Griffon Corporation has announced that its subsidiary AMES has bought Apta, to add to its purchases of Kelkay, Anchorfast and La Hacienda. Read more - members only

If you do nothing else, do Crazy Golf, said Guy Topping at the HTA Conference, explaining his development of the Flower Bowl, a leisure experience at Barton Grange Garden Centre. Read more - members only

Administrators have been appointed at National Polytunnels (01656315). The phones are not being answered and the website has been suspended. Read more - members only

What are the industry plans for environment? The HTA will create a Sustainability roadmap that it hopes the different voices in horticulture will unite behind. Read more - members only

There is much to do to improve our performance says Thierry Garnier, reporting his first quarterly results for Kingfisher. They show a like for like drop in sales at B&Q of -3.4%. Read more - members only

Plans have been submitted to build a garden centre that would be operated by Blue Diamond in the walled garden of the Elveden Estate. Read more - members only

Brand new £2m market-leading distribution centre takes centre stage at Kettler HQ. The extra high facility, which is centrally located adjacent to its current warehouse, will treble the company’s current onsite capacity. Read more - open to all

A free Insight report by Salience shows the top online plant retailers and how some well-known names have lost search engine visibility… Download the report and get advice. Read more - members only

Monkton Elm’s Mike Lind gets ready to hand over the chairmanship of the GCA and warns that the proposed increase in minimum wage could be a significant threat for the garden centre sector. Read more - members only

Squires is rolling out a storewide brand and signage refresh across its 15 garden centres. It has started with Badshot Lea. Read more - members only

YouGarden, the multi channel garden retailer whose revenues have grown 35% pa for the last 5 years, has completed an MBO with the backing of Kester Capital. Read more - members only

Forestry England and the Friends of Westonbirt have added to the National Arboretum for the first time in nearly 200 years by buying the next door Silk Wood House. Read more - members only

Northumberland Estates hopes to re-establish trading from Syon Park Garden Centre as soon as is feasible.  Wyevale closed the site last month. Read more - members only

Despite having permission for the 11,000 sq.m re-development of Whitehall garden centre in Lacock, Wiltshire, starting the project would have breached their planning terms. Read more - members only

Rosebourne gets planning consent to expand and create its full offer at Solihull garden centre, formerly Hampton in Arden, that it acquired from Wyevale. Read more - members only

Dobbies says that its underlying sales are around £300m after acquisitions and 5% like for like growth. Chairman Andrew Bracey says it will look to float on the Stock Exchange “in a year or so”. Read more - members only

Sales have risen 24% at RHS Wisley since the opening of its new Welcome building in June, attracting the younger shopper. Houseplant sales are up 62%. Read more - members only

Among the winners at Hillier’s Awards Dinner were: Botley, Hillier’s garden centre of the year; Meon Valley, Horticultural Supplier of the year; and Decco Mills. Read more - members only

Sir Terry Leahy former CEO of Tesco and current investor in Dobbies explained how retailing has changed.  Garden centres are well placed, gardening spend could double because of today’s issues. Read more - members only

Environmental Factors have appointed DECCO Ltd as their exclusive distributor for NemaKnights. Read more - open to all

John Lewis opens a concept store experience at Southampton where specialists will advise on everything from wine and gardening to interiors and technology. Read more - members only

With 645 B&M store in the UK. B&M says it is becoming the destination store for important product categories from toys and Christmas decorations to gardening and DIY. Read more - members only

The Internet Gardener has ceased trading and issued a notice of intent to enter liquidation. Read more - members only

Notcutts is to start the search for a new chairman, following the announcement that Nicky Dulieu is stepping down.  Read more - open to all

Agrumi has announced that Folium and Flos Plants will be taking over its wholesale nursery on November 1^st.  It will remain business as usual. Read more - members only

Work has started on an extension to Selby Garden Centre in Yorkshire that is too small to be profitable.  The additions will more than double its turnover. Read more - members only

As many as 20 garden centres could be affected by the Bonmarché administration at the end of last week. Read more - members only

The UK’s leading producer of garden products manufactured from recycled rubber has signed an exclusive new distribution deal with Stax Trade Centres. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond offers opportunity to buy shares after reporting a 56% increase in half year profits following strong trading in the core business and the 9 garden centres purchased from Wyevale.  Read more - members only

Latest updates to our Company Results show 2018 was a year of mixed fortunes. Updates include Blue Diamond UK, Longacres, Stax, The Millbrook Garden Company, Pennells Holdings, Grange Fencing, Ball Colegrave and Synchemicals. Read more - open to all