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

Amy Stubbs, Adam Frost & Libby Stubbs

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

Maria Currie, Alessio & Simon Collyer, Charlotte Richards, Paul Richards, Toby & Lucy Collyer

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

Mark Farnsworth

Sales and trading profits increase at Yorkshire Garden Centres

YGC Group Limited reports 5.1% sales growth to £26.5m, improved EBITDA and reduced losses, despite weaker restaurant and play business performance and rising costs. Read more - members only

Kingfisher to roll out agentic AI shopping

Kingfisher has announced a multi‑year partnership with Google Cloud to introduce agentic AI‑powered shopping across its e‑commerce platforms, including B&Q in the UK. Read more - members only

Dobbies Garden Centres invests £1.5m in nationwide foodhall rollout

Dobbies Garden Centres has completed a £1.5m investment in a new foodhall concept, which has been rolled out across 48 of its UK garden centres. Read more - members only

The restaurant investment at Weyhill points to the future for Hillier

Betty Hillier, 6th generation descendant of the founders, cut the ribbon on the Weyhill restaurant relaunch, offering the first glimpse into plans to elevate the Hillier profile. Read more - members only

At last, BGC completes purchase of Alton Garden Centre

The delayed purchase of Alton Garden centres by BGC, announced today, sees another of the sector’s great characters retire from the sector.  Read more - members only

Recent acquisitions by British Garden centres.

Klondyke acquires Perthshire garden centre

Klondyke Group has acquired The Crieff Visitor Centre, a well-established garden centre and gift shop on the outskirts of Crieff, Perthshire. Read more - members only

Farplants retains branded labels for retailers under EPR changes

Retailers facing new EPR rules are being urged to adopt plain labels to avoid higher costs, financial liability and increased administrative complexity. Read more - members only

Klondyke unveils new ‘Garden Thyme’ furniture brand

The Klondyke Group has launched its 2026 outdoor living collections at a dedicated Outdoor Living Showcase held this week at its Polmont centre. Read more - members only

Ames update

Following last week's revelation that Ames has been put up for sale by Griffon Corporation, more information has emerged about the future of the business.  Read more - members only

Schoneveld Breeding bought by De Groot en Slot Family Business

Dutch genetics specialist Schoneveld Breeding has been acquired by the family‑owned De Groot en Slot, marking a significant consolidation within the European horticultural supply chain. Read more - members only

The Boards of Schoneveld Breeding and the the De Groot en Slot family business

Ames UK is for sale

Griffon Corporation reorganisation leaves Ames UK, newly invested with modern plant and state-of-the-art control systems, available to approaches from suitors. Read more - members only

James Hoad, CEO Paul North (c) and David Wright at Pollington

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

Former owner, Guy Merrin and Charles Stubbs

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

Part of the Pollington site

Deco-Pak and Stax expand Scottish distribution partnership

Deco-Pak and Stax partner to improve product access, flexibility and delivery options for garden retailers and trade customers across Scotland. Read more - open to all

Homebase demise delivers market share gains for B&Q

Kingfisher has reported solid results for the year ended 31 January 2026, with strong performances from its UK businesses, B&Q and Screwfix. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond dances to the beat of Alan Roper

Over 700 partied into the night at the Caribbean themed Blue Diamond awards for its most profitable garden centres.  Read more - members only

Party time!

Opperman Plants files notice of intention to appoint administrators

Lincolnshire grower Opperman Plants has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators as financial pressures mount on the long‑established nursery. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond extends Garden Re‑Leaf fundraising to a full week

Blue Diamond Garden Centres are ramping up their support for Greenfingers Charity this year by extending Garden Re‑Leaf Day into a full week of fundraising activities. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond acquires Leaf Garden Centre from administrators

Blue Diamond Garden Centres has bought the business of Leaf Garden Centre, following its entry into administration at the end of February. Read more - members only

Millbrook extends BGC footprint in Southeast

It has been announced that British Garden Centres has agreed to purchase 2 Millbrook garden centres, expanding the group’s estate to 77 Garden centres. A third Southeast purchase by BGC is imminent. Read more - members only

Excerpt from BGC site map

Miracle-Gro launches new integrated brand campaign

Miracle-Gro has unveiled a new national brand campaign fronted by gardening duo The Glovers, aiming to boost confidence, simplify gardening and grow participation across the category. Read more - open to all

Acquisition of La Mundial de Coco future‑proofs Bulrush’s coir supply

Pindstrup Mosebrug A/S, parent company of Bulrush Horticulture, has acquired La Mundial de Coco, a leading Dominican Republic‑based supplier of high‑quality coco fibre and coco pith. Read more - members only

Hillier celebrates 2025 successes

The Hillier Awards night celebrated the outstanding garden centre contributions by staff and suppliers and the Nursery’s achievement, becoming the AIPH International Grower of the Year. Read more - members only

The nursery team, celebrating the IGOTY Award

Hillier seeks Senior Production Manager to succeed Charles Carr

Hillier Nurseries has begun the search for a new Senior Production Manager following the decision of Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale Nurseries, to step down in May 2026. Read more - open to all

Charles Carr

Evergreen GC acquisition extends compost footprint in Europe

Evergreen Garden Care has extended its range in Europe with the acquisition of Agaris Horti, a producer and supplier of growing media, from Straco Private Equity.  Read more - members only

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