BGC completes the purchase of Hillview
Hillview Garden Centres has been trading as part of British Garden Centres since September, but only today has the deal been completed for BGC to buy them from the Hillview Group. Read more - members only
BGC completes the purchase of Hillview
Hillview Garden Centres has been trading as part of British Garden Centres since September, but only today has the deal been completed for BGC to buy them from the Hillview Group. Read more - members only
The Solar Centre expands into new premises
The Solar Centre has moved into a new warehouse, 5 times the size of its previous site to accommodate its rapid growth of 40% per annum. Read more - members only
Westland announces two key appointments
Two appointments at Westland Horticulture: Simon McArdle becomes marketing and category director at Gardman Crest and Mark Sage joins from Wyevale to become head of commercial horticulture. Read more - open to all
Apta has been acquired by AMES
Griffon Corporation has announced that its subsidiary AMES has bought Apta, to add to its purchases of Kelkay, Anchorfast and La Hacienda. Read more - members only
"If you do nothing else, do Crazy Golf" Guy Topping
If you do nothing else, do Crazy Golf, said Guy Topping at the HTA Conference, explaining his development of the Flower Bowl, a leisure experience at Barton Grange Garden Centre. Read more - members only
Administrators appointed at National Polytunnels Ltd
Administrators have been appointed at National Polytunnels (01656315). The phones are not being answered and the website has been suspended. Read more - members only
HTA commits to creating a Sustainability Roadmap
What are the industry plans for environment? The HTA will create a Sustainability roadmap that it hopes the different voices in horticulture will unite behind. Read more - members only
Tough start for new Kingfisher CEO
There is much to do to improve our performance says Thierry Garnier, reporting his first quarterly results for Kingfisher. They show a like for like drop in sales at B&Q of -3.4%. Read more - members only
Plans lodged for a new Blue Diamond garden centre
Plans have been submitted to build a garden centre that would be operated by Blue Diamond in the walled garden of the Elveden Estate. Read more - members only
New distribution centre for Kettler
Brand new £2m market-leading distribution centre takes centre stage at Kettler HQ. The extra high facility, which is centrally located adjacent to its current warehouse, will treble the company’s current onsite capacity. Read more - open to all
Warning for top online plant retailers
A free Insight report by Salience shows the top online plant retailers and how some well-known names have lost search engine visibility… Download the report and get advice. Read more - members only
Mike Lind on the GCA, independence and the minimum wage
Monkton Elm’s Mike Lind gets ready to hand over the chairmanship of the GCA and warns that the proposed increase in minimum wage could be a significant threat for the garden centre sector. Read more - members only
Squires rolls out a new image
Squires is rolling out a storewide brand and signage refresh across its 15 garden centres. It has started with Badshot Lea. Read more - members only
YouGarden gets backing for MBO
YouGarden, the multi channel garden retailer whose revenues have grown 35% pa for the last 5 years, has completed an MBO with the backing of Kester Capital. Read more - members only
Westonbirt Arboretum buys Silk Wood House
Forestry England and the Friends of Westonbirt have added to the National Arboretum for the first time in nearly 200 years by buying the next door Silk Wood House. Read more - members only
Camping World leases part of Chichester Garden Centre
Seaward Properties has leased half the space at the Chichester garden centre to Campingworld. The site, a Wyevale Garden Centre until August, has undergone an extensive refurbishment in the last 5 months. Read more - members only
Dobbies to lead the future of Garden Centre retailing
2018-19 accounts just filed for Dobbies reveal a strategic plan to lead the future of garden centre retailing, a loss before tax of £14m and that it paid £70m for six garden centres. Read more - members only
Strikes opens rebuilt Stokesley garden centre after fire
After a devasting fire in April 2018, Klondyke has announced the opening of a brand new Strikes Garden Centre and restaurant at Stokesley. Read more - members only
Dobbies to consider float in a year or so UPDATED
Dobbies says that its underlying sales are around £300m after acquisitions and 5% like for like growth. Chairman Andrew Bracey says it will look to float on the Stock Exchange “in a year or so”. Read more - members only
New Welcome building boosts sales at RHS Wisley
Sales have risen 24% at RHS Wisley since the opening of its new Welcome building in June, attracting the younger shopper. Houseplant sales are up 62%. Read more - members only
Decco Mills is Hillier’s garden shop supplier of the year
Among the winners at Hillier’s Awards Dinner were: Botley, Hillier’s garden centre of the year; Meon Valley, Horticultural Supplier of the year; and Decco Mills. Read more - members only
Sir Terry says garden spend could double
Sir Terry Leahy former CEO of Tesco and current investor in Dobbies explained how retailing has changed. Garden centres are well placed, gardening spend could double because of today’s issues. Read more - members only
NemaKnights exclusive for DECCO
Environmental Factors have appointed DECCO Ltd as their exclusive distributor for NemaKnights. Read more - open to all
John Lewis opens concept store with garden design and farm shop
John Lewis opens a concept store experience at Southampton where specialists will advise on everything from wine and gardening to interiors and technology. Read more - members only
B&M continues store openings
With 645 B&M store in the UK. B&M says it is becoming the destination store for important product categories from toys and Christmas decorations to gardening and DIY. Read more - members only
The Internet Gardener to enter liquidation
The Internet Gardener has ceased trading and issued a notice of intent to enter liquidation. Read more - members only
Notcutts chairman to step down
Notcutts is to start the search for a new chairman, following the announcement that Nicky Dulieu is stepping down. Read more - open to all
Agrumi sells wholesale nursery to Folium and Flos Plants
Agrumi has announced that Folium and Flos Plants will be taking over its wholesale nursery on November 1st. It will remain business as usual. Read more - members only
Work starts on 40,000ft extension to Selby GC
Work has started on an extension to Selby Garden Centre in Yorkshire that is too small to be profitable. The additions will more than double its turnover. Read more - members only
Garden centres hit by Bonmarché administration
As many as 20 garden centres could be affected by the Bonmarché administration at the end of last week. Read more - members only