Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

This statement is made on behalf of Blue Diamond UK Limited pursuant to the section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and comprises our slavery and human trafficking statement. It outlines the steps we have taken as a business to identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain. We understand our responsibilities and are committed to improving our practises to combat slavery and human trafficking.

Our Business and supply chain

Blue Diamond Garden Centres is one of the country’s leading garden centres with 37 Garden Centres throughout the UK and Channel Islands and a growing online business. Our product range covers plants, gardening, indoor and outdoor living, fashion and farm shop products as well as operating restaurants across the Company. With our Head Office based in Guernsey, Channel Islands, we currently source our product range from over 2,239 suppliers from the UK and abroad.

Policies

We recognise that we alone cannot change the political and social conditions of the countries in which we do business, however, by working responsibly, and collaborating with our supply base, we will continue to further understand, influence and reduce the impact that our products have on the welfare of workers and the environment they work in. Where possible, we try to source all of our products from within the UK. The company will not support or deal with any business knowingly involved in slavery or human trafficking. Our main suppliers are all UK registered and many have a long history with us. Blue Diamond has strong employment and ethical standards and a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chain. All Blue Diamond colleagues are expected to report concerns through line management or to our HR Department on 01722 449098. We also encourage our suppliers to have the same level of feedback and transparency in place.

Our People

We employ 3,292 staff across our 37 locations, with all HR policies and procedures overseen by a central HR department. We have strict recruitment policies and checking procedures in place to ensure eligibility to work and use only reputable agencies to source temporary staff when required

Performance

Within our business, our policy is to monitor all potential breaches and manage each accordingly. However, we are pleased to announce that we have never had any reported issues where modern slavery has been highlighted as an issue within our business or supply chain. Within the supply base, compliance to requests and encouragement to participate with this practice is monitored. Where we feel certain suppliers are deliberately avoiding cooperation with these requests, we will cease trading with that supplier. The numbers of suppliers failing to cooperate or considered high risk are also monitored.

Due Diligence

Where suppliers are using labour in countries where modern slavery is a known issue, further investigations and evidence of compliance is sought from such suppliers. These suppliers are flagged as high risk until satisfactory evidence of compliance is received.

Training

We are embarking on a training programme for the Blue Diamond buying team in modern slavery and human trafficking and how to recognise potential risks. They along with all our staff are committed to our policy and our requirements of our suppliers.

Richard Hemans
Group Finance Director
9 April 2021