Thrive gardeners in the Christmas spirit
Gardeners from Thrive were delighted to be able to choose their own real Christmas tree from Notcutts Garden Centre, near Oxford. Read more
Thrive gardeners in the Christmas spirit
Gardeners from Thrive were delighted to be able to choose their own real Christmas tree from Notcutts Garden Centre, near Oxford. Read more
Frank P Matthews install 2,500 sqm Keder tunnel
As part of ongoing expansion, Frank P Matthews have added more covered area to their container tree unit capable of holding over 8000 trees. The new tunnel, supplied and built by Keder Greenhouse, will be used as an additional growing area during the summer months and also for an extra dispatch area through the winter. Read more
Plans for new Honiton GC look set for approval
Planning officials have recommended that plans for a new garden centre on the outskirts of Honiton are approved. Which means it could be trading by next spring. Read more
The new Bridgford Garden Centre rises from the ground
We have been sent a picture of the new Bridgford Garden Centre, near Nottingham as the steel is erected. It looks massive. Read more
Caution after a buoyant Easter
Garden centres report an excellent Easter and April with sales up 40% on last year and storm Katie. But chief executives tell us, “We must keep our feet on the ground,” and it will get tougher, with increased competition and inflation. Read more
2016 - a year of change
2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more
Garden Centres in the News
An example of when an event can backfire and two more garden centres look set to disappear into housing projects. Read more
Fire Brigade called to Wyevale’s Windlesham garden centre
The fire and rescue service was called to Wyevale’s Windlesham garden centre last week to rescue a man who was trapped upside down between two containers. Read more
Customers praise Trentham’s £1m new look
Blue Diamond completed a £1m refurbishment of Trentham Garden Centre at the end of March, winning the approval of its Staffordshire customers. Read more
Garden centres hitting the local headlines
A new garden centre opens near Braintree this week. A man is arrested for assaulting a woman at Fermoys and British Garden Centres buy a small garden centre in East Durham. Read more
Customers hit by sickness at Old Railway Line GC on Mothers’ Day
40 people became unwell after visiting Old Railway Line Garden Centre on Mothers’ Day. The source of the outbreak is not yet known, but Norovirus could be the cause. Read more
Consent for potential new Blue Diamond GC at Leeds
Consent has been granted for a Le Friquet style garden centre at Leeds, making it potentially the 18th garden centre for Blue Diamond. Read more
Director of Bristol garden centre must repay £125,000 after fraud conviction
Local newspapers report that the former finance director of Riverside Garden Centre in Bristol has been ordered to repay £125,000 stolen from a workers co-operative. Read more
Review of 2015 in the Garden Industry
2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more
GCA names its best garden centres for Christmas
The GCA has named fifteen garden centres around the UK with the best overall Christmas displays. Read more
Haskins Garden Centre in Roundstone gives chocolate to Wadars Animal Rescue volunteers for Christmas
Haskins Garden Centre in Roundstone has partnered with Wadars Animal Rescue to spread festive cheer to volunteers that give up their time to support animals in distress or danger over Christmas. Read more
Tree-mendous effort by local schools
Squire’s Garden Centres has announced that Long Ditton St Mary’s Junior School has won first prize in their “Decorate A Christmas Tree” competition. Read more
Fire and theft disrupt Garden Centres' Xmas trading
Webbs was ramraided, Father Christmas had to flee a blazing grotto at Notcutts and thieves have been active as garden centres get busy for Christmas. Read more
Investment pays off for Creative Gardens
Creative Gardens beats the GCA averages following improvement works. Overall, almost as many centres were down in July as up. Read more
Garden centres making the headlines around the country
Garden centres have made headlines in their areas for reasons as different as a fire, planning permission for housing, giving a facelift to a hospital garden and pleading not guilty to breaching planning laws. Read more
Petersham Nurseries to open in Covent Garden
Petersham Nurseries is to bring its passion for organic gardening, culinary excellence, ethical and sustainable sourcing to the heart of London in a new Floral Court luxury retail and residential development. Read more
GCA names best Garden Centres for Plants
The GCA has named the regional winners in the competition to find the best plant retailers. The garden centres will face a second inspection before the national winners are declared in January. Read more
GCA names its top UK Garden Centres
The Garden Centre Association names its best garden centres by region. The overall winners will be revealed at its January conference at St. Andrews from January 22 until 25. Read more
Stylish new look at Squire’s in Long Ditton
Squire’s Garden Centre in Long Ditton has a stylish new look, following a £700,000 investment to make it bigger and better than before! Read more
Council threatens Hare Hatch Sheeplands with an injunction
Wokingham Borough Council has threatened Hare Hatch Sheeplands with court action despite a planning appeal being scheduled for September and a local petition signed by 8500 supporters. Read more
Grovewell buys MacFarlanes, near Folkestone
Grovewell Garden Centre has added a third garden centre to its group with the acquisition of MacFarlanes at Hawkinge. Read more
Ingatestone garden centre ceases trading
Ingatestone Garden Centre in Billericay, Essex has been closed by its owner saying the business was no longer financially viable. Read more
Wyevale switches to Bord na Mona for its own brand compost
Bord na Mona emerges as the main growing media supplier to Wyevale Garden Centres, replacing Westland's William Sinclair. The range will be marketed as Wyevale’s own compost. Read more
Lovania has ambitious plans for Seoint
Lovania Nurseries acquires Seoint Nurseries and Neil Alcock is made managing director. Read more
Garden centres escape damage from the floods
Northern garden centres seem to have escaped damage from the floods, but congestion from the Forth Road Bridge closure has affected sales in Scotland. Read more