-friendly grottos included in festive line-up in Edinburgh
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is welcoming families in Edinburgh to its unmissable, great-value Santa’s Grotto experience.
This year, kids are invited along to enjoy an immersive visit to the grotto where it will be love at frost sight with the elves taking visitors through a magical woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and forest creatures along the way. Children will become Santa’s little helpers, participating in various activities revealed during their visit.
After lending a helping hand, children will then get to meet Santa himself and receive a special gift. Families can also opt in to purchase a picture of their child with Santa, creating memories to last forever. Santa’s Grotto will be available in Edinburgh from 24 November.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto experience returns this year on 9 December to support children with special needs. Sound and visual elements are adapted to reduce anxiety and ensure every child has an opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.
If you’re looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience where dog lovers can bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Child tickets can be added to make it a full family experience.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “Meeting Santa is an important part of Christmas and we’re looking to make this inclusive for all, with quiet and dog-friendly events available in our Edinburgh store.
“We can’t wait to bring the magic of Christmas to life for our customers!”
Advance booking for Dobbies’ Edinburgh Christmas events are recommended to avoid disappointment. All grotto prices have been held, with no price increases.
Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies’ national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online:
Garden Centre launches 2022 Christmas events programme
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is gearing up to create a Christmas to remember for customers in Edinburgh and announces a magical line up of great-value festive events to get the whole family excited for the season ahead, with booking now open.
Santa’s Grotto is back and better than ever, with families having the opportunity to take part in an interactive experience in the Edinburgh store. Attendees will be greeted by Santa’s elves to walk through the snowy woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and more, as well as helping to pack Santa’s sleigh.
They’ll then spend time with Santa and receive a special gift to take home. Families can opt in to purchase a photograph with Santa, creating memories to last forever.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grottos will also be available on 9 December. This experience is designed to help support children with additional needs, with sound and visual elements adapted to reduce anxiety.
If you’re looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience. Dog lovers across Edinburgh have the chance to bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Children’s tickets can be added, for a full family experience.
The garden centre is also hosting its ever-popular Santa’s Breakfast experience, perfect for families and children under 10 years old. Breakfast options are available for both adults and children, including vegetarian and lighter options, with food, fun activities and a gift from Santa all included in the children’s great-value ticket price.
Dobbies’ Festive Afternoon Tea will also take place, with options to suit the whole family. Guests can indulge in three tiers of fantastic festive food, and unlimited tea and coffee refills. There are also options to upgrade with additional savoury items, hot drinks and Prosecco.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “Christmas is all about getting the family together and spending quality time with your loved ones.
“At Dobbies we want to give families an experience to remember and unforgettable memories to cherish for years to come. Nothing is more magical than Christmas time, and our interactive festive events in Edinburgh will help bring the season to life for the entire family.”
Customers in Edinburgh are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies’ Christmas events to avoid disappointment. Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online: https://www.dobbies.com/events.
Santa’s Grotto events start on 24 November, prices from £11.99 per child
Santa’s Quiet Grotto takes place on 9 December, prices from £11.99 per child
Santa Paws starts running on 3 December, priced at £6.99 per dog
Santa’s Breakfast takes place from 26 November onwards, £13.99 per child and from £7.30 per adult
Festive Afternoon Tea starts on 1 November, £13.50 per adult and £7.50 per child
Santa’s Afternoon Tea runs from 3 December, £13.99 per adult and £13.50 per child
The most magical time of the year is almost here and Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is welcoming the start of the festive season with a special charity shopping night in aid of National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust.
This is taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on Thursday 24 November, 5-9pm, with tickets on sale now.
The Christmas Shopping Night is a perfect opportunity for the whole family to explore great-value festive gifts, decorations and products and get into the Christmas spirit.
There will be a welcome drink on arrival plus the chance to enjoy the exclusive shopping offers available on the night. With the Christmas themes for 2022 displayed throughout the stores there will be decorating inspiration for all, no matter your style or budget.
Dobbies’ popular Santa’s Grotto will launch in its Edinburgh store for a special preview as well as bookable tables in the restaurant offering a taste of the Christmas menu.
Available on the night will be two courses for £14.95 with the option of traditional roast turkey dinner or vegetarian Christmas dinner with Quorn sausages, followed by Christmas pudding or mince pie cheesecake.
Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies said: “We’ve raised over £1.2m for Teenage Cancer Trust and our Christmas Shopping Night is a great opportunity, not only for customers in Edinburgh to enjoy a festive night out and exclusive offers, but contribute to raising funds for an incredibly worthwhile cause.”
Tickets are priced at £1, available at dobbies.com and in-store, and all proceeds from ticket sales and fundraising on the night will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust. It is also possible to opt in to make a donation to the charity when booking other festive events online.
Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationships Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted to see the return of Dobbies Christmas Shopping Night this year – an event our volunteers love to be part of.
“It’s companies like Dobbies, and their incredible team members and customers taking part in events like this, that allow us to ensure no young person faces cancer alone.”
Attendees in Edinburgh are invited to take a photo in-store for the chance to win a prize.
Customers can share their photos on social media by using #DobbiesChristmasNight and tagging @dobbiesgardencentres to automatically be entered.
For more Christmas inspiration and to browse Dobbies’ new season ranges, visit:
Dobbies Garden Centres is looking to spread the spirit of Christmas in Edinburgh with its festive Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with Needlefresh.
The UK’s leading garden centre is inviting charitable groups across Edinburgh to get in touch and help the Dobbies team donate Nordmann Fir Christmas trees to four worthy causes, just in time for the seasonal build-up.
A Christmas tree is the classic centrepiece, not just in the home, but in schools, community centres, churches and other charity centres, and Dobbies is looking to spread some yuletide cheer with donations across Edinburgh.
Dobbies is committed to sustainability and all the real Christmas trees sold are grown from specially selected seeds, taken from hand-picked cones which have been left to dry and nurtured into seedlings.
The growing team use specialist pruning techniques to create a bushy and uniform shape by hand, reducing any impact on the surrounding environment and protecting the animals and plants in and around the tree base.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said; “We’re proud to be in a position where we can support local communities, so thank you to Needlefresh for supporting us with this campaign. We would encourage schools, community groups and charities across Edinburgh to get in touch with a nomination to be within the chance of receiving a Christmas tree donation.
“The Nordmann Fir is the most popular Christmas tree in the UK because it loses very few needles, meaning your tree will remain green and full, with the right care. It’s the perfect tree for our Not Your Average Community campaign.”
Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added; “We take great pride in growing our sustainable trees and are excited to partner up with Dobbies on this brilliant community initiative.
“We look forward to seeing community groups across Edinburgh decorating and enjoying their sustainable grown, real Christmas tree.”
There will be eight winning projects in Edinburgh, each to receive a 180 – 21cm, Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree.
Nominations can be submitted via dobbies.com by filling out a simple form. Deadline for submissions is Monday 24 October.
All entries will be reviewed by the Dobbies’ team and the winning community groups will be contacted in early November and invited along to the Edinburgh store to hand select their tree. Those who apply to a little dobbies store will have their tree delivered.
Customers of Dobbies Garden Centres in the Lothians can now shop in store for the finest quality and award-winning products by ‘farm to fork’ company Puddledub.
The Fife-based producer already has a presence in Dobbies’ Dunfermline store not far from its family farm near the village of Auchtertool. Based on the success of the butcher at this store, the family business is now extending its presence to Dobbies in Edinburgh and Livingston, offering pork, beef, lamb, poultry and deli items, produced from its own livestock and sourced from other local suppliers.
Top products include dry cured bacon, delicious hams, luxury pork sausages and home-made steak pies.
The Mitchell family behind Puddledub have been at Clentrie Farm since 1905. The farm is focused on high welfare, sustainable pork production and caring for the environment.
Peter Mitchell, Director at Puddledub, said: “Just like Dobbies, we’re passionate about offering our customers the very best products and have a highly skilled team.
“That’s why we work with trusted partners that share our ethos, commitment to value and high-quality standards. The butchers in Dobbies’ Dunfermline store has proven to be a great success and we’re sure it will be the same in Edinburgh and Livingston.”
David Gibson, Regional Manager at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “Puddledub is one of Scotland’s finest farms and meat producers, so we’re really pleased to welcome them to another two stores.
“The company has a thriving in-store and online retail presence already, proving how popular its products are. They’ll be an excellent addition to our foodhall in both Edinburgh and Livingston, offering great value products for our customers.”
Puddledub joins Dobbies’ diverse range of existing foodhall partnerships with brands including Waitrose, Hotel Chocolat, Whittards and Cook.
Both Dobbies and Puddledub are focused on reducing their impact on the environment. Puddledub is committed to sustainable farming and providing high-quality local produce to their customers. Each step from the breeding of their home-grown pigs, to the preparation of their products is thoughtfully done.
Dobbies is also actively working with suppliers to reduce single-use plastics and packaging, while offering a range of in-store recycling opportunities and reducing food waste in partnership with Too Good to Go.