Today, The Outdoor Room starts it's 20th year of trading. Definitely a time for celebration, but not too much, because I know 2015 is going to be a busy one. If you'd asked me 20 years ago, where I would have seen myself today, I would have probably described a very different picture. I think I would have still been happy working on site with two or three other guys, rather than running round here there and everywhere making sure everything runs smoothly. 

I started off with a beaten up old-pick up and a few hand tools. My office was the spare bedroom and I remember working seven days a week often with 15 to 16 hour days. I had a new baby boy at the time called Samuel. He joined the firm last year and is now full time at Merrist Wood College; the same place I studied and taught. I employed one other person who went onto become a landscape architect who now practices in Hong Kong. As we got busier ,I knew I'd need more staff, but I always wanted the right people who would maintain the high standards I'd always set myself. Luckily, I found them and I've still got most of them today setting those standards and passing on their wealth of knowledge to the next generation. 

So what has made The Outdoor Room such a success story? Mainly, it's because I've been very lucky over the past 20 years to have worked with some of the most brilliant and dedicated staff. Their craftsmanship has made The Outdoor Room known as one of the best landscaping companies in the country today with standards that are second to none. 

We've got a few events lined up for the next year, but the big party is going to be in September 2015. 

Here's to another successful 20 years!

Cheers

DAVID DODD