In This Issue
Drive sales this Garden Re-Leaf Day with a Greenfingers product display - over 100 garden centres already signed up for a FUNdraising event
More names sign up to the 2020 Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk & Cycle Challenge
February sales down by 22% - GTN Bestsellers EPOS data analysis
Work starts on £1.5m Fron Goch expansion after MSC planning win
Melcourt Bag for Life wins New Product Award
Notcutts St Albans celebrates official opening of new-look garden centre and restaurant
Christmas comes early for Greenfingers thanks to Primeur’s latest fundraising donation
Taylors Bulbs make donation to The Greenfingers Charity
Sandy Powell's star-signed suit will help save Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage and garden for the nation
Worcester centre extension project beats February weather
Cobra commits to cordless evolution
New HTA campaign revives autumn planting message
Squire's donates 300 silver birches for local green spaces
Fun plans for Children's Gardening Week
TV's Katie teams up with Tong for fourth year
Quality audience shines through at Classiflora Open Days
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Mairi Devlin joins British Garden Centres
Growing Media 5% higher than average for February
Business Person of the Year Award for Hillmount's Robin Mercer
Wyevale Nurseries granted licence to propagate Lomandra ‘White Sands’
Better than Beast from the East...just!
Ex-Miracle-Gro man cancels early retirement to back Natural Grower's sales drive
Garden Products down by 18% on last year
Darlac appoints JBM Sales to cover south-west
Wet February sends veg sales down by 20%
Dobbies sign up with SmartPlant
February Wild Bird Care sales down again
HTA launches industry e-learning app
More emphasis on growers' role at next Plantarium
The best of last week's
Tackling the big garden industry issue: growing media and peat...what happens next?
Garden centre boss who stole almost half a million pounds has hearing adjourned
Gina and John heading to Monte Carlo in £500 banger
Great start to a new season for Durstons
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Christmas Grotto Gift Books
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Woodworks Garden Centre Cafe wins prestigious award
Tasty opportunity for garden centre catering teams
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Drive sales this Garden Re-Leaf Day with a Greenfingers product display - over 100 garden centres already signed up for a FUNdraising event

With Garden Re-Leaf Day only 5 days away (Friday, 13th March) now is the perfect time for garden retailers to think about how they’ll be supporting the annual fundraising event. Over 100 garden centres and have so far confirmed their involvement in the FUNdraising day...

 


 

With Garden Re-Leaf Day only 5 days away (Friday, 13th March) now is the perfect time for garden retailers to think about how they’ll be supporting the annual fundraising event. Over 100 garden centres and have so far confirmed their involvement in the FUNdraising day.

 

Last week Klondyke and Strikes said all 22 centres will be donating £1 from every planter, and 20p from every cuppa sold on Friday. And, as well as many other FUNdraising events taking place in garden centres up and down the country, Rowan Garden in Buckinghamshire also confirmed this week that they will be holding their very own Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day sponsored walk once again.

 

LeisureGrow have linked up with British Garden Centres to deliver hampers of specially selected goodies which be raffled on Garden Re-Leaf Day.

 

Director of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons said: ”We are immensely grateful to our friends in the gardening industry and beyond for their continued support of our flagship FUNdraising and awareness raising event, Garden Re-Leaf Day. The generosity of so many individuals and businesses never ceases to amaze us all. I’m really looking forward to seeing walkers, riders and volunteers at Chilton Garden Centre on Friday and on behalf of us all at Greenfingers Charity I would also like to say a huge thank you and good luck to all those who are holding events this week to support the industry’s favourite charity. We really couldn’t do what we do without you - thank you!”

 

To see what’s happening in your area, to register an event or to sign up to take part in the Garden Re-Leaf Day walk or cycle challenge visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf - it’s not too late to get involved!

 

One idea could be to add a dedicated Greenfingers product display at the heart of the store, showcasing all the amazing products that leading garden suppliers have launched to help raise funds for the children’s hospice garden charity.

 

A central Greenfingers product display is a superb way of helping customers to really appreciate how Greenfingers has been adopted as the garden sector’s charity of choice and will potentially encourage them to purchase a selection of products to gain that warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from helping a charity.

 

 

Products to include in the Greenfingers display, each of which donate a sum to the charity for each sale made, include the Vivid Arts Rabbit figurine, Woodlodge’s terracotta ‘Greenfingers’ pot, Zest 4 Leisure’s Tiverton Charity Planter, Evergreen Garden Care’s Miracle-Gro® compost packs, and Wharton Roses ‘Rosy Cheek’ rose.

 

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications said: “We feel so incredibly lucky to have the support of such well known and beloved brands and know that their Greenfingers products are helping to get the charity in front of thousands of potential supporters every year. Together these products have the potential to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the charity; funds that will enable us to add more gardens to our wish list for 2020 and beyond. The fact that a simple grouping of these products can – and will – drive sales during the peak gardening sales period as well as during the Garden Re-Leaf weekend is a no-brainer, and we hope that garden retailers will consider adding such a display to their stores this year.”

 

Get your fundraising pack!

Getting involved in Garden Re-Leaf couldn’t be easier. Greenfingers has created fundraising packs that can be downloaded from  https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf. These packs are full of ideas regarding how garden centres can make the Garden Re-Leaf weekend a family-friendly and fun fundraising event.

 

The charity also offers a wealth of additional collateral that can help garden retailers to make the most of the Garden Re-Leaf weekend, including t-shirts, collection buckets and posters to name but a few. Garden Re-Leaf is also a great local PR opportunity which helps to drive customers into store, and, again, Greenfingers can offer support to maximise this with draft news releases, and advice on which media to contact.

 

What’s more, Greenfingers is offering two tickets (worth £190) to its forthcoming Charity Summer Ball to the top Garden Re-Leaf fundraising centre this year – adding a fun sense of competition to proceedings.

 

Garden centres already confirmed to participate in Garden Re-Leaf 2020 include Ayletts, Altons Garden Centre, The Old Railway Line, Longacres, Perrywood and Haskins, with many more expected to sign up over the coming weeks.  

 

If you want to find out more about how to get involved in Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020, whether by putting on events in your garden centre, through sponsored solo activities or simply by donating - contact the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749 or email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

 
More names sign up to the 2020 Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk & Cycle Challenge

The 2020 Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge on Friday (13th March) is hotting up with several new names signing up to take part in the event, including some fabulous brands supporting with sponsorship...


 

The 2020 Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge on Friday (13th March) is hotting up with several new names signing up to take part in the event, including some fabulous brands supporting with sponsorship.

 

Whether participants are doing a 10-mile walk, or hitting the 100km mark on their bikes, it’s safe to presume that a refreshment along the way will be hugely appreciated. Thankfully this year the kind folks at Hozelock have confirmed their sponsorship of the water stations throughout the course. Back at the end point at Chilton Garden Centre, the team at LOFA will be providing further refreshments, including a glass of fizz to celebrate another fabulous event., whilst Outback will be providing one of its barbeques so that the walkers and cyclists can enjoy a mouth-watering snack after their exertions.

 

Of course, the event wouldn’t be possible without those willing to get out of the office and into their walking boots and cycling shorts! Recent sign-ups for the 2020 walk include Millbrook Garden Centre’s Tammy and Ben Woodhouse, St Peter’s Garden Centre’s Director Will Blake, independent business consultant (previously Millbrook) Liz Dowling, teams from Evergreen Garden Care and Kelkay and, as well as Greenfingers’s very own Garden Project Manager, Holly Harrington. Holly will be joined on the day by her younger brother, who is planning on running the 20-mile route.

