In This Issue
"Every single thing we do is driven at the moment by trying to manage the risk to customers and staff"
Four tips to maximise your garden centre on a budget
Hillier to Open New Garden Centre at Syon Park Estate
British nurseries are amongst the most eco-friendly on the planet, not that you’d know from watching Gardeners’ World
Restaurant gets star billing at redeveloped centre
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are back!
Change at the top for family-run Highfield Garden World
Sales jump by 20% to record mid-November levels
Plants are selling at record levels during Lockdown 2
Container issues continue to escalate at UK ports 
HTA launches Sustainability Roadmap to guide UK horticulture towards leading edge of sustainable business practice
The Most Jumperful Time of the Year Fundraiser starts tomorrow!
Work starts on site for largest Dobbies in South West
Possible Christmas tree shortage due to Danish mink cull
Henry Bell clinches deal with Future Marketing Group
Janssens Greenhouses – over 70 years of heritage
Garden centre gets new appearance thanks to Smiemans
GTN November issue now on-line
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden centre customers find happiness in houseplants in October
Two-thirds more gardening this Autumn – Wow!
End of season pot bargains and houseplant care star
HTA reacts to new December tier arrangements
Gonks fly through tills as Christmas sales jump up
A Christmas feast for your garden birds
The best of last week's
A Perfect Storm Hits the Garden Market
Sales fall by 5.5% in Lockdown 2
“The Smart Show must go on…line!”
Five creative ways to enhance your takeaway service during lockdown
Profits up at Notcutts in year to February 2020
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Back to business for industry exhibitions
Tong donates stock to South Yorkshire dog rescue charity
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"Every single thing we do is driven at the moment by trying to manage the risk to customers and staff"
Garden Centres put the positive stories about retailing during Lockdown 2

Over the weekend, GTN Xtra has been speaking with garden centre owners and managers about how they have been pro-actively managing customer safety during Lockdown 2...

 

"Everyone has to be thoughtful and help. And that's the message we're trying to get across.”

“We spent a huge amount time last week, expanding the queues to two and a half rather than two metres and made them wider outside to make sure people are social distancing."

“We're being quite respectful about the fact that we're really fortunate to have been able to stay open.”

 


 

 

Following last week’s burst of media stories about queues outside garden centres and knock on effects of cars parking on roadsides when centre car parks were closed GTN Xtra has been speaking with garden centre owners and managers over the weekend to find out more about the measures they have been putting in place to keep their customers and their staff safe while they, very gratefully, trade through Lockdown 2 and cope with the added pressures of customers wanting to shop Christmas as well as their gardening and plant essentials.

 

Let’s start at Ayletts where Adam Wigglesworth sent us photo’s of their “Shop and Go” banners (above). Adam explained: “We've got this massive banner outside that says, we are running a shop and go model.

“We're not encouraging people to browse we are encouraging people to shop efficiently.

“That's why we've created more till points and if you're coming for your Christmas tree, you can literally buy it in the open, leave through an open air till, get back in the car, done.

“Genuinely, every single thing we do is driven at the moment by trying to manage the risk to customers and staff. That is really what it is. I'm sorry that you're not browsing. I'm sorry that we haven't got as many amazing displays, but we've got some and we've kept the magic of Christmas but we've tried to do it in a way that means you don't get mobbed by other people.

“That's the shop and go model. It doesn't mean you can't have a nice experience, but we don't want people to be here for four hours. That's not the model we're on at the moment. That's why we won't be opening our coffee shop.

“You'll see the banner says we're limiting numbers in the shops, so please shop as efficiently as possible. Because every person who takes a really long time shopping is making another person wait in the car park and then they're increasing their risk because although they are standing with their face mask on they're still near other people. So, everyone has to be thoughtful and help. And that's the message we're trying to get across.”

 

Back in April Derek Bunker at Altons in Essex predicted that Christmas would be big this year. How right he has been proved, despite having to implement measures to reduce the number of customer sin the garden centre.  “The way we've coped with it is we have restricted the parking spaces. We shut off an area of the car park, so that meant we could get so many cars in. If you can't get so many cars and you don't have so many people in, you solve one of your problems.

“If you come here, you drive down the road and there's a queue to get in the car park you decide to either wait in the car or you drive on because you're not going to do it. So, you're disappointed, but you're not annoyed.

“What we then do is we have a monitor on the door and we have people advising him when its OK to let customers in. At the same time, we also make sure that before they go in the shop, they're either wearing their face masks or they show us their exemption. We've had a few arguments about that because although they don't have to show me the exemption, I say you're quite right but by law I don't have to let you in.

“People are coming to the garden centre because they want to cheer themselves up. A lot of people have a lot of spare cash compared with normal because they can't go out for a meal, they can't go on holiday. Whereas they might normally have twenty five, thirty pounds to spare, they've got fifty or sixty spare now and saying we're going to go and buy ourselves a big reindeer or a big artificial tree or whatever it might be. I think people are cheering themselves up.

“Now I’m interested in all the potential gardening gifts and great ideas for all those new customers who are more garden aware.”

 

In the North West, Matthew Bent, who has been managing Bents Garden & Home remotely due to one of his children contracting COVID-19, told us: “Our car park has been fine. We've only been up to 70 percent of capacity in the car park. it's not been too bad, but queues to get into the centre have been long.

“The worst day actually is a Sunday. You can see the conversion rate in the week is really high. Then it drops on a Saturday and then on Sunday it just drops to the floor. So, everybody is going out on a Sunday, not buying, they're just going to look around and spending ages in the store, which makes the queues even worse on a Sunday.

“We spent a huge amount time last week, expanding the queues to two and a half rather than two metres and made them wider outside to make sure people are social distancing.

“We have been so careful with everything directed to customers, with any non-essential email or non-essential tweet is saying you can just come to us for essentials, if you are buying non-essentials please use on-line.

“One of the things we're considering is do we actually limit the numbers of people coming in next year? Because it is a pleasure to shop. It's so much easier to actually get around. And I think people are just doing it one shop rather than a number of shops. But I think we are missing those customers who just come along to look and they might pick up a couple of things along the way.

“I know not many people talk about it, but our plants sales are still massively increasing. It's phenomenal. Planted containers, for example, are massive at the moment and we're doing so many more of those. Compost, is still massively increasing and even plant pots and containers are still selling.

 

From South Wales, Nicola Pugh and Roger Crookes at Pughs Garden Centres report: “From the outset Pughs have seen the need to demonstrate careful management of both numbers and customer flow around their garden centres. It is not easy, it requires extra effort, and patience, from everyone on the premises.

“We cannot expect to able to live or shop in quite the same way as we used to, at this stage at least, if we are going to be able to beat this virus.

“We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and appreciation from our customers; seeing and hearing the joy customers get from their gardens, and garden centre visits, has been a real encouragement to keep on trying to adapt to the ever changing retail environment.

“The autumn lock downs have been more tricky because the weather is less conducive to queuing, but again our customers have been amazing and patiently queued when required.

“Pughs were one of the first retailers I have seen to use an electronic number counter linked to a traffic light system at the front doors.

“Part of the problem, I think, is that garden centres are enjoyed as browsing destinations – we all love to walk around looking at the plants etc and that may not be practical when the centres are running at capacity during times of peak demand. So we have to try and help our customers make their essential purchase decisions and move through the centre quickly, this is not the way we like to operate but we have to be realistic and fair to the customers who are waiting outside … and generally it seems to work.

 

In Scotland Ken Cox at Glendoick Garden Centre told us:At 7pm last night (Friday) we were sent a Scottish Government announcement that Santa experiences had to move outside.

“Our Santa experience was due to open at 10.30 on Saturday morning. So at 9am, 6 of us moved the whole thing out into our covered outdoor space, hung lights built the sleigh, decorated trees and put in some heating. We have managed to comply with the sensible Scottish Government advice. We opened on time and lots of happy children have been through our socially distanced Santa experience this weekend.

 “We are steady but not overwhelmed and are offering a safe and hopefully satisfying shopping experience which our customers are complimenting us on.

“We have a gate on our Christmas shop so that when it gets busy people have to wait. 2 members of staff handle the queue.

 

Back into Essex and Simon Bourne at Perrywood said “We’ve installed new screens between the tills so that all of them can be open so we don’t get long queues there and we’ve also opened extra tills in the planteria and Christmas Tree sales area.

“We’ve just added Christmas Trees to our compost Drive Thru, so customers can buy a fresh tree without leaving their car if they wish.”

Perrywood have also put up videos on the social media channels asking customers to consider coming in small groups this year.

 

James Debbage at Green Pastures in Norfolk says he’s seen far fewer visitors than normal coming to the site during Lockdown 2 due to the closure of their restaurant. “We don’t have a Christmas decorations department like the bigger centres and so we haven’t had that draw either.

“We have however enjoyed a moderate increase in visitors to our farm shop and our post office counter, both of which provide essential goods and services to our local community. Visitors are carefully managed by numbers being restricted in the respective shops at any one time and there are strict one-way systems in place.

