British Garden Centres, the UK's largest family-owned garden centre group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Langlands Garden Centres and its three stores: Shiptonthorpe, Whinmoor and Loxley. This expansion strengthens British Garden Centres' presence in Yorkshire and reflects the company's ongoing commitment to providing exceptional garden supplies and experiences to customers in the local community.

The purchase of these three established garden centres brings British Garden Centres’ total portfolio to 65 locations across the UK. The new stores will benefit from British Garden Centres' extensive buying power, allowing them to offer customers a wider selection of plants, garden care products, and homeware at competitive prices.

Similar to other BGC centres, the Loxley and Whinmoor stores will adopt local names. They will be rebranded as Sheffield and Leeds to better reflect their areas. Langlands in Shiptonthorpe will keep its current name, due to its rich heritage and history within the community.

Charles Stubbs, Founder and Director of British Garden Centres said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Langlands Garden Centre team and loyal customers to the British Garden Centres family. Langlands has a long-standing reputation for quality products, expert advice, and a dedication to the communities they serve, values that perfectly align with our own.”

James Ducker, Director of Langlands added: “I’m delighted that the centres and nursery are becoming part of the British Garden Centres family. We have been working with the BGC team for a few months now to ensure the transition is smooth for both the Langlands team members and our customers. My Grandad moved from Bingley to the site in Shiptonthorpe 60 years ago and the business has grown from there. I would like to pay tribute to my Mum and Dad who have worked so hard to make Langlands the success it is. We have the most amazing team and I’m sure that Langlands joining BGC will create huge opportunities for them. I’m pleased to be joining the British Garden Centres team and having a part in the future development of an amazing business.  

“I will be building upon the success that British Garden Centres has had at flower shows, back to how I began my career in the horticulture industry.” 

The new Langlands, Sheffield and Leeds Garden Centres will open seven days a week, 9 am – 5.30 pm on Monday to Saturday and 10.30 am – 4.30 pm on Sunday.

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to bring to market, The Pot Place Garden Centre near Penrith, Cumbria.

Established over 20 years ago by Paul Thomas and Kevin Roper, this family-run business has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The garden centre sits on a circa 2.75-acre plot, on the site of a former railway station, parallel to the M6 motorway and only 10 miles from the Lake District National Park. It features a specialist pot and garden building centre with a charming tea room, furniture centre, plants, and gift shop.

With Paul and Kevin now looking to retire and spend more time on their charity work, they have decided to market the business by way of a share sale for 100% shares of the limited company. The business would make an excellent lifestyle purchase or valuable addition to an existing portfolio, as the new owner is able to benefit from the strong and profitable contacts with worldwide producers of garden ceramics.

Commenting on their decision to sell, Paul said, “From our humble beginnings as a pot and planter centre, we’re very proud of the garden centre business that we’ve been able to build over the past 20 years, with the support of our wonderful team of staff. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time developing the business so the decision to sell has not been as easy one to make, however the time has come for us to take a step back and look to retire.

“Having put our heart and soul into The Pot Place, we are looking for an enthusiastic new owner who is willing to invest in the business to take it forward and look after our fantastic staff who have been instrumental in our success. We will wait for the right buyer and our many loyal customers should be reassured that it will be business as usual during the transition to new ownership.”

Andrew Birnie, Director in Christie & Co’s Retail & Garden Centre team, who is managing the sales process, comments, “We’re very pleased to be instructed to market this attractive garden centre and specialist pots and planters’ business on behalf of Paul and Kevin. The Pot Place attracts customers from across Cumbria and beyond due to its range of specialist products, including the garden building business which serves as a strong income driver. This is a special place to work, and I can’t think of many places that would be better to spend your working life, running a profitable business in the beautiful countryside, so close to the M6 for access and only a short drive to the Lakes. We look forward to finding the right buyer to take the business forward, building on the wonderful work of Paul, Kevin and their team.”

The Government has announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to be completed by the end of the year. It will develop a new statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of the Environment Act targets.  

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) commented: “We welcome the Government’s initiative to launch a rapid review to meet the Environment Act targets. This timely review provides an essential opportunity to focus on how we can effectively use the UK’s diverse horticultural sector to achieve these critical environmental goals. 

“Almost a year ago, we launched a Value of Plants report to include a document relating to the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23). The delivery of no less than 7 of the 10 aims of the EIP 23 is dependent on a thriving UK horticulture sector. Our report reaffirms the pivotal role that environmental horticulture can play in addressing the UK’s environmental, economic, and health challenges. By integrating plants and green spaces more strategically, we can advance biodiversity, enhance air quality in urban areas, and support rural economies.

“We are encouraged by the review’s emphasis on practical policy solutions and continue to work closely with policymakers across Westminster, Holyrood, the Senedd, and Stormont. Our industry is well-positioned to contribute to achieving legally binding environmental targets and advancing the broader aims of the Plan.

