Spoga+Gafa confirms its position as the leading platform
This years’ Spoga+Gafa show in Cologne attracted some1,600 exhibitors and 26,000 trade visitors from across Europe, North America and the Antipodes. Garden furniture, outdoor cooking and garden hardware and machinery were all strongly represented. Read more - members only
Long-established nursery acquired by G-Scapes
G-Scapes of Lichfield Ltd - already operators of Fullbrook Nursery - have acquired the Boultons Nurseries site in Staffordshire, in a move which enhances the companies’ commitment to sustainable horticulture. Read more - members only
UPDATED Blue Diamond is expected to buy top GCA garden centre
Blue Diamond is expected to buy Barton Grange Garden Centre, the GCA’s Destination Garden Centre of the Year for 2025. Read more - members only
Simpsons acquires its 3rd Garden Centre
Simpsons, in Inverness, has acquired Christies Garden Centre in Fochabers, Moray, extending the group across the North-East corridor from Inverness to Aberdeenshire. Read more - members only
Shock at leniency shown to garden centre thieves
Director is appalled at leniency shown to thief who stole goods worth £600 from Tates of Sussex. And, elsewhere, Jellycat thefts continue, this time at St Peter’s. Read more - members only
Desch Plantpak announces restructuring and leadership change
Desch Plantpak B.V., a leading manufacturer of sustainable horticultural solutions, has announced a strategic restructuring of its operations to strengthen long-term competitiveness. Read more - members only
Otter Garden Centres add number 8
Southwest based garden centre chain, Otter Nurseries and Garden Centres have confirmed the purchase of their 8th site, the former Whitehall Garden Centre (and fellow Tillington member) at Whitchurch, Bristol. Read more - members only
Dobbies Hungerford Store relaunches following refurbishment
Dobbies Garden Centre in Hungerford has celebrated a relaunch, as part of the garden centre’s nationwide store refurbishment programme. This is the third in Dobbies’ extensive programme of investment across its store estate. Read more - members only
Record numbers on Day 1 of the HTA National Plant Show
There were record visitors at day one of the HTA National Plant Show at Stoneleigh. Here's some of the chat from the aisles. Read more - members only
HTA warns of volatile market
The best trading period in recent memory for garden centres was absolutely vital in helping to manage costs, including shipping (+70%), in a volatile market says HTA. Read more - members only
Pershore College Garden Centre and Wholesale Plant Nursery to close
Pershore College is to close its on-site plant centre and cash and carry unit, allowing the College to create and focus on a “student-led plant production unit”. Read more - members only
MBE for Richard Jackson
Richard Jackson has been awarded the MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for services to Children's Hospices. He is the founder and president of The Greenfingers Charity. Read more - open to all