“We have recently launched a new website www.greenpasturesnursery.co.uk which includes a Green Pastures webshop for the very first time! This is currently just for CLICK AND COLLECT for customers who don’t wish to be as safe as possible and not come into the store and browse. It’s an ideal for service for those who want to shop online but still get their hands on goods instantly, whilst still supporting a local independent business.  This has suddenly proved very popular in the last couple of weeks for Christmas trees, tree stands and food and drink purchases.  It’s taken some time to get off the ground but it’s now a great asset to us and to our customers, especially now.”

 

Nigel Wallis at Baytree near Spalding told GTN Xtra: “At both centres we have been counting customers in and we are still using the HTA guidelines, especially at the weekends, with extra walkie talkies for ease.

“As we have a new one way in and one way out exiting through our new farm shop, which is working really well, we have moved disabled and parent child parking to middle of car parks and had it all re lined.

“To be honest apart from the odd moan about the one way system (mainly the regulars who don’t like change) we have had great positive comments about how safe people feel.”

 

David Yardley told us that whilst the Klondyke Group have been busy the past few weeks they have not had a big issue with queues at the centres. “It might be different now the real trees are in stock but we are doing some late nights at centres to spread the sales out and with no Santa’s grottos or Christmas events customers aren’t staying as long as previous years.

“When the restaurants reopen next week at some of the centres, (5 centres are in tier 3 so won’t have a restaurant open) there are fewer covers so we don’t see that being too much of an issue either. We are still controlling numbers coming into store, having one-way systems, hand sanitiser etc so our customers are generally feeling safe and happy to visit.

“We have not had to limit car parking spaces or had any traffic issues, at least no so far but are keeping an eye on this and will react if we have to.”

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters in the West Midlands, sent us a copy of an e-mail he sent to his local environmental officer which received a positive response:

“I’m sorry you received a complaint about us this morning.   Although the store was busy over the weekend customer numbers are down on last year, 35% less yesterday.

“We have a number of measures in place which I will list for you.

  • All staff are temperature checked on arrival and that is recorded.  They are wearing masks throughout the premises not just on the shop floor.   We have screens in place not just between customer and staff but also in our offices between staff.  Staff numbers are limited in staff rooms etc.
  • We have a dozen hand sanitiser stations for staff and customer use, positioned on the entrance door and at points around the store.
  • We have someone on the door all weekend and busy periods through the week.  They are there to space customers out as they enter the store.
  • We find that having someone on the door means more people hand sanitise as they enter.
  • We have signage along the queuing area reminding customers of our procedures, hand face space  etc
  • Very few customers enter the store without wearing a facemask and most of those not wearing them are wearing a lanyard.
  • We are discouraging dogs in store as they don’t help with social distancing.
  • We have a one way system in place.
  • We have already removed several bottle necks and more were identified over the weekend and are being removed now.
  • We have used social media to encourage more shoppers onto week days and away from weekends.
  • We used to have very busy Wednesdays because of our Over 60s club where a discount is offered.  We now offer that 5 days a week rather than just the one day.
  • We are also promoting our phone and collect service.
  • We only have one internal concession, Cotton Traders and that is closed.
  • We will be using the Tannoy to remind customers on distancing.
  • We are operating all five tills each and every day to get customers out of the store as quickly as possible.
  • The restaurant is closed as well as Skytrail.
  • We do have signs around the store encouraging quick visits

“We have seen an uplift in trade (although fewer customers) and we put this down to shops being closed elsewhere and people putting up their own decorations earlier. We suspect once we get to December our trade will subside as more shops open and people have completed putting up their decorations.

“The real Reindeer will not arrive until after the 1st December and if lock down continues they will not arrive until that is lifted.  However, the reindeer being outside will help draw customers outside rather than being inside. 

“We do plan on running the Santa grotto but after the 2nd December and as long as lock down is not extended.  We have already cancelled and refunded November bookings.

“The grotto used to comprise of mixed family groups traveling through four rooms before exiting with a photo and gift.

“This year there will single family activities on tables under cover but outside.   These will be supervised by masked Elves and Mrs Christmas.   The adults must wear masks and we are planning on taking the temperature of all participants.

“One family at a time will then be shown into Santa.  He will be positioned with a physical barrier between him and the family.  The child will help themselves to a gift and photos will be taken by parents if they wish but at a 2 m distance.”

 

Will Blake at St Peters in Worcester, who got shut down by his local environmental officers back in May says he’s had nothing but good feedback from their visits during this Lockdown.  “Last time around we moved our entrance to give us a better one way system. We haven't moved it this time. We're bringing them in through the entrance, but we're wrapping them right the way round our plant area because that's covered but outside. So we’ve got about 80 meters of queue that's under cover but in the plant area, where all our impulse plant purchases are strategically displayed.

“We've got various queuing marshalls. They are all on radios and they hold up the queue depending on the flow in front of them.

“We don't just base it on the number like we did in the early days, we just base it on the flow of people into each area.  We manage each area, not just on a very simple number in the centre overall.

“Then we've got the Garden Radio Social Distancing messages, and we're also putting our own out every 15, 20 minutes or so, just asking people to make their selections as fast as possible in a nice way and to keep their kids by their sides, because that's one of the problems when you get kids all over the place, it’s quite hard to control the flow of people.”

 

Police were called to Whitehall Garden Centre in Lacock last weekend after complaints of cars being parked on verges nearby.

The garden centre moved quickly to try to solve the problem and issued the following statement: “Firstly we would like to apologise for the distress caused to the residents and the surrounding communities that were affected by the cars parked dangerously along Corsham Road over the weekend.

“We experienced an unexpectedly large number of customers arriving at the Garden Centre over the weekend. At 10:30am on Sunday we were already at our max capacity, with both car parks full and a two-hour queue outside the centre.

“As a result, we made the decision to shut the gates to discourage more cars entering the car park. But regrettably as a result a number of these people took it upon themselves to park a mile from the garden centre along Corsham Road towards Corsham.”

 

Tong Garden Centre has also experienced queuing outside it store because of a reduced number of customers being allowed in at any one time.

Managing director Mark Farnsworth said: “We have had queues to get into the garden centre because we are limiting numbers inside the building to make it easy for everyone to adhere to social distancing rules.

“This is normally a very busy time of year for us and we would normally have over four times the number of people in store and in our restaurants, the restaurants are obviously closed at the moment.

“By making it easy for people to socially distance then we know our customers and team will feel safe and that’s vitally important to us all. We have had lots of positive feedback from customers as to how safe they feel right from May when we reopened.”

 

Meanwhile, Brigg Garden Centre has cancelled its Santa’s Grotto experience as Tier 3 restrictions are imposed on northern Lincolnshire. The centre said: “Santa has been in touch. He had heard the news of the nationwide restrictions that came into effect. He was looking forward to seeing you at the Brigg Grotto Experience however he has, with a heavy heart, decided that he must isolate and will not be leaving Lapland until his big flight on Christmas Eve night. Santa sends his apologies and looks forward to visiting you during the hours before Christmas morning. Remember to go to sleep nice and early.”

 

Alan Roper, who has been in Guernsey since March and has recovered from a COVID Infection told GTN Xtra that the Blue Diamond Garden Centres were working to slightly below the government guidelines for number so customers allowed in stores. “We have bought systems that count people in and out of the buildings.

“There's a screen on the service desk that shows how many people are in the building at any one time and when it hits the limit we then stop people coming in until the limit goes down and we've just increased the visibility by plugging in traffic lights so the customer can see red and green, as you would if you were at a junction. So, it goes red and then they wait, and it goes green and they go. It saves having people with counters on their phones or manually counting people in.

“We've been inspected numerous times by various local authorities, a number of centers, as is its their job. And we've been found to be on the right side every time.”

It was the investigation of a complaint at Cadbury Garden Centre that led to “Garden Centre Queue Chaos” story in the Express, sadly illustrated with this picture:

Shame the photo editor doesn’t realize Wisteria does not bloom in November.

Alan went on to say that Plants had been up to 90% up across the group in November. “Last week was the first week where it calmed down to about 60%. The figures are amazing.

“The other thing we've done is communicate with our three quarters of a million Blue Diamond Club members that on our website they can look, they can do click and collect, they can buy online, they can do home delivery.

“All the Christmas is there, all of clothing is there. We've said to people, you don't have to come in, but you can still get everything you need on the website.

“We had a really nice comment from a family that had a child who had been shielding and had to isolate for ages. They were so grateful they could go online and have their bird food delivered because the child liked feeding the birds and they just couldn't get out to buy any.

 

The last words, for the time being, go to Martin Stewart of Stewarts in Dorset and Hampshire: “We're absolutely fine. We haven't made anyone redundant all the way through. We didn't think he was going to be necessary and it turned out it wasn't necessary. I think the team feel cared for. They feel safe. I'm in there most days, certainly Broomhall and Christchurch and you're like we're all fine. And the team spirit is really high.

