In This Issue
June 2020 sets new garden centre trading records
Record June for plants but still 37% down year to date
Neil and Nicci Gow to close Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre
SOLEX - The show goes on, virtually of course!
Please Help To Make #FloralFriday A Celebration Of Outdoor Leisure!
spoga+gafa suspends for 2020, changing to new date: 30 May to 1 June 2021
Fund for Westland accident victims family reaches £2,405
Three new board members at the HTA
Duchess gets Britain blooming
Darlac Sees Records Tumble!
The rose show must go on
Kindwood looking to partner with UK garden retailers for this summer’s hotly anticipated bestseller
DJ Turfcare supports retailers with five-day delivery & RHS endorsed organic ranges
PetQuip team organises comprehensive exhibitor support package for UK suppliers at Interzoo 2021
Merchandiser/ Area representative
Plant Area Manager, Goonhavern Garden Centre, Cornwall.
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Pots and growing products drive sales to 44% up on last year for June
Wow, what a catch up for Veg growing!
Keter Group to manufacture high-quality face shields at their factory in Cornwall
Growing media all time high for June
Furniture and barbecue sales soar after garden centres re-open in May
Wild Bird Care sales grow too
The best of last week's
Mixed plans for garden centre catering re-openings - UPDATED
Glee and Pawexpo 2020 at the NEC will not take place this year
Fund created for Westland accident victims family has raised £1,645 so far
Flaming June – phew what a scorcher!
June is a record for growing media – even with a week to go!
The Duchess of Cambridge creates more gardening media coverage with visit to Childrens Hospice
#FloralFriday for Greenfingers supports Children's Hospice Week
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
Situations Vacant
Merchandiser/ Area representative
M4 Corridor Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire, Full-time, £21k pa
 
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Plant Area Manager, Goonhavern Garden Centre, Cornwall.
Full time, permanent, £21k - £24k depending on experience
 
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June 2020 sets new garden centre trading records

As predicted last week, total volume garden centre sales in June reported in the GTN Bestsellers weekly Epos data set an all-time record.  Up 35% on June 2019 and even 6% higher than the previous June best set in 2015...


As predicted last week, total volume garden centre sales in June reported in the GTN Bestsellers weekly Epos data set an all-time record.  Up 35% on June 2019 and even 6% higher than the previous June best set in 2015.

 

Within the data, growing related sectors saw huge volume increases and new records set.  Veg 2 Gro for June was up by 199% year-on year, Growing Media grew by 80% year-on year and All Plant sales were up by 45%.

 

In addition, record sales of garden furniture and BBQ’s mean that turnovers will be at even higher record levels for the month too.  With Solex not happening as a live event this year the GTN team will be bringing you the Solex Sun e-mail newsletter every day next week to help you with your buying decisions for next year’s outdoor leisure ranges.  See you there, virtually, of course using this link!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 26

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 38%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 69%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 2%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 283%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 26

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 35%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 30%

 

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and charts in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter each week.  To subscribe for only £145 a year use this link.

Record June for plants but still 37% down year to date

Plant sales in June reached a new record for the month in the GTN Bestsellers Plants chart, 7% higher than the previous June record set in 2018...


Plant sales in June reached a new record for the month in the GTN Bestsellers Plants chart, 7% higher than the previous June record set in 2018.

 

That claws back some of the main season losses, but our GTN All Plant Index is still running at 37% down on last year to date.

  • Tomato plants move back up 4 places to No 3 in the chart selling 370% more than the same week last year.
  • Astilbe climbed 12 places up the chart to No 33.
  • Festuca grasses were the highest re-entry at No 40. 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Neil and Nicci Gow to close Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre

Neil and Nicci Gow are closing Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre later this month after planning permission for a housing development had been negotiated between local planning officers and a developer...


It was announced yesterday (Monday 6th July) that Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre at Bromsgrove is closing to customers later this month.

 

Redevelopment of the site has been on the cards now for 4 years while planning permission for a housing development has been negotiated between local planning officers and a developer.

 

Garden centre owners Nicci and Neil Gow said: “Planning permission to build houses on the site at Burcot was finally granted a few weeks ago, and we feel the time is right to move on. We have very much enjoyed building up the garden centre over the last 12 years, to the thriving business it now is, but feel the time is now right for us to move on.

 

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their loyalty and hard work over the years. We would also like to say thank you to all our customers and suppliers who have supported us.

 

"We have both worked in the trade all our lives and have many friends involved in the industry, so are sure we will still be keeping in touch with everything and everyone .  The industry is changing rapidly at the moment and the next few months are going to be challenging. 

 

"We wish all our colleagues; retailers, suppliers or growers, well for the future and good luck to you all.”

 

Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre was bought by Neil and Nicci Gow from Hurran’s Garden Centres in January 2008. Using their considerable expertise from many years working in garden retailing and Nicci’s background in growing, they built the garden centre into one of The Midland’s most popular traditional garden centres and the ‘go-to’ place for gardening grow-how!

 

A sale to clear stock will commence on 7th July.

 

There will also be fixtures and fittings for sale which could be of use to local retailers. Further information can be obtained from Neil or Nicci Gow on 01527 873470

SOLEX - The show goes on, virtually of course!

Solex may not be happening at the NEC this week but it is happening virtually thanks to an interactive Solex website and the SOLEX SUN...


Solex may not be happening at the NEC this week but it is happening virtually thanks to an interactive Solex website and the SOLEX SUN.

 

http://www.solexexhibition.com/ is the place for the interactive SOLEX 2020 website and the SOLEX SUN, published by the GTN Team, includes news stories from exhibitors and new product information from over 30 digital exhibitors.

 

Read the SOLEX SUN here and sign up for your own copy using this link

Please Help To Make #FloralFriday A Celebration Of Outdoor Leisure!

Thank you to all those who once again joined the fun of #FloralFriday last week. A wonderful array of flowers, plants, bulbs, gardening products and floral shirts filled social media platforms, all helping to highlight the valuable work of Greenfingers Charity...


Thank you to all those who once again joined the fun of #FloralFriday last week. A wonderful array of flowers, plants, bulbs, gardening products and floral shirts filled social media platforms, all helping to highlight the valuable work of Greenfingers Charity.

 

 

Our thoughts for this week’s #FloralFriday turn to our friends at LOFA, and of course SOLEX which should have been taking place this week.

 

Due to COVID-19, the team at Greenfingers Charity know only too well how it feels to cancel or postpone events that so many look forward to. And which for the charity, help to create a million precious outdoor memories for life-limited children and their families.  

 

The news that some of our favourite industry events won’t take place this year have been met with great support and understanding but also with huge disappointment. The value of face to face meetings, networking and sales or indeed fundraising opportunities will be felt by so many of us, as well as those friends who do the hard work organising our much loved exhibitions, Award dinners and conferences.   

 

As a thank you to, and in support of our friends at LOFA and those retailers who will not be making the journey to Birmingham, this week Greenfingers Charity would love your help to fill social media with your favourite outdoor leisure photos. From furniture to barbecues, in-store displays or photos of you, your friends and family enjoying time in your outdoor space, let’s hold our very own exhibition, showcasing the very best reasons to be outside this summer.

 

Taking part in #FlroalFriday is so easy. Here’s what you have to do…

  • Post a an outdoor leisure photo on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #HortIndustry
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity  
  • If you can, make a donation to support the work of Greenfingers Charity by texting FLORALFRIDAYTEN to 70085 to donate £10.
  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

As well as supporting the gardening industry, by joining the fun of #FloralFriday you will be supporting the work of Greenfingers Charity. 

 

With plans to start building three more gardens later this summer/autumn, your help will ensure precious outdoor memories can be created by hundreds of families facing insurmountable odds. 

 

To find out more about Greenfingers gardens in the planning stages and other ways you can help the charity, please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240. 

spoga+gafa suspends for 2020, changing to new date: 30 May to 1 June 2021

Following on from the news about Glee not taking place at the NEC in September, Koelnmesse have now announced that spoga+gafa will also not take place in Cologne at the start of September 2020...


Following on from the news about Glee not taking place at the NEC in September, Koelnmesse have now announced that spoga+gafa will also not take place in Cologne at the start of September 2020.

 

The next edition of spoga+gafa will be held from 30 May to 1 June 2021

 

The fullannoumcement from Koelnmesse reads:

 

At the request of the industry, Koelnmesse is permanently moving the date for spoga+gafa to the first half of the year. In future, this means that the largest garden lifestyle trade fair in the world will be held at a time more convenient for orders by large segments of the industry.

 

With the entire area almost fully booked the spring of 2020 and thus outstanding registration levels for spoga+gafa, the trade fair situation increasingly came to reflect the current developments around Covid-19 and the economic situation.

 

The news about new cases of infection in Germany played a role, as well. The current travel situation is still uncertain, too – particularly at the intercontinental level. That is why in recent weeks a large majority of exhibitors and trade visitors decided not to attend spoga+gafa after all. In the end, the extensive preparations for the trade fair and the #B-SAFE4business package of measures for the coronavirus-compliant implementation of our trade fairs were not enough to calm the hesitancy amongst trade fair attendees. For this reason Koelnmesse reassessed the overall situation together with the Advisory Board and decided that it was best to respond to the cancellations and wishes of a large number of industry exhibitors and visitors by not implementing spoga+gafa 2020.

 

The event will also be rescheduled permanently at the request of the industry. The next edition of spoga+gafa is thus set to be held from 30 May to 1 June 2021.

 

spoga+gafa generated the growth seen in recent years – in terms of exhibitors, space and visitorship – through a particularly close cooperation with the garden-lifestyle industry. Koelnmesse has always placed its focus on the needs of its industries. The development of spoga+gafa into a globally relevant platform for added value and communication was and remains the strategic focus of this trade fair. Building upon this, Koelnmesse used the impacts of the very recent past and, together with the deliberative bodies involved, consulted about the future date for the largest garden lifestyle trade fair in the world.

 

On rescheduling spoga+gafa to the first half of the year, Koelnmesse COO Oliver Frese observed: “The aim of our conversations with the industry is to work together to give a strong trade fair a chance to gain even more strength and market relevance. The focus here is on the ordering behaviour seen in many parts of the industry, which has evolved over the years. In order to do an even more effective job of taking this into account, starting next year, spoga+gafa will be held permanently at the end of May or the beginning of June.” Further information will follow shortly.

 

Koelnmesse – Global Competence in Furniture, Interiors and Design: Koelnmesse is the world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of furnishing, living and lifestyle. At the trade fair hub of Cologne, the leading international fair imm cologne as well as the trade fair formats of LivingKitchen, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, interzum and Kind + Jugend rank among the internationally renowned and established industry meeting places. These fairs comprehensively represent the upholstered and case furniture segment, the kitchen industry, the office furniture sector and outdoor living as well as the innovations of the furniture supply industry. Over the last few years, Koelnmesse has specifically added international fairs in the most important fast-expanding markets to its portfolio. These include idd Shanghai, interzum bogotá in Bogotá, interzum guangzhou in Guangzhou and Pueri Expo in Sao Paulo. With ambista, the online portal for the interiors business, Koelnmesse offers direct access to products, contacts, expertise and events relevant to the industry all year round.

 

Further information is available at: www.global-competence.net/interiors/
Further information about ambista: www.ambista.com/

 

The next events:
imm cologne - THE INTERIOR BUSINESS EVENT (open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday), Cologne 18.01. - 24.01.2021

Fund for Westland accident victims family reaches £2,405

The industry fundraising effort to help the wife and young child of Phillip Moore who tragically died after an accident at Westland's Dungannon factory last month has almost reached half of it's target £5,000...


The industry fundraising effort to help the wife and young child of Phillip Moore who tragically died after an accident at Westland's Dungannon factory last month has almost reached half of it's target £5,000.

 

The fund, set up by garden centre owner, Michael Hayes has generated donations from individuals and businesses across the industry.

 

To add your donation to the fund go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westland-tragedy

 

Thank you.

Three new board members at the HTA

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of three new board members as non-executive directors: Jane Lawler, Lawler Associates; Vicky Nuttall, The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA); and Ken White, Frosts Landscape Construction...


The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the appointment of three new board members as non-executive directors: Jane Lawler, Lawler Associates; Vicky Nuttall, The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA); and Ken White, Frosts Landscape Construction.


Jane Lawler said: “Having spent my entire career in this industry, I’ve benefited enormously from the opportunities it has to offer. So I’m especially pleased to be able to make a contribution to supporting the work of the HTA and the future development of the sector. It’s a challenging time to be joining, but very exciting largely thanks to the high profile the HTA has created for our industry.”

 

 

Vicky Nuttall said: “I’m delighted to be joining the HTA Board to continue to represent members of the retail industry’s supply chain. As well as being able to call on my own knowledge and experience in the sector, my GIMA role will also ensure the continued collaboration between both trade bodies for the mutual benefit of our respective memberships. I look forward to working closely with the HTA to help to build a stronger and more resilient industry for the future”.

 

 

Ken White said: “I am delighted to be able once again to represent the landscaping sector on the HTA board. One of the strengths of the HTA is the diversity of organisations that the association supports providing a unique perspective and overview of the horticultural sector. I look forward to working with the board and the association.”


Boyd Douglas-Davies, HTA President, commented: “We are delighted to have Ken, Jane and Vicky join the HTA Board. They bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge from marketing and landscaping along with supplier and manufacturer insight. This will help to strengthen the HTA offering to members, and ensure that priorities from all these industry elements are considered.”

 

Ken, Jane and Vicky attended their first meeting on 18 June.  At this time, Richard Pryah will be stepping down from the HTA Board, and we want to take this opportunity thank him for all of the time and support he gave during his time on the Board.

 

The HTA Board consists of:-


Boyd Douglas-Davies – British Garden Centres – President
Adam Taylor – Taylors Bulbs – Immediate Past President

James Barnes - HTA Chairman
Alex Vick – HTA Senior Executive and Finance Director
Matthew Bent – Bents Garden & Home - non-executive director
Brian Fraser – Oakover Nurseries - non-executive director
Simon Fraser – Ben Reid Garden Centre - non-executive director
Bob Hewitt – Klondyke Garden Centres – non-executive director
Jane Lawler - Lawler Associates - non-executive director
Vicky Nuttall - The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) - non-executive director
Sandy Shepherd – Ball Colegrave - non-executive director
Ken White - Frosts Landscape Construction - non-executive director

Duchess gets Britain blooming

What a great Ambassador the Duchess is for gardening. What a great Ambassador she is for children’s hospices and their gardens. Just like Greenfingers Charity that for the last 21 years has been creating therapeutic and peaceful gardens for the thousands of life-limited children and families that regularly make visits or spend time in these caring, peaceful yet vibrant havens for so many...


In a move to promote Children’s Hospice Week, the Duchess of Cambridge was seen pictured visiting her local Fakenham Garden Centre and last week dug deep, getting her hands dirty while she helped to create a new garden at The Nook, run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), in Norfolk.

 

A grieving family ­heartbroken by the loss of a young boy, inspired a special tribute from the Duchess of Cambridge who gave the Delf family a sunflower in memory of their son Fraser, who died from a rare genetic condition. 

 

Her Royal Highness, 38, was so moved by the story of nine-year-old Fraser Delf that she gave a sunflower in his memory. The blooms, the symbol of hospice care, was the favourite of Fraser, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

 

What a great Ambassador the Duchess is for gardening. What a great Ambassador she is for children’s hospices and their gardens. Just like Greenfingers Charity that for the last 21 years has been creating therapeutic and peaceful gardens for the thousands of life-limited children and families that regularly make visits or spend time in these caring, peaceful yet vibrant havens for so many. 

 

Having previously worked with EACH, Greenfingers Charity is delighted to be working with The Nook where it will be designing an holistic imaginative space with areas for play, sensory experiences and private areas for relaxation and reflection. 

 

This new garden will support the many hundreds of life-limited children and families that spend time at this wonderful hospice which was opened by the Duchess just last year. 

 

The team at Greenfingers Charity is also looking forward to bringing more hospice gardens to life in 2020 and 2021. 

 

As well as The Nook, other hospices on their waiting list include:

 

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough supports children and young people suffering from life-limiting conditions throughout six Midland counties.  VaRa Garden Design, along with the landscape team Alfresco, will extend and update the hospices memory garden.  Work here is due to start in just a few weeks’ time. 

 

Haven House in Woodford Green, Essex, a nurse-led hospice for babies, children and young people under 19 who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Thanks to award winning designer Tom Hoblyn, a new reflection garden will be created within a stunning woodland space.   

 

St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle provides care for babies, children and young adults across the North East of England in their relaxed and ‘home-from-home’ environment. The hospice has asked Greenfingers Charity to create an all-inclusive play garden which is fun for children with complex disabilities and their siblings and peers.

 
Darlac Sees Records Tumble!

 

Darlac, the cutting tools experts, have announced record sales in June following the 3 months of garden centre lockdown...


Darlac, the cutting tools experts, have announced record sales in June following the 3 months of garden centre lockdown.

 

Sales were an all-time monthly high and were 45% higher than June 2019 as pent up demand saw sales soar in stockists.

 

The company also added some 25 watering product customers as garden centres “discovered” the range while there were 16 new stockists for the already popular cutting ranges in the month.

 

Tim Jeffries, Darlac Managing Director said; “We are so pleased for the support given to us by our stockists as we came out of lockdown. Like everyone we had to fight to keep trading during the period, while keeping our staff safe, but we stayed open to service any centre that kept retailing through online and click and collect services.

 

"We are now seeing unprecedented demand but still keeping close to our service levels of delivery next day or only a day or two delay.

 

"Thanks to the garden trade we are back on track to have an acceptable year”

 

The rose show must go on

Visitors to the Norfolk based rose grower this year might be limited, but Whartons Garden Roses continues to invest in research and development by trialling new roses varieties...


Visitors to the Norfolk based rose grower this year might be limited, but Whartons Garden Roses continues to invest in research and development by trialling new roses varieties.

 

Over 350 varieties are on trial from Europe’s top breeders, many having exclusive agreements with Wharton’s. Breeders include Poulsen in Denmark, Meilland in France, Noack, Kordes and Tantau in Germany, and UK based Gareth Fryer Roses, Warners’ Roses and Peter Beales.

 

The British Association of Roses Breeders ‘Rose of the Year’ competition entries are also included in the trials.

 

Trials are held in the field and then in pots and can be assessed for up to five years to ensure they will perform in both the retail environment and the UK’s gardens.

 

Managing Director Robert Wharton said; "this type of research and development is essential in allowing us to make a proper assessment of new varieties and ensures our range is constantly improved.

 

"We traded throughout the lockdown period with roses proving popular with customers offering click and collect and mail order businesses. Since trading restrictions were lifted demand has remained strong. It’s clear roses still remain the nations favourite flower.

 

"Thankfully we increased production by 150,000 units in 2018 and these will be online for the coming season, helping to meet anticipated demand."

 
Kindwood looking to partner with UK garden retailers for this summer’s hotly anticipated bestseller
Kindwood new Swedish Torch Log sells out within days!

 

 

Kindwood, a UK sustainable firewood company, is offering UK garden retailers the opportunity to benefit from an exciting new sales opportunity: The Swedish Torch Log...


Kindwood, a UK sustainable firewood company, is offering UK garden retailers the opportunity to benefit from an exciting new sales opportunity: The Swedish Torch Log.

 

Once used by the Swedish army as an instant multi-functional source of heat and light, hence the name, the Swedish Torch Log is the latest product to join the sustainable firewood line up at Kindwood.

 

Launched via its website in June, the first batch of the Swedish Torch Log sold out within days, prompting Kindwood’s founder, Taylor Gathercole, to immediately source more wood to ensure demand is met. Originally added as a trial product to see how it would perform, the unprecedented level of orders has meant that the Swedish Torch Log could quickly become Kindwood’s bestselling product this summer, representing a sales opportunity that Kindwood believes garden retailers should also benefit from.

 

Taylor Gathercole said: “With a consumer facing website we are able to quickly and accurately gauge interest in products and are able to advise retailers which products are appealing most. It’s safe to say that the versatility and convenience of the Swedish Torch Log is fitting the needs of consumers as their lifestyles continue to be dictated by lockdown and social distancing measures, and as such more relaxed activities such as picnics and barbecues become the order of the day. Whilst we are able to meet some of this demand via our website, we recognise that garden retailers have an even greater opportunity to bring the product to a bigger, more engaged audience. As such we are currently looking to expand our product offering into UK garden centres and welcome the opportunity to work with both independent and multiple garden retailers.”

 

Whether merchandised alongside existing barbecue ranges, within outdoor gifting, homewares or alongside garden décor, the Swedish Torch Log offer retailers exceptional cross merchandising and impulse sales potential with an RRP of just £9.99.

 

The multi-functional Swedish Torch Log from Kindwood – the environmental alternative to disposable aluminium barbecues

In its simplest terms, the Swedish Torch Log is a 34cm tall log that has been partly spliced and adorned with a rope for easy carrying. To enjoy the Torch Log, simply light the Kindwood natural firelighter which comes with each log, and place in the centre of the ‘cuts’ and watch the magic happen. The splicing enables the perfect amount of air flow to enter the log, providing plenty of heat for keeping the chill off, or for having a more authentic and rustic barbecue experience out in the wilderness (or garden!)

 

What sets the Torch Log apart from other product of this ilk is the fact it is clean, portable and self-contained. With a burn time of 2-3 hours all users have to do once the fire has died down is dampen the remains and dispose of the wood or use it on your next big bonfire.

 

Unlike disposable barbeques which have become the go-to for al fresco dining on the go, the Swedish Torch Log will not leave unsightly and dangerous burn marks as it burns from the inside out and keeps its shape whilst burning, nor will it damage the environment or wildlife should it be left behind as wood naturally degrades unlike aluminium. The Swedish Torch Log is the perfect choice for environmentally responsible consumers.

 

In the garden, on the beach or wherever the need for some heat/light or a rustic barbeque is required, Kindwood’s Swedish Torch Logs are also perfect for lighting paths at parties or adding a seriously cool (temporary) lighting solution in the garden.

 

In a nutshell - the Kindwood Difference

  • All Kindwood wood is kiln-dried to less than 20% moisture content which means it burns at a high temperature with a long and natural flame
  • Every piece of wood is dried using 100% captured waste heat from a biogas plant at Kindwood’s Norfolk-based yard
  • The drying process and wood choice also means that Kindwood products are low in tar, so better for your appliance
  • Kindwood products are ideal for wood-burning stoves, multi-fuel stoves, pizza ovens or traditional open fires
  • Kindwood is big on recycling which is why its products are supplied in rustic ex-fruit/veg crates and hessian sack from local farms and orchards, both of which are perfect for repurposing around the home and garden as storage or decorative accents
  • All Kindwood wood is carefully sourced from responsibly managed woodland in the UK within a maximum radius of 80 miles of its HQ

Website: https://kindwood.co.uk

 

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/kindwooduk/

DJ Turfcare supports retailers with five-day delivery & RHS endorsed organic ranges

If the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it is that gardening has an important and valued role to play in the physical and mental health of many of us...


If the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it is that gardening has an important and valued role to play in the physical and mental health of many of us. As such, we are witnessing unprecedented sales of gardening products with demand continuing to outstrip supply. With many retailers struggling to achieve even minimum stock levels, one leading supplier, DJ Turfcare, is welcoming new customers aboard thanks to its speedy delivery and market-leading organic fertiliser ranges.

 

With delivery available for its Viano range from just five days, DJ Turfcare is continuing to lead the way, and has proudly done so throughout lockdown. The company reports that its UK customers are enjoying uninterrupted supply, which means the tills can continue to ring as consumers enjoy the fruits of their labour in their gardens, allotments and vegetable patches long into the summer season.

