Garden centres are 4% up for the year so far according to the latest figures from the GCA. The North and West have outperformed the Southeast. Garden furniture is the best performing product category. Read more

Paris Natar’s Smart Garden Products has acquired Outside-in Designs and will introduce a new range of clocks. Read more

Peter Williams steps down after 10 years as finance director at William Sinclair.  The company has appointed turnaround specialist, Sheryl Tye, as interim CFO. Read more

Westland are experimenting with a twitter Q&A with Charlie Dimmock next Thursday – 21 May from 7-9pm - #GardenSecrets. Read more

Tong, one of the country’s largest garden centres has been sold. The new owners have substantial redevelopment plans. Read more

Stax called together over 200 suppliers to hear about a new multi-Channel trade centre, a new website and an autumn marketing campaign. Read more

The latest updates to Company Results show big turnover increases for Scotsdales, Alexander Rose and J Parker Dutch Bulbs. Read more

The Homebase Productivity Plan will mean closer interaction with Argos and the closure of about 80 stores as the retailer seeks to become a multichannel leader in home improvement. Read more

Wyevale faces massive opposition from local traders as the group seeks to amend its planning permission at Heighley Gate garden centre. UPDATE - Permission has been granted Read more

Having ousted its tenant, Capital Gardens, the National Trust will officially reopen Morden Hall Park next month as a peat free garden centre. It claims to be the UK’s first but is it? Read more

Haskins CEO, Julian Winfield, challenged the industry focus on engaging young people. He also said he does not believe e-commerce is necessary for a business to be successful. Read more

Toolbank’s distribution agreement with Crest Garden has given it a platform to dig into the garden market. Garden centre buyers are being invited to register for the distributor’s spring trade shows. Read more

“One” Kingfisher is the goal for the new CEO as she seeks to bring its businesses together to create a Europe wide offer. Gardening and bathrooms are first on the list. Also, B&Q is to close 60 stores. Read more

Scotts has launched a free mobile app in the USA that gives users their own lawn care plan.  It could be adpated for the UK. Read more

Sales director David Higginson has purchased the entire share capital of Evesham-based New Leaf following Peter Hoddinott’s retirement and plans are underway to resite the company at Hill View Nurseries in nearby Sedgeberrow. Read more

After an extensive review of the Solus brands Scotts says that Chapelwood has a significant future but it will exit the remaining brands at the earliest opportunity. Read more

Agralan wins garden product of the year at RHS Chelsea, Burncoose Nurseries wins plant of the year. There were golds for Hillier, Vital Earth, Taylors Bulbs. Read more

Reports are circulating the trade, as yet unconfirmed, that Scotts Miracle-Gro has told its staff that all but one of the Solus brands are to be withdrawn from the market. Read more

G Plants has moved into new offices and warehousing covering 50,000 ft.² in Blackburn as part of a £600,000 expansion plan.  It is looking to recruit new sales personnel. Read more

The latest twist in the enforcement battle between Wokingham Borough Council and Hare Hatch Sheeplands takes the form of a letter from the council’s chief executive to the many customers who have written to support their garden centre. Read more

Kelkay completes its new plant and head office with an investment of £1 million in machinery to secure its market leading position, says its managing director. Read more

Cranborne garden centre, well-known for its old fashioned roses, was re-launched over the weekend with the aim of being different to the chain garden centres. Read more

William Sinclair says preparation of its turnaround plan is progressing well but warns of further exceptional losses reflecting difficulties at Ellesmere Port. Read more

Nicola Gammon’s Shoot is seeking to raise £350,000 from a crowdfunding website. She has raised over 50% in less than a week. Read more

Each week, discounter B&M is opening new home & garden stores across the country as it aims to double number of sites to 850. Many are in sites vacated by Homebase. Read more

The £6.4 billion loss announced by Tesco included a £116 million write-down in goodwill and other impairments of UK businesses.  £83m related to Dobbies. Read more

Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond, told suppliers to “knock our door down if you have products that are right for us” as he outlined his vision for the future to GIMA members.  This includes arranging the funding for a major acquisition. Read more

Glee should be at capacity this year with increased bookings and well-known names returning. New features will include the Retail Power List and the PetQuip Village. Read more

With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Easter weekend, says Worldpay, Britain’s garden centres could see record-breaking trade in the next four weeks. Landscapers are also having a good time. Read more

Online garden furniture retailer White Stores has opened its first concession at Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre in Oxfordshire as a pilot. Read more