“We chose not to advertise the fact that we were fortunate enough to open. We said let's just go slowly. Let's say it build because it could we could get too busy and we have got steadily busier. But we're very grateful that we started off. We saw after sort of 40 percent a year and then 45, 50, 55, 60. And now we're doing, you know, budget plus excluding coffee shop. So we're pretty pleased with the way it's gone. And I think that enabled us to just learn about the levels because we really were pushing our boat out into the complete unknown. The last thing I wanted was queues getting into the car park, queues at the doors, queues at the tills, around Christmas. That was not going to do us any good at all.

“We're being quite respectful about the fact that we're really fortunate to have been able to stay open.”

 

If you’d like to add your comments about your customer experience management during Lockdown 2 please use the comments button below or e-mail trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.

 

Remember there is a category for The Greatest COVID Safe Christmas Team in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, see details here.

Four tips to maximise your garden centre on a budget
GTN Promotion

With many planned investment projects on hold at present, garden centres can make small, cost effective design changes that could impact positively on footfall and profitability. Garden and farm centre design specialists, Catering Design Group (CDG), share some creative tips here on how to revamp on a tight budget...


With many planned investment projects on hold at present, garden centres can make small, cost effective design changes that could impact positively on footfall and profitability. Garden and farm centre design specialists, Catering Design Group (CDG), share some creative tips here on how to revamp on a tight budget. 

 

Have a light bulb moment

Lighting has a huge impact on mood and ambience and it doesn’t need to cost the earth.  If the budget is really tight you could simply refresh the shades while keeping your existing fixtures. Consider what you may have on hand, such as characterful hats or baskets that could become quirky and alternative shade options.  Existing lampshades can also be re-covered using appropriate fabrics but ensure that they are fire retardant fabrics.

 

Manifest your vision.

Applying manifestation to doors, windows and screens is a low-cost option that can be used to bring your brand to life, provide information (eg menus and opening times) and enhance the look of the space.  The possibilities are endless – they can be quirky, subtle, colourful and above all, eye-catching, so that your visitors understand your ethos and know exactly what you are about. 

 

Turn the tables

It makes financial and sustainable sense to recycle, reuse and reimagine your existing furniture. Consider reupholstering existing seating with new fabric or refresh old wooden chairs by sanding and staining them or by giving them a new coat of paint.  Existing table tops can be transformed by tiling them or by simply painting the legs to give a whole new feel.

 

It’s a wrap!

If your counter is tired and out-dated and your budget limited, there are many cost-effective options to create a ‘wow-factor’.  Vinyl wrapping your existing counter fronts and merchandising displays is a really flexible way to create maximum impact and a fresh new look.  You could also remove existing gantries and replace them with more contemporary heat lamps or feature lighting.  

 

Catering Design Group (CDG) is one of UK’s leading restaurant and commercial kitchen design companies, offering a full design service to clients throughout the retail,  leisure, hospitality and education sectors. http://www.cateringdesign.co.uk

 

 If you would like to know more about how CDG can support your vision, contact Steve Hutchings, director of CDG on 07736 479342 or email steve.hutchings@cateringdesign.co.uk

Hillier to Open New Garden Centre at Syon Park Estate

Hillier Garden Centres and the Syon Park Estate have announced the Spring 2021 opening of Hillier Syon Park...


Hillier Garden Centres and the Syon Park Estate have announced the Spring 2021 opening of Hillier Syon Park.

 

Hillier will work with the Estate to transform the garden centre with both businesses investing significantly to improve the site. Through this new centre, Hillier looks forward to being part of the local community, sharing the company’s passion for plants, offering gardening expertise and becoming a friendly destination for people to meet, eat and be inspired. This acquisition will also create a number of jobs locally.

 

Hillier is a horticulture business with more than 155 years of expertise, founded by Edwin Hillier in Hampshire in 1864. Today, the company owns 17 garden centres across the South of England – including five centres acquired from Wyevale in 2019 – grows around 1 million plants a year across its Hampshire nurseries and is the largest grower of semi-mature trees in Europe. Hillier is proud to remain a family-run business to this day, with the fifth generation actively involved.

 

Following handover of the site, both Hillier and the Estate will be investing significantly into Hillier Garden Centre Syon Park to transform the visitor experience. True to the Hillier mission to inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future, visitors will be able to look forward to browsing a great range of top-quality plants. Many of these will be grown by Hillier at the company’s Nurseries in Hampshire. Organised in plant areas using ‘plant for purpose’ displays, gardeners will easily be able to find the right plant for the right place. For any queries, the plant experts at Hillier will always be on hand to help.

 

Hillier will be introducing its popular Gardening Club to Syon Park — in a member survey, 96% of current Hillier Gardening Club members said they would recommend membership to friends and family. Joining is free, with membership benefits including exclusive offers, points every time you shop, inspiring gardening magazines and more. 

 

The new Hillier Garden Centre is intended to be a place for the community. New menus will also be introduced at the Restaurant and Coach House creating a space for people to meet together among the beauty of plants. A farm shop will also be included on site, selling produce from local suppliers.

 

“We are delighted to be adding Syon Park to our Hillier Garden Centres family,” comments Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre and Wholesale Nurseries Director. “Syon Park is an outstanding destination in south west London and a great fit with our existing centres. Not to mention already being part of our Hillier heritage, with the company founder working there many decades ago! We are looking forward to getting to know the local gardening communities and inspiring them with our great range of quality plants, Hillier expertise and creating a real destination for them. It is very exciting times ahead!”

 

“We are very pleased to welcome Hillier to the Syon Park Estate and look forward to working alongside them on the transformation of Syon garden centre,” comments Simon Prior. “The plans we have in place are incredibly exciting and will create a high-quality location for visitors to enjoy the new centre and explore the House and Gardens. That the Hillier family already has a horticultural connection with Syon Park makes the fit even better. We look forward to the centre opening its doors and welcoming people to see the changes in the spring.”

 

Visit hillier.co.uk to find out more about Hillier Garden Centres 

British nurseries are amongst the most eco-friendly on the planet, not that you’d know from watching Gardeners’ World

Peter Seabrook is sick and tired of our industry being critised, particularly by TV gardening presenters. So in The Sun at the weekend he put forward this case in answer to the critics...


Peter Seabrook is sick and tired of our industry being critised, particularly by TV gardening presenters. So in The Sun at the weekend he put forward this case in answer to the critics:

 

From The Sun Gardening pages, Saturday 28th November 2020.

 

The British nursery industry is one of the most eco-friendly on the planet, not that you’d know from watching Gardeners’ World.

 

Britain has some of the most efficient, high-tech, environmentally and sustainability aware nurseries in the world. They are using biofuel boilers for heating, in some cases growing acres of coppice willow to grow their own wood chips.

 

These greenhouses’ heating pipes can have the water flow reversed in the day to remove excessive heat and convey it into insulated reservoirs, ready to return into the houses again on cold nights. Shading screens also protect plants from scorching sun during the day and can be drawn at night to reduce radiation heat loss.

 

The staging upon which the plants are grown in such glasshouses is on rollers to reduce the number of paths and increase plant populations. These feature flood benches to conserve water and irrigate plants from below, reducing the incidence of soft rot diseases. Rainwater is collected from roofs and cleaned through sand and reed beds, with slow-release fertilisers reducing nitrate leaching.

 

Pests and diseases are controlled biologically, reducing the need for pesticides, while recyclable materials are now widely used for pots and carry trays. This efficiency, coupled with remarkable skill, has resulted in some plant prices being lower than they were 20 years ago for better-quality plants.

 

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that the trade is incensed that a TV gardening presenter recently wrote: “We should not be buying cheap, mass-produced, disposable plants. We should either grow them ourselves or buy them locally from small producers.”

 

No mention, of course, that most small local producers buy their seedlings and cuttings from these mass producers, who also supply home gardeners via mailorder specialists with literally hundreds of millions of young plants, so we can grow our own every year. Indeed, the BBC’s Gardeners’ World actually uses mass-produced plants in its own garden!

 

In 1976, there were just three staff making this series – a producer/director, their PA and presenter who recorded two 30-minute programmes in a day. Fee for the presenter was £75 per programme, which also included all research and answering viewers’ letters. The audience was four times larger than it is today and presumably the mail considerably more.

 

Why does today’s programme require five researchers? And why are there so many people named when the credits roll at the end of each episode? Yet another mystery is why horticulture shows come off the air in the autumn, when gardening certainly continues and gardeners have more time on dark evenings to tune in.

 

There used to be a gardening spot on BBC1’s daytime show Pebble Mill At One from September to May, and I do not remember them once running out of subject material. It must be time that a professionally trained horticulturist, with commercial experience and gardening skills, was recruited to rebuild the reputation of Gardeners’ World.

 

 

Restaurant gets star billing at redeveloped centre

A superb new restaurant and coffee lounge called the Summerhouse is one of the many impressive features of a transformed garden centre in Hampshire...


 

A superb new restaurant and coffee lounge called the Summerhouse is one of the many impressive features of a transformed garden centre in Hampshire.

