It's time to celebrate as Goulds Stores marks it 120th anniversary this year.

To mark the milestone birthday, the independent retailer is hosting a birthday party to launch the first of its celebratory events.

The Goulds Garden Centre in Preston, Weymouth will open its doors for a fun packed demonstration day tomorrow (Tuesday, April 26) from 9am to 5.30pm.

The festivities will continue when the store reopens from 6pm to 9pm with an evening meal in The Dorset Kitchen, with three courses inspired by bygone recipes. Booking is essential.

Adrian, general manager of Goulds Garden Centre, said: "We are kicking off our celebrations with an event at the Goulds Garden Centre in Preston, Weymouth. There will be giveaways, demonstrations, discounts and a special travel through time, evening support at our Dorset Kitchen eatery. Goody bags will be handed out to the first 120 customers, whilst the lucky 120th customer through the door will also receive a hamper.

He added: "The celebrations will include discounts, giveaways and specialist demonstrations and tastings from selected suppliers at the in-store Dorset Kitchen food hall.

"In the plant area, you can pick up tips on planting your hanging basket with a demonstration from our resident expert, Sue, whilst Bill will be on hand to sharpen your secateurs for all those snipping jobs in your garden."

In the year Edward VII succeeded to the throne and the Boer War ended, Harold and Florence Gould opened a store stocked with general and fancy drapery in High East Street, Dorchester. 

Four generations later, the Gould family are still proudly running the business, serving the local community from two stores in South Street, offering clothing, accessories, home living, gifts, the Dorset Kitchen eatery and Dorset Kitchen Farm Shop.

In addition, the Goulds Garden Centre in Preston boasts a range of more than 25,000 product lines, including horticultural and outdoor leisure products, plants and gifts. Speciality food and drink from local suppliers and beyond are available in The Dorset Kitchen food hall, whilst The Dorset Kitchen eatery provides sumptuous meals and snacks.

Further along the coast, the group owns Fields of Sidmouth Department Store, which opened its doors in 1809.

The company has earned a reputation of quality goods and is no stranger to many major challenges over the years, ranging from wars to the pandemic

Chris Gould, company director, said: "There is no doubt the retail sector has and continues to meet strong challenges, evident from the many shops that have disappeared from the high street. We are most thankful for the support of our community, which has helped us keep the doors open and provide employment opportunities for local people."

To celebrate, the company will be holding events and competitions throughout the year, starting with the birthday party event at the Goulds Garden Centre.

Mr Gould added: "Serving our local communities with respectful, personal service, quality goods and great value is at the forefront of our business ethos, just as it was when my great grandparents started the business.

"We currently employ over 200 local people, some whose families have worked here for generations before them. None of this would be possible without the continued support we have received from our customers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their valued custom and extend a warm welcome to the exciting, fun packed shopping experience we have planned on the anniversary of the day we opened 120 years ago."

To reserve a table for the dinner, call 01305 836031 or email [email protected]