 

Talking about her involvement in the 2020 event, Holly said: “I’ve been working at Greenfingers Charity now for just over a year and in that time the demand for our support and the number of projects continues to grow. I joined the charity because I believe in its ethos, the fundamental need for everyone to have access to inspiring outdoor spaces that allow moments to escape our own situations; an opportunity to take a deep breath and spend time with our families and friends. When I see up close the difference that the spaces we provide in children’s hospices make to the children, their families and the staff that support them, there really isn’t a choice to be made as to whether to help fund these spaces or not, it’s become a job requirement! 

 

 

About the Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk & Cycle Challenge

The annual event, designed to raise funds for Greenfinger Charity whilst also kickstarting the gardening season, has become a popular date in the calendar and this year is set to be no different.

 

Starting and ending at the newly acquired by main event sponsor, British Garden Centres’ Chilton Garden Centre, the walk and cycle routes will take participants on a stunning tour of the Chiltern Hills, a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walkers can choose to explore a 10- or 20-mile route, whilst cyclists will embark upon either a 25, 50, 75 or 100km route (or as many times round the 25km route as they can muster!) that will take in the 276m elevation that enables the Chilterns to provide stunning views across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

 

A superb networking opportunity, the Garden Re-Leaf Walk and Cycle Challenge is popular with teams from across the supply chain who want to come together to enjoy some out-of-office team building. The event also welcomes individuals from a wide range of suppliers and retailers, who quickly find their ‘team’ along the way. Previous participants have confirmed that the event has seen new friendships and new business relationships forged.

 

To date, eager teams from Hornby Whitefoot PR, Deco-Pak, Glee, GIMA, DAC Ltd, Poplars Garden Centre, Ames, Cadix, Vitax, Kew Green Hotels, Taylors Bulbs, Abacus Cards, and Mr Fothergillshave all signed up or pledged their support to take part in the sponsored walk or cycle challenge, whilst Evergreen Garden Care, Farplants and Westland have confirmed that they will be making their debut at the 2020 event. In 2019 over 100 people took part in the walk, with more showed real pedal power by taking part in the cycle challenge. However, for 2020 the Greenfingers team is hoping to exceed these numbers.

 

Those interested in taking on the Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk and Cycle Challenge can register by visiting https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf.

 

If you want to find out more about how to get involved in Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020, whether by putting on events in your garden centre, through sponsored solo activities or simply by donating - contact the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749 or email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

February sales down by 22% - GTN Bestsellers EPOS data analysis

The wettest February on record across the country dented garden centre sales but they weren’t as bad as February 2018 when The Beast from the East hit the UK...


 

The wettest February on record across the country dented garden centre sales but they weren’t as bad as February 2018 when The Beast from the East hit the UK.

 

Against a February last year that ended with unseasonally warm weather, this year’s February sales were 21.6% down year on year and 7% down on the average for the past 10 years.

 

With snow not mentioned at all in the long range Met Office weather forecasts, the statement: “from the second half of March, there are some tentative signs of it becoming less unsettled, at least across the southern half of the UK, with more in the way of dry and fine weather” could see us catch up on sales.

 

Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 13th March and Mothers Day on March 22nd are great opportunities to drive spring garden centre footfall and hopefully keep footfall high despite nationwide concerns over coronavirus.

 

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 9)

  • Garden Products - down 24%
  • Growing Media - down 30%
  • Wild Bird Care - up 9%
  • Veg-2-Gro - down 25%
  • All Plants Index - down 41%
  • All Items Index - down 20%

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Work starts on £1.5m Fron Goch expansion after MSC planning win

Work has begun on a £1.5million extension at Fron Goch garden centre after planners at Malcolm Scott Consultants secured permission to extend the centre and increase its parking facilities...


Work has begun on a £1.5million extension at Fron Goch garden centre after planners at Malcolm Scott Consultants secured permission to extend the centre and increase its parking facilities.

 

Planning specialists at the Worcester-based consultancy acted on behalf of Fron Goch garden centre in Pant Road to undertake a pre-applications consultation further to working closely with the client to create a five-year development plan. 

 

 

A full planning application was then submitted for 673sq.m. of heated shop extension, together with a 435sq.m. canopy and a new entrance. 

 

Further plans to increase the car park by 33 spaces were also submitted. All proposals were approved by Gwynedd Council.

 

 

Tracy Hubbard of MSC said: “Fron Goch has ambitious expansion plans for this year to build on the centre’s success in being named the top centre in Britain in the Garden Centre Association awards.

 

“Having identified the opportunity to extend its retail space, enhance its entrance and display areas and add to the customer experience with the additional car parking facilities,as part of its five-year development plan, we are delighted that the proposals were given the green light to help them set the wheels in motion.

 

“This will help an already exceptional centre enhance its customer experience, thereby increasing footfall and allowing it to showcase and enhance its product offering further.”

 

Construction work started week.

 

Melcourt Bag for Life wins New Product Award

The Melcourt Bag for Life won the Best New Product Award at the Garden Press Event held at the Business Design Centre in London on Wednesday...


 

The Melcourt Bag for Life won the Best New Product Award at the Garden Press Event held at the Business Design Centre in London on Wednesday.

 

The innovative product was judged to be best in show by visitors to the event.

 

In an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastic at garden centres, Melcourt has developed a unique system, including the Bag for Life.

 

A number of Melcourt’s growing media products are now available in a maxi-bale format, allowing garden centre customers to buy a Bag for Life and then keep refilling it with their chosen product.

 

The Bob Maker Memorial Award for Best Stand at the Garden Press Event went to Dobbies Garden Centres.

 

David Austin Roses received a Commendation for its Stand Display.

 

Denys & Feilding, exhibiting for the first time at the event, also received a Commendation for its Stand Display.

Notcutts St Albans celebrates official opening of new-look garden centre and restaurant

 

Notcutts St Albans Garden Centre in Smallford has hosted a grand opening event to celebrate its new restaurant and improved look following an extensive refurbishment project...


 

Notcutts St Albans Garden Centre in Smallford has hosted a grand opening event to celebrate its new restaurant and improved look following an extensive refurbishment project.

 

An official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Friday, February 28, with Caroline Notcutt, Vice-Chairman of Notcutts Ltd, and the Deputy Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Sandra Wood, joined by local businesses, customers and the Notcutts St Albans team.

 

The refurbishment project, which has been underway since August 2019, includes a complete transformation to the restaurant, which now offers a modern and spacious dining experience for up to 150 people. There is also a new outdoor south-facing terrace for alfresco dining and a new children’s play area. The restaurant serves freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas as well as a popular selection or cakes, scones and sweet treats.

 

 

The refurbishment continues throughout the garden centre with upgrades to flooring, lighting, customer toilets and a new pet centre with ‘Guinea Pig World’ where customers can meet the garden centre’s resident guinea pigs. Notcutts St Albans has also partnered with Crane Garden Buildings who have over 25 different show models now on display including sheds, summerhouses, garden studios and greenhouses.

 

 

Chris Holt, General Manager at Notcutts St Albans, said: “Thank you to all who joined us for our special opening ceremony in celebration of our recent refurbishment project. It is fantastic to unveil our brand-new look and our spacious restaurant for customers and the local community to enjoy.”

 

Councillor Sandra Wood, Deputy Mayor of St Albans City and District, said after the opening ceremony: “I am very impressed with Notcutts Garden Centre's new look following this major refurbishment and I'm sure the new restaurant and pet centre will be a success, attracting even more customers. “It was an honour to be involved in the opening and very encouraging to see that one of our local businesses, employing many local people, is going from strength to strength.”

 

For more information about Notcutts St Albans Garden Centre, on Hatfield Road, Smallford, visit 01727 853 224 or visit www.notcutts.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Picture credit: Matt Grayson, Copyright: Notcutts Ltd)

Christmas comes early for Greenfingers thanks to Primeur’s latest fundraising donation

Primeur presented the Greenfingers team with a special fundraising cheque for a phenomenal £4,000 at the annual Garden Press Event on Wednesday, after raising money from the sales of the company’s Christmas Glitter Coir Doormat...


 

Primeur presented the Greenfingers team with a special fundraising cheque for a phenomenal £4,000 at the annual Garden Press Event on Wednesday, after raising money from the sales of the company’s Christmas Glitter Coir Doormat.  

 

Primeur’s Christmas Glitter Coir Doormat only became available to stock in August 2019, with the company promising a £1 donation from the sale of each doormat to be given directly to Greenfingers.

 

The demand for this stunning festive product has not only demonstrated the strength and quality of Primeur’s product offering and the potential of seasonal gifting, but it has, more importantly, also showcased how products that support a charity can help to drive sales and raise much needed funds for the charity in question.

 

Primeur’s National Account Manager, Sarah McLafferty said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be able to present Greenfingers with a cheque for £4,000. This figure has far exceeded what we had anticipated raising in six months, and hope that the funds donated will go a long way in helping the charity to continue its amazing work by creating even more stimulating garden spaces that can bring many benefits to children with life-limiting conditions. We will certainly be looking at ways to continue to raise funds in this way, and to support Greenfingers long into the future.”

 

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers added: “We are so grateful to Primeur for this generous donation, and for its continued support.  Our charity relies on donations such as this, as well as the brand awareness that comes from similar partnerships. On behalf of Greenfingers and all the life-limited children and their families who enjoy time in the gardens we have created or are yet to create – thank you.”

 

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity work please visit www.greenfingers.org.uk

 

To find more about Primeur’s full product portfolio including Mighty Mats and ECO Garden please contact the team on 01274 518800 or email sales@primeur.ltd.uk

 
Taylors Bulbs make donation to The Greenfingers Charity

As part of their Centenary celebrations in 2019, Taylors donated £5 for every bag of daffodils supplied as part of the "Little Daffodils" initiative and this has resulted in a magnificent £4,595 being raised for The Greenfingers Charity...

 

Pictured: George Gruitt, who planted his "Little Daffodils" with the help of Langlands Garden Centre in Shiptonthorpe, North Yorkshire.


 

To celebrate their Centenary during 2019, Taylors Bulbs teamed up with nearly 250 garden retailers across the UK to get children gardening through their "Little Daffodils" initiative.

 

Taylors Bulbs supplied over 70000 "Little Daffodil" pots for children to plant with daffodils donated by their local garden centre.  Many garden centres ran planting events during the October half-term or the garden centre donated the bulbs, pots and compost to schools for an in-class activity.

As part of the Centenary celebrations, Taylors donated £5 for every bag of daffodils supplied as part of the initiative and this has resulted in a magnificent £4,595 being raised for The Greenfingers Charity.  Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens for them to relax in and benefit from.

Speaking about the initiative, Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications said "We are so grateful to Adam and the team at Taylors Bulbs for choosing to support Greenfingers Charity on their special anniversary year. This fantastic initiative is not only seeing thousands of Little Daffodils bloom across the country, the money raised will ensure more life-limited children and families will benefit from spending time outside as the number of Greenfingers gardens continue to grow!"

Adam Taylor, one of the fourth generation of the Taylor family said; "We wanted to create a really special event to celebrate our Centenary year with our customers, and, particularly as we are a family business, we know the importance and the joy of engaging the next generation with growing. I am delighted that thousands of children got a chance to plant bulbs through the 'Little Daffodils' initiative and are watching them flower this spring, experiencing one of the delights of gardening. We are also delighted to have supported Greenfingers and raise money for this fantastic charity, dedicated to supporting children who spend time in hospices. It seems the perfect circle to engage with children via our customers and then to support many others who may be unable to experience the joy of gardening for themselves due to illness."

Taylors Bulbs were delighted to be supported by Evergreen Garden Care, The Greener Gardening Company and Westland Horticulture who all generously supported retailers with their compost needs for the initiative.  "Little Daffodils" pots (made from 100% recycled material and 100% recyclable) were supplied by Poppelmann and the printing on the pots was supported by Dejex.

Taylors Bulbs are the UK's leading supplier of flower bulbs, growing and supplying flower bulbs since 1919.  At the helm of the family business is Adam, his cousin Sam and Sam's father Roger overseeing the family owned business.

 

Pictured: George Gruitt, who planted his "Little Daffodils" with the help of Langlands Garden Centre in Shiptonthorpe, North Yorkshire.

Sandy Powell's star-signed suit will help save Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage and garden for the nation

British costume designer and three-times Oscar winner Sandy Powell is to donate the cream calico suit she wore to the 2020 Critics’ Circle, Bafta and Oscar ceremonies to raise funds for Art Fund’s £3.5million campaign to save Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage for the nation...

 

Pictured: Tilda Swinton and Sandy Powell at the launch of the auction.


British costume designer and three-times Oscar winner Sandy Powell is to donate the cream calico suit she wore to the 2020 Critics’ Circle, Bafta and Oscar ceremonies to raise funds for Art Fund’s £3.5million campaign to save Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage for the nation. 

 

 

Throughout the awards season, Sandy asked nominees to sign the suit, gathering more than 100 signatures, including Scarlett Johansson, Brad Pitt, Renée Zellweger, Bong Joon Ho, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Elton John, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern and Saoirse Ronan. Jarman was a close friend and mentor to Powell, who started her career as the costume designer on his 1986 film Caravaggio.

 

The suit will be auctioned by Phillips to raise funds for Art Fund’s public appeal to save and preserve Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, Kent, the home and garden of visionary filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman, for the nation.  The online auction will run from 11am on Wednesday 4 March to 5pm on Wednesday 11 March 2020. During this time the suit will be on display at the front reception at Phillips Berkeley Square.

 

The campaign received a major boost last week with a commitment from the Luma Foundation to protecting Derek Jarman’s legacy as a pioneering filmmaker. The foundation has restored Jarman’s 92 Super 8 shorts and shares them with audiences worldwide. There is much potential for future collaboration between the artistic programme of residencies planned by the Creative Foundation for Prospect Cottage and the Luma Foundation’s cultural centre in Arles, France, currently under development.

 

This grant together with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, the Linbury Trust and the contributions of over 4,500 people brings the total to £2,640,000 with £860,000 still needing to be raised by 31 March 2020 to purchase Prospect Cottage and to establish a permanently funded programme to conserve and maintain the building, its contents and its garden for the future.

 

Through an innovative partnership between Art Fund, Creative Folkestone and Tate, the success of this campaign will enable continued free public access to the cottage’s internationally celebrated garden, the launch of artist residencies, and guided public visits within the cottage itself. Creative Folkestone will become custodians of Prospect Cottage, oversee its long-term care and run these programmes. Jarman’s important archive from the cottage, including his sketchbooks and plans for the garden, will be entrusted to Tate and made available for public access at Tate Britain. Without Art Fund’s appeal, Prospect Cottage is at risk of being sold privately, its contents dispersed, and artistic legacy lost.