 

Silversprings Garden Centre in Fontley Road, Titchfield, has been redeveloped both inside and outside to make it into a destination centre, and after months of work it has re-opened for business.

 

Head of business development Deborah Mills said: “We started our transformation just before the first lockdown and as it hit, so were we. We could not get the materials to finish the site and make it safe for visitors. It impacted everything from standard supplies, down to tabletops, landscape materials, ground works and general products.

 

“But we have been lucky enough to survive all that it has thrown at us and have a bright future ahead of us. Next up is a great new website ready for our next phase of the journey.”

 

The centre was bought by Mike Jarvis, owner of Abbey Garden Buildings and Borderland Fencing, in 2018.

 

 

“We had started a two-year plan before the Covid-19 pandemic struck,” Deborah told GTN Xtra. “Then we decided it was better to do all the larger groundworks whilst in lockdown so there were no health and safety risks to the members of the public or staff.

 

“Coming out of the latest lockdown will help us to hit the ground running and in with a good chance of a promising year in 2021. 

 

“The centre has been totally redeveloped. We have everything from plants, garden rooms, indoor/outdoor furniture, outdoor heating, firepits, gifts, landscaping and fencing and the most fabulous new restaurant and coffee lounge called the Summerhouse @Silversprings.

 

“We also have big plans in the coming years and will be looking to support our local area and promote Hampshire produce too.”

 

 

Silversprings re-opened to customers this week although some parts of the centre will still be closed until lockdown restrictions are relaxed. But a grand official opening will have to wait until next year.

 

“Our official grand opening will come in the Spring when we are in a position to celebrate in style with the local community,” said Deborah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are back!

They’re back, all be it in a virtual form.  GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back for 2020 to celebrate all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas through the pages of GTN and the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter...


They’re back, all be it in a virtual form.  GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back for 2020 to celebrate all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas through the pages of GTN and the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter.

 

It's simple to take part, all you have to do is start taking photos of your displays and ideas now, send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk, or look out for the November issue of GTN which will be published next week, for the full entry details of each category and pledge a small donation to Greenfingers Charity to help create more gardens at Children's Hospices during 2021.

 

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2020

  • The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
  • The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
  • The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team (for sales of BBQ’s, firepits, furniture etc)
  • The Greatest Christmas Pets Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Community or Charity Initiative
  • The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea
  • The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
  • The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team
  • The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Display Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Supplier (as voted for by garden centres)
  • The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

We all love to see other centres displays and ideas, especially at Christmas, and as Lockdown 2 and travel restrictions make that difficult what better way to provide a solution for everyone than inviting garden centres to submit their own photos and videos as part of GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards.

  • Launch date:  GTN Xtra 16th November and GTN’s November print issue
  • Publication of photo’s and videos as they come in during December in GTN Xtra and GTN’s December issue.  Closing date for entries will be Monday December 14th.
  • Results announced:  GTN Xtra 24th January 2021 and as part of GTN’s January issue which includes our first ever Christmas Products Directory.

We’ve created a list of categories which we feel reflect Christmas trading for 2020 and we have a team of expert judges on standby to plough through all of the entries and hold video meetings with short listed teams before making their final decisions about the winners.

 

There are opportunities for suppliers to also be involved in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards by offering stock for Christmas 2021 as prizes for the winners.  Please contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details.

 

So, what are you waiting for, get snapping and send an e-mail today to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk to get your entry registered.

 

As you'll see below in GTN Xtra we've already had one photo tour to publish, from Barton Grange, and at the weekend we received this Christmas video from the team at the Old Railway Line Garden Centre

 

 
Change at the top for family-run Highfield Garden World

Gloucestershire’s leading independent garden centre has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new board member. Tim Armstrong, who has been General Manager at Highfield Garden World for five years, joins mother and son team Joan and Tim Greenway, plus Planteria Manager Jon Mason, on the Board of Directors.


 

Gloucestershire’s leading independent garden centre has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new board member.  

 

Tim Armstrong, who has been General Manager at Highfield Garden World for five years, joins mother and son team Joan and Tim Greenway, plus Planteria Manager Jon Mason, on the Board of Directors.

 

Like every other garden centre in the land, Highfield has had a roller coaster few months during the COVID crisis.  Tim Armstrong’s agile approach to the challenges faced played a hand in the timing of him being asked to join the Board.  

 

Tim Greenway, MD, explained: “Tim brings an array of skills to the table, and it’s great news that he’s joining the board.  Since he came to Highfield his input has become pivotal in every aspect of running the business, and never more so than over the last nine or ten months.  Now feels exactly the right time to recognise his contribution and to strengthen our lead team as we look to the future.” 

  

Prior to joining as General Manager in 2015, Tim Armstrong had already built strong links with Highfield during 15 years spent as a Regional Manager for World of Water – the first concession to set up shop at Highfield back in 1995.  

 

He commented: “Highfield is a hugely successful business with a brilliant 135-strong team behind it. I have always valued the open, honest way in which the management team operates, and I am delighted to be joining the board.  

 

“With three generations of the founding Greenway family collaborating within the business, a century’s worth of heritage underpinning it, and thousands of loyal and new customers to its name, I believe Highfield has a bright future ahead.  I look forward to being part of it.”

 

Sales jump by 20% to record mid-November levels

We’re halfway through Lockdown 2 and despite fewer people being allowed in garden centres, volume sales jumped last week by 20% to set a new record in sales volumes terms for the third week of November...


 

We’re halfway through Lockdown 2 and despite fewer people being allowed in garden centres, volume sales jumped last week by 20% to set a new record in sales volumes terms for the third week of November.

 

And it wasn’t just Christmas sales that were up significantly year on year. Growing media sales were up by 60% on the same week last year, plant sales up by 33% and Christmas up by 43%.

 

As with the period after re-opening in May, transaction values are up whilst footfall is down and with the two traditional peak Christmas weekends to come, garden centres across the country are now planning extra measures to manage entries to car parks and queuing to enter centres. 

 

Whilst there have been some reports in the media about complaints related to queues and parking on roads outside garden centres we’ve not heard of any serious problems that haven’t been managed well by the garden centre teams.

 

Let’s hope it stays that way. If you have a Christmas Social Distancing idea you’d like to share with other centres please e-mail it to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk and we’ll include it in GTN Xtra. 

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 47

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 20%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 60%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 13%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 24%
  • Christmas Top 50 – up 43%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 47

  • All Plants with Barcode index – up 33% 
  • All Items with Barcode index – up 16%

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.

Plants are selling at record levels during Lockdown 2

It’s mid-November and plant sales are still over a third up on previous years. Are you ready for a boom in plant sales in December? There’s no sign of sales flattening out just yet...


 

It’s mid-November and plant sales are still over a third up on previous years. Are you ready for a boom in plant sales in December? There’s no sign of sales flattening out just yet.

 

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.

Container issues continue to escalate at UK ports 

LOFA reported two weeks ago of the congestion that is causing major problems at UK ports, this crisis is now escalating, and the situation is now being highlighted by the BBC who are reporting on the struggle and financial impact this it is having on UK businesses...


 

LOFA reported two weeks ago of the congestion that is causing major problems at UK ports, this crisis is now escalating, and the situation is now being highlighted by the BBC who are reporting on the struggle and financial impact this it is having on UK businesses.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54989299

 

These issues at ports have led to shipping firms quadrupling their freight costs.  These delays, which mainly seem to be worse at Felixstowe, are being caused by a surge in import traffic.  

 

The owner of the port, said that if the chaos continues, these increased shipping prices will have to be passed down the supply chain. It seems that containers are being left on the quayside because haulage companies are unable to book slots to enter the site. 

 

Retail outlets will suffer because they will be unable to sell what is en-route at the moment in time for Christmas which will mean there will be a knock-on effect for the outdoor leisure industry after the holidays when garden related products start arriving ready for the S/S Season 2021. 

 

Hutchinson Ports UK who own Felixstowe have said that Covid, the imbalance in UK Trade and Brexit stockpiling have exacerbated the situation and they are working with their customers and stakeholders to try and find a solution for the current situation. 

 

Another problem that is facing the port is empty containers waiting to be shipped back to Asia, these are causing a backlog at ports across Europe and North America, and to add further fuel to the fire shipping companies have sharply increased freight prices in response to the congestion, some by as much as 300%.  

 

It is extremely worrying that big shipping lines are drastically reducing UK volumes because so much of the UKs goods arrive through our ports.  Ports across the world are battling to manage these surging demands for imports but it seems that Felixstowe is struggling more than most.

 
HTA launches Sustainability Roadmap to guide UK horticulture towards leading edge of sustainable business practice

 

“Not only is it in our interest to collaborate on ambitious targets, but the climate emergency means people will rightly look to us for the highest standards. Sustainability can be achieved by balancing impacts on people, planet and profit. When businesses work towards this and all three aspects of sustainability are in place and mutually supportive, we can deliver lasting benefits to the environment...”


As a green industry, the horticulture sector can and should lead the way in sustainable business practices and efforts to reduce climate change, says the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which today launches its industry-leading guidance on how this could be achieved. 

