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 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
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
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
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
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
BPOA Technical Conference 1st February 2023
Last chance for the early bird ticket offer which ends on 6th January 2023 - don’t leave it too late to book your ticket at the special offer rate! Read more - open to all
The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up
2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all
45,000 visas for seasonal workers in horticulture
Daffodil growers recognised as Defra increases by 50% the number of seasonal workers allocated for businesses in edible and ornamental horticulture next year. Read more - members only
Nicholas Saphir re-appointed as Chair of the AHDB
The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023. Read more - open to all
Peter Burks to become GCA Chief Executive
Former GCA chairman Peter Burks is to become the new CEO of the Garden Centre Association, starting in January. Read more - open to all
Perennial launches Christmas appeal
In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. Read more - open to all
Allensmore reaches final for International Grower of the Year
Allensmore reaches the final 10 from growers around the world in the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2023. Read more - members only
Be Safe – Be Sure – Be LOFA Assured
The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association is made up of the best brands within the outdoor leisure industry and the products they supply are not only of the highest quality but also safe. 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
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
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
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
New chair for the Tillington Group
The Tillington Group has announced that Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres, has taken over the chairmanship of the Tillington Group from Dennis Espley. Read more - members only
Christmas sales down -14% in November
November figures from the GCA show sales were lower than last year in almost every category except garden centre restaurants. Read more - members only
Garden Centre Christmas display winners
Brimsmore Gardens and Garsons Garden Centre Esher have been announced as the national winners of the 2022 Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual Christmas display competition. Read more - members only
David Austin Roses becomes the final Key Partner for the YPHA
The Young People in Horticulture Association has revealed David Austin Roses as their final key partner for 2023-2024, joining Floramedia, Boningale, ICL and the RHS. Read more - members only
Extended support for garden Centres in Hunt’s autumn statement
The Autumn Statement by Jeremy Hunt aimed particular support at the much-beleaguered hospitality, leisure and retail sector, meaning that garden centres and farm shops will benefit from increased and extended relief. Read more - open to all
A sharp increase in catering sales props up garden centres
GCA figures for October show that garden centre sales were -5% lower than last year. Excluding a big uplift in catering income, product sales were down -11%. Read more - members only
Become a Perennial Mental Health First Aid Ambassador
Perennial is calling for organisations to become ambassadors and participate in its Mental Health First Aider training programme. As part of the charity’s health and wellbeing focus the programme aims to put more Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace. Read more - open to all
Perennial introduces ‘nudge’
Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is introducing a new service called ‘nudge’ to support the financial wellbeing of people in the industry. Read more - open to all