THE OWNER of a Rowley Regis garden centre told to close its gates by trading standards has hit out at regulations which have seen other shops and large chains remain open selling plants and flowers.

Jacqueline Williams, owner of Garden of Eden on Powke Lane, opposite Rowley Regis Crem sells plants, fresh flowers and pots as well as seasoned logs and coal.

The 56-year-old business owner is upset after Sandwell Council's Trading Standards came and told her to close her premises to drop-in customers on Thursday April 16, after complaints.

She says it's not fair as people are queuing up at stores such as B&Q, Aldi, Tesco and other supermarkets, which are selling plants.

Mrs Williams has been told she can take telephone orders only which she must then deliver and says she is working flat out to try to keep the business, which she has built up over a decade, afloat.

She said taking telephone orders for delivery is a time-consuming and labour intensive process.

The married mum-of-three said: "Deliveries are so much hard work. It can take ten minutes to describe a plant, then you've got to go and get it and transport it to the customer.

"I've had to rope family members in to help.

"I'm getting up at 4am and not finishing work till 5pm.

"Why am I as a small business owner not allowed to have customers on my premises when B&Q, Aldi, Tesco and other supermarkets are selling plants.

"We are being victimised. The government is looking after the big boys.

"And now you've got small convenience stores also stocking plants - there are markets which are open, vape shops are open

"We sell seasoned logs and coal which are essential items, so we should be allowed to open.

"Our yard is huge, you can get 30 people on here - we were only letting four people on and we were well organised and adhering to the social distancing rules

"People are going to B&Q for plants and queuing up."

Mrs Williams' husband is a self-employed builder so the family has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

She is allowed to sell flowers for funerals, but by appointment only and is only allowed one or two family members on the premises.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “A trading standards officer visited Garden of Eden following complaints they were still open and allowing customers on to the premises.

“Under the current legislation – The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 – certain businesses that sell essential goods such as food, medicine and those needed for the essential maintenance of a household can remain open.

“Government guidance has been that if a business sells essential goods, they can also carry on selling non-essential goods they may stock.

“Non-essential retailers are only allowed to take online and/or phone orders for delivery only.

“In the current circumstances, people should only be leaving their home for reasons such as buying food, medicine and the essential maintenance of their household.

“The government is regularly reviewing its advice on business closures, if changes are made, this will be reflected in the advice we to retailers.

“We’re committed to keeping the people of Sandwell safe and healthy.”