Henleaze Garden Shop
Opened by John Stenner in 1946, shortly after the Second World War, the garden shop started small, supplying Bristol nurseries with locally grown plants and compost. However, John quickly decided to concentrate on direct retail and expanded to sell tools, chemicals, hoses and a range of flowers and cacti to the public. The original shop, which consisted of just 146 Henleaze Road, grew to include multiple coal-fired greenhouses. The bases of these greenhouses are still used at the garden shop today to display a range of climbers and perennials. The inside of the garden shop has also expanded over time to include the neighbouring property, 148 Henleaze Road.
In the 1950’s, John married Vera, and not long after, their family grew to include Robbet, who took over the running of the shop in 1981. Robert followed suit with his father and became a successful businessman, completing a degree in business and continued expanding the shop. In Robert's time, the garden shop went through many more changes inside and out. More products were added to the shop's inventory, and more greenhouses were built at the back of the property to house excess stock and grow their own vegetables and flowers for sale. Robbets' time at the shop spanned many years and challenges, such as Brexit and the covid 19 pandemic.
Matthew, the third generation of Stenner, joined the shop in 2013 after completing an HND in horticulture at Pershore College. Following Robbets retiment matthew took over the shop in 2025 and has since added a pond plant section. With a wealth of knowledge from his HND, we look forward to how the shop will change and grow in the comeing years.