Boningale Limited launches Sustainability Plan to make growing ‘greener’

Boningale Limited has signed up to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) ‘Sustainability Roadmap Supports pledge,’ publishing its own Sustainability Plan in response to climate and biodiversity issues. Read more - open to all

Wyevale Nurseries starts work on new water reservoir

A leading British commercial nursery has this month started work on a new reservoir to help it capture, save and recycle more water (September 2022). Read more - open to all

Steve Reed's dog, Nora inspecting the works as the new reservoir takes shape

Clearance of stock from Lowaters Nursery

Lowaters Nursery has stopped trading.  Stock from the grower at Hook Lane, Warsash, Southampton is being sold off at significant discounts on a first come first served basis.  Read more - open to all

British Garden Centres to roll out rapid EV charging

British Garden Centres has partnered Osprey Charging with to roll out rapid EV charging across its UK stores. Read more - members only

The BGC hub at Carmarthen will be similar to Osprey's 8-charger hub in Brackley

GCA Garden Centres of the Year - Scotland & N Ireland

Klondyke and Creative Gardens dominate the GCA awards following the 2022 first round of judging in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  They are now judged again to find the UK winners. Read more - members only

Klondyke Garden Wise team, Garden Centre of the Year

Monty Don's Appeal for the Soil Association

Horticulturist, farmer and writer Monty Don will be broadcasting a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the Soil Association on Sunday 28th August. Read more - members only

 Monty Don - credit Marsha Arnold

Blue Diamond unveils National Trust inspired collection

Blue Diamond Garden Centres announces a 5 year collaboration with the National Trust that will raise a minimum of £180,000 for the charity in year 1. Read more - members only

Notcutts hails 24% turnover recovery

Notcutts delivered a strong trading performance during the year ending February 2022.  Turnover at £79.6m was up 23.8% on the prior year, when it had fallen by -15.6% from £76.1m in y/e 2020.  Read more - members only

Caroline Notcutt, Nick Burrows, Bridget McIntyre

Griffon reviews future of Ames

Griffon Corporation, the ultimate parent company of Kelkay, La Hacienda, Apta and True Temper is reviewing its operations. This might lead to a sale of some or all its businesses. Read more - members only

Celebrity opening for Rosebourne’s extension to Weyhill

David Domoney cut the ribbon to Rosebourne’s 600m2  undercover extension at Weyhill, watched by MD Carol Paris and buying director, Stuart Whalley. Read more - members only

David Domoney cuts the ribbon watched by Carol Paris and Stuart Whalley

Notcutts seals the deal with Frosts

Notcutts have completed the acquisition of Frosts’ Brampton garden centre near Huntingdon and now run 19 garden  centres.  Read more - members only

See text for names of those in the photo

Two new Garden Centre members for Choice Marketing

Two new members brings the total number of centres within Choice Marketing to 45 and a group retail turnover in excess of £160m. Read more - members only

Pacific Nurseries plants

YGC buys Stephen H Smith Garden Centres

The takeover of 2 Stephen H Smith garden centres by YGC Group, the parent company of Tong, creates a Yorkshire group that will have 5 destination garden centres. Read more - members only

Tom Megginson, Sharon McNair, Chris Smith, Mark Farnsworth, Richard Cogghill, Charlie Barker

Hillier completes transformation of Three Legged Cross

Hillier has transformed Three Legged Cross Garden Centre. It now offers bright and spacious shopping, with new features to create an inspirational gardening experience. Read more - members only

Dobbies introduces vet practice to Chesterfield

Plans to include vets services at Dobbies Garden Centres have taken a step forward with the announcement that Carrick Vets practice will open at Chesterfield. Read more - members only

Five Ornamental Growers of the Year

Five winners of the first HTA Grower of the Year Awards were revealed at the HTA conference.  They include Allensmore, Ball Colegrave and Palmstead. Read more - members only

Allensmore MD, Mark Taylor with new HTA President, Alan Down

Garden centres to close as a mark of respect

Many Garden centres are to close as a mark of respect on Monday 19th September, the day of the funeral for the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd. Read more - open to all

Coolings announcement on Facebook

Increased profits show how garden companies prospered during Covid

Results from 30 companies including Klondyke, Tong, Newey, James Coles & Sons, STV, Westland, Woodlodge, EP Barrus and Hartman show how garden companies prospered during the lockdowns.   Read more - open to all

First Carrick Vets branch opens in Dobbies

Carrick Vets has now opened a state-of-the-art veterinary practice adjacent to Dobbies in Barlborough Links, Chesterfield.   Read more - members only

Dobbies, Chesterfield

New developments at Coles Nurseries 

In late July Coles Nurseries started work expanding the container tree lines at their largest site in Gaddesby. They have added in 7400m of new tree lines. Read more - members only

Hillier launches new Apprenticeships

Hillier is offering Government accredited, bespoke apprenticeships in Horticulture, Hospitality, Supply Chain Operative, Retail, Customer service, or Management. Read more - open to all

Toby Fielding

Adrian Hall Garden Centres close

A failed deal forces Adrian Hall Limited to appoint liquidators.  News broke at the end of last week, with an announcement on the garden centres' website. Read more - members only

Allensmore 50th Anniversary Celebrations 

Allensmore Nurseries will be celebrating 50 years of business on Friday 12th August with a small gathering of past and present employees to mark this very special occasion. Read more - open to all

Brian and Ruth Taylor

Hozelock's multi £m investment in expansion

Hozelock has acquired an additional manufacturing and warehouse facility at its production and distribution base in the West Midlands.  Read more - members only

Hozelock announces new CEO

Hozelock, Britain’s leading watering and plant protection expert, is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Davies as CEO.  He had been group sales and marketing director.  Read more - open to all

Simon Davies, new Hozelock CEO

Perrywood and Old Railway Line are Garden Centres of the Year

The Garden Centre Association has revealed the best and the most improved Garden Centres in Wales & West England and North Thames regions.  Read more - members only

Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury

Local moves for Dobbies

Dobbies has applied for a late licence to serve alcohol and play live music at Tewkesbury. It has also opened its first Waitrose Foodhall, in Edinburgh. Read more - members only

Webbs has bought and opened at Millets Farm

One half of the two centre sale announced by Frosts last month has been completed with Webbs opening at Millets Farm near Abingdon. Read more - members only

Waitrose to replace Sainsbury’s in Dobbies

Dobbies' foodhalls have formed a new partnership with Waitrose replacing its 2020 deal with Sainsbury’s. Read more - members only

Best year ever for Klondyke

“Trading to September 2021 have been the best year the company has ever had.”  So says the recent accounts published by Klondyke Garden Centre Group. Read more - members only

Polmont Restaurant

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive