Bradford garden centre is shortlisted for a national people and culture award

The team at a Bradford garden centre is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national HR award.

Tong Garden Centre has reached the final in the Retail Company of the Year Award of the British HR Awards that celebrate the organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class people experience.

"This is the first time that we have entered a national people and culture award and we're very proud to have reached the final in the face of such strong competition," said Tong Garden Centre's Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr.

Nate Harwood, founder of New Possible and British HR Awards judge said: " With over 220 entries received from organisations all across the UK, from start-up innovators to public sector heroes, tech superstars, global titans and everything in between, competition proved to be especially tough.

"This year saw 125% more entries than last year making judging a real challenge but also a great privilege. Congratulations to all the finalists who are flying the flag for the HR profession and having a positive impact on the working lives of so many people."

The stellar lineup of nine judges includes representatives from Shelter, Monzo, Apple and Iceland Foods.

In an all-Yorkshire final, Tong Garden Centre faces competition from Hull-based Heron Foods. The winners will be announced at a celebration event in Central London on Wednesday 22nd March.

The British HR Awards are organised by New Possible, a next-generation employee insight platform.

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres with 11,600m2 of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars. It is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group that also owns Tingley Garden Centre and the former Stephen H Smith's Garden Centres in Otley and Harden, Bingley.