THE HISTORY OF FAIRWAYS
and how it all began…
For over 25 years Fairways has proudly been an independent family run business, with two centres set in the beautiful English countryside.
A little bit about our past…
1959 – 1978
In 1959, Herbert Plumbly bought Hollies Farm, located on the outskirts of the historic market town of Ashbourne, which is where Fairways now sits. On his retirement in 1978, his son Pip moved to the farm with his young family.
1978 – 1998
Pip ran a successful civil engineering firm, Midroads, from the farm and in 1981 opened a PYO fruit farm on the fields that surround Fairways. Looking to make better use of the farm buildings and land, his initial idea of a garden centre eventually came to fruition on February 28th 1998, with the opening of Fairways. The garden centre comprised of one glasshouse and a small plant area and was managed by eldest daughter, Ally, ably support by Mum, Chris.
1998 – 2008
Fairways grew significantly through its early years and in 2005, Ally’s brother Charlie joined the business to help Pip carry out most of the building work. In 2008, the former Macclesfield Garden Centre was purchased and completely redeveloped by Pip and Charlie.
A throwback to
‘back in the day’
2008 – 2019
Further developments at Ashbourne included restaurant and plant area extensions. In January 2017 Fairways was awarded ‘Garden Centre of the Year’ by the Garden Centre Association. On February 28th 2019, Fairways celebrated its 21st Birthday and in September opened its wonderful new shop, Fairways Home.
2020 to present
Fairways is still managed by Ally, with Charlie overseeing all the building and development work, and Pip and Chris are still very much involved on a daily basis.
The site at Ashbourne has undergone major redevelopment work at the start of 2020, with the replacement of all of the original glasshouses and development of a new restaurant.
In March 2021, the doors opened to a dynamic new store full of things to enchant, delight and inspire old and new customers alike!
2020
Fairways is still managed by Ally, with Charlie overseeing all the building and development work, and Pip and Chris are still very much involved on a daily basis.
The site at Ashbourne will undergo major redevelopment work at the start of 2020, with the replacement of all of the original glasshouses and development of a new restaurant and the business will be partially closed during January and February. In March, the doors will be opening to a dynamic new store full of things to enchant, delight and inspire old and new customers alike!