“Although often underappreciated, the immense economic, environmental, and social value of horticulture cannot be overstated. We look forward to being involved in this review and hope it will continue to highlight the need for a greater recognition of Environmental Horticulture and its potential.”

Photo, Josh Croll: Climate-Forward Garden by Melanie Hick. 

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), University of Sheffield and University of Reading want to hear how climate change is affecting the plants in people’s gardens as they combine forces to help future proof them.

While warmer summers have meant gardens can accommodate a wider variety of flowering plants and some traditional favourites such as ornamental grasses, gladioli and irises are thriving, others, including hebes and Pittosporum, are being negatively affected by the increasing number of heavy rainfall events, extreme temperatures and unpredictable frosts.  

Understanding what is growing well or struggling and gardeners’ maintenance habits will help the researchers to make recommendations for how to manage and protect plant diversity across the country. Information will also be used to identify what plants might thrive here in the future.  

RHS Gardens are already adapting to changes in the weather. Heat loving banana and lotus have flowered at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire – something not thought to have been possible ten years ago – and Lagerstroemia originating from South East Asia has been trialled successfully at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey.

However, plants from the heather and Hepatica national collections also based at Wisley are being duplicated and grown across other sites because of vulnerability to drought and the potential for loss. Vegetable trials replicated across all five gardens have also shown the difference in performance in the north, south and south west.

Tim Upson, Director of Gardens and Horticulture at the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “In a garden, plant diversity is everything and our extensive collections provide some insight into what grows well from year to year and from place to place. Tapping into the observations of the UK’s 30 million gardeners, many of whom will have noticed longer-lasting blooms or waterlogged perennials, will help us in better understanding how our gardens need to evolve to ensure they continue to provide the environmental and health and wellbeing benefits we currently enjoy, ten, twenty and thirty years from now.”  

Gardeners can contribute to the survey which runs until 15th October here: rhs.org.uk/climatechangesurvey

The RHS published Gardening in a Changing Climate in 2017 in collaboration with the University of Reading and University of Sheffield. It highlights the importance of gardens in terms of their interaction with the natural environment and provides recommendations on how gardeners can adapt to climate change through plant choice and garden design.

The Greenfingers Charity, dedicated to creating magical gardens for children in hospices, is thrilled to unveil a packed calendar of events designed to inspire, engage, and bring its fundraising community together. As the charity looks forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, the team invite supporters to take part in a series of unforgettable events that promise fun, adventure, and opportunities to make a real difference.

Wing Walk - Wednesday, 3rd September 2024

For the thrill-seekers among us, a high-flying adventure awaits. Dare to take on the Wing Walk at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester and push your limits to support Greenfingers Charity by strapping yourself atop a plane and enjoying the view as you bank and roll across the sky.

Floral Thursday - Thursday, 12th September 2024

Get ready to don your best (or worst!) florals for a fantastic cause. At Glee, the garden retail sector will attempt to break the world record for the most floral clad people in one place, with others across businesses, at home or even at school also encouraged to get involved and share their floral-tastic photos by using the hashtag #floralthursday.

Fundraising Dinner - Thursday, 28th November 2024

Mark your calendars for an evening of elegance and philanthropy at the Pendley Manor Hotel, Tring. The annual Fundraising Dinner rounds off our year of fundraising with a superb evening full of entertainment, networking and celebrating those that have supported Greenfingers during the last 12 months. 

Garden Re-Leaf Day - Friday, 21st March 2025

Join us for our flagship fundraiser! Participate in our cycle challenge, one of our walks, or host your own event at work, garden centre or in your community. Your involvement will help us continue bringing the gift of gardens to life-limited children, families, and carers.

London Landmarks Half Marathon - Sunday, 6th April 2025

Cheer on the Greenfingers runners or use your place in the marathon to raise funds for our vital work. This iconic road race through London's historic landmarks offers a unique way to support our charity.

The Floral Ball - Thursday, 26th June 2025

Celebrate Greenfingers Charity's 25th Anniversary with an evening to remember at Coombe Abbey, Coventry. This special night promises fine dining, entertainment, and a celebration of our achievements over the past quarter-century.

Dragon Boat Race - Sunday, 6th July 2025

Returning for a second year, the Dragon Boat Race is the perfect event for colleagues, friends and family to come together for a fun filled day of competition and community spirit.  Gather your team and meet us beside the water at Grendon Lakes, Northants.

For more information

For more information, to register for events, or to find out how you can get involved, visit our website at www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or contact us at Linda Petrons via linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thousands of visitors are expected at the North’s annual autumnal celebration of all things growing and gardening. 

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place at Newby Hall, Ripon, from Friday 13 September to Sunday 15 September. 

Staged by the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS), the show attracts more than 30,000 visitors every year and showcases the best in garden produce and flowers. Taking centre stage will be magnificent floral displays, delicious produce, expert gardening advice and fiercely contested competitions including for giant fruit and veg. 

Billed as an inspiration for gardeners of all abilities, visitors to the show can also enjoy Newby Hall's award-winning gardens, live talks and demonstrations, great garden shopping and stunning floral art installations within historic Newby Hall itself. Highlights of this year’s show include the Floral Pavilion featuring the biggest seasonal displays of autumn blooms from the UK’s best growers, plant nurseries and societies. Visitors will discover a wide range of plants and the splendour of the National Dahlia and National Chrysanthemum Northern Championships.

The ‘Incredible Edible’ pavilion will host vegetable competitions including the ever-popular Giant Vegetable Competition and National Onion Competition with growers competing to beat last year’s world record-breaking 19lb 7oz onion to win £1,500 prize money and a coveted entry into the Guinness Book of Records. 

This year’s theme for the hall’s interiors is ‘Nature Reclaims’ which will see Newby’s magnificent Adam interiors re-imagined with dramatic rewilding-inspired floral art installations. 

Other attractions include live stages which will share practical gardening advice and the stories from the people behind the plants. There will also be live demonstrations on growing and cooking with some of the Yorkshire’s fantastic produce, hosted by chef Steph Moon and garden guru Martin Walker. A live ‘Pick and Preserve’ feature will offer practical demonstrations and tips on how to extend your produce throughout the winter months. There will also be a range of hands-on fun for young visitors as well as access to Newby Hall’s adventure garden.    

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is one of two flower shows hosted annually by the NEHS, with the Spring Flower Show taking place in Harrogate in April. Last year’s Autumn Flower Show committed over £163,000 in support and promotion of the work of specialist societies and groups, and charitable horticultural organisations.

Nick Smith, director of Harrogate Flower Shows, said: “September is the perfect time to celebrate the year’s growing achievements. Our Autumn Flower Show is the UK’s biggest exhibition of specialist gardening groups and includes two fantastic fruit and veg shows and, of course, a world-famous giant vegetable competition. 

“This year’s show promises both beautiful floral displays and exceptional produce and buckets of garden inspiration.”   

Stuart Gill, commercial director at Newby Hall, said: “The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is truly horticulture meets heritage with visitors picking out their favourite plants on a tour of our award-winning gardens before visiting top plant nurseries from across the country with their shopping lists.” 

Tickets are £23 per person available online from https://www.flowershow.org.uk/ or £28 on the door. Admission includes access to Newby’s gardens which feature some of Europe’s biggest herbaceous flower borders, 15 stunning garden ‘rooms’ and family adventure garden. 

phs Greenleaf has launched a new summer campaign to encourage businesses to start thinking early about how to make the biggest impact this Christmas.

phs Greenleaf supplies more than 2,500 decorated Christmas trees each year to businesses across the UK. Its specialist Christmas production team spend most of the year decorating artificial trees in preparation for the festive season.

The new campaign, coined ‘Tisn’t the Season’, features members of the phs Greenleaf team playfully getting ready for Christmas this summer, including one team member as Santa on the beach.

Stephen Dieppe, Managing Director of phs Greenleaf, said: “Christmas is one of the biggest opportunities to support and add value to your brand. Properly planned, your Christmas decorations alone can help you build relationships, increase brand awareness and boost productivity and sales.

“It’s about creating that golden ‘Instagram moment’ for your customers or staff. That is something that people want to be photographed with and share with friends and followers on social media. It could be something really beautiful, or really unique. It could be very large, or bold, or make a statement. Your Christmas decorations are an easy, cost-effective and organic way to raise awareness of your brand, communicate your key values to your target audience and boost productivity and sales.

“However, we know that it can be hard for businesses to make the time to execute this well so, instead of letting the opportunity pass them by, we take care of everything for them. They can get on with running their business, safe in the knowledge that Christmas is in good hands.

“It’s important to start early and strategically think about what your objectives are for Christmas. We work with thousands of businesses every year to help them create and execute their festive themes for maximum impact, and work on this often starts in the summer.   

“You need to ask yourself about what you want to achieve from your Christmas decorations. What do you want them to say about your brand? What do you want customers or staff to think or feel when they see them? What is your ultimate goal?

“We offer a range of decorated Christmas trees with different colour schemes and themes to provide something for everyone. We can also create bespoke trees to customer’s exact requirements.

“As well as traditional reds and golds and luxury snow-covered trees, we also have playful themes like Christmas jumpers and candy canes. We also have sustainable options, including our new Festive Forage tree, which uses only natural and eco-friendly decorations, and the innovative Christmoss Trees™, which are wooden structures featuring moss that make for a chic eco-statement tree.”

