Caledonia investment could reshape Blue Diamond and accelerate garden centre consolidation
Blue Diamond shareholders approve Caledonia’s £60m investment, significantly boosting its capital for acquisitions and potentially accelerating change in the fragmented garden centre market. Read more - members only
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Return of first Hosepipe ban
South East Water has announced a hosepipe ban for around 850,000 customers in Kent, citing record demand and sustained high temperatures that have pushed its network beyond capacity. Read more - members only
Durston to increase capacity with move to new site
Durston Garden Products is preparing to move production to a new 25-acre site in Somerset to increase capacity, and open the family business up to opportunities in new market sectors. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond to buy major Gloucestershire garden centre
Blue Diamond is to buy Highfield Garden World at Whitminster in Gloucestershire. Staff have been informed today. Read more - members only
Hillier secures approval to rebuild Chichester garden centre
Hillier has received planning approval to demolish and rebuild its ageing Chichester garden centre on the road between Fishbourne and Bosham. Read more - members only
Crowds flock to RHS Badminton
Roads were clogged for miles around Badminton, such was the demand to visit on day 1 of new RHS Flower Show that has replaced the Hampton Court Show this year. Read more - members only
spoga+gafa reverses date change decision
spoga+gafa has abandoned plans to move away from its June timeslot and will remain a June event after strong representations from exhibitors, retailers and industry bodies. Read more - members only
Chat from the aisles of the National Plant Show
A difficult spring season set the tone at this year’s National Plant Show, with growers and retailers reflecting on challenging weather and rising costs. Read more - members only
Hillier announces progress on proposed sale of Hemel Hempstead
Hillier Garden Centres is progressing with the proposed sale of its Hemel Hempstead site, with closure now expected by the end of January 2027, subject to completion. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond secures £60m growth investment
Blue Diamond plans to raise £60 million from Caledonia Investments to fund acquisitions, expansion and shareholder buy-backs, strengthening its position as the UK’s leading garden centre group.
Read more - members only
Gates buys the freehold of Woodlands
Gates has secured the long-term future of Gates Woodlands Hinckley, by buying the freehold of the site it first leased in February 2025. Last month it revealed massive turnover growth in its first year of operations. Read more - members only
