BARRIGAN’S CELEBRATE TEN YEARS OF SUCCESS
TEDDDINGTON TOWN supports the local business community as well as delivering high quality local news and as part of that commitment we like to provide a deeper insight into specific businesses and celebrate their success.
Today we look at the garden and landscape business BARRIGAN’s GARDENS & LANDSCAPES, which, this year, celebrates ten years of business. Their HQ is in the Teddington Business Park and their distinctive vans can been seen all over the area.
Today, we are UP CLOSE AND BUSINESSLIKE with the owner Alistair Barrigan.
1)Tell us a bit about your personal background Alistair and how did you decide there was an opportunity for a thriving gardening business in this area? Do you have any special qualifications?
I am originally from Filey in North Yorkshire and moved to London in 2012 to pursue a career in education. My mother and grandmother were always keen gardeners when I was growing up. In the summer holidays of Sixth Form and University I worked on a Haven Caravan Site doing grounds maintenance back home to help fund my studies and living costs. In my final year at St Mary’s University in Strawberry Hill I was working in my free time as a freelance gardener having answered a job advert in the post office in Teddington. This soon developed into a small client book through word of mouth recommendations and by the end of the year I was faced with starting a career as a teacher or pursuing my passion for gardening. I chose the latter and began to research ways of developing into a business. In a similar vein to the founder of Pimlico Plumbers I felt that the standard of tradespeople involved in gardening and landscaping could be more professional and presentable by wearing a uniform, being courteous and providing a thorough service for clients. So I scraped the money together for a second hand van which I then had sign-written with my logo and then built up my tools over time. My experience in gardening ‘stems’ from the knowledge inherited from my family and the work I did with the team at Haven who were insistent on things being done right. Now after almost a decade the company has a team of 15 and 6 vans on the road with our premises based in central Teddington.
2) There must be a wide range of jobs you undertake given the many different gardens in the area from massive houses to much smaller projects – what’s been your biggest job in the last ten years and the smallest?
Our work has ranged from full garden renovations to simply being around to ensure that our clients’ gardens are tended and watered whilst they are away. Cutting lawns, trimming hedges, planting perennials to laying a new patio, installing a fence and even building garden rooms. We offer a comprehensive service carried out by an experienced team.
3) Any interesting discoveries while digging around like discovering ancient coins or human bones?
Yes, we have found two air raid shelters during our excavations around Teddington and a handful of items of interest such as old pennies.
4) You take great pride in all the work you do, how do you go about recruiting the right quality of people to maintain those standards? How many gardeners do you employ?
For me, half of it is finding people who are willing to be part of a positive and supportive team environment where individuals are respected and encouraged to contribute. The other half is that this has to be complimented by the ability to carry out high quality work. Ticking these two boxes is fundamental. Our team is comprised of a general manager, two admin assistants, four gardeners and seven landscapers. Within this formation, we also have a fleet manager and a yard manager who ensure our vehicles and premises are maintained properly. Finally, the VIP of our team is my dog Baxter – our ‘branch manager’. He is a local celebrity and is cherished by the team and our clients.
5) It does seem that if we are lucky enough to have a garden we take much more pleasure from it nowadays than we perhaps did historically and even care about it a lot more, which is good for your business too. Why is that?
The value of a garden is evident in many ways; it can be an extra room for you to use to relax and unwind, entertain friends and family, exercise and even as a source of inspiration. The emphasis on not just physical but also mental wellbeing in today’s society has underpinned the growing interest in outdoor spaces and I aspire to support more people to get outside in their garden as much as possible. The benefits are exponential for an individual and it is a hobby/interest that our planet also appreciates so the more of this trend the better!
6) How did the epidemic affect your business? Everyone was encouraged to be outside in the parks or in their own gardens but your work must have totally dried up? What did you do?
The main issues for us here were the distancing measures and the suppliers only being partially open. We had to pause for a few weeks in the initial lockdown which was costly for us as a business however once things opened up again we bounced back and grew as a company through our developing local reputation.
7) As we have said people do seem to be spending money on their gardens more than ever, which, of course, has meant more companies like yours. What do you think makes Barrigan’s a better choice than other options?
We provide a service that is professional, friendly and efficient. Our aim is to make the process as easy and stress free as possible for our clients. Whether that is regular garden maintenance or a full garden makeover, leave it to us and we will deliver an outcome that you can be proud of. Doing the basics right; being on time, answering the phone, wearing uniform and always communicating with clients throughout a project is what we pride ourselves on. Our reviews are a reflection of the positive experiences our clients have when we work in their gardens.
8) Given this is your full time job and a business tell us about your own garden and what you look for in a garden which makes it stand out? Are you a keen gardener yourself?
I love to have lots of colour in my garden so I have borders with lots of perennials and roses. What you might imagine as a classic English country garden is very much my style. I also spend a lot of time maintaining my lawn to keep it lush and of course the stripes! I have clay paver herringbone paths and a potting shed that used to be my office with vintage metal signage to complete the ‘classic’ look. It is a place where I can relax albeit like any gardener will admit, there is always something to be done!
9) You appear to focus your work and offer your services very locally in this area, Teddington, Wimbledon, Hampton, Richmond is that for a particular reason?
Our main client base is in the Borough of Richmond Upon Thames around where our premises is based and where I have lived for many years. We have grown mostly through word of mouth recommendations in the local area where there are a lot of gardens that need upkeep and maintenance.
10) What does the future hold for Barrigan’s? Do you plan to build on this success and get bigger and employ more people or are you happy with the current position?
The company has grown ‘organically’ over the last few years and we continue to build on our success so far. The important thing for me is that whilst the company is growing, you still provide that high quality and personable service that made us successful in the first place. We are always prepared to give opportunities to those that are willing to work hard and be part of a team so the potential growth I would say is limitless! I do a job that I love and I wish to get the most out of that in my life by taking Barrigan’s as far as I can.
To find out more about their services go to BarriganGarden