Robert Gleaveand Sons

Robert Gleave and Sons has traded from Mill Lane in Frodsham since 1890, originally as a builders' merchant, before Joe Gleave bought the business in 1981 and added a garden centre during the 1990s. The site today combines the original timber and building supplies trade with a garden centre selling plants, compost, pots and outdoor furniture, plus a fish counter and a gift section. The Willow Tree café serves food and drinks from a room overlooking the plant displays, and a separate butty van, Route 56, serves the trade counter's early customers. The business has stayed in Gleave family ownership since 1981 and has kept to its single Frodsham site throughout its expansion, rather than opening further branches. Staff across the garden centre and trade counter advise on plants, tools and building materials alike. The centre is open seven days a week, from eight in the morning on weekdays, with free parking on site for garden centre and trade customers.