HTA update on inspection regime for imports
The HTA explains Defra’s most recent guidance documents that clarify the proposed inspection regime for importing plants after 1 January and what they mean for the industry. Read more
HTA update on inspection regime for imports
The HTA explains Defra’s most recent guidance documents that clarify the proposed inspection regime for importing plants after 1 January and what they mean for the industry. Read more
LOFA warns that container issues at UK ports are escalating
LOFA warns that increased congestion at ports, especially Felixstowe, could impact the supplies of garden related products after Christmas. Read more
Social media outcry over queues at Garden centres
While many welcome garden centres remaining open in November there has been outcry on social media, which has been picked up by the local and national press. Read more
Further your professional development with the Ball Colegrave Scholarship
Ball Colegrave is encouraging the continuous professional development of young people in our sector with a travel scholarship. Read more
Beyond Transition: the steps UK exporters should take now!
With the end of the Brexit Transition period looming, Gardenex will be hosting a special webinar to hear all the the steps that exporters need to take in preparation for 1 January 2021 and beyond. Read more
Garden Centres reopen in Wales
The 17 day Welsh firebreak has come to an end and been replaced by new regulations that allow garden centres to reopen. Read more
BPOA & Peter Seabrook continue to fund young talent
The British Protected Ornamentals Association (BPOA) and Peter Seabrook continue this year to offer young horticulturists a £1,000 bursary to support the study of commercial horticulture and encourage new entrants to the industry. Read more
Garden Centres to stay open during 2nd English lockdown
From Thursday only essential retailers such as food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open. Read more
B&Q to remain open during Welsh firebreak
B&M, B&Q, Home Bargains, et al have said they will remain open in Wales as garden centres are forced to close after Friday. Read more
Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair moves to February
The UK’s favourite trade show for the festive and gifts sector has announced a new date for 2021. Read more
Edinburgh Woollen Mill calls in administrators
Edinburgh Woollen Mill, with concessions on many leading garden centres, has called in administrators to look for investors to shore up the business. Read more
HTA fights to keep restaurants open in Scottish Garden Centres
Updated The Scottish Government have now confirmed that all cafes will be able to remain open so long as they stop selling alcohol, following HTA appeals for garden centres to be exempted. Read more
Keep garden centres open if there's another lockdown
HTA says extending CBILS repayment terms to 10 years will be helpful to growers. Keeping VAT in hospitality to 5% will help garden centre catering. But it presses Government to keep garden centres open. Read more
HTA – ‘Covid restrictions could present real difficulties’
The HTA says the new Covid restrictions for hospitality could present real difficulties for the industry given such little notice. Also, some issues need urgent clarification. Read more
Panel debates reality of 3m new gardeners?
Gardenforum hosted a panel debate at Glee Gathering with 4 leading retailers. They split over whether the lockdown created almost 3m new gardeners. Read more
Scholarship for students with environmental solutions
If you’re a student with a passion for ‘green’ horticulture apply for the £1,500 John Gibson Environmental Scholarship. Read more
Houseplant sales surge in October
The GCA Barometer of Trade shows that houseplant, Christmas and gift sales surged in October, as did gardening indicating customers still want to garden. Read more
3 year extension for Glyphosate
It has been reported that the expiry date for Glyphosate will be extended until at least 15 December 2025 in Great Britain following Brexit. Read more
Government changes rules on selling Christmas trees
The Government changes Covid regulations to allow farm sales of Christmas trees. Rumoured shortages of trees following the Danish mink cull have been denied as sales surge. Read more
Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs
The AIPH, FloraCulture International and World Horti Center are working together to organise two webinars preparing the global ornamental horticultural industry for Brexit. Read more
Garden Centres in Scotland are essential retailers
The level 4 lockdown restrictions to be introduced on Friday in parts of Scotland will force non-essential retail to close. Garden and plant centres, however, will be allowed to remain open. Read more
LOFA warns of disruption at UKs 3 main container ports
Congestion is causing severe disruptions at the UKs three main container ports, says LOFA. The lack of availability of containers will lead to delays and price rises. Read more
HTA updates lockdown advice for garden centres
The HTA chairman has asked garden centres to respect the responsibility they have been given, as essential retailers, remaining open during the November Coronavirus lockdown. Read more
Scottish GC’s could be classed essential retail
The HTA has written to members to say it understands that Scottish garden centres will be classified as essential in any tier four lockdowns. Read more
Firebreak to close garden centres in Wales
The 17 day firebreak in Wales starting at 6pm on Friday will see garden centres closed for half term. But can they still offer Click & Collect? Read more
Consumer confidence is low, but is high in garden centres
HTA Market Update says consumer confidence in garden centres remains high, but it calls on them to reassure customers with safe trading protocols. Seed sales were up 90% - an encouraging indicator for next year. Read more
Pre-Season ordering more important than ever
Improved relations between the HTA, GCA and GIMA saved the industry after lockdown and now there are calls for closer partnerships between retailers and suppliers. Read more
Chancellor’s statement and the NHS Covid-19 app
The NHS Contact Tracing App is now live. Garden centres should download the QR code to display at entrances. We also summarise the Winter Economy announcement. Read more
Update on new Covid-19 rules for catering - Amended
UPDATED Thursday morning… The BBC reports that restaurants without an alcohol licence will NOT need to provide tables service. The HTA is cautious saying It looks like the rules are evolving. Read more
Garden centre sales prospered in August
Latest results from the GCA show sales are still significantly above last year, while average sales values are gently coming back to more usual levels. Catering income has recovered strongly. Read more