 

DJ Turfcare’s David Jenkins said: “I appreciate that times are hard for many suppliers, working with skeleton staff and being limited by raw material or manufacturing delays. However, these issues are incredibly difficult to explain to consumers and retailers are being left with no alternative but to seek new supply partners. We’ve already welcomed several new customers and are ready to welcome more, all whilst not compromising on our fast delivery to store. Five days is all it takes to receive orders, with the long-term picture looking strong as our Belgium-based manufacturers, Viano, continue to increase production and UK bound delivery.”

 

DJ Turfcare offers UK consumers access to one of the most respected lawn care product portfolios available on the market today. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society since 2018, the range delivers high performance results, whilst also setting a new standard for environmental responsibility and sustainability with its 100% organic-based products.

 

It is this organic message which David believes will stand retailers in good stead for the long term. He added: “Our organic-based fertilisers provide a real and tangible alternative to existing chemical-based fertiliser ranges. Many of our retail customers are telling us there is a natural move towards organic products as consumers look to minimise their impact upon the world in light of the Corona pandemic. Couple this with the fact that our customers are telling us there is an issue with supply of traditional chemical-based ranges, and it becomes a clear choice for retailers who may have previously been considering moving to a more environmentally responsible supplier. It’s a win-win for all parties, with the planet winning most of all.”

 

DJ Turfcare’s flagship product – and the one that continues to top the bestsellers list - is Mo Bacter, an organic-based, slow-release fertiliser for lawns, which destroys moss by secondary action. It is easily spread, contains no chemicals, is pet and child-friendly, and completely harmless to garden plants. MO Bacter has legions of dedicated customers, all returning year after year to give their lawns a much-needed boost.

 

The second product in the portfolio is Recovery, which is praised by customers for its ability to completely transform tired, dry and brown lawns. Recovery contains the unique ingredient, Humifirst, which creates biological activity and acts as a plant growth stimulant making it perfect to use before laying turf, seeding, after drought or as an autumn lawn feed. Like Mo Bacter, Recovery has a proven track record for delivering expert quality results and is used by consumers who want to create a pristine lawn without the professional price tag.

 

Finally, Bio-Lime completes DJ Turfcare’s RHS endorsed offering. Created to combat black layer and all the acidic and sour conditions that can provide an ideal environment for moss to thrive, Bio-Lime essentially ‘sweetens’ the soil to raise its pH. Benefitting from almost year-round application usage, Bio-Lime is praised for its chemical-free formulation, making it an environmentally friendly solution to existing chemical-based products, and the perfect choice for the growing ‘green’ gardening sector.

 

DJ Turfcare’s RHS endorsed product offering can be purchased from www.djturfcare.co.uk, as well as from a wealth of UK garden centres.

PetQuip team organises comprehensive exhibitor support package for UK suppliers at Interzoo 2021

UK pet care companies are urged to utilise the many advantages available to exhibitors within the PetQuip-organised UK group at next year’s Interzoo, which has just opened up for bookings...


UK pet care companies are urged to utilise the many advantages available to exhibitors within the PetQuip-organised UK group at next year’s Interzoo, which has just opened up for bookings.

 

The PetQuip trade association is already planning for the rescheduled show, which will now take place in Nuremberg, Germany, on 1-4 June 2021.

 

The international pet trade exhibition was due to take place on 19-22 May this year but the organisers decided to postpone the show because of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Now bookings for Interzoo 2021 have opened, UK companies wishing to take a stand have the opportunity to either join the UK Pavilion or exhibit on an independent stand with the benefit of all the support, information and advance publicity offered by the multi-lingual PetQuip team, who will be based on the PetQuip industry information stand within the pavilion in a prime location at the show.  

 

PetQuip has organised strong UK groups at Interzoo for many years and as one of the Department for International Trade’s Trade Challenge Partners. Interzoo will be on the bid list as always for cash grant funding for eligible SMEs taking part, which PetQuip administers and distributes.  

 

Director General Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “Following the postponement of this May’s edition of the show, the PetQuip association team is looking forward to supporting UK exhibitors at Interzoo in 2021. 

“Our experienced team has already reserved space in a prime location for the UK exhibitor group at this event. We provide a comprehensive show support package for exhibitors which includes organising space and stand build if required, plus advice and information on all aspects of exhibiting; excellent international PR coverage before, during and after the event; a multi-lingual Product Innovation brochure which will be sent to international buyers drawn from our exclusive database; plus help during and following the event to maximise sales leads and guidance on converting these to new export sales. 

“A total of 56 companies were part of the PetQuip UK exhibiting group at Interzoo in 2018 and demand for exhibition space in the prime location we have reserved is already very high for

2021.”

 

Interzoo is an ideal opportunity to showcase products to the world and is by far the most important overseas exhibition for the British pet care industry, with an expanse of over 120,000 square metres of exhibits.

 

Trade buyers visit the show from every continent: 74% of those at Interzoo 2018 came from outside Germany and 94% of the exhibitors made new business contacts and were happy with the quality of visitors met.

 

No other international trade fair for pet suppliers offers a more comprehensive product spectrum. Themes like equestrian sports, pet food technology, shop fittings, IT systems etc are represented as well as traditional products for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, aquaria and terraria.

 

PetQuip has already received a tremendous response from UK companies interested in exhibiting in the UK Pavilion at Interzoo 2021, and is urging those businesses thinking of attending to register their interest now.

 

Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2021 show should contact Katie-Mai Smith at katie-mai@petquip.com for further information or visit www.petquip.com to register their details and for stand information, costs and booking forms as these are available.

 

 

Please contact PetQuip if you would like to benefit from membership of the association or require any further advice and assistance on: 

Email: info@petquip.com

Websites: www.petquip.com

 
Merchandiser/ Area representative
M4 Corridor Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire, Full-time, £21k pa

We are currently seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to merchandise our dedicated In-store TV display stands. Previous merchandising experience is preferable, as is some experience of customer service, although full training will be given.

 

You will be responsible for approximately 60 customers who will need visiting every 4-6 weeks. These customers are a mixture of garden centres, High Street retailers and out of town retailers.

 

The work can be physical.

 

This vacancy would suit a person with experience of FMCG.

 

Sales or merchandising experience in the Garden Centre retail sector a distinct advantage.

 

You will be confident, have a smart appearance with the ability to develop good customer relationships.

 

The candidate should hold a full clean driving licence. Some overnight stays will be required as well as visits to our head office in Lincolnshire every 3-4 weeks.

 

Company van, telephone and laptop provided. Company Pension Scheme also offered.

 

Starting salary in the region of £21,000 with a potential increase after completion of successful 3-month trial period.

 

Apply in the first instance along with your CV to Sally Ginever Sally.Ginever@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

 

 
Plant Area Manager, Goonhavern Garden Centre, Cornwall.
Full time, permanent, £21k - £24k depending on experience

This is a new position for our independent garden centre as we are in need of someone to manage and maintain the plant area department. Over the past few years, we have expanded and successfully installed a covered canopy in our plant area and subsequently seen an increase in sales. We are now looking for someone to assist the garden centre manager in the day to day running of the plant area and take our garden centre to the next level.


We are looking for someone enthusiastic about horticulture but most importantly has a passion and knowledge of retail and customer service. They will need to lead the plant area staff and bring them together as a team to create outstanding displays and drive sales.


Main responsibilities will include:
• Managing the plant area department team
• Plant buying
• Waste management
• Responsible for health and safety within the plant area and for COSHH
• Managing all outdoor displays, labelling and point of sale
• Stock control - responsible for stock taking all goods using the EPOS system
• Liaising with the garden centre manager to create plant promotions and plant based 'events'

 

Qualifications & Experience Required:
• Must have previous garden centre experience
• Excellent leadership skills
• LEAN management awareness
• Exceptional plant /horticultural knowledge
• Commercial awareness
• Previous plant buying experience
• Knowledge of EPOS systems and stock control
• Excellent IT skills

 

Salary: £21,000 - £24,000 depending on experience


FULL TIME, PERMANENT.

