The Story
Welcome! My name is Thomas, though many call me Tom Pots.
Tom's Yard exists to bring you quality terracotta pots, backed up by the most passionate service one can deliver. I'm a big believer in doing business the proper way; So if you ever need me, you can contact me directly on 07557 902675.
I started Tom's Yard at 23, totally new to Horticulture, and in that time quite a lot has changed. I never thought I'd see my pots on television, in the English Garden Magazine, nor in some of the gardens I've gone on to visit... and if you said I'd one day be in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year Awards, I'd probably laugh!
Over the past few years I've been fortunate to supply pots into spaces of all shapes & sizes. The gardens of private buyers range from city balconies & terraced homes through to quaint cottages & private estates... and on a commercial front I've supplied pots to various production companies, designers, developers, boutique hotels and even into Harrods.
Tom's Yard started when I began working with a small pottery in Crete. The early days, I must admit, were very challenging... I was dead-broke, had moved back to living with my Mother, and the overriding pandemic really didn't help things.
Fast forward and in time, business finally stepped up. Firstly, I expanded the range by importing a new collection of premium terracotta from Italy. Then I made the jump and moved into Tom's Yard 2.0. This brand new compound was larger, easier to access and proved far more suitable to meet the needs of the growing business.
Then the business expanded again and, this time, I really went for it. I began working with a small pottery in Vietnam, being their first ever UK customer, and I finally managed to get round to designing my own range of traditionally inspired terracotta pots, all hand-thrown here in England.
Outside Work
From a young age I've been raised in Herefordshire and it's a county that I've come to passionately love. The rolling landscape, quality local produce, and fantastic people... what a place!
I'm a big believer in trying to make the most of life and I think as a local 'businessman' I have a role to play in my community. Around work I'm a member of the Hereford & Worcester Gardens Trust, the Supplier Coordinator for the YPHA (Young People in Horticulture Association), a Trustee of Herefordshire Growing Point and Founding Chairman of Ross-on-Wye Round Table.
A lot of people say that I just don't stop - and I'd probably agree!
A Bit About Me
After finishing my studies at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester (the 'RAU' or even the RAC to some!), I headed back home to join the family interiors business. Selling furniture, paints and flooring from a young age, I've always enjoyed helping people. In fact, when I was younger I dreamed of becoming a butler!
After returning home I eventually spread my wings and went off to work with Europe's largest retailer of Decorative Antiques. Running their main high street showroom, I was immersed into a world of fine furniture & garden statutory and it was here that I developed my passion for supplying quality wares of an authentic, hand-made nature.
