‘Keep Growing’ - EGC’s fresh perspective on gardening

Evergreen GC has put a £ multimillion investment behind the creation of a media campaign, in the hope of bringing positive change to the market and leading the way in modernising the industry.  Watch the video. Read more - members only

Sales of Peace Rose fund medicine to Ukraine

The Blue Diamond Group is supporting the relief effort in Ukraine with money raised from the sale of the Peace rose.  Around 8 aircraft will depart today and tomorrow full of medical supplies. Read more - open to all

Equipment being loaded

A further 5 garden centres join Sproutl

Tates of Sussex, Fakenham and Hollybush are three of 5 garden centres to join the existing partners of Sproutl, the curated online garden marketplace. Read more - members only

Three garden entrepreneurs have combined their talents to launch Mulch

Three well known garden entrepreneurs have joined together to form Mulch Ltd, a boutique brand selling high quality tools and gloves designed to last for generations. Read more - members only

“A tree for every employee”

The management and staff of Taylors Bulbs took time out from their daily work to plant 150 trees on their site in Holbeach. Read more - open to all

Awards highlight success at Notcutts in 125th anniversary year

Notcutts has been celebrating success across its 18 garden centres nationwide with a special conference and awards event as part of its 125th anniversary. Read more - open to all

Environmental Award presented to Garden Pride by Caroline and Andrew Notcutt

Massive Dobbies to open near Belfast next spring

Planning permission has been given for Dobbies’ £10m development north of Belfast in Northern Ireland that is scheduled to open next spring. Read more - members only

Homebase to open concessions in Tesco stores

Homebase is to open stores within Tesco with everything customers need to update, refresh, or completely transform their homes and gardens. Read more - members only

Garden Trading hits targets for Joules

When Joules acquired The Garden Trading Company in 2021 for £12.5m, £3.5m was deferred.  It has now confirmed that GT has met all targets and the balance will be paid. Read more - members only

Richard Pyrah is commercial director of Altico

Having invested more than £6m since acquisition in May 2021, Altico MD, Antony Harker has invested further with the senior team appointment of Richard Pyrah as Commercial Director. Read more - open to all

At last, Hare Hatch Sheeplands – Garden Centre

A bitter 10-year battle has ended in success for Hare Hatch Sheeplands.  It has been granted permission to become a green, community-focussed garden centre. Read more - members only

Joint owners Rob Scott and Andy Dicks

Dobbies CFO director appointment is terminated

Company House reports the Termination of appointment of Lynne Gilder as a director on 8 March 2022.  Lynne was the chief financial officer of Dobbies Garden Centre Ltd and the group. Read more - members only

A brilliantly positive year for Southern Trident

2021 was a brilliantly positive year for Southern Trident.  Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost won both the Sustainability Award and the Best New Growing Media Product at Glee 2021. Turnover doubled. Read more - members only

Darlac announce cutting tools distribution deal with Blue Diamond

Darlac, the cutting tools experts, have secured a distribution deal with one of the UK’s largest garden centre retail chains, Blue Diamond. Read more - members only

Laylocks secures planning to extend 

Laylocks Garden Centre in Worcestershire has secured planning permission to increase its shop, undercover and plant canopy space. Read more - members only

YPHA member names garden shop after grandparents

Former AV & Trials Coordinator for Allensmore Nurseries and member of the YPHA, Stacey Gibson, opens Dor’s Garden in memory of her grandparents. Read more - members only

BGC makes it 61 with Hatton in Warwickshire

British Garden Centres has taken over the lease of Hatton Garden Centre in Warwickshire this week.  The centre, which has been closed, is expected to re-open for Easter. Read more - members only

Hatton Country World

Heavy Plant Crossing

British Garden Centres have had such a successful couple of months that Heavy Plant Crossing signs have been added in front of all centres, as people are leaving with truckloads of plants. Read more - open to all

Dobbies to speak at BHETA

BHETA is to hold another retailer networking webinar, this time with Dobbies Garden Centres.  The event will take place on Tuesday 5th April at 11 am.  The speakers will be Graeme Jenkins, CEO and Debbie Harding, CFO Read more - open to all

Squire’s Garden Centres report a strong rebound

Squire’s Garden Centres report a strong rebound in 2021 against a backdrop of lockdown results in 2020. Read more - members only

Sarah Squire

Oak Furnitureland launches first garden furniture collection

As part of its ‘whole home’ offer Oak Furnitureland has made its first venture into outdoor living with two new hardwood collections available online-only from today.  Read more - members only

Hillier initiatives to reduce carbon footprint further

Hillier Nurseries has achieved Planet Mark certification for a third consecutive year.  The Group has also introduced initiatives that will reduce its environmental impact further. Read more - members only

Tong Garden Centre hosts team awards evening

180 of the 240 strong work force at Tong Garden Centre attended a dinner and disco at The Hilton Hotel in Leeds where a number of the team were given awards. Read more - open to all

Winners of the 2022 values awards

Dobbies partners with Elho to recycle plastic pots

Sustainable plant pot designer, elho, has partnered with Dobbies to provide plastic plant pot recycling bins across its 69 centres nationwide. Read more - members only

Ownership of Coolings Nurseries transferred to staff

75% of the third-generation garden centre group, Coolings Nursery with four sites in Kent & East Sussex, is being signed over to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Read more - members only

Gary Carvosso, Ian Hazon, David Cooling, Paul Cooling and Dwayne Ross

Blue Diamond takes over Manchester Cathedral

The Blue Diamond annual awards rocked Manchester Cathedral last night with managing director, Alan Roper, hailed as the eternal high priest for the night. Read more - members only

Alan Roper

British Garden Centres is set to become a national chain

British Garden Centres have grown from from 10 to 60 sites in a little over 3 years.  Charles Stubbs talks about how they have achieved this and the future. Read more - members only

New houseplants POS

Trebaron Garden Centre makes it 60 for BGC

British Garden Centres have bought Trebaron Garden Centre at Lytham St Annes, bringing the group's total sites to 60.  Read more - members only

Steve Morgan completes the Doddie Cup 500 raising £28,500

Zest MD, Steve Morgan, has raised £28,500 for motor neurone research by completing the Doddie Cup 500 as part of a team of four former rugby players. Read more - open to all

Steve Morgan is 2nd from right

Mr Fothergill’s sold to Management buy-out

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, has undergone a management buyout by managing director, David Carey, with the backing of Harwood Private Capital.  Read more - members only

Dave Carey (Left) with the departing John Fothergill.

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive