Contrary to recent reports in the media of the decline of UK garden centres, leading specialist garden centre surveyor Simon Quinton Smith explains why he believes the future of garden centres is actually looking rosy. Read more - members only

Join us for “Solving Business Communication Problems” where we’ll share practical strategies, real-world case studies, and expert insights to help you overcome the marketing challenges holding your business back. Read more - open to all

Andy Whelan talks to growers about 2025 and finds optimism, but also caution as garden centres and nurseries reduce stock commitment. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has this month (February 2025) revealed the location and dates for its 2026 conference. Read more - open to all

The winners of the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) most prestigious awards including its Garden Centres of Excellence were announced at its annual conference yesterday, held at the De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel, Reading. Read more - members only

Despite a 1% decline in overall sales for December compared to the previous year, the 2024 calendar year ended on a positive note for UK Garden Centres. Read more - members only

A new report from Christie and Co reveals that in the first half of 2024, they transacted more garden centres than in the whole of 2023.  Over 50% of garden centres were sold to new market entrants. Read more - members only

There are less than two months until the APL Awards are back at The Brewery on Friday, 14 March, and seats are selling fast! If you still have yet to secure yours, visit our website to do so! Read more - open to all

This is the first gardening for health and wellbeing app on the digital market. Like the charity, the new app, uses gardening and time in nature to improve people’s health based on proven research. Read more - open to all

Starting on Giving Tuesday, Dec 3^rd for a week, donations to Thrive will be doubled by matched funding by the LOFA Pledge Pot and The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Read more - open to all

The Executive chair of BHETA asks what’s next for suppliers following the demise of Homebase and expresses his concern for the industry. Read more - open to all

Contrasting views on October sales.  The HTA reports a slowdown in sales, reflecting the challenging trading environment, while the GCA celebrates an encouraging set of figures. Read more - members only

The recent GIMA Awards provided the stage for GIMA President, Kate Ebbens, to unveil an inspiring new fundraising challenge for 2025 in support of Greenfingers Charity. Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has launched the overarching theme for its next annual conference and has declared booking now open for the event. ‘The Unique Garden Centre Experience’ is the main theme of the 2025 Conference. Read more - open to all

Employers will bear the brunt of the £40bn tax rises unveiled yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.  Employment costs and rates will rise. Read more - members only

Fears about delayed ordering, a try before you buy approach to hiring staff, and the return of Jeyes Fluid were some of the chat topics at the HTA/GIMA Garden Press Event. Read more - members only

GIMA is pleased confirm further details of its forthcoming Day Conference. This year’s event will provide an invaluable opportunity for industry professionals to explore key business challenges and opportunities, with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), marketing, and intellectual property. Read more - open to all

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced an exciting new London venue for its annual conference Horticulture, The Conference set to take place on Thursday 25 September 2025.  Read more - open to all

This year is going to be better than last, the second-half will be a lot better than the first and there will be a house price boom. These were the predictions at the recent GCA Conference. Read more - members only

Garden centre teams from across the country are celebrating after receiving awards at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference today.  Read more - open to all

We asked garden centre owners whether they are more or less optimistic about 2025, after a challenging 2024, and what steps they are taking to offset rising costs. Read more - members only

GIMA is proud to announce an exclusive virtual event, ‘In Conversation with Dobbies’, taking place on 5th February. Open exclusively to GIMA members, this session offers an opportunity to hear directly from Dobbies’ senior leadership team on plans for the future.   Read more - open to all

The weather and rising costs contributed to a challenging year for garden centres, but an ‘OK’ Christmas means sales caught up with last year. Read more - members only

GIMA is delighted to announce its AGM & Day Conference for 2025. Taking place on Tuesday, 25th March 2025, this event promises a day of networking, industry-leading insights, and discussions on how businesses can harness the power of AI to drive efficiency and growth. Read more - open to all

Whilst other industries look to reduce their environmental impact we want to increase ours.  This is the message received by Minister Daniel Zeichner at the House of Commons yesterday. Read more - members only

HTA urges Government to pause implementation of the Budget changes and consult as members prepare to increase prices and postpone investment plans. Read more - members only

The British Ornamentals Association (BOA) is delighted to invite you to our upcoming Technical Conference – New Horizons for Horticulture on 5th February 2025. This highly anticipated event will take place at the National Farmers Union (NFU) Conference Centre in Stoneleigh. Read more - open to all

Over 400 guests watched as Sipcam retained the GIMA best product award from last year, while Westland was voted supplier of the year by GCA members. Read more - open to all

5 growing media manufacturers form a 'Growing Media Manufacturers’ Council’ (GMMC) with the goal of ensuring the UK offers the highest quality growing media to professional growers. Read more - members only

The latest Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Market Update for October 2024 shows that overall garden centre sales in September 2024 increased by +1%. Read more - members only