Risk to Scottish horticulture is growing

The risk to Scottish horticulture is growing as garden centres remain closed.  With Mother’s Day approaching, HTA calls for Scottish government to take action soon. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond signs up Scotch Corner

Blue Diamond has agreed to lease its biggest garden centre yet.  It is to be built as the cornerstone of Scotch Corner Designer Village in north Yorkshire. Read more - members only

Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh

Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, that returned to screens on 3 January 2021. Read more - members only

Landmann Ltd has been bought by DS Group

The parent company of Landman limited, which was in administration, has been bought by DS group. It will continue to trade in the UK for the foreseeable future. Read more - members only

Triton maxX 3.1

Nova and LOFA in membership row

A row has erupted between LOFA, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, and a rapidly growing importer for whom membership has been declined. Read more - members only

James Whiteley

Wastewise, signs a new deal with Vital Earth Sales

Biowise Limited (T/A Wastewise) has entered into a five-year contract to supply over 40k tonnes per annum certified compost to Vital Earth, who produce the largest range of peat free products in the UK. Read more - open to all

Ames emerges from lockdown with a new CEO and new Board

Paul North became the new MD of Ames in March and set about building a platform to double sales with a new Leadership Board. Read more - members only

Two acquisitions for Hillier

Hillier is to open a new garden centre at Syon Park.  The site had been operated by Wyevale until its closure in the autumn of 2019.  Hillier has also acquired 100 acres for a new tree nursery. Read more - members only

Hillier Trees

Notcutts improves sales and operating margin

Notcutts increased sales by 1.9% last year despite significant disruption caused by its £9.2m garden centre redevelopment and improvement programme. Read more - members only

Booker

Scotts completes purchase of AeroGrow

Scotts Miracle-Gro backs its commitment to soilless indoor gardening by completing the purchase of AeroGrow International that produces indoor gardening kits. Read more - members only

Tong wins Outstanding Employer award

The team at Tong Garden Centre are celebrating after winning the Outstanding Employer award at the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards. Read more - open to all

Neil Barwise-Carr and the team at Tong

Thompson and Morgan buys Suttons Seeds

T&M has acquired 100% of the share capital of Suttons Seeds Ltd and its 3 brands: Suttons, Dobies and the Organic Catalogue.  It also launches T&M Marketplace. Read more - members only

Dobbies launches Christmas TV advertising

Dobbies unveils a new Christmas advertising campaign called The Joy of Dobbies.  The campaign also launches Dobbie’s new positioning, ’Not Your Average Garden Centre’. Read more - members only

Gardman purchase lifts Westland sales to £182m

August 2019 results for Westland Horticulture show sales up 38% to £182m  following the purchase of Gardman and profit before tax of £10.2m. Read more - members only

Mountain Gorillas help Neudorff to climate neutral production

Neudorff, manufacturer of environmentally friendly products for plant care and natural gardening, has achieved climate-neutral production at all of its sites. Read more - members only

Ames UK reports record revenues in 2020

Turnover for the AMES UK group of companies broke all the records in 2020. Kelkay, La Hacienda, Apta and True Temper all posted their largest ever trading month. Read more - members only

B&M sales jump 22.5% in golden quarter

Extra week’s wages for B&M UK stores staff as revenue increased by +26.6%, including like-for-like growth of +21.1% in the last quarter.  Read more - members only

Profit and sales stack up at Stax

Leading wholesaler Stax Trade Centres reports a strong performance despite the year’s challenges (year to 29 August).  Turnover jumped 17% to £135.4m with an operating profit of £4.6m. Read more - members only

Joint MD - David Hibbert

E. P. Barrus announces new appointments to its Board

E. P. Barrus Limited is delighted to announce the appointment of four new members to the company’s Board of Directors with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

Plans approved for destination garden centre near Gosport

A new destination garden centre is to be built in Hampshire. This will be the third for the "Your Local Garden Centre" group that operates Mappleborough Green and Stansted Park. Read more - members only

Online garden retailer, Primrose, is sold

It’s business as usual for Primrose, the online garden retailer, following its sale to Luke Johnson, one of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Read more - members only

Millbrook seeks permission for houses on Crowborough

The Millbrook Garden Company has applied for planning permission to demolish its garden centre in Crowborough and build 33 homes on the land. Read more - members only

Kingfisher buys NeedHelp for UK roll-out

Kingfisher, parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has bought NeedHelp, the French home improvement services marketplace, for roll out in the UK. Read more - members only

Works starts on Dobbies at Tewkesbury

Work has started on the 180 acre Designer Outlet Cotswolds, that will have a ‘flag-ship’ Dobbies Garden Centre as a cornerstone. Read more - members only

B&Q’s outdoor sales up £45% in last quarter

Kingfisher reports strong growth in B&Q’s outdoor sales in last quarter.  Higher demand has led to lower in-store availability. Tariffs of c. 2% are expected if it’s a no deal Brexit. Read more - members only

B & Queuing

Simpsons expands into north-east with Happy Plant acquisition

Inverness based Simpsons Garden Centre is expanding into the north east.  It has acquired an Aberdeen-shire Garden Centre, Happy Plant, based in Mintlaw. Read more - members only

Homebase is put up for sale

The FT reports that Homebase has been put up for sale as its owner, Hilco, looks to capitalise on the pandemic boost for home improvement groups. Read more - members only

Landmann in Germany has filed for bankruptcy

It has been reported in Germany that its oldest grill manufacturer, Landmann, has filed for bankruptcy.  The company is looking for new investors. Read more - members only

Retail equipment Ltd acquires Greenkey Garden & Home Ltd

Greenkey has announced that the sale of its business has been agreed for an undisclosed sum to Retail Equipment Limited of Sudbury, Suffolk. Read more - members only

Greenkey's Blue Metal Hedgehog

Homebase signs a licensing partnership with Hearst UK

Homebase has agreed a licensing partnership with House Beautiful, Country Living and Good Housekeeping to create a range of house and garden products. Read more - members only

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