Fargro sold to MBO

MD, Richard Hopkins, has announced the successful completion of a management buy-out (MBO) of Fargro Ltd backed by  private equity partner Ashridge Capital. Read more - members only

Kärcher launches battery-powered professional garden range

Market leading pressure sprayer manufacturer, Kärcher, is introducing professional landscape management tools to its range: a chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer... Read more - open to all

Frosts feel the chill of Covid-19

Accounts from Frosts Garden Centre covering the first lock down, show a drop in sales and profit, but a strong increase in cash at the bank.  Employee numbers also fell. Read more - members only

Approval recommended for second Tong garden centre

Local reports confirm that Leeds City Council is recommending that plans for Tong’s proposed big new garden centre are approved next week. Read more - members only

Tong Directors Charlie Barker, Sharon McNair and Mark Farnsworth

Covid secure recognitions for Bents

Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been presented with two Covid secure accreditations which it hopes will help visitors to feel safe and welcome at the family owned and run centre. Read more - open to all

Price increases forced on The Pot Company

The Pot Company has written to customers to say prices have increased by 10% across all ranges due to higher shipping and raw material costs. Read more - members only

Dobbies to buy Johnsons of Boston

It is confirmed that Dobbies is to take over Johnsons of Boston, in Lincolnshire and will assume control on Monday 18th April. Read more - members only

Johnsons of Boston

Smart Garden in the UK’s Top 100 Profit League

Smart Garden Products came 74th in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 which charts the UK’s private companies with the fastest growing profits. Read more - open to all

Homebase is trialling garden centres within Next stores

Homebase has announced a trial with Next, opening six garden centres in Next stores, today, 12th April. Read more - members only

Profit drop for Squire’s is a very good result

Squire’s Garden Centres reports a drop in profits for the year covering the first Coronavirus lockdown but believe this is a very good result, given the events of 2020. Read more - members only

British Association of Landscape Industries rebrands

The British Association of Landscape Industries has unveiled its new look ahead of its 50th year in business in 2022,  dropping the BALI acronym and the term Registered Members. Read more - members only

Operations Manager Kirsty Wood and Chief Executive Wayne Grills at Landscape House

Dobbies unveils spring TV adverts

Dobbies’ spring advertising campaign highlights the impact gardening can have on your wellbeing, no matter the size of your indoor or outdoor gardening space. Read more - members only

Plantorama opens Denmark’s biggest garden centre

Last weekend Plantorama opened two Smiemans designed garden centres in Denmark.  One becomes the country’s biggest. Read more - members only

New 3000 sq ft. food hall opens at Essex garden centre

A new 3,000sq ft Poplar Food Hall opened today, 24th March,  offering a huge variety of locally sourced and homemade delicacies from producers not just in Essex but the whole of Britain. Read more - members only

“Staggering” Garden Centre Sales Growth for Smart

With sales up 73% this year Smart Garden Products says there are enormous challenges, especially with availability.  Paris Natar says that, in 40 years, he has never experienced such dramatic growth. Read more - members only

Jonathan Stobart and Paris Natar

Will garden centres re-open restaurants in May?

There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only

Dobbies opens Boston garden centre

Dobbies today opens its 71st store. Previously Johnsons Garden Centre, the store has undergone a refurbishment following its acquisition and closure 2 weeks ago. Read more - members only

Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre to start Phase 2 of redevelopment

Phase two, which will further enhance the destination experience enjoyed by customers, follows the opening of the modern and spacious new restaurant, restored woodland nature walk and a show garden which have opened over the past two years. Read more - open to all

Latest company results show impact of first lockdown

Sales jumped over the first lockdown at T&M, Hozelock and Crocus.  Others in this report which is open to all include Stewarts, Dobbies, Rosebourne, Tong and The Greener Gardening Company. Read more - open to all

Ekju management forms AMATA for MBO

The management of garden furniture specialist EKJU has completed a MBO as AMATA in what it calls turbulent times.  Demand is high and there’s a shortage of raw materials. Read more - members only

Syon Park - Hillier’s first destination garden centre

Hillier opens at Syon Park later this week, drawing on the nursery and garden centre group’s Chelsea and plant heritage to become a destination for London gardeners.  Read more - members only

Mark Skinner, Chris Francis and David Morely

Spring & Autumn Fairs launch online marketplace for all year trading

Hyve Group is to launch the Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace, enabling the wholesale home, gift, and fashion business to trade throughout the year. Read more - members only

Large fire next to Longacres at Shepperton

LATEST UPDATE RE: Longacres was forced to close its Shepperton Garden Centre at lunchtime today as a large fire blazed on neighbouring industrial land. Read more - members only

View across M3

Nicholas Marshall looks set to return

Nicholas Marshall, now chief executive of the Country House Group, looks set to return to garden retailing if, as expected, a lease is signed to take over the plant centre at Lavershot Barns. Read more - members only

Nicholas Marshall

Blue Diamond signs exclusive Partnership with The Soil Association

Blue Diamond and The Soil Association aim to break down any perceived barriers to gardening in an organic and more nature friendly way  Read more - open to all

Sustainable logistics help EnviroBuild's carbon neutral goal

EnviroBuild Materials Ltd is moving warehousing and logistics to champions of sustainability, Howard Tenens Logistics - a bold step towards becoming a carbon-neutral company. Read more - members only

New owners for California Gardens in E. Yorkshire

California Gardens, a large garden centre at Howden in East Yorkshire, has been acquired by the owners of Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough, who plan significant investment. Read more - members only

Cherry Lane acquires Langford Garden Centre

The value driven garden centre group, Cherry Lane, continues its expansion with the acquisition of Langford Nurseries & Garden Centre in Bedfordshire. Read more - members only

Dalverton Garden Centre to extend plant area

Dalverton Garden Centre on the Isle of Wight is set to increase its plant sales area by 20 per cent with support of Malcolm Scott Consultants. Read more - open to all

Covid boosts profits at Kingfisher

Kingfisher reports retail profit up +27.4%, largely driven by B&Q performance.  Low double-digit growth is forecast for the spring, but the group can see sales falling -5% to -15% in the second half. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive