Dobbies Garden Centre, Kinross

	Click the picture to enlarge it.
	Bought form the previous owners in 2000, Dobbies at Kinross is one of their smallest garden centres. We visited them in June and checked out the plants and the Jardin cafe.

This is a totally independent GardenAction opinion of Dobbies Garden Centre in Kinross, Scotland.

DOBBIES KINROSS GARDEN CENTRE - THE PLANTS AREA

The outdoor plants area is partially under cover,good for rainy days. There is a fair range of plants for the size of garden centre and the hardy ones should be covered by Dobbies standard five year guarantee. Unusually this was not advertised prominently in the plants area.

The plants looked in good condition.

There was an absence of any signs to indicate where plant groups could be find. And neither were the plants in alphabetic sequence. Their placement appeared to be largely random.

The area didn't have a particularly attractive layout, but it did escape the regimented paths present at the larger Dobbies.

DOBBIES KINROSS GARDEN CENTRE - THE PRICES

The prices were about average for this area of the UK. We suspect the £3.30 for the Polestar runner beans was an anomally.

Rose, 3 litre pot	£6.99 upwards (£3.99 for a 2 litre pot)
Common shrub (e.g. potentilla)	£5.99
Clematis named variety	£6.99 upwards
Economy spade	£13.99
Stainless steel fork	£21.99
Runner Bean seeds	£2.45 (Polestar was £3.30)
Multi-purpose compost 60l	£3.99 or 3 for £10
Fish, blood and bone 2.5kg	£5.99
Tomorite 1 litre	£3.99
Miracle Gro 1 kg	n/a
Large cup of coffee	£1.60

NOTE: Price comparisons are based on the prices we find at the time of our visit. We compare to them average prices in the same year as the date of the review.

THE JARDIN CAFE AT DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE, KINROSS

The cafe layout at Kinross was basic but reasonably pleasant. There was indoor and outdoor seating areas but no seats in the outdoor area, just tables! The outside area was plain.

A good range of of hot meals was on offer at £6.50 to £8.00. The exotically named sandwiches (e.g. Supreme of Chicken stuffed with haggis in a creamy leek and whisky sauce) cost around £5 to£7.

Baked potatoes with fillings cost £6 to £7.50. There was a good range of cakes, coffees, tea and wines. Overall the food was good but it was priced slightly higher than we would have expected.

HOUSE PLANTS AND INDOOR SALES

The indoor sales area contained a range of gifts, cards and the like. You will also find a reasonable range of gardening accessories.
There was also a good range of house plants which were in good condition and reasonably priced.

DISABLED FACILITIES
Some areas were narrow for wheelchairs.

TOILETS
The toilets (ladies, gents, combined disabled and baby changing) were basic but clean and functional

CAR PARKING
Car parking was sufficient and on reasonably level ground.

DIRECTIONS AND CONTACT FOR DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE, KINROSS

The address is:
Dobbies Garden Centre,
Turfhills,
Kinross KY13 0NQ

Our sat nav didn't even recognise the post code on the Dobbies official site (KY13 7NQ). We then searched for Turfhills and that couldn't be found either. We investigated further and found that the post code (for sat navs anyway) is incorrect on the Dobbies site. The correct one is KY13 0NQ. That one got us to the door.

A map can be found HERE

Tel: 01577 863327
Email: kinross@dobbies.com
Website: http://www.dobbies.com/kinross-garden-centre.aspx

SUMMARY
Lacking in any real individuality or specialisation Dobbies Garden Centre at Kinross is an undistinguished garden centre. It does however serve the local community by providing many of their garden needs.

The cafe is much the same. the food is good but it is slightly pricey and the surrounding basic.

COMMENTS
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