Langley Nurseries – Growing Resilience with Keder Greenhouse

Interview with Dave Bishop, Owner - 18 November 2025

A Traditional Nursery With Plants at Its Heart

Nestled in the depths of rural Wiltshire, Langley Nurseries stands as a true plant oasis - traditional, grower-led, and deeply rooted in horticultural passion. Owner Dave Bishop describes the business as “old school”, where plants - not merchandise - take centre stage. Their focus is simple - healthy, home-grown plants for the local community.

The site has a rich horticultural heritage. Originally owned by a market gardener who supplied plants to Dave’s father’s hardware store, the land was offered for sale only on the condition that it remained a growing site. When Dave purchased it in 2000, he honoured that wish wholeheartedly.

At the time, Dave was a full-time fireman. His days off were spent gradually transforming the nursery, supported first by his parents and later by his partner, Kath - a special needs teaching assistant.

In 2021, the couple made the bold decision to become full-time growers. Since then, Langley Nurseries has been open seven days a week, ten months of the year, building a loyal following drawn to their expertise, honesty and dedication.

Adapting Through Change

Dave and Kath’s commitment was perhaps most visible during the Covid period. While many nurseries struggled, they introduced a simple but effective appointment system via social media, allowing visitors to book restricted time slots. This kept the nursery semi-operational during an incredibly difficult time and strengthened their customer relationships.

Their customer base has evolved too. Once dominated by bedding plant sales, Dave has seen a shift toward sustainable, long-term planting choices. Perennials now play a much larger role as gardeners seek greater value and longevity from their purchases - although annuals remain a core part of the business.

Discovering Keder

Langley Nurseries first heard about Keder through a long-established wholesale grower in Bristol who had been using the Keder growing system for more than two decades. Encouraged by their experience, Dave decided to invest in his first Keder structure. Pleased with the results, he soon returned for more - eventually adding a total of four Keder Greenhouses to the site, including:

• an 8-metre commercial single span

• a 4-metre smallholder

• a 24-metre Triple Span commercial structure, now central to their production system.

Weather-Proof Growing for an Unpredictable Climate

With the increasingly volatile British climate, Dave says his Keder structures have become “invaluable.” As seasons become less defined and extreme weather events more common, the greenhouses provide:

Exceptional Insulation - Dave can get ahead of the growing season without using any heating, thanks to the thermal performance of the Keder cladding system.

Frost Protection - The structures provide reliable protection during cold snaps, ensuring tender young crops and early-season growth remain safe.

Superior Light Diffusion - Instead of plants stretching toward direct light, the diffused natural light within Keder houses keeps the crop compact and healthy - ideal for producing top-quality retail plants.

Outstanding Structural Strength - Wind resilience is a key factor for Dave. Keder’s robust design means he has no concerns during storm-force winds, as the system does not lose cladding the way traditional polytunnels can.

The strength of the high tensile steel triple span structure even allows him to hang a large number of seasonal hanging baskets.

“No Negatives to Report”

When asked whether there were any drawbacks to using Keder Greenhouses, Dave paused… and had no complaints whatsoever. For Keder, that is the highest praise.

Continuing to Grow Together

Langley Nurseries is now preparing for the installation of their sixth Keder structure, supporting their continued development and future expansion. The partnership between Keder and Langley Nurseries reflects the shared belief in long-term quality - building relationships that grow stronger year after year.

Just as Dave and Kath cultivate loyal customers with healthy plants and honest service, Keder is proud to support them with structures engineered for resilience, efficiency and lasting performance.

Visit the Langley Website at https://www.langleynurseries.co.uk/ or visit the garden centre at Swindon Road, Kington Langley, Chippenham, SN15 5NF