 

After Jarman purchased the cottage in 1986, it quickly became a source of inspiration and a creative hub where his parallel artistic practices and collaborators came together. Today it represents the most complete distillation of his pioneering creativity across film, art, writing and gardening: from his 1990 film The Garden starring Tilda Swinton, to his journal, Modern Nature, to poetry etched in the glass, to driftwood sculptures and the remarkable garden he created on the shingle beach.

 

More than 25 years after his death, Prospect Cottage continues to be a site of pilgrimage for people from all over the world who come to be inspired by its stark beauty and by Jarman’s legacy. The cottage and its contents are now being sold following the death in 2018 of Keith Collins, Jarman’s close companion in his final years, to whom he bequeathed the cottage.

 

Art Fund is calling on the public to donate to the campaign via its crowdfunding platform Art Happens: 

 

Pictured: Brad Pitt signs Sandy Powell's suit.

 

 

Worcester centre extension project beats February weather

Construction work has been completed on an extension at Laylocks Garden Centre near Worcester...

 


Construction work has completed on an extension at Laylocks Garden Centre near Worcester.

 

Garden centre strategists Malcolm Scott Consultants worked with the Bromyard Road centre to obtain permission for the 470m² extension. Manager Hannah Warr, whose father Martin has built up the business over the past 57 years, said the project was completed ahead of schedule, despite February’s poor weather.

 

Pictured: Hannah and Martin Warr outside the new extension at Laylocks Garden Centre

 

MSC also helped the Laylocks team to plan space allocations and layouts to maximise footfall and increase turnover.

 

Andrew Burton, retail and operations specialist at MSC, said: “This extension to the indoor sales area brings a significantly larger retail footprint to the centre, which we are confident will now help Laylocks in reaching its full potential and see sales increase.”

 

Hannah said: “I could not be happier with the finished result. February has seen the region battered by storms and floods, which have had a devastating impact on the industry as a whole, so to have this extension delivered on time is a wonderful achievement and has filled our whole team with positivity about the months and years ahead.

 

“The extension will help both our business and the local community. As the first stage of our longer-term goal, it aims to maintain Laylocks’ strength as a quality garden centre growing many of its own plants, while increasing retail ranges, improving the ambience of the centre and providing our customers with an improved shopping experience.”

 

Laylocks is a family-run business, started by Martin in 1973.

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 21 March.

 

Cobra commits to cordless evolution

Cobra has announced the first step towards a more sustainable future by pledging to phase out petrol power in favour of cordless technology...


Cobra has announced the first step towards a more sustainable future by pledging its support to cordless evolution.

 

Its ‘Green Power To The People’ campaign will see the brand phase out petrol powered products.

MD Peter Chaloner said that, like car manufacturers, Copbra would replace petrol with battery power as the company adapted to a more environmentally conscious model. “We’ve already made significant moves away from petrol in recent years and have introduced an extensive lithium-ion battery range, as well as electric options too. Our battery powered products have proven to be incredibly popular showing the demand among customers for not just a convenient option, but also a more environmentally friendly one too.”

But, he added, it would not be an instant change. “This is just the start of the process. Supply lines and contracts mean that we aren’t instantly going to stop production of petrol models. It does however show our commitment to sustainability and our recognition that cordless is absolutely the long-term future for Cobra and our pledge to continue to give Green Power To The People.”

Cobrta’s 2020 new product line up sees the introduction of the brand’s first ever battery-powered lawn scarifier as well as the Mowbot range of robotic mowers.

Because robotic mowers are a permanent feature in the garden, seven stylish designs are available, including British racing green, a camouflage design, a floral pattern or, for those with more traditional tastes, available midnight black.

The S3840V battery powered lawn scarifier is the company’s first non-mower cordless product.

For more information, visit the website.

 
New HTA campaign revives autumn planting message

The HTA will aim to get the nation planting this Autumn with its ‘million planting moments’ campaign...


The HTA will aim to get the nation planting this Autumn with its ‘million planting moments’ campaign.

 

Taking place between 19-27 September 2020, the aim of the week is to encourage everyone , whether young or old, expert or novice, to plant at the traditional ‘natural’ planting time of year. The week culminates in Million Planting Moments Day on Sunday 27 September.

 

The campaign, during the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH), builds on the momentum around tree planting in the UK, reinforcing the message that all plants make a positive contribution to mitigating the impact of climate change. It also provides an opportunity to highlight to consumers the importance of plant health.

 

Consumers will be encouraged to visit their local garden centre for expert knowledge and advice on the best types of plant to choose depending on soil, site and space available.

 

HTA President Boyd Douglas-Davies comments, “By creating a ‘#MillionPlantingMoments’ we are highlighting the huge contribution that plants make to our health and wellbeing, environment and communities. The beauty of the campaign is that anyone can take part, whether they have access to a community space, garden, patio or window box and can plant anything from trees and shrubs to perennials and bedding.

 

“Taking place at nature’s natural time for planting we encourage consumers to visit their local garden centre to find out the best plants for their space and share their #MillionPlantingMoments on social media.”

 

In support of the campaign, Defra’s chief plant health officer, Nicola Spence said: “Our world is much smaller than it once was and increasing globalisation and environmental change have huge implications for the health of the world’s plants. So it’s great to see that the HTA is encouraging safe sourcing and planting to ensure that the UK’s future plants and trees are kept pest and disease-free, through its ‘million planting moments’ campaign.

 

“From considering soil, site and space, the HTA’s advice will prove invaluable for budding gardeners homing healthy plants nationwide.”

 

Consumers can contribute photos of their planting moments using #MillionPlantingMoments, #IYPH2020 and #PlantHealth

 

Key facts on plants and planting:

  • One medium-sized shrub can capture 30 diesel cars’ worth of pollution each year.
  • The cooling effect of green space in urban areas was reported to reduce average temperatures in the UK’s major city regions by 0.63 to 0.88⁰C.
  • Over three years, a single mature oak tree produces enough oxygen to keep you alive for a year.
  • Research has shown that every 10% increase in exposure to green spaces translates into an improvement in health equivalent to being 5 years younger.
  • Scents can connect people directly to nature and the environment, having a significant positive effect on emotions and memory recall.
  • Digging burns an average of 186 calories per 30 minutes – that is more than playing Badminton which burns 167 calories per 30 minutes.
Squire's donates 300 silver birches for local green spaces

Squire’s Garden Centres has donated 300 silver birch trees to local parks and green spaces as part of its ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign...

 

 


Squire’s Garden Centres has donated 300 silver birch trees to local parks and green spaces as part of its ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign.

 

 

The trees were planted in February and March in more than 30 locations, including Priory Park in Reigate, Stoke Recreation Ground in Guildford, Dinton Pastures Country Park in Wokingham, West Street Cemetery in Farnham, The Meath in Godalming, Homewood Park in Chertsey and Broom Road Recreation Ground in Teddington.

 

 

Squire’s campaign started last autumn, when the group donated 5p for every plant sold in September 2019 towards providing silver birch trees for the community.

 

Squire’s Chairman Sarah Squire said she was “very proud” of the ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign. “We want to thank our customers by giving back to the local area, and what better way to do this than by providing stunning silver birch trees that people can enjoy for years to come.

 
Fun plans for Children's Gardening Week

Preparations are under way for this year’s National Children’s Gardening Week in May, which promotes gardening and encourages garden centres across the UK to hold events...


This year’s National Children’s Gardening Week, which promotes gardening and encourages garden centres across the UK to hold events, takes place lin May (23rd-31st ).

 

The aim of NCGW is to get as many schools, children and their families involved, gardening and having fun in their gardens. Pippa Greenwood, the HTA’s horticultural manager, has devised a host of ideas for fun activities.

 

The event’s popular school gardening competition saw more than 300 schools get involved last year. For 2020, Pippa’s theme will be ‘Grass Caterpillars’,  which will give children the opportunity to reuse old tights and socks and get creative!

The HTA will help support garden centres with ideas and inspiration, plus easy- to-use social media content.

 

Updates will be posted on the NCGW’s website here

Follow the hashtags on social media #NCGW #ChildrensGardeningWeek #GardeningIsFun. Facebook @nationalchildrensgardeningweek. Twitter @NCGW_

TV's Katie teams up with Tong for fourth year

Tong Garden Centre at Bradford has partnered with Leeds based garden designer and ITV's Love Your Garden presenter Katie Rushworth for a fourth consecutive year...

 

 


Tong Garden Centre at Bradford has partnered with Leeds based garden designer and ITV's Love Your Garden presenter Katie Rushworth for a fourth consecutive year.

 

The centre's marketing manager Jo Dales said: “We're thrilled to be working with Katie again as her warmth, passion and knowledge make her a natural fit to work with the team here at Tong.”

 

This year Katie will be creating four new pocket gardens in the re-located plant department, using plants for purpose.

 

 

"We will be refreshing these gardens seasonally to show customers the different looks that can be achieved all year round,” Jo added.

 

Ms. Rushworth, who works alongside Alan Titchmarsh on ITV's Love Your Garden and Love Your Home and Garden, said she was delighted to be working with Tong again: “No matter how big or small, sunny or shady, your outdoor space could and should be amazing! Together with the team at Tong, we're creating inspiring spaces and I'm looking forward to revealing them next month.”

 

Ms. Rushworth will be hosting a Spring Garden Event at Tong on 5 April, when she will officially open the new pocket gardens.

 

Pictured (left to right): Jo Dales, Katie Rushworth, proprietor Mark Farnsworth and planteria assistant Matthew Inman.

Quality audience shines through at Classiflora Open Days

The wind, rain and fears over Coronavirus didn't deter buyers from attending and spending at the Classiflora Open Days last week...

 


The wind, rain and fears over Coronavirus didn't deter buyers from attending and spending at the Classiflora Open Days last week.

 

Buyers from Blue Diamond, British Garden Centres, Whitehall, Langlands, Chessington, Perrywood, Kings and many more garden centres had been buying specimen plants by the time GTN Xtra attended the event on Thursday.

 

Classifloras Andrew Dayes told GTN Xtra: "We maintained sales levels to last year, less attendance but the quality audience shines through."

 

Amongst the buyers on Thursday was James Debbage of Green Pastures near Norwich.  A first time attendee at the Open Days James ordered a selection of large plants that he feels will allow him to differentiate from his local competitors.  "We'll be selling these with the great range of pots we stock to allow customers to make statement on their patios this summer."

 
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Mairi Devlin joins British Garden Centres

Mairi Devlin, a former category manager at Wyevale Garden Centres has joined British Garden Centres as Group Trading Director...


Mairi Devlin, a former category manager at Wyevale Garden Centres has joined British Garden Centres as Group Trading Director.

 

Mairi joins several other ex-colleagues from Wyevale Garden Centres at British Garden Centres as Charles and Phillippa Stubbs build their team to manage their 57 centres.

 

 

 

 

 
Growing Media 5% higher than average for February

Evergreen Garden Care Levington Essential Multi Purpose 50 litres continues at the top of the GTN Chart...


 

Highlights of week 9 were:

  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Essential Multi Purpose 50 litres continues at the top of the GTN Chart.
  • Westland New Horizon All Plant Compost 60 litres stays at No 3.
  • Growth Technology Cactus & Succulent Focus Repotting Mix 2 litres moves up 6 places to No 6.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Business Person of the Year Award for Hillmount's Robin Mercer

Robin Mercer, owner of fourth generation Hillmount garden lifestyle centres in Ards, Bangor and Belfast, has been named Business Person of the Year at the bi-annual Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards...


Robin Mercer, owner of fourth generation Hillmount garden lifestyle centres in Ards, Bangor and Belfast, has been named Business Person of the Year at the bi-annual Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards.

 

Speaking of winning the award, Robin said; "I'm absolutely humbled and extremely proud. When my name was announced as the winner of Business Person of the Year, my family saw me speechless for probably the first time in a very long time.

 

"It's an honour to be recognised by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for being deemed the best trader in the local area, in a business opened by my grandfather 80 years ago this summer.

 

"This award is truly special. It's for my wife Edith, our family, our staff and loyal customers who support my ambition, determination, drive and dedication to our business every day."

 

Hillmount won Best Family Business and Best Non-Licensed Catering Establishment at the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards in 2018.

 

www.hillmount.co.uk

 
Wyevale Nurseries granted licence to propagate Lomandra ‘White Sands’

Staff at Wyevale Nurseries are celebrating after being granted the propagation licence for an award-winning Lomandra...


 

Staff at one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries are celebrating after being granted the propagation licence for an award-winning Lomandra.

 

Wyevale Nurseries will be growing Lomandra ‘White Sands’, the first variegated Lomandra, which was also the Winner of Best New Novelty at Groen-Direkt Spring Fair in Holland in January.

 

Kyle Ross, Production Manager at the Containers Division at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford, explained: “We are delighted to announce that we have been granted a propagation license for Lomandra ‘White Sands’ and we are the only end product seller in the UK. By having a propagation license, we are able to take production material from our own stock plants and grow it on, ensuring the integrity of the plants are true to type.

 

“Lomandra ‘White Sands’ delivers everything you need from a 21st Century plant. Its striking cream and green variegated leaves gently cascade, forming tall elegant domes, making it ideal for spot planting or containers.

 

“Planted en masse Lomandra ‘White Sands’ will bring waves of colour and texture as the breeze ripples through the variegated foliage, hypnotic and soothing.

 

“In our ever-changing climatic conditions ‘White Sands’ will cope with both extremes – drought through to waterlogged, what more could you ask for! It is virtually indestructible and will also withstand pets, children’s ball games, frosts and neglect.

 

“As fast growing as many bamboos this evergreen perennial certainly offers customers a great return for their investment and is a landscaper’s dream.”

 

It was bred by a collaboration between Malcolm Woolmore of KiwiFlora Ltd and Robert Harrison of Greenhills Propagation Ltd. Available in a three-litre pot from March. RRP £14.99. Ultimate size 75cm x 50cm.

 
Better than Beast from the East...just!

Plant sales were washed away during February, ending the month down 35% compared to last year. The silver lining was, however, that sales were 9% higher than February 2018 when the month ended in the grip of the Beast from the East.


 

Plant sales were washed away during February, ending the month down 35% compared to last year.  The silver lining was, however, that sales were 9% higher than February 2018 when the month ended in the grip of the Beast from the East.

  • Primula sales continue to dominate at the Top of the GTN Plants chart.
  • Zonal Geranium plug sales increased by 32% to push them to be the No 5 Bestseller.
  • Dianthus sales increased dramatically to climb 21 places to No 6. 
  • All Plants volume sales change: Week on week DOWN 7.5%.  Year to date vs 2019 DOWN 16.8%, vs  2018 UP 10.0%.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Ex-Miracle-Gro man cancels early retirement to back Natural Grower's sales drive

Ex-Miracle-Gro salesman Neil Sim has come out of  early retirement to mentor Natural Grower following a distribution deal with Decco for the company's organic fertiliser...


Natural Grower has confirmed a distribution deal with Decco for its organic fertiliser, a by-product of a renewable energy plant that is fed with maize to generate electricity for the National Grid.

 

The business, launched last year with certification from Organic Farmers and Growers, The Vegan Society and the Soil Association, won the GIMA Innovators award last September.

 

Natural Grower is also now working with Neil Sims (pictured left and on cover page), who worked for Scotts Miracle-Gro (now Evergreen Garden Care) for more than 20 years and has come out of early retirement to use his wide experience of the trade to help new-start or smaller businesses gain a foothold in the garden products market. “We have found Neil’s help and advice invaluable and anticipate great times ahead working with him to promote the brand in the market,” said Charlotte Beaty, a director of Natural Grower.

 
Garden Products down by 18% on last year

Growth Technology Orchid Focus Drip Feeders 38ml become the No 1 Bestseller for the first time...


 

Highlights of week 9 were:

  • Growth Technology Orchid Focus Drip Feeders 38ml become the No 1 Bestseller for the first time.
  • Apta’s Verona Standard Pot 13cm is a high placed re-entry at No 5.
  • Premier Decorations 200 LED Pinwire Lights are the highest new entry at No 14.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Darlac appoints JBM Sales to cover south-west

Tool brand Darlac, part of the Mr Fothergill’s group, has appointed JBM Sales to cover the south-west...


Tool brand Darlac, part of the Mr Fothergill’s group, has appointed JBM Sales to cover the south-west.

 

James Mitchell and Becky Rose of JBM have more than 20 years industry experience. James was latterly head of key accounts at Westland and has also had a spell as head of sales at Fiskars, while Becky worked in marketing at Plymouth Garden Centre and has regional sales experience.

 

When not tending to the needs of the couple’s young family, James enjoys golf while Becky indulges her love of horticulture in their garden.

 

The couple believe believe the independent garden trade should be treated with the utmost respect. “These centres, many of which are run by families, are essential to the area in which they are situated, by providing expert guidance from all staff members, bringing together communities and providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn about horticulture and our environment,” they said after their apopointment. “Our ethos throughout our lives has been to endorse products of a high standard that we are proud to be associated with.” Darlac

 

Darlac MD Tim Jeffries said the appointment continued a process that aims to give Darlac the best possible national sales coverage.  “James and Becky bring fantastic experience to the company...Our sales network continues to expand at a real pace and these appointments will help us ensure that we give the best possible service to our stockists.”

 
Wet February sends veg sales down by 20%

Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron moves back to No 1 of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart...


 

Highlights of week 9 were:

  • Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron moves back to No 1 of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart.
  • Mr Fothergills Fine Curled Cress is the highest re-entry at No 7.
  • Farplants Sage Common Herb 9cm moved 33 places up the GTN chart to No 13

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Dobbies sign up with SmartPlant

Dobbies, now the UK’s largest garden centre chain, has partnered with specialist plant care app SmartPlant. Dobbies to digitise its indoor and outdoor plant ranges for spring 2020...

 


Dobbies, now the UK’s largest garden centre chain, has partnered with specialist plant care app SmartPlant. Dobbies to digitise its indoor and outdoor plant ranges for spring 2020.

 

Following last year’s retail acquisitions and ongoing development of dobbies.com, the deal signifies the retailer’s ambition to merge its online and offline offering and enhance plant care information.

 

Dobbies will work with its suppliers to add their plants to the SmartPlant app to promote brand provenance and specialist care tips. Many of Dobbies growers have agreed to support the move and plants in-store will be activated in the SmartPlant app.

 

Users will benefit from planting instructions, automated care reminders, plant and pest identification and expert chat.

 

The SmartPlant app, which launched in 2017, enables customers to instantly unlock deeper variety-specific content through their mobile devices.

 

Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ horticulture director, said: “The SmartPlant partnership is tremendously exciting for Dobbies garden centres both from an online and offline perspective and we see enormous potential going forward. This will help us to better inform and engage our customers whilst learning from unparalleled customer insights.

 
February Wild Bird Care sales down again

Westland Peckish Natural Balance Energy Balls 50 +20% Free continue to outsell Gardman Fat Snax, tubs of 50 at the top of the GTN Wild Bird Care Chart...


 

Highlights of week 9 were:

  • Westland Peckish Natural Balance Energy Balls 50 +20% Free continue to outsell Gardman Fat Snax, tubs of 50 at the top of the GTN Chart.
  • Tom Chambers Nyger Nibbles 1.5kg plus 33% Free are a re-entry at No 31.
  • Fallen Fruits Peanut Butter For Wild Birds is the only new entry at No 36.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

HTA launches industry e-learning app

The HTA has announced the spring launch of its E-learning app, the HUB...


The HTA has announced the spring launch of its E-learning app, the HUB.

 

Giving access to a range of E-learning and learning and development resources, the app supports accessible learning for the entire horticultural industry.

Features include

  • access to a full range of E-learning courses
  • development information
  • useful downloadable resources
  • up to date news on the go.

A manager’s dashboard also provides an easy way to track staff progress.

 

Individual E-learning courses can be purchased as and when staff need them, for only £20 a course for HTA members.

 

A cost effective and convenient way to train staff, the HUB app is ideal for the industry's learning and development needs.  Its development falls in line with mobile device usage; 79% of British adults own a smartphone, which is forecast to grow by 15% in the next 10 years, and 90% of the time spent on a device is within apps.

 

The app will be available to download for free this spring. For more information you can email here.

 
More emphasis on growers' role at next Plantarium

Plantarium has announced that ‘Greenspiration’ will be its theme for the next edition of the Netherlands trade fair, with more emphasis on the role of growers...


Plantarium has announced that ‘Greenspiration’ will be its theme for the next edition of the Netherlands trade fair.

 

This new path is designed to emphasise the original core values of the fair - and to attract more visitors and participants.

 

During IPM in Essen, Plantarium talked extensively to visitors, who shared their most important areas of interest and their reasons for visiting the trade fair. These conversations reaffirmed the choice for the new theme. Few responses were the same or fell into the same category, but all shared a common denominator: inspiration.

 

 

In its new set-up, Plantarium will recognise the core role of growers, who will be given a central location. This set-up will feature the novelties, innovations and field inspections more prominently. This element is essentially the ‘green gold’ of the event.

 

The Greenspiration theme plaza, which offers visitors a wide range of presentations, discussions and workshops, is new this year. The topics covered will vary greatly but all lie at the heart of the tree-growing sector. They include the growing number of initiatives that aim to plant more trees in cities, often with ambitious budgets and schedules. How can the industry prepare itself to deal with this?

 

A little closer to home, the reasons why some novelties that win prizes ultimately turn out to be unsuccessful will also be explored. 

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Tackling the big garden industry issue: growing media and peat...what happens next?

A leading figure in the growing media sector has revealed how the garden industry is tackling the ongoing ‘Blue Planet’ debate about how to provide customers with quality compost in the future...


 

A leading figure in the growing media sector has revealed how the garden industry is tackling the ongoing ‘Blue Planet’ debate about how to provide customers with quality compost in the future.

 

Steve Harper is  the lead for the industry’s Responsible Sourcing Scheme.