 

Building on the strong foundations that already exist in UK horticulture and landscaping, the HTA has worked with its members to develop its first ever Sustainability Roadmap. 

 

This ground-breaking work identifies five key areas to place horticulture and landscaping at the forefront of sustainable business practice. Designed as a framework for collaboration, with ambitious targets for 2025, achievement against the roadmap’s goals will make a significant contribution to the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. 

 

HTA Chairman, James Barnes, called on the industry to embrace the ethos of the roadmap, saying: “Horticulture has an intrinsic connection to the environment - we are a community who cares about the natural world and it is in our interests to safeguard its future.  

 

“The Prime Minister recently announced his ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution - I believe we have an essential role to play in the Government’s plan to transition to a greener economy. As a sector which contributes around £24 billion to the UK’s GDP and supports over half a million jobs, we must demonstrate how we offer real opportunities for green employment and a more sustainable economy as the UK recovers from the impact of Covid.” 

 

The roadmap supports the enormous strides already taken towards a more sustainable industry.  

 

It will, for example, be central to making further progress in tackling issues such as use of plastics. The HTA has for some time been working with members and stakeholders to develop industry-led solutions for the re-use and recycling of horticultural plastics and with local government and the waste industry to increase kerbside recycling of plastics used in horticulture.  

 

The roadmap outlines a goal to see 40% or more of the combined weight of plant pots and packaging, garden chemicals containers, and growing media bags sourced from recycled plastic, by 2025.  

 

The Sustainability Roadmap focuses on five areas and are a direct response to the threats of climate change, plastic pollution, water stress, and biodiversity loss, all of which pose risks to our health and environment:  

 

  1. Reducing HTA members’ carbon footprints  
  2. Reducing stress on the UK’s water supply  
  3. Increasing circularity in horticultural plastics  
  4. Actively shaping a peat reduction strategy by February 2021, engaging with all stakeholders 
  5. Fostering innovation in pest and disease management 

 

They are critical, both in terms of their commercial importance to the industry and in terms of the potential for making a difference to the environment.  

 

Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said “Sustainable business, the environment, and decarbonisation are at the heart of government policy. As we build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic, we continue to make significant progress implementing our 25 Year Environment Plan and accelerating our journey to net zero emissions. 

  

“We welcome the ornamental horticulture and landscaping industry taking a lead on this through the Horticultural Trades Association’s Sustainability Roadmap and the actions being taken to protect the natural environment and combat climate change.” 

 

The roadmap is a framework through which the HTA will deliver resources, case studies, data, training and services for members to enable them to increase their environmental, commercial and social sustainability. The organisation is encouraging all its members to join the sustainability journey to 2025 and contribute what they can, regardless of the size or type of business. The latest information and resources on sustainability are available at: hta.org.uk/sustainability 

 

“Not only is it in our interest to collaborate on ambitious targets, but the climate emergency means people will rightly look to us for the highest standards. Sustainability can be achieved by balancing impacts on people, planet and profit. When businesses work towards this and all three aspects of sustainability are in place and mutually supportive, we can deliver lasting benefits to the environment,” concluded James Barnes. 

 

  GTN will be publishing its 2021 Sustainability Directory in December.  Suppliers wishing to have their Sustainability Innitiative or product range included should contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk

The Most Jumperful Time of the Year Fundraiser starts tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Tuiesday 1st December, Natalie Porter of Happy Plants will embark upon a slightly ridiculous mission to wear a different Christmas Jumper for each day of advent, finishing up on Christmas Day...


Tomorrow, Tuiesday 1st December, Natalie Porter of Happy Plants will embark upon a slightly ridiculous mission to wear a different Christmas Jumper for each day of advent, finishing up on Christmas Day. "Embarrassingly, I already own enough jumpers," she told GTN Xtra.

 

"I have been very lucky to secure sponsorship for each respective day, but would very much like to boost the pot further to help such valuable charities as Greenfingers and Perennial.

 

"I would be extremely grateful for either one-off donations or for additions to my challenge - for example, I have already received a ‘hat’ from another nursery, who missed out on sponsoring a jumper, which I will wear on one of the days, in exchange for £40 in the pot.

 

"To keep me accountable, the brilliant Steve Meleka from GrowNation has built a website where you can check up on my progress each day in an ‘advent calendar’ style format- you can keep an eye on the jumpers through themostjumperful.co.uk (launching imminently) and the fundraising through https://www.justgiving.com/team/themostjumperfultime

 

"Thanks so much to those of you who have already pledged."

 

Work starts on site for largest Dobbies in South West

Building work has started on the Designer Outlet Cotswold development off the M5 in Gloucestershire, which will include the largest Dobbies Garden Centre in South West England...


 

Building work has started on the Designer Outlet Cotswold development off the M5 in Gloucestershire, which will include the largest Dobbies Garden Centre in South West England.

 

The outlet centre will be opened in phases starting in the autumn of 2022.

 

The main contractor is Robert Hitchins and the company’s property and development director Simon Tothill said: “We’re proud to be delivering such an attractive development into the Tewkesbury area and to be creating more than 1,000 jobs in the local area.

 

“It’s important that such developments progress as efficiently as possible through the planning and construction stages to create employment opportunities, especially to enable the area to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.”

 

When it was announced that Dobbies would be building a new store at the retail park CEO Graeme Jenkins said: “The new garden centre will be our fourth largest in the UK and the jewel in the crown for the South West region. Not only do we want to delight our customers with our plants and gardening offer, but also feature a variety of other attractions and product ranges. With such an excellent location, right on the junction of a busy motorway, we look forward to welcoming local residents, passing motorists and visitors to the region.” 

 

The development will create one of the most accessible retail and leisure destinations in the UK. As well as the nearby M5 motorway, the site fronts the A46 trunk road which links to the M42. More than 21 million vehicles pass the site each year and the development is within walking distance of the Ashchurch-for-Tewkesbury railway station which serves the Bristol to Birmingham main line.  Additionally, more than 9.8 million people live within a 90 minutes’ drive and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) attracts over 23 million visitors annually.

 
Possible Christmas tree shortage due to Danish mink cull

The UK could be facing a Christmas tree shortage after Denmark’s Covid mink cull impacted supply, experts have warned...


The UK could be facing a Christmas tree shortage after Denmark’s Covid mink cull impacted supply, experts have warned. 

 

Tree buyers from online garden centre GardeningExpress.co.uk have warned that because Denmark has halted exports in an attempt to control a Coronavirus mutation found on mink farms, the UK’s Christmas tree supply chain could be affected.

 

Denmark produces around 10-12million trees each year and is estimated to be just behind the US as the world’s largest exporter of Christmas trees, according to the Danish Christmas Tree Association.

 

Many stores and supermarkets rely on these exports for their festive stock, ordering huge volumes of trees each year.

 

But Gardening Express is predicting issues with the supply chain due to the shutdowns across Denmark. 

 

The online garden centre has seen a huge increase in orders this year as shoppers have turned to the internet due to traditional garden centres being closed. 

 

Sales of Christmas trees have seen a tenfold increase on 2019, with the site confident of delivering every order thanks to having UK suppliers. 

 

Founder Chris Bonnett said he had feared last year that Britain’s exit from the EU could cause supply issues, but he could never have imagined a global pandemic would directly impact Christmas tree orders. 

 

GardeningExpress.co.uk’s founder Chris Bonnett said: “This time last year, we thought Brexit was going to cause a shortage of festive trees for Christmas 2020, but fortunately that hasn’t been the case.

 

“Now, however, with many trees imported from Denmark which has stopped exporting goods due to the Coronavirus mink cull, suppliers are struggling to get through.

 

“Our online sales are already up around 1000% for Christmas trees on the same period last year, and thankfully we have a local plantation to rely on for our stock.

 

“But many retailers important huge volumes of trees from Denmark, meaning there could be a shortage. Haulier drivers can’t even exit the country at the moment due to fears around the new Coronavirus strain.

 

“Many families love the annual trip to pick out a real Christmas tree, but it looks like many are opting to buy online and have one delivered this year – in case the lockdown is extended, for example.

 

“They are certainly avoiding getting pine needles in the back of the car and squeezing the family alongside a sizeable tree!

 

“This is why we’re warning of this potential shortage for those that do choose to visit stores this year – many suppliers could be cut off if the restrictions in Denmark aren’t lifted soon.”

 

Henry Bell clinches deal with Future Marketing Group

Pets and wild bird food producer Henry Bell has secured a one-year contract with independent garden centre group, Future Marketing Group (FMG). The company will be the primary supplier of wild bird care for FMG’s 20 nationwide garden centres, supplying its full range of over 130 products...


 

Pets and wild bird food producer Henry Bell has secured a one-year contract with independent garden centre group, Future Marketing Group (FMG). The company will be the primary supplier of wild bird care for FMG’s 20 nationwide garden centres, supplying its full range of over 130 products.

 

Thomas Lee, Managing Director of Henry Bell, comments: “We’re thrilled to be the primary wild bird care supplier for FMG. We have always supported independent garden centres, however there is no greater time to support independent retailers than now. FMG’s 20 garden centre members are all hugely important for their communities, so we look forward to bringing our premium range of Henry Bell Wild Bird Care products to their loyal customers.”

 

Henry Bell Wild Bird Care launched in July 2019. The British, family-owned quality animal feed producer offers 130 quality products that cater for every type of garden bird, all designed with health and wellbeing of birds in mind. Henry Bell products include Wild Bird Feeders, Feeding Stations, a Decorative Feeder Collection, Nest Boxes and a broad range of feeds including Seed Mixes, Straight Foods, Fat Balls and Suet Bites & Cakes.

 

Henry Bell has over 20 years’ experience in the bird food industry and has been pivotal in the growth of many private label wild bird food brands. Henry Bell has also made sustainable packaging a priority with all their Wild Bird Food packaging being 100% recyclable whilst protecting the integrity of the elements inside each bag. In addition to FMG, Henry Bell products are available nationwide in 400 garden centres and online, pet shops and other retailers.

Janssens Greenhouses – over 70 years of heritage

Vitavia is the UK distributor for Belgian company Janssens Greenhouses. Here Andrea Wells of Vitavia interviews Peter Janssens, owner and CEO of Janssens Greenhouses...


 

Vitavia is the UK distributor for Belgian company Janssens Greenhouses. Here Andrea Wells of Vitavia interviews Peter Janssens, owner and CEO of Janssens Greenhouses...

 

What made your grandfather start Janssens?  Do you know where he drew inspiration in order to start and build this business?

My grandfather Constant Janssens founded the company in 1946. He was a carpenter and started a construction company.  He established a strong reputation in building sports and factory halls, using traditional wood and laminated wooden arches. There were no glass greenhouses at the start. A few years later, the link came through by building storage-space at horticulturalists and so slowly a shift came to professional greenhouse constructions.

 

Your father then joined the business years later, so what were his visions when he joined the company?

My father strengthened the business in the 1970s and made the switch from wood to aluminium. Professional greenhouses became the main business. Slowly there was an increasing demand for hobby and cultivation greenhouses outside the professional environment, in people’s backyard.

The development of an extensive range of hobby greenhouses became his main motivation. He has more than succeeded in this by entering the international market.

In the 1980s as the company grew, the focus shifted to this B2B story and exports became the most important pillar within the company. I suspect this has certainly exceeded many of his expectations before.

 

When did you join the business and how have you and your father grown Janssens over the years?

After finishing school I started working in the family business.  At the start I supported sales, afterwards I moved to the technical department. For 12 years I was responsible for production preparation, drawings and technical developments.  I worked closely with my father who was in charge of the company.  A few years down the line we managed the company together. In many ways we hold the same opinion and so in practise we really complement each other. In recent years there has been a gradual, organic shift in which he has passed the torch.

 

What do you see as the biggest accomplishments since Janssens began?

It is difficult to speak of “the greatest achievement.” In any case, we are very proud of what we have developed over the years: the company itself, but also the relationship of trust we have built with our customers and the steady growth.

 

What is the most favourite part about your job? What excites you the most?

I’m a technical person so everything to do with that (such as new developments) fascinates me.   In daily challenges, we try to make ‘overarching’ decisions and share insight, experience and knowledge.

 

What makes Janssens stand out from its competitors?

Where Janssens distinguishes itself from others in my opinion is in quality and trust!  We try to offer the “better” hobby greenhouses.  When it comes to developments, we will always start from a certain “need” or “demand” for a product where we try to provide the best possible technical solution to. When making new designs we never start from a price point of view.

 

What made you choose Vitavia to become Janssens’ UK distributer?

The collaboration with Vitavia has been a choice to be complimentary. Vitavia has an existing distribution network and its own greenhouse range.  We don’t see this as competition but we strongly believe that both products and ranges can be complementary to each other and ensures to offer a full range.

 

In what ways would you like to grow the business in the future?

The company has grown strong in recent years! A further continuation of this will be felt in a further spread of the distributors and the opening of new markets (Russia, Australia…)

 

Click here to discover more about Janssens and take a tour of their incredible showroom and warehouse in Belgium.

 

 

Garden centre gets new appearance thanks to Smiemans

A metamorphose will soon be created by Smiemans Projecten for Tronsholen Garden Centre, member of the well-known Hageland chain. With a new entrance and the replacement of all  facades, this centre in the southwest of Norway is getting a complete upgrade. 


A metamorphose will soon be created by Smiemans Projecten for Tronsholen Garden Centre, member of the well-known Hageland chain. With a new entrance and the replacement of all  facades, this centre in the southwest of Norway is getting a complete upgrade. 

 

A lot of natural materials will be used for example wood and green for the facades. In doing so, they respond to the "Biophilic" trend.

 

With this new appearance, which will be ready in the spring of 2021, the well-running garden centre will get a professional fresh look again, making them ready for the future.

 

For more information contact Anett Kertesz - anett@smiemansprojecten.com or Natascha Smiemans - natascha@smiemansprojecten.com

GTN November issue now on-line

 

 

GTN's November 2020 issue, published this week, is now available to read on-line below:


GTN's November 2020 issue, published this week, is now available to read on-line below:

 

 
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Garden centre customers find happiness in houseplants in October

Customers at garden centres across the country boosted their spirits by buying houseplants during October (2020) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade report...


Customers at garden centres across the country boosted their spirits by buying houseplants during October (2020) according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade report.

 

Compared with the same month in 2019, sales were up 48.2%.

 

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive explained: “Our mental health and wellbeing has become an even bigger topic this year and it’s become incredibly clear that gardening and having foliage and houseplants around the home, can really lift our moods, which is why there’s no surprise that houseplants have come out on top as the bestsellers during October.

 

“As another lockdown across England was announced at the end of October and people were predicting this before the end of the month, it was likely people were stocking up on houseplants during the month to brighten up their homes and to have something to tend to during their additional spare time. With more people working from home now too, houseplants are a great way to spruce up a boring workspace and can help purify the air in addition to adding freshness and life to a room.

 

“Houseplants are also being featured in more and more lifestyle magazines as desirable household accessories. It’s now very trendy to have a cactus or a succulent and to have cyclamen on your table for Christmas and as part of your festive décor.”

 

Other good sellers during the month were garden sundries up 41.46%, furniture and barbecues up 34.79% and sales of outdoor plants, which were up 34.53%.

 

Sales in seeds and bulbs were up 9.12%, pets and aquatics up 6.88% and hard landscaping up 35.33%.

 

Gift sales were up 15.82% and Christmas sales were also up 26.74%.

 

Food hall and farm shop sales were up 27.29%, clothing was down -9.28% and catering was also down -19.26%.

 

Iain added: “Clothing sales have been most affected by the pandemic as many concessions have been closed throughout the majority of the year.

 

“As expected, catering sales were also down across the nation. This is due to reduced capacity to allow for social distancing in centres that were open across England, tiered restrictions in Scotland, the closure of centres during the firebreaker lockdown that took place in Wales and the centres that were closed in Northern Ireland for half of the month.”

 

Overall sales for the month were up 13.16%, which includes catering and restaurant sales, with a year to date change of -11.09%. Retail only figures for the month were up 24.2%.

 

Martin Cowell, Director at Cowell’s Garden Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “Houseplants have been a particularly strong category for Cowell’s throughout 2020 and this continued with fantastic sales during October.

 

“We have ensured sufficient space is allocated to the department, our team continually create inspirational in-store displays and our buyers work hard to offer a range that appeals to both houseplant experts and newcomers.

 

“Outdoor plants and core gardening products also continue to perform strongly, and we are seeing an earlier interest in Christmas products than we would traditionally expect.

 

“I can certainly see the continued desire from customers to grow and care for plants, both in the home and garden and attribute this to a wider understanding of the mental health benefits. We have supported this by incorporating positive quotes regarding plants into our social media and in-store signage and we will continue to talk to our customers about the benefits of plants.”

 

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.

 

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

 

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

 

For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.

 
Two-thirds more gardening this Autumn – Wow!

Growing media volume sales were up by 60% again last week. As a result the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media index now sits at +2.9% vs last year and that’s with zero sales being recorded during the seven weeks of Lockdown 1...


 

Growing media volume sales were up by 60% again last week. As a result the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media index now sits at +2.9% vs last year and that’s with zero sales being recorded during the seven weeks of Lockdown 1.

 

Since the start of September, using Growing Media sales as a barometer, there has been 63% more growing activity going on. That’s almost two-thirds more gardening activity this Autumn. Just think what that could lead to in the Spring…

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Strulch Organic Straw Mulch 100 litres is the highest climber in the GTN Growing Media chart, up 24 places to No 19.
  • Westland Rose Planting Compost was the highest re-entry at No 30.
  • Growth Technology Citrus Focus Repotting Mix 8 litres doubled its sales to re-enter the Top 50 at No 47.

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.

