Toftwood Garden Centre was opened by Allan Read in March of 2011 as a natural development of of Reads nurseries, Dumpling green, Dereham , Norfolk which has been in the growing buisness since it was established in 1910 by his grew grandfather Francis Charles Read. Allan still grows perennials and other crops at the Dumpling Green site which are sold at the garden centre along with many other varieties of plants sourced from many local nurseries and beyond. He still trades under the name of F.C. Read & Son which was the name given to the business by his great grandfather. The son being his grandfather.