Gates joins the Tillington Group

Gates Garden Centre near Oakham in Leicestershire, has joined The Tillington Group,  a buying and marketing group for top independent garden centres. Read more - members only

Glee visitors invited to GCA’s stand at the show

The team from the Garden Centre Association (GCA) have a stand at Glee this month (June 2023) where existing members and those interested in finding out more about the organisation can drop by. Read more - open to all

Peter Burks

The windmill turns again at Van Hage

Blue Diamond has cut the ribbon on a rejuvenated Van Hage at Ware which Alan Roper reveals was the site that gave him inspiration when he was starting his career. Read more - members only

Alan Roper and the Mayor with William, Jackie and John Van Hage

Simon Davison joins GIMA Council

AGM hears that GIMA had strong results as Simon Davison of Zest Outdoor Living is voted on to the GIMA Council and Jenny Douthwaite is re-elected President. Read more - members only

Industry optimistic despite March sales drop

The industry remains optimistic, says The HTA Market Update, despite the challenging weather conditions in March which reduced garden centre sales by -28%. Read more - members only

Most plant identification apps are not very accurate

Research by New Scientist has found that many smartphone apps that aim to identify plants from photographs are not very accurate. Read more - members only

Marko Geber/Digital Vision/Getty Images

SBM Life Science launches a new digital platform

“The launch of Seezon™ is a very exciting moment for SBM Life Science.  More than just a new website, we hope it will act as the go-to digital destination for consumers.” Read more - members only

Free webinar and Q&A on exporting into the EU

Gardenex and PetQuip organise free webinar and Q&A on exporting into the EU on Wednesday 15th March. Read more - open to all

The Prince and Princess of Wales support Life at No 27

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited a new garden therapy site in Wales, part of the garden-therapy social enterprise, Life at No.27. Read more - open to all

The Prince and Princess of Wales with Annabelle Padwick

Christmas clearances add sparkle to January sales

Gardening sales were down in the January report by the GCA Barometer of Trade but revenues were given a boost by Christmas clearances and catering. Read more - members only

January colour at Coolings, Knockholt

Former Wisley lab to open as exhibition space

The former home of RHS research at Wisley is to reopen as a venue where everyone can explore the history of its science and recreate experiments conducted there. Read more - members only

Two new garden centre members for Choice

Choice, the buying and marketing group for independent garden centres, has added two new members that brings its membership to 47. Read more - members only

Patio café at Cardwell garden centre

YPHA pays tribute to mentor and friend Paul Cooling

YPHA members gathered at Coolings yesterday at a gathering initiated by Paul Cooling.  They toured the nursery, heard from TV presenter Adam Frost and learned how the company is now owned by the staff. Read more - open to all

YPHA Committee with Ian Hazon, Liz Dowling and Adam Frost

Freehold garden centre values are holding firm

Freehold garden centre values are holding firm and the market remained buoyant in 2022, says a report published by business property adviser, Christie & Co. Read more - members only

Topping fronts GCA campaign to raise £100k for Greenfingers

A personal plea from Guy Topping launches the GCA’s bid to raise £100,000 for Greenfingers.  Contributors will be entered into a Grand Draw of amazing prizes. Read more - open to all

Guy Topping with Sue Allen and Ian Flounders raising funds for Greenfingers at the GCA in 2020

New top level Environmental Horticulture Group launched

Today’s House of Lords launch of the New Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) shows the sector’s importance to achieving national environmental goals. Read more - members only

Unsettled April fails to recover lost sales

Predominantly unsettled weather in April, with little in the way of consistent warmth and a colder spell later on, failed to help garden centres recover lost sales. Read more - members only

Peter Burks

A great example of how industry and Government can work together

HTA lobbying secures Government agreement that UK plant passports can be attached to ready for sale plants within the EU for another two years, while electronic passporting is developed. Read more - members only

3 new members for Choice Marketing this year

Bay View Garden Centre has joined the Choice Marketing Group.  This brings the number of members within the buying and marketing group to 48. Read more - members only

Grant to boost domestic tree production re-opens 

Applications are re-opening for the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Capital Grant to drive the production of tree seed and saplings through developments in machinery, automation and the expansion of facilities. Read more - open to all

HTA highlights outstanding issues with NI trade

Fran Barnes, new chief executive of HTA said, “The Prime Minister’s comments on garden centres when announcing the Windsor Framework were hugely encouraging. We need the words to match the reality…” Read more - members only

New HTA chief, Fran Barnes

Spring Budget 2023

The Federation of Small Businesses has published a summary of measures in the Budget affecting smaller businesses.  The HTA criticises lack of action on the environment. Read more - members only

More speakers confirmed for GIMA Day Conference

Attendees at the GIMA Day Conference on 14th March will hear Dobbies CEO Graeme Jenkins and British Garden Centres’ Director, Boyd Douglas Davies & Project and Development Manager Amy Stubbs, plus... Read more - open to all

Underage knife sales could cost retailers up to £1m

New sentencing guidelines relating to underage knife sales have been published and are due to come into effect on April 1, 2023.  Legislation covers a broad range of of bladed articles including axes. Read more - open to all

Edison Group acquires The Edinburgh Driveway Company

Scottish-based UK construction and property business Edison Group has acquired The Edinburgh Driveway Company Ltd, a twelve-year-old Livingston-based business specialising in driveways, paving and landscaping. Read more - open to all

Edison Group founder and CEO Calum Melville

GIMA bids farewell as Colin Wetherley-Mein retires

Colin Wetherley-Mein, GIMA Membership Ambassador, has decided to officially call it a day and retire from GIMA, the leading garden retail supplier organisation.  Read more - open to all

Mark Butler, Vicky Nuttall, Colin Wetherley-Mein and Craig Hall

YPHA announce first set of ‘Supporters’ for 2023-2024

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce their first five supporters for the 2023-2024 sponsorship term. Read more - open to all

YPHA members on a tour of Coolings recently

Kickstart your physical and mental fitness in 2023  

For a positive start to 2023, people in horticulture can kickstart their physical & mental fitness for free with Perennial’s Health and Wellbeing platform and app.   Read more - open to all

YPHA next in-person event

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce 2023’s first in-person event which will be run in conjunction with Coolings Nurseries and Garden Centres. Read more - open to all

Applications for Scholarships are open until the end of January

The 31st January sees the closing of the application season for the varied range of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships for 2023. Bursaries from £500 up to £5,000 are available. Read more - open to all

Jessica Mears

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive