Steve Evans

I formed Kingston Garden Services (as it was then) in 1986. I was able to start my business as I was a recipient of the “Enterprise Allowance Scheme”. This benefit was introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s Government to stimulate the creation of small businesses. In order to qualify you had to have been unemployed for a minimum of eight weeks and also have access to £1,000 pounds. If you could do this, then the Government would guarantee you £40 per week for a year. I didn’t have £1000 but I bought a ticket in the Kingston-upon-Thames Lottery for £1 and I won first prize of £1,000. Other recipients of this scheme include Alan McGee head of Creation Records, Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton, the founders of Viz magazine and artist Tracey Emin.

The business remained in Kingston and was successful, but it was limited as I operated out of my then house. The business started to become more significant when I purchased a freehold business premises in Kingston in 1991. The company then really started to gain momentum, and we built a reputation locally for good quality work. Our ranks swelled to approximately 15 people.

Over the next 5-10 years we diversified; and found a niche in working in the Commercial sector, particularly for Developers. This gave us access to bigger projects and went some way to reducing our reliance on the domestic, seasonal market.

Next big leap forward was 2001 when we took over the defunct Bridge Farm Nursery site in Whitton. This 18-acre premises allowed us to create a nursery/ landscape supply business as well as providing a depot for the landscaping side of the business. This again facilitated a significant leap in capacity and therefore turnover. We went from strength to strength and were able to weather several economic downturns including the global recession of 2008.

Once the economy picked up, we again acquired a further business premises. The Otter Nursery was acquired in 2009, and a significant amount of money was invested to create a smart retail nursery with growing facilities to provide our own plants.

Growth continued strongly and the Otter became established as a local provider of landscape materials and quality plants. Furthermore, new teams of landscapers were based here in order for the contracting side of the business to continue to grow. Specialised office staff were recruited, and the re-branded Kingston Landscape Group became a significant player in the landscaping sector in the South-East winning numerous contracts and prestigious awards for some significant schemes over a number of years.

In 2023, we acquired and refurbished an office block to serve as the headquarters for KLG, positioning ourselves for future growth.

I think Margaret Thatcher’s modest investment has provided a very good return.