Chelsea contract is sweet-smelling success

16 Jan 2005

Thorns Group has been appointed official furniture supplier to the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

The agreement means the group – one of the largest independent suppliers to the UK’s events and exhibitions sectors – will provide the 2005 horticultural gathering with thousands of pieces of equipment.

Stock to be supplied by the group will include large quantities of banqueting chairs and tables, plus items such as leather cantilever chairs, trestle tables, picnic benches, wooden garden furniture, lecterns, office furniture and cupboards.

The group is also to supply the event with its stylish new range of teak and aluminium furniture.

The various items will be used across the show site, including in the show’s hospitality areas and offices, media centre, staff catering facilities, police and safety control areas and public dining rooms. Thorns Group will also supply furniture for the star-studded gala preview dinner, which is always one of the highlights of the annual event.

The Chelsea Flower Show – being staged this year between May 24 and 28 – is the world’s most famous gardening event. Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, with the Queen and other members of the royal family being among the regular guests.

The show hosts more than 100 floral displays from leading UK and international exhibitors, together with over 20 stunning show gardens. Visitors are also able to enjoy 30 small gardens, in the Chic, City, Courtyard and Sunflower Street categories.

Thorns Group Account Manager Craig Hammond said: “The Chelsea Flower Show is famous around the world as the premier horticultural event in the annual calendar. With only the leading companies being selected as suppliers, we are extremely proud that Thorns Group has been handed such a key role at the 2005 event.”

Suzy Griffiths, the RHS’s deputy operations manager for the Chelsea Flower Show, said: “We are delighted to welcome Thorns as a contractor for the Chelsea Flower Show, and are looking forward to working with Craig and his team.

“With thousands of items of furniture at the show, the operation certainly takes a lot of planning – we are confident that Thorns will meet the challenge whilst helping us to explore new looks and styles for the show.”