Outlook looks troubled for retailers

Credit insurer tells GIMA suppliers the warning signs to look for when a retailer might be at risk of insolvency. Insolvencies are expected to increase this year. Read more - members only

source: Xenia Broking

HTA urges PM to intervene urgently before BTOM changes

The HTA has written to PM Rishi Sunak, warning of the risks to Environmental Horticulture from changes in the Border Target Operating Model that are due on 30th April. Read more - members only

YPHA unveils Launch Success at the Eden Project

Ambassador, Boyd Douglas-Davies, called on more employers to support YPHA members as they visited the Eden Project where the Launch Success development programme was unveiled. Read more - open to all

Green shoots but caution on costs

The HTA market update shows that garden retail continued to show green shoots in January but cautions about rising wage and shipping costs. Read more - members only

Perennial launches free online tool for carers

Perennial launches free online tool for those responsible for caring for someone else within the horticultural community, to help them manage caring responsibilities effectively and give them peace of mind. Read more - open to all

Fairways and Bents lift top GCA awards

Over 200 guests at the GCA dinner witnessed Fairways and Bents claim the coveted Garden Centre of the Year awards, while Woodmansterne was named the Supplier of the Year. Read more - members only

Warren Haskins, Martin Stewart and chairman Will Blake present award to Mark Trimlett of Woodmanster

GCA reorganises membership structure

The Garden Centre Association is to change the category structure for members and reduce its regions to four to make their Awards judging fairer. Read more - members only

Where could a Colegrave Seabrook scholarship take you?

As the application closing date for Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships approaches see how last year's winners used their awards. Read more - open to all

Zara Snow

Westland's online houseplant hub for consumers

8th – 14th January is National Houseplant Week and Westland has launched an online educational hub for consumers to find their houseplant advice. Read more - members only

2023 news roundup

We highlight the main events of 2023 including the collapse of Wilko, juggling of the trade shows calendar and the deaths of some notable pioneers in the industry. Read more - open to all

YPHA hold meeting at Coolings as tribute for their mentor Paul Cooling

YPHA strengthens member wellbeing provision

The Young People in Horticulture Association, backed by Perennial, has announced the addition of three new Mental Health First Aiders to its member wellbeing provisions.  Read more - open to all

Clockwise from top left: Jess Dabell, George Holmes and Adam Stewart

Colegrave Seabrook support for horticultural students

Smart Garden Products sponsoring five Student Scholarships for 2024. Horticultural students are encouraged to apply for a range of bursaries and scholarships in 2024. Read more - open to all

New Sustainable Pest Control course launched

Garden centre staff can now gain knowledge to help customers to deter and combat pests in a more natural, sustainable way via the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) GROW (Garden Retail Online Workshops) e-Learning platform. Read more - open to all

GCA’s GROW course on In-Store Security is now live

The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) GROW (Garden Retail Online Workshops) e-Learning platform In-Store Security course has now been launched just in time for the busy Christmas sales period. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond continues support for students studying horticulture

Blue Diamond Garden Centres continue their work supporting students studying horticulture.  Since 2021, 14 students have benefited. Read more - open to all

Begonia Sweet Spice - all royalties go to the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation

Almost 10,000 UK PBRs at risk of being cancelled

Almost 10,000 UK Plants Breeders Rights are at risk of being cancelled – owners must act even though the deadline to re register has passed.!  Read more - open to all

Graham Spencer

New GROW health & safety courses unveiled by the GCA

The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW) e-Learning platform has launched five new online compliance-based courses covering health and safety this month (March 2024). Read more - open to all

Sarah Willis, General Manager at Thurrock Garden Centre on GROW

Chat from aisles of the Garden Press Event

300 members of the garden media visited around 100 exhibitors at a buzzing Garden Press Event. Best new product was a Dipping Tank. Blue Diamond won the Best Stand award. Read the chat. Read more - members only

The Dipping Tank

New, digital resource for carers within the horticultural community

Those responsible for caring for someone else within the horticultural community can now access a free online tool through the charity Perennial, to help them manage caring responsibilities effectively and give them peace of mind. Read more - open to all

The cost-of-living crisis is over, but...

Top economist Mark Beresford-Smith tells the GCA what to expect from inflation, interest rates and consumer demand in the next 6 months. Read more - members only

Mark Beresford-Smith

GCA announces its first awards

GCA announces its first awards at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.  Read more - members only

an Boardman Indoor Plants Cup Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth

Garden Centres’ average spend jumped in 2023

Garden centres outperformed the retail average at Christmas with big increases in food and restaurants.  Average spends also jumped as annual sales grew. Read more - members only

A Christmas scene at Castle Gardens, Sherborne

LOFA warns of cost rises and shipping delays

LOFA warns of surcharges and delays in outdoor living products due to the actions of Yemen Houthis, who have forced shipping to detour around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope Read more - members only

Hornby George PR officially launches

As 2024 unfolds a new name for all things PR has launched with one of the sector’s longest-serving PR professionals at its helm. Hornby George PR marks an exciting new chapter for the team that previously led the way with Hornby Whitefoot PR. Read more - open to all

Kimberley Hornby - owner of Hornby George PR

GCA welcomes new Garden Centre and Associate members

Nine garden centres and 22 associate members have increased the GCA membership this year, with more awaiting approval. Read more - members only

Peter Burks

Westland to fund community gardening projects

Westland Horticulture has launched the New Horizon Fund to support community gardening projects across the UK and Ireland in 2024. Read more - members only

New Horizon Fund Pallet Banner

Garden Centres an investment opportunity?

A new report by Savills suggests that there is still strong investment potential in garden centres.  Acquisition activity is increasing as individual sites are “snapped up”. Read more - members only

Garden Centre Caterer of the Year winners

Winners of the Garden Centre Caterer of the Year awards include best independent and group garden centres and Afternoon Tea of the Year. Read more - members only

Tong's Elizabeth Bentley Alex Metcalf Steph Harrison Natalie Hope-Smith Adam Bugajski

Boyd Douglas-Davies becomes Greenfingers Trustee & Chairman-Elect

Boyd Douglas-Davies, industry stalwart and the founder of Garden Re-Leaf Day, was officially appointed as the newest Trustee and Chairman-Elect of the Greenfingers Charity. Read more - members only

Boyd Douglas-Davies

Restaurants drive garden centre growth in September

Restaurants powered garden centre growth in September with farm shop and early Christmas sales showing promise. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive