Rowlinson celebrates 100 years of innovation
Rowlinson celebrates 100 years of innovation
Hillier reports strong profit growth despite challenging conditions
Hillier Nurseries Limited has posted robust results for the year ending 31 August 2025, with group turnover rising to £75.8 million, a 4% increase on the previous year. Profit before tax rose 74%. Read more - members only
New owner of Cranswick Garden Centre seeks further acquisitions
Cranswick Garden Centre, a long-established garden centre near Driffield in East Yorkshire, has been sold to Zak McCombie, who says he plans to use the acquisition as a platform for further expansion. Read more - members only
Opperman’s Nursery is out of administration
All jobs at Spalding-based ornamental plant nursery Opperman Plants have been safeguarded following the sale of the business and assets to Littleworth Nurseries Limited. Read more - members only
Caulders to purchase 11th Garden Centre in June
It has been announced that Merryhatton Garden Centre will be bought by Caulders - who currently own and operate 10 Centres across Central Scotland. Read more - members only
2025 - a year of significant success for Blue Diamond
2025 was a year of significant success for Blue Diamond, says chairman Simon Burke as Blue Diamond turns to AI to continue profits growth. Sales reached £395m, PBT grew to £31.4m. Read more - members only
Ryedale (Hortipak) closes print business
Ryedale Printing Works has closed its doors, after it ceased trading on Friday (1 May). Read more - members only
Caledonian Tree Company wins King’s Award for Enterprise
The Caledonian Tree Company has received a King’s Award for Enterprise for international trade success. Read more - open to all
Gates adds £6m to Woodlands in year 1
An entertaining Glee Retail Event was hosted by Gates Garden Centres, last week. Nigel Gates tells how he added £6m to Woodlands turnover in year 1. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond buys Holt Garden Centre
Blue Diamond Garden Centres has confirmed the acquisition of Holt Garden Centre, located on the Kelling Estate in North Norfolk. Read more - members only
Opperman Plants enters administration as sale process begins
Opperman Plants Ltd, the Lincolnshire‑based plant supplier, has entered administration after almost 30 years in business, with advisers now seeking a buyer while the company continues to trade. Read more - members only
Strong sales and profits growth in FY25 for Squire’s Garden Centres
Squire’s Garden Centres’ accounts for the financial year ending July 31, 2025 show strong sales and profits growth in a period of acquisitions and investment. Read more - members only
BGC acquires Moorlands Nurseries, Knaresborough
British Garden Centres makes its 6th Garden Centre acquisition of the year with the acquisition of Moorlands Nurseries in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Read more - members only
Louder, Faster, Bolder: Webb launches petrol lawnmower designed to be seen & heard
British garden machinery brand Webb Garden Power has today unveiled its most ambitious lawnmower yet: a high-spec 53cm petrol lawnmower designed to push the boundaries of what garden machinery can be. Read more - open to all
Today is the last day of trading for Ames UK
Today is the last day customers can buy stock from Kelkay, La Hacienda and Apta. The Ames UK company will then cease trading and be closed down in an orderly fashion. Read more - members only
World leading grass seed supplier opens Living Showcase in UK
World leading grass seed supplier, DLF Seeds, has opened a living showcase at its DC near Worcester featuring a tennis court, golf green, cricket pitch and wildflower meadows. Gardenforum visits this understated company. Read more - members only
Kingfisher delivers growth despite soft market; B&Q like-for-like sales decline
Weaker store sales due to a later spring, offset by strong online and marketplace growth, lead to weaker Feb – Apr sales at B&Q, as Kingfisher sales grow overall. Read more - members only
BGC buys St Bridget's in Exeter
Woodthorpe Hall Ltd, one of the companies making up British Garden Centres (BGC), has acquired the lease of St Bridget Nurseries, a garden centre business on the outskirts of Exeter. Read more - members only
Dümmen Orange and Syngenta Flowers agree ornamental merger
Dümmen Orange and Syngenta Flowers have agreed to establish a strategic joint venture combining Dümmen Orange’s expertise in cut flowers and Syngenta Flowers’ leadership in seed varieties, along with annual, perennial and potted plant portfolios. Read more - members only
M8 Group collapses into administration
M8 Group Limited, the Livingston‑based parent company behind online retailers Greenfingers and PetPlanet has collapsed into administration after a severe cyber attack and a sharp post‑pandemic fall in sales. Read more - members only
Kingfisher CEO Thierry Garnier to step down after seven years
Kingfisher has announced that Chief Executive Officer Thierry Garnier is to leave the group after nearly seven years in the role. Read more - open to all
Shaun Herdsman tells the story behind his online plant start-up
Shaun Herdsman introduced Accelopack to UK garden centres at GLEE. The service helps retailers sell plants online and ship orders to customers without having to build their own picking, packing and delivery set-up. Read more - members only
Bents donates £34,546 to Warrington Youth Zone
Bents Garden & Home has donated £34,546.55 to Warrington Youth Zone after a year of fundraising supported by customers and colleagues. Read more - open to all
Squire’s welcomes a fourth family member into the garden centre group
Ben Baily has been appointed assistant centre manager at Squire’s Milford, adding a 2nd member of the Squire family's fourth generation to the retailer’s management team. Read more - open to all
Perrywood survey inspires 2026 theme: ‘Your Garden…’
Perrywood says a 4,500-strong customer survey shows gardens boost wellbeing, inspiring its 2026 theme “Your Garden, Your Happy Place” and new display gardens. Read more - members only
STIGA wins three iF Design Awards for robotic and digital innovations
STIGA has secured three iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 titles, recognising excellence across its latest robotic mowing and digital solutions. Read more - open to all
BGC reopens Grantham Garden Centre after major refresh
Grantham Garden Centre has reopened its doors following a full makeover by British Garden Centres, with BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost cutting the ribbon. Read more - members only
Woodlodge takes on UK distribution of Artevasi pots
Woodlodge Products Ltd becomes the UK distribution partner for Artevasi plant pots from 1 April 2026, ensuring continuity of supply and support for garden centres following the closure of Ames UK. Read more - members only
“YourLocal” garden centre group opens No5
Everton Nurseries, near Lymington in the New Forest has been bought by Paul Richards of Your Local Garden Centre Group and Charlotte Richards of Plants for Trade West Parley.. Read more - members only
YGC sets out strategy to grow Yorkshire Garden Centres to £50m
Mark Farnsworth told GIMA members how Yorkshire Garden Centre Group (YGC) plans to grow turnover to £50m, to ensure a profitable stable group at a time when costs are rising. Read more - members only