 

Please apply in writing with a CV and covering letter to manager@goonhaverngardencentre.com

 

Goonhavern Garden Centre
Newquay Road
TRURO
Cornwall
TR4 9QQ


www.cornwallgardenshop.com

 
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Pots and growing products drive sales to 44% up on last year for June

Garden Product sales volumes were 44% up on last year for June but that didn’t quite set a new record as the month total was 4% down on June 2015...


Garden Product sales volumes were 44% up on last year for June but that didn’t quite set a new record as the month total was 4% down on June 2015.

 

The make up of the sales was quite different, however.  In 2015 garden lighting was the dominant area for volume sales and this year it’s been core gardening growing products and pots.

  • Gardman Bamboo Canes 90cm, pack of 20 is the highest re-entry of the week at No 15.
  • Westland Resolva Rose 3 In 1 Bug Killer Ready To Use 800ml is the highest new entry at No 35.
  • Smart Solar’s Bee Bug Light climbs 21 places up the chart to No 14 as garden lighting volume sales start to grow.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Wow, what a catch up for Veg growing!

Wow, what a catch up for Veg growing!  Being at home, no holidays and unrivalled TV coverage has meant...


Wow, what a catch up for Veg growing!  Being at home, no holidays and unrivalled TV coverage has meant that where normally in June veg plant and seed sales are tailing off this year with growers still supplying plants are flying out of garden centres into new patches and pots in UK gardens.  Up 199% on June 2019 and up 67% on the previous June Veg 2 Gro high set in 2015.

 

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 

 

 
Keter Group to manufacture high-quality face shields at their factory in Cornwall

Keter anticipates that up to 4000 face shields will be made in Redruth every day...


Keter is already recognised globally for its leading household and garden ranges. Now, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, AP Medical, Keter’s medical division, has developed a re-usable CE certified face shield which will start production in its Redruth factory shortly.

The new face shield is designed to be comfortable to wear over time, to protect the face and eyes from virus carrying droplets and to prevent care givers accidentally touching their face. After cleaning and sterilisation, the face shield can be re-used, helping to reduce waste and ease the strain on care facility supply chains.

Keter is committed to supporting its local communities and will be donating a quantity of face shields across Europe to help address the ongoing need to protect people. It’s anticipated that up to 4000 face shields will be made in Redruth every day.

Kerry Murfin, Keter’s Marketing Director Europe, said: “We have worked relentlessly to make this happen within a short time frame. It has never been more important to support our local communities. We are proud to be able to manufacture and produce face shields at our Redruth site to help in the ongoing supply of required equipment.”

 

• Researched and developed by the AP Medical arm of the Keter Group
• Comfortable face shield to protect the face and eyes from virus carrying droplets
• Re-useable after cleaning & sterilisation to help reduce waste and strain on care facility supply chains
• Produced in Cornwall (Redruth)

 
Growing media all time high for June

Despite all the trials and tribulations with the supply of growing media since re-opening sales have been through the roof and the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 volumes for June have reached an all time high for the month...


Despite all the trials and tribulations with the supply of growing media since re-opening sales have been through the roof and the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 volumes for June have reached an all time high for the month, up 80% on last year and 35% ahead of the previous high set in 2015.

 

Last week also saw a new record for peat free compost sales in the Top 50 with 10 compost lines being peat free.

 

PA-54334800.jpg

 

  • Westland Multi Purpose with John Innes 60 litres climbed 22 places up the chart to No 8.  Was that because HRH Duchess of Cambridge was photographed using this at the Hook Children’s Hospice last week?
  • Melcourt Soil Improver 50 litres is a new entry at No 47.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Multi Purpose with John Innes 40 litres stays at No 1 for the third week running.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Furniture and barbecue sales soar after garden centres re-open in May

Furniture and barbecues were the biggest sellers when garden centres re-opened in May (2020) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade report. Sales were up 24.19% compared to the same month in 2019...


Furniture and barbecues were the biggest sellers when garden centres re-opened in May (2020) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade report.

 

Sales were up 24.19% compared to the same month in 2019.

 

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive explained: “It was devastating to see our beloved garden centres across the country forced to close due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

“Not only did we miss one of our busiest times of the year, Easter, but the closures meant gardeners weren’t able to properly prepare for the new season.

 

“In true British ‘keep calm and carry on’ spirit, we were extremely proud to see how well our member garden centres coped with the lockdown. Many began offering online or telephone orders and delivery services, doing their best to ensure their customers could continue gardening during the pandemic.

 

“It was certainly tough, and we were all extremely grateful when centres in England and Wales were allowed to re-open in early May. Those in Scotland and Northern Ireland followed a few weeks later, all with strict social distancing measures in place.

 

“Thankfully, the Great British weather was on our side, and when centres re-opened, the weather was glorious, meaning lots of customers stocked up on garden furniture and barbecues in order to enjoy their outdoor spaces.”

 

Hard landscaping sales were also up 20.36%. Houseplant sales were down -25.51%, outdoor plant sales were down -13.19% and seed and bulb sales were up 2.49%.

 

Gift sales were down -55.05%. Food hall and farm shop sales were down -8.18%, clothing was down -71.66% and catering down -98.85%.

 

Iain added: “Many centres still have gifts and clothing departments closed in order to help customers social distance, so this has affected sales figures and restaurants and cafés currently remain closed.

 

“It’s not surprising that traditional categories were down. There have been some problems with plant availability since the re-opening, especially bedding plants. Many growers ceased or reduced production significantly during the lockdown having seen perfectly good crops, worth millions of pounds nationally, go to waste at the end of March and in April.”

 

Sales in garden sundries were up 7.78% and pets and aquatics sales were down -27.13%.

 

Overall sales for the month were down -21.95% with a year to date change of -35.7%. However, Iain noted that if the catering figures are stripped out, the monthly change is closer to -6%, reflecting the quick reversal of fortunes once centres reopened on May 11 and 13 in Wales and England, respectively.

 

Martin Cowell, Director at Cowell’s Garden Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “We are delighted that our sales for May were up against last year, thanks in part to some healthy online sales while we were unable to open our garden centre to customers.

 

“Since reopening on Saturday May 16, it has been wonderful to see our customer’s enthusiasm for gardening, which has resulted in excellent sales for compost, outdoor plants and pots in particular. Our May sales were +6.7% with year to date sales of +7.8%.

 

“There was a huge effort from the team, who have worked incredibly hard during and after the lockdown to achieve these tremendous results. Let’s hope it continues throughout the summer and autumn.

 

“I’d also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the GCA and the Horticultural Trades Association for lobbying on our behalf to get garden centres opened again.”

 

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

 

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

 

Guy Topping, Managing Director at Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston, said: “Trade was very strong from the off, with weekdays trading like weekends, and strangely, weekends being quieter than usual. Furniture, BBQs, plants and compost flew out with our average sale nearly three times the norm.

 

“Our Farm Shop opened a bit later and has traded very strongly since re-opening.”

 

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

 
Wild Bird Care sales grow too

Wild Bird Care is also benefitting from the steady flow of customers in garden centres with June volumes ending the month up 9% on last year and 2% up on 2017...


Wild Bird Care is also benefitting from the steady flow of customers in garden centres with June volumes ending the month up 9% on last year and 2% up on 2017.

 

Last week saw 4 new entries and 13 re-entries into the GTN chart as shelves get re-stocked.

  • Henry Bell Fat Balls 50 Tub we re the highest new entry at No 6.
  • Fallen Fruits Peanut Butter for Wild Birds was also a new entry at No 26.
  • Honeyfields Easy Clean Prefilled Peanut Feeder joined the Top 50 for the first time at No 49.

 

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
The best of last week's

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


 
Mixed plans for garden centre catering re-openings - UPDATED

A straw poll of garden centre businesses about the re-opening of their restaurants and coffee shops has revealed that half are planning to partly re-open after lockdown restrictions are relaxed on Saturday July 4th, only a few are planning a full re-opening and a third are not intending to re-open their catering operations at all for the time being.

 

"We are reopening on the 4th and will try to keep our offer as close to what it was before.  Looking at our Garden Centre takings I'm expecting demand for catering to be as high if not higher than last year..."

"It does not make economic sense for the moment, even given the extra draw to the site we know catering is to a garden centre and the resultant retail spend..."

"This is going to be harder than opening the garden centre as there are so many balls to keep up in the air at the same time. Overall we won’t be rushing..."

""I do not believe we will make any money during the first week but should at least cover our costs.  Onwards and upwards!.."


A straw poll of garden centre businesses about the re-opening of their restaurants and coffee shops has revealed that half are planning to partly re-open after lockdown restrictions are relaxed on Saturday July 4th, only a few are planning a full re-opening and a third are not intending to re-open their catering operations at all for the time being.

 

As part of the GTN Xtra Straw Poll we asked for comments about their plans and concerns.  Here they are, starting with the businesses that said they would be re-opening fully on July 4th:

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters said: "We are reopening on the 4th and will try to keep our offer as close to what it was before.  Looking at our Garden Centre takings I'm expecting demand for catering to be as high if not higher than last year.

 

"We are now building a second covered outdoor coffee shop to help take the pressure off indoors.  Indoors you will be met at the doors and taken to a table, when its quiet one member of the party may be able to order at the till point otherwise orders will be taken at the table and then as usual food delivered to a table adjacent to the one the customers are sat at.

 

"We will remove all self service elements in the first week or so.  Having said that the rest of the store and supermarkets are self service so why should restaurants be different .  The most important issue is making sure movement within the restaurant is one way and minimised.

 

"Although ppe will be provided we have found staff in the Garden Centre don’t want to wear it and don’t see the need .  Like the Garden Centre the pay point/till will be behind Perspex.

 

"The cooked food menu will be restricted but the deli will be much the same.   I think Cake sales will suffer as they are normally self service/buy with your eyes.

 

"Our mission is to keep all our staff employed and therefore we need to make sure we can deliver a similar turnover to last year.  Clearly this will be more staff intensive so we may have to lift some prices to compensate. 

 

"We will be lifting the cap on the number allowed in the garden centre from 120 to nearly 300.  But the important issue will be the feel of the centre rather than the number.

 

"It's one thing getting the restaurant open but its important it remains profitable.  At both our sites the restaurant is the most profitable part of the business."

 

Tim Goold at Henry Street: told GTN Xtra: "It is probably going to be a bit like when we re-opened the garden centre, we will play it a bit by ear as to how busy we are and where problems occur.

 

"Our initial plans are to re-open on Sat 4th. We are planning to run along the lines of how we originally operated but with only 1 counter and a socially distanced queue.  We will continue to limit the number of customers into the whole site although we will up the total number as we have more room now.  We are planning to space tables well apart so keeping the 2m rule and also we are going to take some of the plant area adjacent to restaurant to give us more room.

 

"We are planning a one way system in and out and also for food service keeping staff 2m apart from each other as well as screen to separate counter staff from customers.  We will run a reduced menu to start with. Again this means the kitchen staff can be 2m apart from each other

 

"Having had the experience of running the garden centre for 6 weeks now we think we can cope and that our customers are now used to one way systems / queuing etc.  The difficulty will be a new group of staff coming in who are not used to it.

 

"It will be a case of see how it goes and tweak things where problems arise.  Oh joy another weekend at work!

 

"I think as an industry we have managed to adapt pretty quickly and have weathered the storm, however it is hard to gauge what the long term impact is going to be.  Will people / government have run out of money by Christmas?"

 

James Debbage at Green Pastures in Norfolk reported: "We will be opening our restaurant from 4th July on a full table service basis.

 

"We will of course be distancing our internal seating but we are now extending our outdoor seating area out into the planteria canopy, creating a mixture of dining and outdoor plant displays which we are hoping will give it more of a unique and relaxed feel compared to the other local dining establishments. We will be heavily pushing alfresco dining over the next few weeks!

 

"We will be encouraging all diners to book in advance but we want try and still be flexible to allow casual coffee and cake visits if we can. We are now installing public WIFI at long last so we can run an app which will allow diners to order and pay online to reduce contact with waiting staff.

 

"Our breakfast menu remains the same but we have revised our lunchtime menus; partly to fit our revised staff structure but also so we can explore some new ideas that we’ve been wanting to try!"

 

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the centres who've told us they are not re-opening for the time being:

 

Neil Gow at Fresh@Burcot stated: "We will not be re-opening Cafe Fresh on the 4th July.  Given the size and nature of our operation we do not see it would be economically viable to trade.

 

"The guidance/rules for ‘safe’ trading would mean we would have so few covers we could operate, even on a decent day of weather when we could use The Lawn, that we could not take enough to justify costs.

 

"The increased overheads of additional staff and implementation of safety methods would add to the non profit trading situation.  We do not see how we could make sufficient alterations to the kitchen and prep areas for ‘safe’ working within the guidelines without such radical change to our menu that the success of Cafe Fresh would be compromised.

 

"Then while we know customers want Cafe Fresh back, are they really going to use it? Do people really want to come out and socialise, yes, but do they want to sit in an environment with others around them even at social distance? Can we afford to have two customers taking up a table and chairs for two hours while they catch up on their lives of the past 15 weeks over two cups of tea and a slice of cake spending less than £10?

 

"It does not make economic sense for the moment, even given the extra draw to the site we know catering is to a garden centre and the resultant retail spend."

 

Andy Bunker at Altons told us: "I can answer in one simple word that’s NO – not in any way shape of form will be offering catering at present.

 

"Reasons being all the time we are running with restrictions on customer numbers coming in it does not make any sense at all to have a good percentage just sitting in the restaurant, especially during summer where many customers want to rest from the heat.

 

"In fairness our catering is not as big as some of our fellow Tillington members and I can understand their desperation to get catering going asap.  Even then I would still question potential restaurant customers against potential big ticket sales of furniture, BBQ's and plants versus parking spaces.

 

"With sales of all the above still very strong we are channeling all of our efforts in to these areas and will be for the foreseeable future.

 

"All of our staff have been informed of this and been told this will be reviewed in August."

 

Caroline Owen at Scotsdales, also a Tillington member,  said: "Currently we are not planning on opening our cafes on the 4th July or within the next couple of weeks.

 

"We will of course keep this under review and watch with interest how the High Street, the pubs and other garden centres are working before we reopen.

 

"This is partly because we do not have a catering manager to run the café at Shelford at the current time."

 

And in Sheffield, Neil Grant at Ferndale Garden Centre reports that they also won't be rushing into re-opening their restaurant: "We are planning the reopening now but will not be opening on the 4th & probably for some days afterwards.

 

"With spacing we will have cut down the covers and expect to only start with a fraction, possibly about 25% of our normal 190 indoor covers. We will be using outside and considering taking over a section of the plant area to put more covers outside. Not sure about table booking yet.

 

"We really feel we want to get the hang of a few before adding more covers. Even though our kitchen is bigger than most moving around it has other spacing issues like people crossing over.

 

"Queuing is another issue we haven’t bottomed yet either.

 

"We are reducing the menu offer to the most popular lines and the simplest to do to reduce the numbers in thee kitchen.  This is going to be harder than opening the garden centre as there are so many balls to keep up in the air at the same time. Overall we won’t be rushing."

 

The majority of garden centre businesses we contacted are however planning to partly re-open their catering operations, on or near July 4th.

 

Alan Roper says that Blue Diamond will be: "Opening 12 of the 42 restaurants in week one then the rest over the following 2 weeks. If the opening weekend goes well in terms of staff coping with the new full table service system and the customers flocking back in then we will accelerate the rollout. We will be operating inside and out.

 

"It’s a full table service that people can book but no pre-booking required. Customers can pay and order from their mobile devices at the table if they wish."

 

British Garden Centres are also re-opening some of their restaurants to test the water before rolling out across the group.

