In This Issue
Acquisition of outdoor leisure firm Anchor Fast presents new category for Kelkay
Water-conserving solutions as Brits face hosepipe ban
Introducing our new Champions Blend Peat Free, Organic Approved Compost
20k social media posts greet Blue Diamond's acquisition news
Footfall drops in the heat…
But plant sales still up on last year
AMIR achieves its most successful SOLEX show ever
£30k damage in forklift ram raid on Notts garden centre
Dobbies promote COO Jenkins to chief executive role
Carl Welsh appointed managing director of Vitax
Hilliers set out to make a family's dream come true
Matthew Bent and friends raise £3,600 on 280-mile cycle ride
Newquay centre's expansion get green light
Daphne 'Perfume Princess' named best new ornamental
T&M mark potato expert Colin Randel's 50 years in horticulture
Inspire your customers to save water
Haskins charity campaigns raised £16,500
Planners give Notcutts go-ahead for major upgrade at Woodbridge
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Plant supports and feeds selling well
Record high for Cactus compost
Fast feeding for birds
Autumn planting seed potatoes sell in volumes
Glee registration now open
Stand out from the crowd at HTA Marketing Forum
Roger Crookes retires as GCA inspector after 11 years
The best of last week's
Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of eight of its largest garden centres to Blue Diamond
Cowells, Fron Goch, Tong and Bents are the top centres in the North East & North West GCA regions
Glee Buyers Power List 2018: the shortlist
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Roger Crookes retires as GCA inspector after 11 years

Roger Crookes is retiring as an inspector for the Garden Centre Association this week after 11 years in the role.

 

He became a GCA inspector in 2007 after a career in garden centres around the UK since 1977.

 

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “I’d like to thank Roger for all his hard work and commitment to his role. There are many highlights from his 11 years with the GCA as an inspector. We’re now also beginning the task to look for a replacement for Roger and we would love to speak to anyone interested in the post from all areas of the industry. Those wishing to find out more about the role, should contact me via email at the GCA so they can ensure we get full details sent out to them.

 

 “We wish to continue the good work carried out by Roger along with our team of inspectors, helping to ensure consistency and raising standards throughout our membership. We view this very much as an opportunity to ensure that we have an on-going solid team of inspectors who have insight into the market and new retailing ideas to help our members develop and face the challenges of the future in a positive way.”

 

In 1980, Roger began his ongoing involvement with the GCA when working in member centres. He was on the receiving end of his first GCA inspection, in its earliest format, in that year and he says it was a key moment in his career.

Roger explained: “I remember feeling frustrated that we hadn’t got some of the ‘retail details’ finished in time for the inspector, but that everything he said made sense and I felt motivated to keep on improving … nearly 40 years on I am still working on that!

 

 “I am still amazed that members have allowed me to go into their garden centres for the past 11 years and assess all that they are achieving, I am very lucky to have been in the role. It has been good to see the whole inspection process become even more accessible to shop floor staff – with the development of the regional summer feedback events and the pre-season roadshows, which are packed with ideas and inspiration for staff to see and develop in their own unique way back in their centres.

 

 “I plan to continue my work as a freelance consultant within the UK garden retail trade and also supporting school gardening projects, with some exciting projects already lined up nearer to my home in South Wales. Hopefully I can continue to be of some service to GCA members in the years to come, I just need to focus more of my time on other projects for the next few years.”

 

The main purpose of the role of inspector is to visit member’s sites to assess standards and give feedback.

 

Iain added: “Our ideal candidate to replace Roger would need to visit member centres during the spring inspection window and be able to give objective and honest feedback on what they find. They will need to produce reports and provide ideas for improving standards, as well as make presentations at our annual conference and regional meetings. It is a very interesting and unique role for anyone in the industry.”

 

For further information about the role of inspector at the GCA, please call 01244 952170, visit the website, log on to Facebook or Twitter 

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Danny Adamson
All the best for a well deserved retirement.
We will miss those fabulous GCA reviews.
Best regards
Danny