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The founder and owner of Avant Garden has been chosen to feature in the Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album which celebrates the life of Her Majesty the Queen.
Nick Martel has been chosen as one of 70 individuals and organisations to be featured in the publication. It’ll explore his life’s work and how he founded the boutique garden company.
Mr Martel founded Avante Garden 22 years ago after spending time in Germany and Holland. After visiting German and Dutch boutiques he realised Guernsey didn’t have the same offering.
“When I came back the idea was to develop a boutique style garden shop,” he said.
Pictured: Avant Garden celebrated its 21st birthday last year while hosting a stand at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Avante Garden has evolved over the years and Mr Martel has been involved in satellite shops around the island while promoting his sole supplier of bronze statues. He used to be responsible for developing the Christmas displays outside Fruit Export.
He was approached in 2016 for a major event in London but had to decline at the time. “I didn’t hear from them again until this spring,” he said.
Mr Martel has now been interviewed over Zoom and will be featured in the album which is currently available for pre-order.
“Being in the only official book published for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant is amazing; it will sit in people’s homes for years and years and be a lasting commemoration of a momentous occasion,” he said.
“I channel so much energy and passion into Avant Garden and it’s incredible to look back and see how much the business has achieved and grown over the past 22 years. To have this recognised and celebrated in such a prestigious publication is an indescribable honour and something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Pictured: “It’s a stroke of luck, I never dreamt this was going to happen – it’s too good to be true,” said Mr Martel.
The publication explores and showcases outstanding individuals from across the British Isles and Mr Martel claims he is the only person featured from the Crown Dependencies.
It’ll be published in honour of the Queen’s jubilee weekend on 5 June.
“Being part of the official publication for the Pageant goes beyond a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, continued Mr Martel.
“I cannot wait to attend the launch event in June and be immersed in what is anticipated to be a reawakening of the creative sector.”
You can view some of Avante Garden’s products at an event at St Pier Park from 13 April to 14 May.
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