 

Dobbies will be making an official statement on July 1st but in the meantime a Dobbies spokesperson said: "“We are currently working on our plans to reopen our restaurants in Northern Ireland (3 July), England (4 July) and Wales (13 July) which will include dining in our indoor and outdoor seating areas. In Scotland, our outdoor seating areas will open on 6 July, with full opening planned for 15 July.

 

“Social distancing measures will be in place and we will be following guidelines outlined by Government.”

 

David Yardley at Klondyke Strikes told GTN Xtra: "We have had lots of discussions around the reopening of restaurants and given the different sizes of operations we have there is probably not going to be a one size fits all solution for this.

 

"We are going to re-open one site at High Legh the week of the 6th July and test out our systems there before rolling this out to the other centres.

 

"It will be a table service option we go with as we do call to order service at the moment anyway. Once we are open we will then review what has worked and what hasn’t and be able to adjust as necessary. There isn’t the same urgency to get restaurants open as there was with retail but we do see it as being important to do so."

 

At Baytree Garden Centre they have erected a marquee outside the restaurant and will be offering an outside table service experience to start with.

 

Tam Woodhouse at Millbrook is also focussing on outside catering to start with: "We are not opening whole operation straight away.

 

We will focus on outside barista and burger bar first. Then on inside. We are a counter operation and I am loathe to completely change this to table service so working on how this system will work. 

 

We're aiming for outside from 6th or 8th July and then will see how it goes. Staplehurst will follow and who knows when Crowborough will be able to operate as the space is so small."

 

Paul Cooling at Coolings Green & Pleasant is also re-opening their Nature Trail alongside a modified cafe service: "At Coolings Green & Pleasant, we will be re-opening the Nature Trail on Saturday to annual pass holders only as a “trial run” to a limit of just 100 people during the day. We normally expect 3-400 at this time of year.

 

"We will also be opening Blueberry Café with a greeter who will take people to their numbered table and explain the process.  On the recently cleaned table there will be a reduced selection, cold food only, on an A4 paper menu and a disposable pencil for marking the choices on the paper, which is then taken to the, socially distanced, till point for ordering and payment.  The order will then be brought to the table.

 

"Tables have been spaced but we can still accommodate 50 inside and 44 outside, less than half the usual capacity.

 

"We believe this to be the most efficient process for our situation and realise that we will most likely need to adapt at the end of the day and the following day and the day after that.

 

"I do not believe we will make any money during the first week but should at least cover our costs.  Onwards and upwards!"

 

At Perrywood, Simon Bourne reports: "Yes, we are opening from Monday 6th. Booking only and lunch time only for at least the first week. Everything will be table service and we have reduced the menu to make it easier in the kitchen with social distancing. I am expecting a big demand!

 

"In the first week we will be open for lunch service only, and all customers will have to book in advance. The booking system is not up and running just yet, so please don’t contact us to try and book.

 

"After the first week we aim to begin to scale up operations and add in other dining opportunities such as breakfast and of course our much loved Coffee & Cake, or Scone!.

 

"We are busy working out many of the finer details, which are focused on team and customer safety, as well as ensuring that everyone has a great experience. This is similar to the approach we took in reopening the garden centre, which worked really well.

 

"Once the Restaurant is open, we will continue to offer a takeaway service, cake and scones only from the marquee in the car park. We will remove the pre-order options.

 

"The Perrywood Sudbury Coffee Shop will open again in mid-August.

 

"Garden Centre trade continues to be very strong. I still have no idea how long it can continue."

 

Mike Burks at The Gardens Group where garden centre sales are still very buoyant is planning to re-open restaurants but in a limited way from the 6th. "We need to find out how to do it before we get into a season where the outdoor space can't be relied on.

 

We are using a different space at Castle Gardens because the small rooms of the existing restaurant aren't great with social distancing.  We'll be starting with coffees, teas, cakes, cold drinks, ice creams etc and then making sure the systems work before we introduce lunches and breakfasts.

 

We'll have limited indoor space and expanded outdoor space.  There will be booking at Brimsmore and Poundbury and for the inside spaces at Castle."

 

Finally we received some comment from garden centres in Wales who are still awaiting news of when they can plan for re-opening of their restaurants:

 

Martin Davies at Raglan told us: "No news on our restaurant opening here in Wales, we are certainly behind the curve when it comes to the hospitality sector. Just waiting for a green light.

 

"Trade despite the rain squalls was good today as it has been since re-opening. Even though this is the first weekend for town centre shops to perhaps take some trade away from us, customers numbers were well up."

 

And in North Wales, Justin Williams at Fron Goch said: "Wales has not announced any dates or criteria yet so we are in the dark a bit but will watch others eagerly. We do hope to continue with self service though but yet to discuss with our local authority."

 

Yesterday, Charlie Groves from Groves in Bridport told GTN Xtra: "Up until now the increased retail sales have been making up for the catering sales so I haven’t been desperate to open from a financial point of view however as gardening has now slowed the need to get the restaurant reopened has become more apparent.

 

"We have quite a lot of work to do to get Ivy House back open for catering. We have been using it as a garden furniture showroom so we now have to get all of the furniture back into our shop.

 

"To give us a bit of extra time and a softer opening we have decided to open on Monday the 13th.

 

"We have ample outdoor space and we are intending on using this to our full advantage. We will be changing to full table service. This will stop queues at the counter and allow us to control where customers sit to improve social distancing. We will also be opening a standalone coffee and snack shed that will offer the customer an opportunity to get quick bites without having to use the full table service. This will be entirely outdoor seating so will be very weather dependant.

"We are hoping that the large amount of outdoor seating and the spacious, airy interior of Ivy House will give people the confidence to return and give us an advantage over a lot of the local, smaller establishments."

 

Would you like to add to our Catering Re-Opening Straw Poll?  Are you planning to fully re-open catering, partly re-open catering or not at all for the time being? If you are re-opening, will that be inside or outside? Will you be running a table booking system to allow you to manage customer flow more easily?

 

Please either use the comments link below or send your reply to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk and we'll add your comments to the story.

 

Glee and Pawexpo 2020 at the NEC will not take place this year
Glee virtual forum taking place on 15 and 16 September 2020

Hyve Group have announced changes to their 2020 show calendar.  Glee and Pawexpo 2020 will offer a virtual forum this September and Glee and Pawexpo will return the the NEC on 14th-16th September 2021...


Hyve, the organiser of Glee, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show, and the co-located Pawexpo, the premium pet trade show that cares about pets, people and the industry, today announce changes to the scheduled event in 2020.

 

As a reflection on conversations between the organisers and the garden and pet retail market, Hyve made the decision that Glee and Pawexpo 2020 will not take place this year. Glee and Pawexpo will return as a live event at the NEC in 2021.

 

The team behind Glee and Pawexpo are excited to host a virtual forum for the pet and garden retail markets this autumn, taking place on 15 and 16 September 2020.  More information on this online event will be available on the website in due course.

 

‘We have been listening to both our exhibitors and visitors, and the feedback from garden retailers has been incredibly supportive of Glee and Pawexpo. That has enabled us to take a fresh approach and bring the community together through the launch of a brand-new virtual forum.” says Matthew Mein, Event Director – Glee and Pawexpo. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to provide a new platform for interactive industry discussions and product discovery. We are also looking forward to when the industry can meet again in person both at Glee at Spring Fair in February 2021, and Glee and Pawexpo 2021 taking place 14-16 September.”

 

“We’re delighted that Glee is launching a virtual forum”, says Boyd Douglas-Davies, P.R. & Communications Director, British Garden Centres Group. “We are looking forward to fully engaging with this in September. Glee is such a pivotal point in the year, missing a year was never an option for us. We wish Glee’s virtual forum every success and look forward to meeting everyone in person again in 2021.”

 

More information will be available on the website in due course. Glee and Pawexpo will continue to provide webinars, industry news and digital content that keeps the garden and pet retail community informed and connected on The Community hub.

