For well over 10 years Ollie Halford and his team have been getting into the houses of Fleet, Crookham and Farnham at Christmas by supplying freshly cut Christmas Trees at fair prices. You only have to look at the number of Facebook comments from loyal customers when Ollie announced he was back for 2023, to know that customers love the trees and adore the service. One message that particularly caught my eye was from a lady just crossing the equator on her cruise ship, announcing she would be back in the UK in good time to collect her tree from Ollie.
Fleet residents are a savvy bunch and they know a good deal from a bad one. Garden Centres in particular appear to take the view that people have limitless funds when it comes to a Nordman fir, without any guarantee it is fresher than from anywhere else around. Ollie has an excellent supplier and I can vouch for that as driving past there is always a good selection of stock with non-drop Nordmann Firs starting at 3ft going up 11ft tall. Onve you have selected your tree the bottom can be sawn and chunked to fit your stand. So a great piece of advice is to bring you Christmas Tree stand with you. That way you cut down on the preparation before the fun of decoration starts! The team also has lots of top tips on caring for your tree so looks its best on the big day and through to the New Year
What stands out with Ollie and is repeated over and over on the socials is that going to The Tweseldown to get the tree is a family experience and a key part of xmas preparation. Make it fun and they will come proclaims Ollie!
It's not just sweets and treats, but making children integral to the purchase expereince. There's nothing like watching a 3ft child trying to heave a 6ft tree through a netting machine. But let them try first and then get the adults involved. Once the tree is netted and put in the car, there's still time for a selfie with a face inside an illustrated tree. That's great for engagement, but it doesn't end there.
Ollie knows the value of viral marketing locally and encourages his customers to share pictures of their tree once decorated, tagging the Facebook page in the process. It's a sharp marketing operation behind the smiles and banter front of house.
What is less well-known are the other Christmas related products available. These include wreaths and smaller pot-grown trees.
Ollies Christmas Trees, Fleet is open from 18 November right up until Christmas at The Tweseldown Pub car Park on Beacon Hill Road in Fleet. For up to date information, follow the Facebook Page.
