In This Issue
Spring on hold - but for how long?
Bridgford Garden Centre gets set for Easter business
Wyevale unveils its first Garden Trends Report
Latest fashion trends inspire 68% increase in Added Value at Allensmore Nurseries
"I will FIX this issue" Gardman CEO updates GTN Xtra on delivery issues
Squire’s Garden Centre in Woking now open
Glee at Spring Fair proves fruitful for Creative Products
Sowing the seeds of fundraising success
Zest 4 Leisure announces 2018 charity partner
Polypropylene plant pot range suitable for recycling collections
New Triple Action Soil Enricher - Bloomin Amazing™ - launched in Dorset
Outback's Jupiter stars in Wyevale Best Product nominations
App controlled electric barbecue launches in the UK
From Stores to Stories - report and pictures from TREx in Holland
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Permission granted to build homes on former garden centre site
Vital expands support to garden centres
Carol Klein to open Blenheim Palace Flower Show
Patio Plant for 2018: Agapanthus
Looking for Christmas Ideas for 2018?
The best of last week's
Garden centre customers get the 'Love Spring' message
Local residents ‘sad’ at proposed closure of Reigate Garden Centre
Whitco CEO Jeff Whitaker passes away after short illness
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
The Klondyke Group announce appointment of Catering Director
Shop of the Year branches out, with revamped awards in store for independent retailers
Send us your news and great ideas

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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700



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Whitco CEO Jeff Whitaker passes away after short illness
 

Whitco, the catering and bakery equipment company, has announced that its CEO Jeff Whitaker has died after a short illness.

 

Jeff was a man for whom the word hospitality and its industry might have been invented. However, his first experience with catering was just a means to an end. He became a student at Hull Catering College, and later admitted: “I only trained in catering so that I could join the merchant navy and see the world.”

 

His warmth and personality suited the catering industry perfectly. This, combined with vision, charisma, energy, an enormous appetite for hard work and a commitment to taking the long- term view (“Stick at it” was a favourite mantra) laid the foundation for the growth of the company that he founded with his wife Vita in 1995.

 

His leadership and approach to management inspired trust among colleagues, employees, suppliers and customers. At the same time, his innovations fuelled the company’s growth and changed industry practices for the better.

 

He knew how to extend hospitality to others and, not surprisingly, he enjoyed the company of friends, good food and knew his way around a fine wine list. His loyalty to friends and colleagues alike was boundless. This extended to acts of generosity that often went well beyond the call of duty.

 

He is remembered as both a gentle man and a gentleman possessed of a quiet dignity and a winning smile that seemed to enter the room just before he did.

He leaves a legacy of a loving family and a successful business that he built over more than 22 years.

 

A memorial service for Jeff will take place on 22nd March at Oundle School Chapel and after at The Great Hall.

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