 

For more than 45 years, the Glee exhibition has been nurturing the art of garden retail and has become the premium destination for garden and outdoor living inspiration, bringing the British, European and international markets together to the UK. Glee provides unique access to the latest products, trends and industry insights. Glee provides one platform for the entire supply chain where independent retailers, multiple retailers, garden centres, landscape designers and builder’s merchants come to source new inspiration. Glee is a brand of Hyve Group PLC. http://www.gleebirmingham.com

 

Pawexpo is co-located with Glee, the largest garden and outdoor living tradeshow in the UK. Pawexpo is a brand-new, premium national trade show that really cares about pets, people and the industry, putting the personal touch into the customer experience. As the demand for pet products continues to increase, so has the need for a national trade show to meet the growing demands of the global pet buying market. Pawexpo is a brand of Hyve Group PLC. http://www.paw-expo.com

 

 
Fund created for Westland accident victims family has raised £1,645 so far

Ayrshire garden centre owner, Michael Hayes of Hayes Garden Land in Symington has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the family of Philip Moore who died after a tragic accident at Westlands Dungannon factory.  The appeal has raised £1,645 so far and as a result Michael has reset the target to £5,000...


Ayrshire garden centre owner, Michael Hayes of Hayes Garden Land in Symington has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the family of Philip Moore who died after a tragic accident at Westlands Dungannon factory.  The appeal has raised £1,645 so far and as a result Michael has reset the target to £5,000.

 

"Weʼre raising £5,000 to help the wife & young child of a man accidently killed in our Garden Centre industry and show we care," writes Michael on the JustGiving page.  "An Irish man recently lost his life whilst working to supply our industry. He leaves a wife and young Child and although no amount of money will heal their loss, we are honoured to show our appreciation of his endeavours. The Growers and Retailers of the Garden Centre Industry of the UK and Eire thank you."

 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westland-tragedy

 
Flaming June – phew what a scorcher!

Garden centre volume sales for June are up year on year, with a week of sales data still to add.  After just three weeks the GTN Bestsellers All Sales Index shows total volume sales to be 5% ahead of the whole month last year...


Garden centre volume sales for June are up year on year, with a week of sales data still to add.  After just three weeks the GTN Bestsellers All Sales Index shows total volume sales to be 5% ahead of the whole month last year.

 

And that’s happened despite all other retail opening on the 15th June.  Many people were fearful of the effect all other retail would have on garden centre sales, but actually, more people being out and about shopping has resulted in increased socially distanced footfall and sales.

 

With garden centres being regarded as the most safe places to shop, perhaps this increase in sales can continue through July and into August, provided there are supplies of plants and products.  Well done to all who are getting products through to garden centres.  If garden centres have it in stock this summer, they are very likely to sell it.  Keep up the great work!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 25

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 49%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 55%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 4%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 256%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 25

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 41%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 39%

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and charts in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter each week.  To subscribe for only £145 a year use this link.

 
June is a record for growing media – even with a week to go!

June sales of Growing Media have already set a new record for the month, and there’s still a week of sales data to go! Last week’s sales were 55% up on the same week last year reducing the overall year to date deficit for sales while centres were open to 22%.

 

Last week saw the most new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart we’ve seen for a long time:

  • Melcourt All-Purpose Peat-Free Compost 50 litres was the highest new entry at No 26...

June sales of Growing Media have already set a new record for the month, and there’s still a week of sales data to go! Last week’s sales were 55% up on the same week last year reducing the overall year to date deficit for sales while centres were open to 22%.

 

Last week saw the most new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart we’ve seen for a long time:

  • Melcourt All-Purpose Peat-Free Compost 50 litres was the highest new entry at No 26.
  • Melcourt SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose 50 litres debuted at No 29.
  • Westland Rose Planting & Potting Mix Bag 25 litres came in at No 35.
  • Westland West+ Multi-Purpose Compost & 4 Month Feed 120 litre Bale is new at No 41.
  • Melcourt SylvaGrow Farmyard Manure 50 litres joins the Top 50 at No 43.
  • Westland Weed Stop Decorative Ground Cover 90 litres enters at No 45.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
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The Duchess of Cambridge creates more gardening media coverage with visit to Childrens Hospice

Last week The Duchess of Cambridge joined families from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) to plant a garden at The Nook, one of EACH’s purpose-built hospices near Norwich and media coverage of gardening and garden centres went into orbit again...


Read more and see pictures from the royal visit

Last week The Duchess of Cambridge joined families from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) to plant a garden at The Nook, one of EACH’s purpose-built hospices near Norwich and media coverage of gardening and garden centres went into orbit again.

 

Marking the end of Children’s Hospice Week, The Duchess met with staff from EACH’s care and facilities teams to thank them for the incredible work that they do. Children’s Hospice Week 2020 is organised by the UK charity Together for Short Lives and aims to celebrate and raise vital funds for the UK’s 54 children’s hospices.

 

Using plants bought during her visit to Fakenham Garden Centre the previous week, The Duchess worked alongside an EACH volunteer gardener, staff and two families to help create a space that would provide enjoyment for children and families, using sensory plants such as lavender, bay and rosemary. The garden also contains strawberry plants, herbs, geraniums and hydrangeas in a calming lilac colour scheme.

 

In a message from The Duchess about Children’s Hospice Week, she said:

 

“This Children’s Hospice Week, I’d like to thank the amazing staff for all the work that you do in

children’s hospices around the UK. The care and the nurture that you provide children and families in the most unimaginable circumstances is just awe inspiring.

 

“I’d also like to pay tribute to all those families out there who are caring for and looking after a child with a life limiting illness. You do the most extraordinary job and I know it’s particularly hard at the moment so my thoughts go out to you all.”

 

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and supports their families. Their care service includes specialist nursing care, symptom management nursing, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies, counselling and volunteer services in the family home; all meeting the individual needs of the child, young person and whole family.

 

Throughout the pandemic the charity has continued to deliver end of life and emergency crisis care as well as bereavement support. They have also adapted their services to support families by phone and online.

 

The Duchess has been Royal Patron of EACH since 2012 and attended the official opening of The Nook in November last year. Last week she joined The Duchess of Cornwall in a call with their

children’s hospice patronages to mark the start of Children’s Hospice Week 2020.

 
#FloralFriday for Greenfingers supports Children's Hospice Week

Greenfingers Charity supporters across the UK took part in the thirteenth #FloralFriday to highlight the work it does in children’s hospices across the UK...


Read more and see GTN Xtra's gallery of #FloralFriday pics

Stars of the week were Anne Marie Powell and David Domoney who both kindly featured #FloralFriday in their social media live broadcasts on Friday.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5b0fApot-/ is the link to Anne Maries IGTV post and you can click here to watch David's Facebook Live event

 

See GTN Xtra's gallery of a selection of the #FloralFriday posts for this week below.

 

There is no doubt that we have all felt the benefits of gardening and spending time outside in the fresh air as we navigated through a world in lockdown.  Whilst this additional engagement with gardening can only be good for our industry, going forward, this message will help Greenfingers Charity as it faces a challenging road ahead. 

 

The charity’s work planning and designing gardens for life-limited children and families who spend time in hospices has continued over the last few months. Just as soon as it is safe to do so, the team at Greenfingers is very much looking forward to more gardens in hospices becoming a reality this year.

 

Please help Greenfingers Charity remain in the hearts and minds of its industry friends and garden lovers by taking part in #FloralFriday.  With your support the charity will be able to continue to make a difference to thousands of life-limited children, their families, and their carers every year.

 

Taking part in #FloralFriday is so easy to do and doesn’t have to cost you a penny…though every penny, or pound does help!! Here’s what you need to do…

  • Post a floral ‘selfie’ or a photo of your garden or favourite Flower on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #HortIndustry
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity  
  • If you can, make a donation to support the work of Greenfingers Charity by texting FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5 or FLORALFRIDAYTEN to 70085 to donate £10.
  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

To find out more about Greenfingers gardens in the planning stages and other ways you can help the charity contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240. 

 
 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
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 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.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 £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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