Jacksons Nurseries, a beloved family-run garden centre in Bagnall, North Staffordshire, has entered an exciting new phase as Luke Jackson steps away from his City career to take over the business. Luke’s transition comes as his parents, Roger and Ruth Jackson, ease into retirement, while Luke and his wife Priya celebrate the arrival of their newborn son, Edward.
For more than 65 years, Jacksons Nurseries has been a cornerstone of the Staffordshire Moorlands, renowned for its expert gardening advice, delightful tea room with home-cooked food, and its farm shop offering local produce, gifts, and homeware.
Speaking about his new role, Luke Jackson said: “It’s a big change to swap Canary Wharf for the village of Bagnall and exciting to take on the challenge of running the business full time. We’re fortunate to have a fantastic, friendly and hard-working team who are committed to protecting our heritage and family-run ethos while driving the business forward into the future. I enjoyed taking cuttings when I was growing up and helped build Jacksons’ first ecommerce website, so transitioning into the business now is a natural next step.”
Jacksons Nurseries was established in the 1960s by Peter Jackson, a teacher who turned his passion for plants into a thriving market garden. Over the decades, the nursery has expanded significantly and now grows over 300,000 plants annually from its 10-acre site. These plants are sold at the garden centre and shipped across the UK via the company’s online store.
The nursery recently introduced personalised shopping services, offering tailored advice from plant consultants. These sessions allow customers to receive customised guidance and inspiration for their gardens. Ben Mills, a local customer, shared his experience: “The advice from Jacksons plant expert Peter Lea was second to none. He was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of ideas and inspiration. We are looking forward to putting the planting plan that Peter produced for us into action.”
In addition to enhancing its customer service, Jacksons is expanding its range of plants for the upcoming gardening season. Nursery production manager Hayden said: “We’re currently in the process of growing 160 new varieties of perennials, ready for the coming gardening season. This includes smaller plants we will offer in 9cm pots at a lower price point, as well as our existing larger two-litre pot size. We’ll be announcing the new varieties in spring, so watch this space.”
Jacksons Nurseries also continues its tradition of supporting the local community. The team recently installed 16 root-balled Christmas trees for Pontypool council and frequently contributes to displays at Bagnall’s St Chad’s Church. Esther Buckle, a local resident, commented: “Jacksons have historically supported St Chad’s at Christmas time. This year they kindly provided the lovely tree which looked particularly festive in the entrance to the church. We are always very appreciative of Jacksons help.”
Located on Thorney Edge Road in Bagnall, ST9 9LE, Jacksons Nurseries continues to thrive as it transitions into the hands of the next generation. For more information, visit www.jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
