Choice members look forward to £1.5m rebate

Last week’s 3 day conference and trade show, held by Choice Marketing, eclipsed the HTA Futures conference that it clashed with, by drawing 160 delegates. 90 suppliers exhibited at the trade show. Read more - members only

HTA warns garden centres on deadline for expired gift vouchers

The HTA is warning garden centres it will not accept gift vouchers once they have expired, due to a change in legislation. The amnesty on vouchers with an expiry date of 31 December 2016 ends on 31 August 2017. Read more - members only

Amazon seeks improved links with BHETA suppliers

At the recent BHETA networking event, Amazon buyers were out in force and outlined several services that could take the supplier opportunities to new levels.  Read more - members only

Oliver Sawers (L) and Jeff Wemyss

Sheeplands says it needs more time to comply with council demands

Having lost its planning argument with Wokingham BC, Sheeplands garden centre has closed concessions, seeded the overflow carpark and made other changes. Read more - members only

Rob Scott

Dobbies to launch national online garden centre

Dobbies is to launch an online store early next year serving the whole of the UK following an agreement with the Ocado Group’s Speciality Stores. Read more - members only

Threat of rates being charged on growers is lifted

Lobbying by the HTA and the NFU has been successful in lifting the threat of growers being charged rates, which could have amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Read more - members only

Trial grounds at Ball Colegrave

Crowders' multi-channel e-commerce platform is for sale

Quinton Edwards is offering www.crowders.co.uk for sale. It would suit a garden centre looking to develop its multi-channel capability without the risk of building its own website.  Read more - members only

Gardman to move to a new DC in Daventry

Gardman will move to a new DC in Daventry before the end of this year giving it the infrastructure to grow and the capacity to absorb acquisitions. Read more - members only

2016 - a year of change

2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more - open to all

Bunnings buys Homebase

HTA launches the Nursery Supply Show in 2017

The HTA has unveiled a new Nursery Supply Show to run in parallel with the National Plant show in June. Read more - members only

Trials at Ball Colegrave

Why are gardening brands ignoring QVC?

Richard Jackson, the gardening guru on QVC, asked why many garden brands ignore QVC when so many famous brands in other sectors sell through it. Read more - members only

Richard Jackson

GCA opens up e-learning packages to HTA members

The HTA and GCA have formed a training partnership that will give HTA members access to the 90 GROW e-learning modules. Read more - members only

Carol Paris

Tree planting marks first event at the new HTA offices

A ceremonial tree planting to mark the 25th anniversary of the ENA, was the first event to be held at the new HTA offices, which look set to become a central hub for the industry. Read more - members only

HTA staff join members of the Amenity Suppliers group for the tree planting

Delegate numbers hit 250 for Bunnings BHETA Forum

250 delegates from the DIY, garden and housewares sector as well as members of the media are set to to attend the BHETA Networking Forum. Read more - members only

Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director PJ Davis

How Perennial helped over 1200 people last year

Perennial helped over 1,200 people last year battling illness, financial hardship, bereavement and disability. Read some of their stories. Read more - members only

Landed rates up 17% in last 12 months says GIMA

The GIMA Barometer of Trade reports double digit cost increases for raw materials, freight and labour in the last 12 months. Read more - members only

GIMA director, Vicky Nuttall

Old inspectors return as dates are set for GCA Awards meetings

Due to illness one of the new GCA inspectors has been forced to step down this year. So two, who had intended to retire, are back as judges and will address the newly announced regional awards meetings.  Read more - members only

Staff from Brimsmore Gardens with their awards presented last year

The HTA names Alex Vick as senior executive director

The HTA has backed its management team by promoting finance director, Alex Vick, to senior executive director in charge of day to day operations and by giving each director greater responsibility. Read more - members only

Alex Vick

HTA warns of GMOs in Petunias

Following reports of genetically modified petunias being sold in Finland, the HTA has alerted the UK authorities to their existence in the UK supply chain. Read more - members only

HTA to review structure before recruiting a new CX

The HTA is to carry out a review before deciding on how to replace Carol Paris, the chief executive who left last month. Read more - members only

Adam Wigglesworth

Amazon buyers are to address the next BHETA forum

BHETA’s next networking forum is to feature two of Amazon’s category leaders, who will be sharing the latest information on how digital innovation is fuelling the Amazon business and the opportunities that this presents to suppliers. Read more - members only

Mike Lind is to be the next GCA chairman

Mike Lind is to succeed Julian Winfield as GCA chairman at the beginning of 2018. He says he wants to make the GCA more relevant. This is at a time when it represents only a small proportion of garden centres… read the Gardenforum comment. Read more - members only

Mike Lind

The industry prepares for a bigger Garden Re-Leaf Day

Garden Re-Leaf day on 17th March will see outside participants join the garden industry as it celebrates the start of the gardening season and aims to beat the £140,000 raised last year for Greenfingers charity. Read more - members only

Get Planting for Greenfingers

Allensmore installs climate control as it continues to invest

Having grown 55% Allensmore Nurseries invests in climate control but says Brexit means they face an uncertain period. Read more - members only

DIY multiples have majority share of Internet gardening sales

A new AMA report says Internet garden sales grew by an estimated 24% within the last year and that DIY multiples account for the majority share. Read more - members only

GCA moves HQ to Chester

The GCA has moved offices to Chester, nearer to the home of Iain Wylie, the association’s chief executive. But the recent solid working relationship with the HTA remains. Read more - members only

Choice earns a record £1.3m in supplier rebates

Choice Marketing reveals that members will share £1.3m from supplier rebates as the buying group looks for new members. Read more - members only

Pershore to install hydroponics lab

Pershore College adds to the growing interest in hydroponics and indoor gardening by introducing a hydroponics lab to teach future students the new growing techniques. Read more - members only

The new hybrid VydroFarm-FishPlant system at Pershore College

GCA looks for new inspectors

The GCA has started its search for 3 inspectors to replace Alyson Haywood, Andy Campbell and Ian Boardman who will stand down after next January’s conference. Read more - members only

Inspector Andy Campbell

Longacres buys Bybrook Barn

Longacres has bought Bybrook Barn Garden Centre in Ashford, Kent. This will be the third centre in the emerging group. Read more - members only

Nigel Long shakes hands on the deal with Terry Burch

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive