Founder of Keydell Nurseries dies unexpectedly

We are sorry to announce John Strange, founder of Keydell Nurseries, unexpectedly passed away at the weekend after many years in the trade. Read more - open to all

John Strange, founder of Keydell Nurseries

Blue Diamond takes another 6 Wyevale garden centres

Wyevale has announced that Blue Diamond is to take another 6 garden centres, bringing their group total to 36 sites. Read more - members only

Profit improves at Notcutts

Notcutts has improved in the year ending February 2019 with operating profit up 52.5% to £1.5m. This represents 2% of turnover which is still low but Notcutts is investing heavily in upgrading its centres. Read more - members only

Booker

No more Wyevale sites for Dobbies

Speaking at the Dobbies Christmas launch, CEO Graeme Jenkins, said that Dobbies would not be buying any more Wyevale garden centres.  But this will not be the end of their acquisitions. Read more - members only

Dreaming of Christmas

New Leaf opens the doors to its new nursery

After 5 years of development Nicky and David Higginson have unveiled the new New Leaf Plants nursery to customers. Read more - members only

Adam Frost and Nicky Higginson cut the garland held by Molly and David Higginson

The 2019 GIMA Award winners are…

The big winners at last night’s Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Awards were the rapidly growing Smart Garden and industry newcomer, Primeur, with its recycled rubber, self watering planters. Read more - members only

ierra Verde Recycled Rubber Planters

Planners turn down plans for housing on Fresh at Burcot

Planners have turned down plans that would have seen Fresh at Burcot garden centre closed and replaced with housing. Read more - members only

Choice Marketing adds 3 new garden centres

Choice Marketing has announced the addition of 3 new garden centres to the Group. This brings the total number of centres within Choice Marketing to 45 and a group retail turnover in excess of £135m. Read more - members only

Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, CEO, Choice Marketing

Dobbies applies to extend Dunfermline

Dobbies has applied to Fife Council to increase the size of the retail area and improve the farm shop and foodhall area at Dunfermline garden centre. Read more - members only

Kingfisher names new CEO

Kingfisher, parent of B&Q and Screwfix in the UK has named Thierry Garnier to replace Véronique Laury as CEO this autumn. He will be based at Kingfisher’s headquarters in London. Read more - members only

Thierry Garnier

Kettler GB builds new DC to accommodate growth

The charitable trust Kettler GB has broken ground on a 3,000 sqm. building that will double the size of its operations at Redditch. This follows rapid growth in recent years. Read more - members only

Dobbies almost completes onboarding the 31

Dobbies has almost completed the purchase of the 31 Wyevale garden centres announced in May. We list the 43 Wyevale sites that remain unsold. Dobbies are said to be in discussions for more. Read more - members only

Wyevale's Blooms Worcester, that is yet to be sold

Capital takes control of Sherfield on Lodden

Capital Gardens took control of Sherfield On Loddon garden centre from Wyevale last Friday, promising the most exciting range of indoor and outdoor plants in the area. Read more - members only

Stephen Reynolds and Colin Campbell-Preston

Warren Haskins looks ahead as he celebrates 50 years in garden centres

Warren Haskins celebrates 50 years in garden centres and explains how he has secured the future for Haskins garden centres. Read more - members only

Steve, Warren, Sally, Becki and Jamie - 25 years ago,

Highfield plans further expansion

Following its 2014 developments, which proved an unmitigated success, Highfield Garden World is finalising plans for a further extension. Read more - members only

B&M continues solid growth

A quarterly trading update from B&M shows +14% revenue growth, with 12 stores added. Seasonal products performed particularly well. Read more - members only

Wyevale announces the closure of Chichester GC

Wyevale has emailed customers to say Chichester Garden centre will close on August 4th, a little earlier than expected.  Read more - members only

Woods of Berkhamsted under closure threat

Woods of Berkhamsted, a garden centre in the Capital Gardens group, claims it is facing the threat of closure because of the predatory practices of the neighbouring Waitrose supermarket. Read more - members only

Swan Retail announces acquisition of Touchretail

Swan Retail have announced the recent acquisition of Touchretail, a provider of retail systems that will further extend the scope and range of solutions provided by Swan’s group of businesses and grows its customer base beyond 500 companies. Read more - members only

Squire’s buys Wokingham Garden Centre

Squire’s is buying its first garden centre from Wyevale, Heathlands at Wokingham. Read more - members only

Hillier Nurseries switches to contract growing

Hillier Nurseries has written to customers saying it will not accept any new orders for delivery after December 2019, from non-Hillier garden centres unless through a contract growing agreement. Read more - members only

Award for New Leaf, 4 years after it faced closure

New Leaf Plants has been named Nursery Stock Grower of the Year 2019, 4 years after it was on the verge of closure with the land being sold by the previous owner. Read more - members only

Smart Garden is “1 in a 1000”…..

Smart Garden Products has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2019. Read more - members only

Hillier grows to 16

Hillier has completed its purchase of 4 Wyevale sites announced in April, bringing the number of Hillier Garden Centres to 16. Read more - members only

Hillier Garden Centre Lechlade

Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of Podington Garden Centre 

Wyevale Garden Centres announce that Podington Garden Centre has been sold to Cherry Lane Garden Centre making it the 14th garden centre owned by the QD Group. Read more - members only

Ownership of New Hopetoun Gardens transfers to employees

Directors, Lesley Watson and Dougal Philip have transferred New Hopetoun Gardens to an Employee Ownership Trust. The moves secures the future of the business they have build over 40 years. Read more - members only

Lesley Watson and Dougal Philip with Morag Macrae

Wyevale sells 11 more centres 

Wyevale Garden Centres is selling 11 more garden centres in four separate transactions to British Garden Centres, The Plant Area Limited (t/a Clandon Park Garden Centre), Coolings Garden Centres and Maidenhead Aquatics. Read more - members only

Spate of thefts hits garden centres

Garden centres in West Yorkshire, the Midlands and Northumberland have been hit by a series of break ins, where goods are being stolen to order. Read more - members only

Photo: Northumbria Police

Mill Race Garden Centre and website is for sale

Swallow Aquatics has announced it is to sell Mill Race Garden Centre and website as a going concern with Swallow remaining as a tenant. Read more - members only

Syngenta acquires of Varinova’s cyclamen business

The acquisition of Varinova’s cyclamen business is a strategic move for Syngenta Flowers that aims for a stronger position in the cyclamen market. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive