Potential buyer found for Boningale

Following the February announcement that Boningale Nurseries was to be sold, it has been confirmed by Quinton Edwards that a buyer has been found and the nursery is now under offer.  Read more - members only

Blue Diamond buys Beckworth Emporium

Blue Diamond has exchanged contracts to purchase Beckworth Emporium, the first of two deals expected to complete this month.  Read more - members only

Jon Kitching and David Brown at the 2009 opening of Beckworth

Boyd Douglas-Davies to leave British Garden Centres

Boyd Douglas-Davies is leaving British Garden Centres (BGC) at the end of April to set up his own consultancy business, advising the garden industry and visitor attractions. Read more - members only

Amy Stubbs with Boyd Douglas-Davies at recent industry event

Hyve promotes Nicola Meadows to divisional MD

Portfolio Director for Spring & Autumn Fair and Glee, Nicola Meadows, is appointed divisional managing director for the retail Manufacturing and engineering division of Hyve Group plc. Read more - open to all

Nicola Meadows

Esschert takes control of Fallen Fruits

Fallen Fruits has been acquired by Esschert Design, its main supplier since 1997, with the aim of developing the business in the UK. Read more - members only

Michael Hall & Arend Mosterd

Dobbies & Blue Diamond back Radio 2’s Let it Grow

Dobbies and Blue Diamond garden centres are partnering with BBC Radio 2 for Let it Grow by donating 120,000 packets of seeds between them. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond's new plastic compost bag recycling bins

The Blue Diamond Group, with 42 UK garden centres and sales of £330m, joins Evergreen Garden Care’s scheme to divert 40 million compost bags from landfill. Read more - members only

SBM Life Science launches a new digital platform

“The launch of Seezon™ is a very exciting moment for SBM Life Science.  More than just a new website, we hope it will act as the go-to digital destination for consumers.” Read more - members only

“The good news is we have fixed it,” says Dobbies CEO

Dobbies CEO, Graeme Jenkins, faced up to 80 suppliers at yesterday’s GIMA Day Conference and apologised for recent payment and communication problems. Read more - members only

Graeme Jenkins

Blue Diamond hosts spectacular Awards Night

700 staff and guests, dressed for the 1920’s, danced the Charleston as the winners of the Blue Diamond garden centre awards celebrated into the early morning. Read more - members only

Two more garden centres for Blue Diamond before Easter

MD Alan Roper revealed to 700 staff at last night’s spectacular Folies Bergere style awards evening that Blue Diamond would have two more garden centres by Easter.  Read more - members only

News from the aisles of the Garden Press Event

The 2023 Garden Press Event was filled with innovation driven by the quest for greater sustainability; and bloggers feeding the interest of younger plant lovers. Read more - members only

Andermatt's beneficial bugs and biodegradable netting

Alan Roper speaks about his plans for Peterborough

Blue Diamond Garden Centres MD Alan Roper plans to invest £3m in the newly acquired Van Hage garden centre in Peterborough with an official launch before Easter. Read more - members only

Senior lender takes control of Dobbies

The Dobbies chairman and 4 other directors resign as Dobbies shares are bought by its main lender, Ares Management. Read more - members only

YPHA pays tribute to mentor and friend Paul Cooling

YPHA members gathered at Coolings yesterday at a gathering initiated by Paul Cooling.  They toured the nursery, heard from TV presenter Adam Frost and learned how the company is now owned by the staff. Read more - open to all

YPHA Committee with Ian Hazon, Liz Dowling and Adam Frost

Positive result for Squire’s in a challenging climate

Squire’s has reported a good performance for 2022, well above pre pandemic levels despite supply challenges in many categories, resulting in higher stock levels than usual. Read more - members only

Chairman, Sarah Squire

James Oakey appointed Buying Director, Hayloft Plants Ltd

James Oakey appointment as Buying Director of Hayloft Plants Ltd will make the retirement of the founders, Yvonne & Derek Jarman, much easier within the next couple of years. Read more - open to all

James Oakey

Planters buys Brookfields following the deaths of its owners

After protracted negotiations, Planters has acquired the £4m Brookfields Garden Centre in Nottingham and has plans for substantial growth. Read more - members only

EOT acquires controlling stake in Bramblecrest

The founders of Bramblecrest have announced the creation of an Employee Ownership Trust that holds a controlling interest in the company for the benefit of its employees. Read more - members only

Hawley Garden centre is for sale

Hawley Garden Centre, in Sutton-at-Hone, Dartford has been put up for sale by its owners for £5m. Read more - members only

Tingley garden centre celebrates its first gardening season

Tingley garden centre is celebrating its first gardening season with a celebration launch weekend next month. Read more - open to all

Jamie Maxwell, Paul Adams and Lisa Pallant at Tingley Garden Centre

Resilient 2022/3 results from Kingfisher

Kingfisher results for y/e Jan 2023 show underlying sales trends remain resilient although B&Q sales fell -8.2% against strong comparatives due to Covid.  Read more - members only

Family-run is important to BGC

Amy Stubbs and Boyd Douglas Davis addressed the GIMA Day Conference to explain how British Garden Centres propose to develop over the next few years. Read more - members only

Amy Stubbs

BGC expands plant production capacity

British Garden Centres has leased Hawkesmill Nurseries’ unit at Temple in Warwickshire.  Renamed Temple Nursery it will become BGC’s third production unit. [Updated] Read more - members only

Boyd Douglas-Davies

BGC prepares for national Garden Re-Leaf fundraising extravaganza

British Garden Centres has got more than ever planned for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2023.  The family-run group is hosting several special events nationwide to raise funds. Read more - open to all

Boyd Douglas-Davies warms up for Garden Re-leaf Day

Malcolm Scott unveils new identity

Rural operations and planning specialists Malcolm Scott Consultants have relocated to a new office as the business grows and develops its services.   Read more - open to all

New product strategy for Dobbies

Dobbies unveiled a new focus at the Garden Press Event covering everyday value plus further commitments to sustainable gardening. Read more - members only

YPHA announce first set of ‘Supporters’ for 2023-2024

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce their first five supporters for the 2023-2024 sponsorship term. Read more - open to all

YPHA members on a tour of Coolings recently

Hozelock to Introduce fingerprint drug testing

Hozelock is to implement drug tests to promote employee safety utilising fingerprint sweat-based technology from Intelligent Fingerprinting. Read more - members only

New supplier for British grown orchids and green houseplants

Double H nurseries is on a mission to transform houseplant wholesale. The Horti House web shop will supply garden centres with British grown orchids and green houseplants. Read more - members only

The Orchid House

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