2020 was a challenging year for everyone, so 2021 is the perfect time to invest in personal development and look at developing skills for the future. Read more

2020 turned out better for garden centres than many feared. What about Spring 2021 with lockdown #3 and supply problems through the ports? Read more

The Scottish Government has today announced that homeware stores and garden centres will close in all the mainland from Boxing Day.  Garden centres in Wales and Northern Ireland will also be closed. Read more

The HTA seeks clarity on opening of Northern Ireland garden centres following unclear minister’s statement on new lockdown starting on Boxing Day. Read more

Significant new rules and inspections on plants imported into the EU will leave British growers at a major competitive disadvantage when trading with customers in Northern Ireland. Read more

LOFA warns that increased congestion at ports, especially Felixstowe, could impact the supplies of garden related products after Christmas. Read more

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

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

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

The 17 day Welsh firebreak has come to an end and been replaced by new regulations that allow garden centres to reopen. Read more

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

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

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

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

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

With 2020 seeing a gardening boom and many forced to consider their career options, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is giving 40 green-fingered applicants the chance to train at one of the charity’s five gardens from 2021. Read more

After the PM announced a third Coronavirus lockdown in England, Government guidance confirms garden centres, suppliers of building products and off-licences can remain open. Read more

Following the agreement reached by the UK and the EU, Gardenex and PetQuip have launched an initiative to help UK companies navigate their way around the new rules in 2021. Read more

Following the latest strengthening of Coronavirus restrictions garden centres remain open, with limitations, everywhere but in Wales and Northern Ireland.  The DIY stores are open across the UK. Read more

Unless the HTA is successful in appealing the Covid-19 classification for Welsh garden centres they look set to close indefinitely from end of trading on Christmas Eve. Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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&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

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

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