In This Issue
Apta acquired by AMES
GCA Christmas competition winners announced
Primeur’s ECO Garden display stands set to revitalise sales of garden borders and stepping stones in 2020
The stock market is the “natural place” for Dobbies and it will look to float
Dobbies announce 12% sales growth to February 2019
‘A strong and vibrant ornamental horticulture sector’
New Strikes Garden Centre, Stokesley Opens
RHS Garden Wisley bucks the trend against High Street sales
Customers voting for Christmas at garden centres
Christmas success for Brimsmore...even with no glitter
Administrators sell off National Polytunnels business assets
Wish you were here! SOLEX winner enjoys prize in Barbados
Hillier announces environmental audit to cut carbon footprint
Brother and sister give up day jobs to run Kent centre
Vitax grows charity's funds by over £11,000
New book offers tips on reducing plastic in the garden
Wyevale Nurseries expands sales support team
Whartons invests in marketing with new management position
Inaugural Elm Stand Planted at the National Memorial Arboretum as Hillier Trees ‘Re-elms the British Countryside’
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Westland Group Announces Key Appointments to Leadership Teams
At 76, is this Santa's most senior Elf?
‘A strong and vibrant ornamental horticulture sector’ the HTA’s general election 2019 manifesto
Christmas on a new high
Environmentalist to speak at 2020 GCA conference
Keenies are still gardening
GCA conference attendees to hear from Eden Project co-founder
Lights at number one again
NGGV helps boost sales in National Tree Week
Pre-Christmas plant boost
Houseplant and pet categories perform well in October, according to HTA Market Update
The best of last week's
Christmas trees are slimming down
Horticultural ‘Oscars’ highlight gardening as force for good
Sustainability brings opportunity for garden industry
David Austin Roses launches sustainable packaging for bare root planting
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Drinks suppliers flock to show their wares at Casual Dining
Yorkshire chef launches first cookery book with a demo at Bradford garden centre
Situations Vacant
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Brother and sister give up day jobs to run Kent centre

Brother and sister Tom and Jenny Ripley are to take over Greenways garden centre in Bethersden in January - the first time the centre has changed hands in almost 20 years.

 

They plan to call it Ripleys and add a hairdressing salon.

 

The site has been owned by the Ripley family for around 40 years but Tom, 32, a former team manager at Waitrose, Canterbury, and his insurance broker sister Jenny, 34, have given up their day jobs to concentrate on the venture.

 

Tom will be investing £150,000 to upgrade the premises, which will retain the independent A-Z Animal Care and The Antiques Barn businesses on site, and a new business, Olson Timber Buildings, will be added. The Garden Restaurant, run by his cousins Andrew and Brad, will continue to trade as normal

 

The centre’s product range will be expanded to include gifts, candles, cards and children's toys.

 

Tom who plays cricket and football in the district and began his 16-year Waitrose career at the Tenterden branch, told the Kent Messenger Online: “We have lived in Bethersden all our lives so lots of people know us. Our garden centre will be family-run and we hope people will get behind us."

 

Greenways, run by Alan Greenway for 19 years, will officially close on Christmas Eve after a final sale.

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