 

“I always had a concern that we were going to replace peat with something else without knowing how good or bad that something else was. That was always the problem: It was ban peat, use peat-free products. But nobody had any real idea how good or bad those peat-free replacements were going to be,” said Steve, who is also head of commercial sales and marketing at the Greener Gardening Company (formally Bord na Mona).

 

“What I don’t want is the industry to move to something that ultimately in 10 years’ time is at least as bad if not worse than peat. 

 

“The Responsible Sourcing Scheme looks at how we measure all products equally. It doesn’t matter if it’s peat, coir, composted bark fibres, wood fibre, green compost, or whatever the raw material might be. Every time we use a different raw material, we can measure them using broadly the same criteria against each other to understand how responsible it is.”

 

Steve says there are seven criteria that each product is measured against. 

  1. Energy – If you are harvesting peat, you’ve got tractors and machinery plus the energy that’s used in getting the product to the factory and the energy used in the factory.  It’s taking all of the energy use up to the point you bag the product.
  2. Water – As a planet, we’re becoming more and more water constrained. We are inside the UK but these products come from other parts of the world as well. So water becomes a big issue.
  3. Social compliance – Are we producing the product in a socially compliant way? In terms of looking at how people are involved in the process. Is everybody paid a proper wage, we’re not using child labour?
  4. Habitat and biodiversity – We haven’t opened new bogs for 10 or 20 years at least. So the damage we’re doing to the habitat and biodiversity is more limiting now, but the release of carbon coming off those bogs has become more of an issue. So, biodiversity is measured and it has become part of the process.
  5. Pollution – Are any of the products we are using creating pollution downstream?
  6. Renewability – How renewable are these products? You go from green compost which is renewable arguably on an hourly basis within a five-year window, to peat which is renewable over a 10,000 year period.
  7. Resource Use Efficiency – That’s about using recycled or by-products as opposed to using virgin products in the first instance.

“Each product has issues and the whole point of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme is to measure each one of these products alongside each other and then give them a score. Since November, a number of manufacturers have started scoring their raw materials. They have to go through a calculator which is available on the Growing Media Association website and they have to score each one of their raw materials versus this calculator, create all the evidence to prove that their scores are robust and then we will go to a third party auditor, one who also audits FSC, who will come in and audit all of those scores. Once a number of companies have had their product audited the benchmarking committee inside the Responsible Sourcing Scheme will decide what is going to be a responsible score. Products that score above that can be deemed to be responsible products, scores below that can’t be deemed to be responsible.

 

“By early summer 2020 we’ll have that responsible score. And that will allow manufacturers to then look at putting something on their bags for the season 2021. What we’re trying to do is mimic some labelling that’s regularly used in the market now and the favourite at the moment is something like the energy rating where you buy a fridge or even a house. The other thing the industry is working hard to try and do is the big question of what’s in the bag? We want to move forward by listing the core ingredients in the bag in order of percentages as with the food industry.”

 

The full interview with Steve can be found in the March issue of Garden Trade News. Click here to view the digital version.

 

If there are any other growing media and peat issues coming up with your customers let us know by emailing trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Garden centre boss who stole almost half a million pounds has hearing adjourned

A Norfolk garden centre owner who stole almost half a million pounds from his elderly mother has had his hearing to claw back cash adjourned, reports the Eastern Daily Press...


A Norfolk garden centre owner who stole almost half a million pounds from his elderly mother has had his hearing to claw back cash adjourned, reports the Eastern Daily Press.

 

Gary Woodley, 66, who used to run the former Aylsham Garden Centre, was jailed for four years in October 2018, after being convicted of stealing £480,000 from his 89-year-old mother, who has since died.

 

There was a confiscation hearing on Friday, at Norwich Crown Court, to claw back cash, but Stephen Spence prosecuting said that sale of assets were in progress and asked for an adjournment when it is hoped matters can be resolved. 

 

The case was adjourned until April 24.

 

Full story can be viewed on Eastern Daily Press website – to view click here

 

Picture: Norfolk Police.

 
Gina and John heading to Monte Carlo in £500 banger

LOFA marketing manager Gina Hinde and her husband John will be heading to Monte Carlo in a £500 banger to raise money for Greenfingers Charity...


 

LOFA marketing manager Gina Hinde and her husband John will be heading to Monte Carlo in a £500 banger to raise money for Greenfingers Charity.

 

“We will start in Bridgnorth and drive 1629km through Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monte Carlo and finally cross the finish line in Nice,” said Gina.

“The journey starts on the 4th June and we will hopefully, fingers crossed, arrive in Nice on Sunday 7th June.  The rules state this is not a race. However, if there is an engine, four wheels and a steering wheel how can it not be a race? I shall probably be disqualified on the first leg.  

“As a huge petrol head I cannot wait to get started but I need your help.  We would love to raise a minimum of £3,500 for the charity, a bit more if we could. So I am appealing to your charitable side and asking if you could sponsor us either personally or via your company for as much or as little as you can manage. If you sponsor us via a company we will put your logo on our car as we sail across Europe.

“This means we could help create more magical gardens around the UK for life-limited children and their families, allowing them  to relax and spend quality time together. We will accept any currency in any denomination!

“You can help LOFA raise money for this great cause by donating directly to our JUSTGIVING fundraising page JustGiving sends your donation straight to Greenfingers Charity so that they can put your generosity to good use.”

 

The LOFA fundraising page can be found by clicking here.

 
Great start to a new season for Durstons

The new spring season for UK based Durston Garden Products couldn’t have got off to a better start with orders up 15% on last year...


The new spring season for UK based Durston Garden Products couldn’t have got off to a better start with orders up 15% on last year. 

 

The company attributes its on-going success to a number of factors, including its ability to produce a consistently top quality range of composts as well as offering its clients a unique all-round customer service experience. 

 

“Being able to tailor-make a service to ones specific customer needs isn’t always possible with larger organisations,” says company spokesman, Dan Durston. 

 

“However, being a small to medium sized enterprise (SME), means Durstons can, and often do go that extra mile to ensure its customers’ gets exactly what it wants, but more importantly, when they want it.”

 

Mix and matching products can be of major benefit to retailers. It means they can order individually, item-by-item their specific requirements without having to stockpile large volumes of one product. It also means that those products which may not be as popular don’t get to sit around for weeks or months on end, on shop floors, or outside where compost is often located and can start to look untidy or weathered over time.

 

Durstons has developed its range to suit all types of gardens as well as all Garden Centre needs. Its prices are extremely competitive and its reputation for supplying a consistently high quality brand speaks volumes.  

 

So, if your still looking for a new compost supplier this season or maybe you just need a back-up-supplier for when things sometimes go wrong, then give Durstons a call: 01458 442688.

 
 
Christmas Grotto Gift Books

View the catalogue in pdf form


 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...


Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

 

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2017 as well as 2018 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here


Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Products chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro chart for this week are here

 

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

Woodworks Garden Centre Cafe wins prestigious award

The Woodworks Garden Centre Café has been announced as Café of the Year 2019 by the Chester and North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club...


 
The Woodworks Garden Centre Café has been announced as Café of the Year 2019 by the Chester and North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club.
 
Situated in the town of Mold in the heart of the North Wales borderlands, The Woodworks Garden Centre Café is the perfect place to enjoy a bite to eat with family and friends. Breakfast, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, the café offers a varied and delicious menu.
 
Every year the Chester and North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club asks members to vote for their favourite café and, this year, The Woodworks Garden Centre Café was the clear winner from a list of 12.
 
