How being more environmentally sound grew Christmas sales

GIMA hears how the drive by the Gardens Group for Christmas displays that are more environmentally sound than anyone else's has lifted sales and won awards. Read more - members only

Love gardening #whatevertheweather says BGC

British Garden Centres is launching a spring campaign, "#Whatevertheweather", to encourage people to rekindle their love for gardening and spend time outdoors. Read more - members only

Yorkshire Garden Centres appoints from within

Dave Denton from Cleckheaton has been promoted to centre manager at the long established Bingley Garden Centre at Harden Read more - open to all

Dave Denton Abi Peek and Gavin Dickinson

Centurion Europe Ltd has acquired Mulch.

Will Armitage Chairman of Mulch. Ltd said, "We are so pleased that our fledgling Mulch. brand of Gardening Gloves and Tools has a new home at Centurion Europe Ltd.” Read more - members only

Yorkshire Garden Centres acquire 2 more centres

Bradford-based Yorkshire Garden Centres has announced it is to operate two more sites in Yorkshire.  Read more - members only

Dean's, York

Homebase is up for sale reports The Times

Homebase could soon be sold to new owners after talks were held with a number of potential buyers, reports The Times. Read more - members only

Woodthorpe Hall and Dobbies fined for breaking regulations

Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centres has been fined for displaying cushions without fire labels.  Dobbies has been penalised for failing to pay the minimum wage or national living wage. Read more - members only

credit: EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

Chat from aisles of the Garden Press Event

300 members of the garden media visited around 100 exhibitors at a buzzing Garden Press Event. Best new product was a Dipping Tank. Blue Diamond won the Best Stand award. Read the chat. Read more - members only

The Dipping Tank

Cotton Traders explains garden centre strategy

With concessions in 64 garden centres, Nick Hamblin the COO of Cotton Traders explains how he drives traffic into the stores. Read more - open to all

Bridgnorth to become the biggest in BGC group

British Garden Centres has confirmed plans to double the size of Bridgnorth garden centre near Wolverhampton, making it the biggest garden centre in the group. Read more - members only

Dobbies Garden Centres launches outlet stores

Dobbies has opened two new outlet stores at its branches in Morpeth in Northumberland and Atherstone in Warwickshire. Read more - members only

Dobbies appoints new Commercial Director

Dobbies has appointed Andy Hannan as Commercial Director.  He replaces Richard Hodges who has stepped down from this role. Read more - open to all

Andy Hannan, Dobbies Commercial Director.

Commercial Director to leave Dobbies

Richard Hodges, who joined Dobbies in November 2021, has announced that he is preparing to leave the group and prepare for the next chapter of his life. Read more - open to all

Richard Hodges

Notcutts CEO discusses how the company has developed

Since 2015, when Nick Burrows joined Notcutts, the company has upgraded almost its entire portfolio of 18 garden centres and invested in developing its people. Read more - members only

Nick Burrows

Greenwood Plants named ‘International Grower of the Year’

Greenwood Plants won three awards, including overall ‘International Grower of the Year’ at the annual AIPH awards, held at IPM Essen, Germany on 24th January. Read more - members only

Melanie Asker with Jaap Huisman of Greenwood Holland and Commercial Director Alastair Fairbairn

Strictly Blue Diamond at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool

760 staff and suppliers glammed up and danced Strictly at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool as Blue Diamond confirmed it has become Britain's biggest group and revealed its top performers. Read more - members only

Alan Roper celebrates best large garden centre award with the Newbridge team

More on Dobbies new own brand horticultural products

Dobbies is adding 69 new own brand products this month.  They include gardening tools, indoor grow lights and a selection of new bulbs. Read more - members only

Indoor grow light

Nurseries call for a peat-free logo

British growers: Bransford, New Leaf and Frank P Matthews, guided garden centres around their production facilities and discussed the peat-free future. Read more - members only

Bransford Garden Plants

Delayed accounts show losses at Homebase

The Times reveals that yet to be published accounts for Homebase show heavy losses and sales down 11% in 2022, a challenging year. Read more - members only

Seed shortages due to border confusion

The shortage of tomato and other seeds due to the destruction of bulk quantities of seed at the UK border was a big talking point at the Garden Press Event. Read more - members only

AI generated view of seed checking at the border

Haskins plans biggest project yet

Haskins submits plans to redevelop Forest Lodge garden centre and Birdworld.  However, trading confidence must improve before any development would start.  Read more - members only

Klondyke showcases 2024 outdoor living ranges

A sprinkling of Sherbert at Klondyke Group's Outdoor Living Showcase Event hosted this week at our Polmont centre. Read more - open to all

Plants for Europe and Altman working together

Plants For Europe Limited (PFE) is working with California-based Altman Plants, to bring their stunning plant varieties to Europe and the UK.  Read more - members only

 Agapanthus Atomic Bloom

Blackstone BBQ Griddle comes to the UK

Blackstone, America’s leading griddle brand with over 80% market share, is entering the UK market through an exclusive partnership with JDM Products. Read more - members only

Flowerpot merger announced

Naylor Gardenware has agreed to merge with Smith & Jennings with effect from Friday 1 March 2024. Read more - members only

Above inflation pay rise at B&Q

B&Q claims to be the highest paying major retailer in the country after above inflation wage rises. Read more - members only

BGC takes the covers off Fern Living

British Garden Centres has taken the wraps off Fern Living, an outdoor living brand that will be unique to the group. Read more - members only

Bells Horticultural acquires Peter Beales Roses

Family-run Bells Horticultural announces the acquisition of the Peter Beales Roses business and assures customers of a smooth transition. Read more - members only

Apta relocates to East Yorkshire

Apta, a pot and planter brand with a 35-year heritage, has recently relocated to a new home at the AMES Companies headquarters in Pollington, East Yorkshire. Read more - members only

Pollington

Evergreen business performance was strong in 2023

Accounts for Evergreen Garden Care Ltd for the year to 30 Sept 2023 show an operating profit of €38m before finance charges of €65m. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive