First Franchise has employed retail concession specialist Niall O’Regan as it continues to expand and develop its successful garden centre concession business.

Niall’s main role will be to identify and secure concession opportunities for retailers across all UK garden centres, and to assist in the roll-out of First Franchise’s new venture to garden centre operators, FF-Garden Centre Services.

Niall has a wealth of experience in the garden centre concession market, having previously worked at garden centre property advisors, Hammond Phillips, and latterly as an independent retail consultant for both national and local retailers, as TerraFirma Consultants.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to focus on a side of the garden centre concession business with massive potential," said Niall.

"Most garden centres now understand the benefits a good retail concession can provide, both as an additional offer to attract new customers and as a steady rental income to boost garden centre’s bottom line.

"First Franchise have a great team and I look forward to working with them to help grow the concession opportunities across the country.”