To present the award, members of the Club cycled to The Woodworks Café where they were welcomed by Fiona Coke, Café Manager and Steve Morgan, Managing Director of the P&A Group which owns the garden centre.
 
Commenting on the award, Mike Cross, President of the Chester and North Wales CTC said: “There were many votes this year and, from a list of twelve different cafés, the winner by a mile was The Woodworks Garden Centre Café.
 
“The Garden Centre has a secure place for bikes to be stored and the Woodworks Café offers a varied and tasty menu. Congratulations to Fiona and the team for all their hard work in being recognised for this award.”
 
 
Fiona Coke, The Woodworks Garden Centre Café Manager said“We are thrilled that the Chester and North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club awarded us the Café of the Year 2019. We have put a lot of work into making the café as accessible as possible for everyone and this includes catering for groups both large and small. Of course, our food and drink menus and our friendly and welcoming staff also had something to do with winning this award I am sure!”
 
The presentation coincided with the Charles Allen anniversary ride. This annual ride is held on or near the birthday of the Club founder, Charles Allan, who died in 1998 at the age of 86. A Scotsman who served in the Second World War and was evacuated from Dunkirk, Charles founded the Club in 1983, whose members are nearly all retired.
 
This latest award from the Chester and North Wales Cyclists’ Touring Club, comes on the back of The Woodworks Garden Centre and Café receiving a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. The Café is also nominated for three categories in the Welsh Café Awards 2020 with the winners being announced in Cardiff in June. You can find out more details and vote for the Café here.
 
Tasty opportunity for garden centre catering teams

Garden centre restaurant teams are expected to be among the 5,000 attendees at the Casual Dining show at ExCeL London later this month (25-26 March)...


Garden centre restaurant teams are expected to be among the 5,000 attendees at the Casual Dining show at ExCeL London later this month (25-26 March).

 

Organisers say there will be even more to see, sample and demo this year – with many exhibitors exclusively launching new products that will be shaping casual dining menus in the months and year to come.

 

There are more than 200 exhibitors – around 70% showcasing food and drink, while the rest will be presenting everything from the latest must-have equipment, kitchen kit, and tableware, to payment solutions, catering tech, and business services. 

 

Names to check out (several targeting flexitarians and vegans) include:

 

Vegetarian Butcher, which is launching a range of 'meat successors' – vegan and vegetarian products designed for flexitarians.  Products include NoChicken Chunks; NoBeef Burgers and NoHotdogs, which replicate the taste and texture of real meat; as well as NoChicken Teriyaki, NoChicken Shawarma and NoChicken Gyros (stand G55). 

 

LoveSeitan’s vegan pepperoni, supplied frozen or chilled in sausage or sliced format, has the characteristically sweet-smoky flavour of its meaty counterpart.  It’s made from seitan – protein-rich, low fat and 100% plant-based, and flavoured with chilli, smoked paprika, garlic and onion (stand A43). 

 

Vita Mojo OS is launching its Order and Pay at Table system for restaurants, which means there is no longer a need for transactional behaviours of taking orders and payment. A customer can either use QR or NFC on tables to order, with staff interaction only to enhance their experience.  Also new: Your Personalised Tasting Menu, which uses revolutionary AI to shape menu choices (stand G85).

 

Gelarto by Menodociotto’s new plant based, vegan friendly, gelato range is made with 'rice milk', which does not have a strong flavour profile, and is available in 5litre flavours: Vanilla, Chocolate, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, Coconut and Cookies & Cream (stand A65). 

 

Unilever Food Solutions launched a 2.62 litre bucket of Hellman’s Vegan Mayo last year and has now expanded the formats available to include a squeezy 430ml bottle.  Made with rapeseed oil, it contains no eggs, no cholesterol and no genetically engineered ingredients (stand F55). 

 

Trangs Group is launching hand-crafted battered vegan fish fillet, made from combining fresh jackfruit, banana blossom, oyster mushroom and nori coated in a crispy batter.  The product is produced in a BRC certified factory and available for the retail and foodservice market (stand H51). 

 

The Meatless Farm Co has created a sausage patty for an English breakfast muffin.  Made from a combination of plant-based ingredients, including pea protein and unique flavourings, they're high in protein, a source of fibre, wheat- and gluten-free, vegan friendly and made without soy (stand D21).  

 

GS Systems is launching Peazi – a new mobile order and pay solution for customers to order straight from their seats.  There’s no app to download, no sign-up process, no email address to submit, no Wi-Fi to connect to, no queues to stand in.  Customers browse the menu and tailor their choices, then Scan, Order and Pay with ApplePay or GooglePay (stand A37). 

 

Billington Foodservice is launching its new Breathe Easy Brownie – a triple chocolate CBD Infused treat that may help to calm nerves and reduce anxiety (stand A71).  

 

Moving Mountains Food will debut its new Sausage Burger.  A plant-based product that emulates pork, with an identical texture and taste (stand F45). 

 

Kepak Foodservice’s new ‘Burgers with a Blend’ – the Beefroot Burger and Moo-shroom Burger.  The Beefroot Burger is made with 70% grass-fed Irish beef, 15% beetroot and 15% quinoa.  The Moo-shroom Burger is made with 70% grass-fed Irish beef and 30% chestnut mushrooms (stand F61).  

 

Meiko UK is launching a new sustainable range of food waste treatment solutions alongside the new entry-level UPster Series of glass, dish and pass-through dishwashers.  Meiko’s Green Solutions BioMaster takes all food waste including cooking oils, fats and even bones, creating a biomass for collection.  Also showcasing: examples from Meiko’s premium M-iClean series (stand C41). 

 

JJ Foodservice has launched a new range of eco-friendly hygiene products.  The range includes eco- and vegan-friendly Washing Up Liquid, Multi-Action Cleaning Spray, All Purpose Cleaner and Compostable Food Waste Liners.  Also showcasing: UK-made, Cyprus Style Cheese, available in ample supply and up to 62% cheaper than supermarket Halloumi (stand F41). 

 

Glebe Farm Foods’ new PureOaty oat drink is made using only four natural ingredients: British gluten free oats, water, sunflower oil and salt.  Created specifically for foodservice professionals, it stretches perfectly when steamed for textbook microfoam (stand B11).  

 

Belvoir Fruit Farms has introduced Belvoir's Sparkling Pink Lady Apple Juice, made from 100% juice.  The juice is natural, with no added sugar and has notes of sweet apple and vanilla, delicate scents of rose and a citrus fruit tang (stand C40).   

 

Fayrefield Foods has launched a completely allergen free non-dairy cream.  Ready to use in an aerosol can, it is free from dairy, lactose, soya, coconut, gluten, and cholesterol.  The cream is also vegan, Halal and Kosher certified and is ideal for cakes, desserts, hot drinks, milkshakes and ice creams (stand B63).  

 

Fentimans is sampling its Light soft drink range, created by adopting the same botanical brewing process they’ve been using for over 100 years.  Each drink contains less than 60 calories per bottle, whilst sugar has been reduced to 4.8g per 100ml without the use of artificial sweeteners (stand G61). 

 

Binary Botanical has pioneered a new technique in brewing, as well as making it more sustainable.  Hop leaves are usually thrown away at the end of harvest, but Good Living Brew use them in the brew – reducing the amount of bitterness traditionally associated with beer.  This also brings an additional revenue source to local or

 

Free trade registration To register for a free trade ticket, please visit the website  and use priority code CD10 (click here for direct link).