Shop reviews UK

A-Zee Hydroponica, Rainham

The three guys that run A-Zee Hydroponica in Rainham have a good 30 years’ combined experience in the hydroponics field, reckons founder Sean. He himself used to work in a nearby head shop, and co-founder Lee at a nearby grow shop, before the two of them set up for themselves in February this year. The shop has gone from strength to strength, recently taking over the floor below them to make a total of about 2000 square feet of retail space – ample room for the five or so working systems set up (works in progress), as well as a good stock of mainly hydro gear, plus an organic soil selection, some coco, clay pebbles and pots, and the usual extractor fans and other grow room essentials. A—Zee’s customer base extends throughout Essex, and beyond into London thanks to its close proximity to the M25. They will deliver within a 25 mile radius, or they will rent their van to anyone needing to travel further afield. There’s parking for six vehicles (more at the weekend when the other unit tenants are away). A-Zee nearly became a celebrity grow shop when the BBC sent its Panorma crew down for a day’s filming. “It was excellent fun – for us as well as them,” says Charlie. In the end the BBC decided to focus more on the teenage-psychosis angle. “I was gutted we didn’t make it into the programme,” he says. “Though I have to admit my feelings were a bit mixed beforehand. Maybe it’s better in the long run to just keep the business as quiet as possible. But we strongly believe there should be legalisation and registration for growing.” “Our philosophy is we are here to help everyone, from the cupboard gardener to the commercial grower, “ says Charlie.

A-Zee Hydroponica Unit B2-1st Floor, Suttons Business Park, New Road, Rainham, Essex RM13 8DE Tel: +44 (0) 1708 551199 www.a-zee-hydroponica.com Open: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Mon – Fri; 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Sat.

Gloucestershire Hydroponics, Brimscombe

When Susan’s former grow shop closed in the late-90s, the local grower community felt its absence sorely. “The empty space was very apparent, not just in the sense that there was no local place to pick up your supplies, but that there was no place for growers to meet and chat,” she says. “Hydro shops are a benign space where we can get together; most growers are proud of what they do and need that space.” So the green-fingered of Gloucestershire breathed a sigh of relief when she re-opened for business in November 2003, after a gap of nearly five years. The social space has been re-instated, and the aim eventually is to expand the Italian espresso machine into a full café facilities. Located on a discrete industrial estate just outside the small Cotswold town of Stroud, GH has a large but not comprehensive stock of all soil- and hydro-growing supplies. The aim after two years in operation, says Susan, is “to cut back the stock to only the very best and newest. The ‘newest’ is important; there’s a big element of boysand-their-toys in this business,” she laughs. The shop stocks a good collection of books on all aspects of growing, and there are two grow rooms set up with orchids in them. It also stocks the new-ish Ecosystem growing chamber from Canada which is selling well, and the Envirolite lamps are also good sellers, says Susan. This friendly shop has a lot of in-house expertise that customers can call on, including a physics PhD (the resident lighting expert), and Susan, who is a highly accomplished hydro-horticulturalist herself. She is also very proud of the shop’s community role, such as sponsorship of a local school’s science project. “We got on the phone and raised 2000 pounds of equipment from our suppliers,” says Susan. “We have a letter of thanks from the headmaster and lots of really positive feedback. The kids are very excited and it has really opened up hydroponics to a wider community.” She thinks such involvement is part of the shop’s duty. “We are passionate about our involvement in the market,” she says. “None of us want to break the law, but we do feel the train towards greater acceptance in society is moving forward in the UK. In a sense, we have picked up the mantle from the Netherlands. “I very much feel that there are many people who are trying to ‘come out’ in the same sense as the gay movement in the 80s. It’s all a question of numbers.” Carrying on the ‘empowerment’ theme, Susan says she would love to see more women in growing. “There are many women who smoke for many reasons, but traditionally we have sat back and let the lads sort it out for us. I strongly believe all of us, men and women, have the right to be empowered by growing their own supplies.” In many ways, she says, “women are more suited to growing: we have more patience and tolerance, and are less goal-oriented, as in ‘just get it done’. Personally, I’m far more interested quality.”

Gloucestershire Hydroponics, Unit 4 Hope Mill Business Centre, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2SE Tel: +44 (0) 1453-887481 www.gloucestershirehydroponics.com

Open: 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM Mon – Fri; 8.30 AM – 2.00 PM Sat.

The Green Room, Chelmsford

Opened just over three years ago, The Green Room in Chelmsford is the ideal place to get everything you need to raise some green ‘Essex Girls’ of your own. Owner Gary is a highly experienced amateur grower who now puts his knowledge to good use, and is always ready to dish out the advice to customers of all levels of experience. The large shop is located in a quiet street in the centre of town, with parking out the back for those of a cautious disposition. There are a couple of grow tents set up inside, and the rest of the space is devoted to hydro- and soil-related stock. There are no scales, pipes or other head gear, but they do sell seeds. Customers so far tend to be locals and from other parts of Essex. There is as yet no mail order available; it’s one of those ‘web-site is in the works’ situations.

The Green Room, 154a Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 0LD Tel: +44 (0) 1245 262 221 www.thegreenroomuk.com Open: 10.00 – 5.30 Mon – Sat.

Hi-Supply (On-line)

Hi-Supply was opened in early 2005 by Jo, Paul and Dave. It runs along side Paul and Dave’s shop Hydro Dragon, a hydroponics store located in Cardiff. All three of them have an interest in the ever-changing scene, and now they have brought together a wide collection of classic and new strains, with the intention of expanding their seed bank to include as many worthy candidates as possible. Hi-Supply runs as an internet and mail order ‘seed and post harvest company’. Stocking a wide range of seeds from established companies such as Serious Seeds, Soma Seeds, Paradise Seeds, TH Seeds and many more... In addition to the seeds, the post-harvest equipment consists of hash-making devices, vapourisers, grinders, papers and books. Quality and customer satisfaction are the main priority at Hi-Supply. A user-friendly website should be up and running by the time you read this write up, offering excellent prices with easy and secure on-line credit card payment facilities. Offers will be available on seed purchases ranging from free postage and packing on seeds, to other various free gifts. You can contact Hi-Supply via their web site, or you can call them on 0845 8386108, calls to which are only charged at local rate prices! Originally opened to fill the gap in the local market, Hi-Supply can now serve the rest of the U.K. Jo, Paul and Dave invite you to check them out at www.hi-supply.com!