Good sales growth for B&Q in Q2 were driven by a strong performance of weather-related categories. Read more

Following the devastating fire on the 12^th March that destroyed almost all our inventory, we have been working hard to quickly rebuild stock cover and service to our customers. Due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of our suppliers they have not been able to meet these delivery dates and here is an update. Read more

Homebase appointed Mike Norton as director of gardening and building in July. The group, recently purchased by Hilco, is reported to be closing its horticultural offices in Swindon. Read more

Ames UK has started the process of rationalising the agency sales teams of Kelkay, La Hacienda and its most recent acquisition Anchor Fast. Read more

Ames makes its 3^rd acquisition in a year, adding Anchor Fast to its UK stable that already holds Kelkay and La Hacienda. It plans continued expansion in the UK and Ireland. Read more

Vitax Limited, one of the UK’s leading garden and horticulture manufacturers has appointed a new managing director as it drives forward with its ambitious growth plans. Read more

Syngenta announced today it has acquired Floranova a flower and home garden vegetable seeds breeder with a broad portfolio and customers in over 50 countries. Read more

Franchi Sementi has been acquired by Verisem Distribution, with Giampiero Franchi joining the parent company board to develop the company’s distribution, including in the UK. Read more

Yesterday’s Sunday Times reports, “Homeowners who follow government advice to use water butts to hose their gardens and wash their cars risk exposing themselves to a dose of deadly legionella bacteria.” Read more

Despite eye-catching new products at Solex, it’s been tough for garden leisure importers and not just because of the weather.  They have faced delayed deliveries, adverse cash-flows, rising costs and compliance with LOFA Assured. Read more

Farplants, the West Sussex nursery co-operative for ornamental garden plants, has added house plants to its product portfolio for the first time. Read more

Evergreen Garden Care UK is the new name for The Scotts Company (UK) and signals a new strategy and direction for the business. Read more

Terra Firma says it has received a significant number offers for all and for parts of the business and is now considering its options. Gardenforum considers the signs to look out for. Read more

Around 50 firefighters and 12 appliances were called to a major fire yesterday at Shire the garden buildings manufacturer at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. Read more

Scheurich in co-operation with Baikap is to buy Deroma by the end of 2018. This is the first of several new growth stages for the Scheurich company. Read more

Homebase has confirmed it is planning a Company Voluntary Arrangement and lists a further 42 stores that will close over the next 16 months. Read more

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds celebrated its 40th year by announcing several initiatives for 2019 including a link with BBC Children in Need. Read more

Hilco owned Homebase is expected next week to announce a CVA and closure of around 60 more stores. Read more

Hortipak has joined leading horticultural marketing groups across Europe and the USA to form the Media Concept Group. Read more

J. Squire & Co. Ltd (“Squire’s”) and Wheelhouse Warehousing Ltd (“Wheelhouse”) are pleased to announce the purchase of Frensham Garden Centre by Squire’s from Wheelhouse. The purchase was completed on 1 August 2018. Read more

Dobbies names Graeme Jenkins as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect replacing Nicholas Marshall, who has not been seen at the business for some months. Read more

Notcutts has been given planning consent for a major redevelopment and upgrade of its Woodbridge garden centre, the group’s original site. Read more

Contracts were exchanged today for Blue Diamond to acquire 8 garden centres from Wyevale as Terra Firma starts the break-up of the country’s biggest garden centre group. 2 other sites have also been sold. Read more

James Whiteley, managing director of the online retailer White Stores, has bought the trading name of Nova Garden Furniture and has started wholesaling. Read more

Wyevale bidders will be anticipating calls after the garden centre group announced the start of stage two of the sale where it will give additional information to those bidders who have made it through the initial stage.  Read more

Stax Trade Centres has added to its own-brand products lines with the acquisition of the Groundsman range of household brooms, brushes and dustpans, which was previously distributed by LG Harris. Read more

Soon after Sky News reported that Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day had lodged an offer for Wyevale, their bid was withdrawn. Read more

Hilco has started its remedial action after taking control of Homebase with an announcement that 300 head office jobs will go by November. How many stores will close? Read more

Building starts on a new garden centre in Honiton, while work is nearly completed on an additional retail building for Threaplands in Scotland. Read more

After a terrible start to the year, garden centres prospered in the warm May weather and all but recovered the sales lost in the earlier months. Read more