Celebrating 25 Years of Simpsons Inverness

Growing and floristry is very much in our DNA

Owner Andrew Simpson’s journey into the industry was inspired by his deep family roots in growing and floristry, a legacy dating back to the late 1880s. However, Andrew’s journey began in the early 1990s when he assisted his mother, Kathleen, in reviving the Simpsons family market garden and nursery in Beauly.

Dad Gordon had taken over the nursery in the 1960s and later expanded into floristry with the launch of Simpsons Florists in Inverness in 1970. The florists eventually found a home in the Victorian Market before settling on site at Simpsons, bringing together both nursery and floristry expertise once again.

Laying the foundations for a growing local business

The foundations of Simpsons Garden Centre as it exists today were laid in 1999 when Andrew secured the grounds where the centre now stands on Culloden Road.

The site, initially envisioned as a nursery, evolved into a garden centre and its doors officially opened on April 6, 2000. At its inception, Simpsons was a seasonal business operating from a 1.5-acre site with just two staff members, a portacabin office, a polytunnel for growing plants, and 14 parking spaces.

A strong and dedicated team

With growth comes the need for a strong and dedicated team. What started as a two-person operation in 2000 has now expanded to around 150 team members across the Inverness and Mintlaw locations. The success of Simpsons is deeply rooted in the passion and commitment of its team and the support of their customers.

To mark the 25-year milestone, Simpsons is giving back to the community that has supported it throughout its journey with the Garden Project 25 campaign, through which the garden centre is committing £25,000 in vouchers to support local gardening projects across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire.

Looking to the future

As Simpsons looks to the future, there is an exciting vision for continued growth and innovation.

One of the most significant recent developments is the arrival of Lakeland at Simpsons, an exciting addition that enhances the retail offering. Reaching 25 years is an incredible achievement, but for Andrew and the Simpsons team, it’s not just about business success—it’s about the relationships built along the way.

As Simpsons Garden Centre embarks on its next chapter, the spirit of growth, innovation, and community remains at its core. With a dedicated team, a passion for gardening, and a commitment to excellence, the next 25 years promise to be just as exciting as the first.

Here’s to celebrating a quarter-century of success—and to many more years of growth ahead.