 
End of season pot bargains and houseplant care star

Whilst the steam appears to have run out in terms of garden product sales growth vs last year, sales so far during November have been on a par with the average of the previous seven years so a creditable performance really considering we are in Lockdown with all of its Social Distancing restrictions...


 

Whilst the steam appears to have run out in terms of garden product sales growth vs last year, sales so far during November have been on a par with the average of the previous seven years so a creditable performance really considering we are in Lockdown with all of its Social Distancing restrictions.

 

It would appear the fewer customers that are coming to centres are targeting their buying to specific areas: Christmas, plants, growing media, and when it comes to other garden products it’s end-of-season pot bargains and houseplant sales that are really doing well.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Apta’s Brown Wine Crate Planter 25cm is the highest new entry at No 2, one of seven Apta lines in the Top 50 as their end of season clearance lines fly through the tills.
  • Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids 32ml is the highest chart climber, up 36 places to No 13.
  • Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing 25 litres is the highest re-entry as lawn owners take advantage of a break in the weather to get their lawn prepped for next year.

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.

 
HTA reacts to new December tier arrangements

Reacting to the news today that England will be returning to regional tiered approach from 2 December, HTA Director of Policy and Communications, James Clark, said: “It’s good news that garden centres can continue to operate as well as growers and landscapers. Together they form an important industry which contributes to the wider economy..."


Reacting to the news today that England will be returning to regional tiered approach from 2 December, HTA Director of Policy and Communications, James Clark, said: “It’s good news that garden centres can continue to operate as well as growers and landscapers. Together they form an important industry which contributes to the wider economy. 

 

“However, though we recognise the need for some level of restrictions until this virus is brought under control, the revised system is bad news for members in tier three areas, who won’t be able to open their cafes or restaurants. 

 

“Hospitality represents between 15 and 20% of turnover for garden centres with cafés or restaurants and our members have spent considerable time and money on making their catering premises and procedures covid-secure. We believe a smart approach to closing hospitality – one which considered levels of risk – would be a fairer way to protect both the people and the economy from the pandemic.” 

 
Gonks fly through tills as Christmas sales jump up

Christmas sales are back in the positive after three weeks of Lockdown shopping according to the Garden Centre Epos data supplied for GTN Bestsellers...


 

Christmas sales are back in the positive after three weeks of Lockdown shopping according to the Garden Centre Epos data supplied for GTN Bestsellers.

 

Despite Social Distancing restricting the number of people allowed in garden centres, sales volumes of the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Christmas Products jumped by 48% on the previous week and were 43% ahead of the same week last year.

 

Could it be that the restrictions in numbers are allowing customers to shop more easily and are therefore buying more items per transaction? Or is it just that people are looking for extra cheer this year?

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Battery Operated Gonk Glo-Kert’s in Grey or Red from Smart Garden products Three Kings range are the surprise new entry at the top of the GTN Bestsellers Christmas chart, even outselling all of the personalised decoration lines.
  • Grandma Wilds Embossed Christmas Tree Tin is another highly placed new entry, taking the biscuit at No 11.
  • As sales of Christmas trees start in earnest Kaemingk’s Christmas Tree Wicker Ring Large is the highest chart climber, up 24 places to No 17.

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.

 
A Christmas feast for your garden birds

Christmas may look different for many of us this year, but your garden birds will be just as hungry as ever! In the winter there’s less food available in the countryside so any food you put out in your garden or balcony will be very gratefully received. Here’s a quick RSPB guide to what you can put out and foods to avoid.


Christmas may look different for many of us this year, but your garden birds will be just as hungry as ever! In the winter there’s less food available in the countryside so any food you put out in your garden or balcony will be very gratefully received.

 

Here’s a quick RSPB guide to what you can put out and foods to avoid.

 

You can always get in the holiday spirit and give the birds some of your Christmas meal leftovers - they’ll love some chopped unsalted bacon rind, dried fruit, old apples and pears and crumbled cheese.

 

Cooking fat from your Sunday roast or Christmas turkey can stick their wings together, however, making it impossible for them to keep dry and warm, so keep that for yourself (perhaps you could make a lovely stock?). Some other foods can also be dangerous for birds, including dried coconut, cooked porridge oats, and milk, so be sure to check on the RSPB website just in case. 

 

Packaged bird food is always a lovely present for the birds as well - sparrows, tits and finches will all visit feeders containing nuts, fat or seed mixtures with sunflower hearts, flaked maize, millet and nyjer seed. The insect-eaters, the dunnocks, robins, starlings, and wrens for example, prefer mealworms but will eat other types of food too. Suet-based products are particularly calorific so can be a big boost in getting your birds through the colder nights.

 

Let’s not forget the drink side of the meal! Birds are slightly easier to cater for than your loved ones in this case – all they need is fresh water for drinking and bathing. This can be harder for birds to find in winter as ponds start to freeze, but you can keep your birdbath ice-free by floating a ping pong ball on the surface. The slightest gust of wind will keep the ball moving and stop the water turning to ice.

 

You can also help the birds in your neighbourhood by taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch! Every year for the past four decades the RSPB has asked people to look out their window or head to their local park and let us know what birds they see over the course of an hour. This helps us to keep track of how garden birds are faring, and with about half a million people taking part every year it is now the world’s largest garden wildlife survey.

 

You can take part on the 29, 30, or 31 January 2021, so for your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. Registration opens 9 December 2020. 

 

 
The best of last week's

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


 
A Perfect Storm Hits the Garden Market

"This is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the entire supply chain to the world of the home and garden. Seeing this year as a one-off ‘boom’ is to misunderstand the fundamental shift in consumerism from the frivolous, to the family & home.

 

Following on from GTN October issues' compilation of New Gardener Research we invited Phil Pond of Scarlet Opus, who provide future lifestyle, consumer & design trend intelligence for garden sector manufacturers & retailers, to give a wider perspective on what has changed during 2020 and the previous five years and the implications for garden retailing over the coming years...


Following on from GTN October issues' compilation of New Gardener Research we invited Phil Pond of Scarlet Opus, who provide future lifestyle, consumer & design trend intelligence for garden sector manufacturers & retailers, to give a wider perspective on what has changed during 2020 and the previous five years and the implications for garden retailing over the coming years.

 

"As life settles during 2021 many people will become stretched financially, overseas holidays will be a luxury that many (perhaps most) will not be able to afford as well as eating out, or even ‘popping to the pub’. Outdoor lounging, al fresco dining, exotic escapism, adventure and calming connection to nature; previously all satisfied during ‘holidays & weekend trips’ will have to be achieved in our homes, our ‘outdoor room’ … the garden.

 

"Post 2020 people may well be forced to live more modestly, but they are likely to want to live more fully in terms of experiences ... and many (if not most) of these experiences will be lived in their homes & gardens; or those of their friends & family

 

"This is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the entire supply chain to the world of the home and garden. Seeing this year as a one-off ‘boom’ is to misunderstand the fundamental shift in consumerism from the frivolous, to the family & home. And that means that the industry will not innovate as is needed, it won’t ‘gear up’ for omnichannel shopping (an activity that is seamless between on & offline). It won’t create the Garden Centres of tomorrow (so desperately needed) that will inspire, educate, support, engage and facilitate experiences, adventures and memories. And then, it would only have itself to blame …"    

 

Read the full article in the November issue of GTN, out this week, or read the on-line viewer version below:

 

 

 

 
Sales fall by 5.5% in Lockdown 2

The first full week of Lockdown 2 in England saw total garden centre sales volumes fall by 5.5% but still match last year’s volumes despite lower footfall...


 

The first full week of Lockdown 2 in England saw total garden centre sales volumes fall by 5.5% but still match last year’s volumes despite lower footfall.

 

Christmas sales grew by 20% to be 2% up on the same week last year, indicating higher volume and value Christmas sales per customer but it was Plants and Growing Media that once again performed best against last year. Plant sales up by 29% and Growing Media up by 34%.

 

Centres in Wales reported good sales last week after coming out of their Firebreak so there’s still plenty of scope for sales to get back above last year’s during the final weeks of the year.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 46

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 35%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 34%
  • Veg-2-Gro Top 50 – up 10%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Top 50 – down 24%
  • Christmas Top 50 – up 2%

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

  • All Plants with Barcode Index – up 29%
  • All Items with Barcode Index – static 0%

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 Smart Show must go on…line!”

Smart Garden have launched their online Virtual Showroom enabling all customers to ‘visit’ the Company’s Eureka facility at Peterborough...


Smart Garden have launched their online Virtual Showroom enabling all customers to ‘visit’ the Company’s Eureka facility at Peterborough!

 

For those unable to visit in person, this new platform enables them to see the complete product offering and neatly complements Smart’s catalogues. This will be especially helpful for those unable to travel due to local restrictions as well as for overseas customers.

 

Online visitors can look round the whole showroom using an easy on-screen navigational tool. New products introduced for 2021 are clearly highlighted in high-resolution allowing users to zoom in and get a full appreciation of products, packaging and displays.

 

“When customers can’t come to our showrooms, no problem, we will bring our showrooms to them!” said Jonathan Stobart, MD “This has been designed to be really easy to use and, while our retail partners usually prefer to visit in person, this is the next best thing. Feedback has been extremely complimentary, and we are delighted that we have now enabled all our customers to visit and re-visit our product ranges at their leisure all year long.”

 
Five creative ways to enhance your takeaway service during lockdown

With catering operations currently restricted to takeaway only under Covid-19 lockdown, here are some creative steps you can take to adapt your existing service to make the most of your catering potential at this time. This advice is supplied by the Catering Design Group...


With catering operations currently restricted to takeaway only under Covid-19 lockdown, here are some creative steps you can take to adapt your existing service to make the most of your catering potential at this time. This advice is supplied by the Catering Design Group.

 

1. Think outside of the box…or shed, caravan or kiosk. Consider adapting an existing structure by adding a hatch.  Any unique structure you may have on site, from a rustic shed to a horse box or a quirky shepherd’s hut, could potentially be used for takeaway or serviced options. This will give you an easily accessible facility that won’t cost much but will add value and support social distancing. Use your brand colours, attractive signage and outdoor lighting to add ambience and personality. 

 

2. A window of opportunity.  Turn existing windows into serving hatches to support social distancing,increase footfall and maximise revenue. See some examples here how the walls around a window opening can be transformed with paint, props and a little imagination to create an attractive feature.

 

3. Walk the talk. Control queues and maintain social distancing by taking a more innovative approach to floor signage.  Floor arrows and floor flows are quirkier and have more visual impact than a simple dot or white arrow. These can be tailored to your brand so that they are less generic and form part of the design. Also consider a one-way traffic system and temporary changes to entrances and exits leading to the window or hatch. 

 

4. The great outdoors. Your outdoor spaces have never been so valuable. Now is the time to maximise all-weather outdoor seating spaces so that they are ready for post lockdown business. Think about adding outdoor heating, eco-friendly lighting, planting and screening so that you are prepared for the increased catering covers that your on-site Christmas attractions will undoubtedly bring. 

 

5. Invest in good design. Creating a great customer experience calls for a professional design approach where every aspect of a garden or farm centre catering facility is assessed. Bespoke design that reflects your unique brand and ethos can be transformative in terms of future revenue and repeat business.

 

Catering Design Group (CDG) is one of UK’s leading restaurant and commercial kitchen design companies, offering a full design service to clients throughout the retail,  leisure, hospitality and education sectors. http://www.cateringdesign.co.uk If you would like to know more about how CDG can support your vision, contact Steve Hutchings, director of CDG on 07736 479342 or email steve.hutchings@cateringdesign.co.uk

 
Profits up at Notcutts in year to February 2020

Notcutts have announced another year of profit growth in the year ending February 2020 with operating profit up 13.5% to £1.72m...

 


Notcutts have announced another year of profit growth in the year ending February 2020 with operating profit up 13.5% to £1.72m.  This followed a 52.5% increase in operating profit on the prior year. Gross margin improved by 1.4% points to 48.9%.

 

Total sales of £76.1m were up 1.9% despite significant disruption to normal trading patterns as Notcutts continued with its progressive redevelopment and garden centre improvement programme.

 

Capital expenditure was £9.2m in the year. Restaurant redevelopments were completed at Woodbridge, Cranleigh and Ashton Park. Full centre redevelopments, covering both retail environments and restaurants were completed at Booker, St Albans and Garden Pride (Ditchling). In each of these schemes Notcutts’ trade mark show gardens were included as part of the developments. Two further show gardens were added in Maidstone and Victoria (Pontefract) and a woodland heritage walkway was opened for customers in Woodbridge.

 

Commenting on these results Chief Executive, Nick Burrows said: “We are pleased with our progress during a year in which we were able to deliver further growth in operating profit. A continued focus on margin and a successful cost efficiency programme helped underpin this achievement. This during a year when we completed further exciting projects to bring customers ever improving experiences in our garden centres. In addition the investment we made in our e-commerce platform has put us in a good position to serve customers through this growing sales channel.”

 

Nick Burrows was also pleased to have secured planning permissions for future improvement projects at Notcutts’ Oxford, Tunbridge Wells and Solihull garden centres. “We are now well through our planned programme of improvements” he said. “Whilst we have now paused our development programme for a period as we navigate the new challenges of the current coronavirus situation, we hope to recommence further projects when this passes”. Burrows also added “Like others, we have made a number of adjustments to our business model to reflect the current unprecedented situation. We believe these will place us in a good position to gear up again quickly when more normal trading conditions return”.

 

Notcutts introduced further show gardens and a stunning woodland nature walk in the year. Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman, hosted events for customers, partners and local communities at a number of grand opening events. She commented: These additions continue to showcase Notcutts’ horticultural and design credentials which extend back almost 125 years. They are real wellbeing spaces and as society becomes increasingly conscious of the enriching positive benefits of gardening and being outside with nature we see these as essential elements of our customer experience.” Caroline Notcutt added “We have also continued our work with Thrive to support training for Social Therapeutic Horticulture through the Charles Notcutt bursary”.

 

During the year Bridget McIntyre joined Notcutts as Chairman. Upon her appointment in January 2020 she commented “Living in Suffolk, I have always been a customer of and admired Notcutts. I am delighted to be able to join the board and work with the team of this great family business.”

 
 
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.

 

 

 
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened...


See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened.

 

The centre had been handed back to the landlords during the Wyevale Garden Centres sale of the century in and closed in September 2019 as the owners looked for a new leaseholder.  British Garden Centres took on the site in September 2020 and since then have refreshed the centre, enclosing a walkway at the Restaurant end to allow for extra covers, extending the covered sales area out into the planteria and hard surfacing the overflow car parking area which was previously a field.

 

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre below:

 

 

 
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.


In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

 

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

 
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 last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for last 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.

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Back to business for industry exhibitions

Organisers of the PATS and AQUA exhibitions have welcomed news that the business events sector will be able to re-open under the revised Tier system when current Lockdown restrictions are lifted on December 2...


Organisers of the PATS and AQUA exhibitions have welcomed news that the business events sector will be able to re-open under the revised Tier system when current Lockdown restrictions are lifted on December 2.

 

Gordon Thomas, director of Impact Exhibitions and Events, said: “I’m delighted by the news. It means the pet and aquatics industries can look ahead to 2021 with confidence, knowing that its leading exhibitions – PATS Sandown, PATS Telford, and AQUA – will bring everyone back together again.

 

“Already this week we have seen an uplift in stand bookings at our shows, and we’ll be working hard over the coming months to ensure the pet and aquatics industries can re-unite in the best possible way.”

 

Gordon and his team are well advanced with their plans for the three shows in 2021 – PATS Sandown on 11-12 May, PATS Telford on 26-27 September and AQUA on 13-14 October. For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk and www.aquatelford.co.uk where registration is now open.

 

The Telford International Centre and Sandown Park – the venues for both PATS and AQUA – are members of the Association of Event Venues, an organisation that has worked closely with other bodies in the business events sector to get the industry re-opened.

 

In a joint statement, the associations said: “The Prime Minister’s announcement provides welcome relief to many individuals and businesses hit hard when the industry was stopped suddenly in March 2020.

 

“The dialogue between the exhibition Industry association, government officials and ministers has never been stronger, clearly demonstrating that there is a safe way for business events to return by sharing knowledge and developments in both the guidance and the pilot events. 

 

“The associations have also welcomed initiatives such as rapid testing and the deployment of vaccines, all of which will be needed to rebuild the position of economic powerhouse occupied by the sector before the pandemic.

 

“Capacity limits remain in place; however, it has been demonstrated through the pilot events that it is now possible to build confidence across the customer base”.

 

With six months before the doors open at PATS Sandown 2021 visitors can now register at www.patshow.co.uk

 
Tong donates stock to South Yorkshire dog rescue charity

Tong Garden Centre has donated £1,500 worth of dog of leads, collars, bowls, snacks and portable pet carriers to Rotherham based dog rescue charity, Helping Yorkshire Poundies (HYPS)...


 

Tong Garden Centre has donated £1,500 worth of dog of leads, collars, bowls, snacks and portable pet carriers to Rotherham based dog rescue charity, Helping Yorkshire Poundies (HYPS).

 

Kennel Manager at HYPS, Sarah Dobbs is overwhelmed with Tong's generosity: "It costs an average of £2,000 per week to keep the charity going so the products that you have donated will free up valuable funds for other expenses. Thank you so much."

 

"We re-home dogs who come to us from all walks of life and we take into our care any dogs who need our help and are at risk of losing their life, regardless of any health problems, age or breed."

 

Tong's Head of Finance, Katie Young said: "We pride ourselves on supporting charities that are either in the local area, or are recommended by our team, so we're thrilled to be able to support Helping Yorkshire Poundies, which is where we found Toby, our family dog, several years ago," said

 

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres with 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.

 

Pictured, from left to right: Katie Young, Sarah Dobbs from HYPS, and Emily Edmond.