The Christmas designers at phs Greenleaf install each tree on location to ensure it looks perfect and ready to welcome staff, visitors and customers. Each tree is available in a wide range of sizes – from a standard 7ft tree to as high as 30ft tall, alongside the 3ft tabletop tree, decorative wreaths, garlands, floral arrangements, lights and other festive accessories. Greenleaf’s real trees are harvested at a sustainable farm in the Midlands.

phs Greenleaf’s new Christmas 2024 brochure is now available online.

Leading global pest control manufacturer and supplier Pelsis Group has acquired Nottingham based garden care product manufacturer, Doff Portland, strengthening the group’s portfolio of leading retail, agricultural and professional brands.

Established in 1946, Doff Portland manufactures a number of leading brands and private label products for major retailers in the UK and EU. These brands include Doff, Portland Garden, Power Up and Green Fingers. 

Speaking about the acquisition, Pelsis Group CEO Alex Ashmore said: ‘In Doff we have found a strong partner to complement our own well known retail brands and channels. The combined strengths of Pelsis' distribution network and Doff's product portfolio in the UK and Europe will make a powerful combination of brands and channels for our customers,’ he said. ‘We are excited to welcome the Doff team to the Pelsis family’.

Doff Portland becomes a wholly owned subsidiary with its 85 employees, customers and suppliers welcomed into the Pelsis Group.  

The deal follows Pelsis’ recent acquisitions of Brandenburg (2022) and Sanitrade (2021) which focused on the Professional Pest Control categories, building and consolidating its world leading Insect Light Trap offer and wider professional distribution network. Doff Portland provides a good balance to Pelsis’ portfolio, with its well-known retail brands and commitment to offering sustainable and environmentally responsible products and solutions to pest management issues, ahead of increasingly stringent global regulatory requirements.

Commenting on the sale, Doff CEO Ben Shapiro said: ‘This acquisition presents a phenomenal opportunity for Doff.  There is a great fit in terms of our vision and values. Both businesses have been focussed on investing in their portfolios of environmentally responsible products for amateur and professional users.  This will continue and the combination will hugely benefit our employees and our customers as we find new opportunities for growth.’

Pelsis was advised by Alvarez & Marsal and DLA Piper.  Doff Portland was advised by Hill Dickinson and Cavendish.

Corby + Fellas has announced yet another new partnership, this time with Shallowmead Nurseries, in Lymington.

A family run, independent nursery with a wide range of high-quality plants, on the outskirts of Lymington, in the New Forest, since 1947. The Nursery has been transformed over the last four years and they are proud of the expert team,  propagating over 95% of their own plants, splitting and cutting shrubs, conifers, herbaceous and grasses. They also have a wonderful Farm Shop.

Shallowmead offer a full in-house garden design service, from planting advice to hand drawn garden designs.

After your shopping, why not visit Mabel’s Restaurant for breakfast, lunch or perhaps some tapas and a glass of wine. Take a seat and relax in their stunning garden that their design and landscaping team have created, and be inspired for your own.  For inspiration or planting advice just ask one of their friendly team.

In addition to the Standard WinRetail Core, Corby + Fellas will be providing Shallowmead with our powerful CRM+, Customer Experience APP, DigiTickets integration, and full XERO integration via our powerful API.

A spokesperson for Corby + Fellas said: "We look forward to a long-standing partnership with Lyndon, Kate, and the Shallowmead team."

The team at Old Railway Line Garden Centre has successfully embarked on their ambitious charity fundraiser, raising vital funds for #BeMoreFrank and the Ewings Sarcoma Research Trust. Team One recently completed a gruelling 15-mile hike over the Brecon Beacons, finishing their journey in 9 and a half hours.

So far, over £3,000 has been raised, and Team Two is hoping to push the fundraising even further over the next week and during their challenge this Saturday.

Garden Retail Director, Liam Cleary, praised the team's efforts last weekend: "The determination and teamwork shown by Team One were amazing to see. We faced challenging conditions but were motivated by the cause and the incredible support from the generous people who have sponsored us. It’s heartening to see everyone come together for such worthy charities, and I’m confident Team Two will be successful in completing the challenge this Saturday too."

Marketing Director, Joe Aldworth added, "We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity we’ve received so far. The dedication and spirit of our team, coupled with the community’s contributions, are truly inspiring. We are excited to see Team Two take on the challenge and further our efforts for these incredible causes."

This year, Old Railway Line Garden Centre has chosen two significant charities to support, in honour of friends and families within our local community who are facing difficult battles.

#BeMoreFrank is a special named fund of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, raising funds in Frank’s name to provide financial assistance to families with a child diagnosed with cancer. Your contribution can make a substantial difference to families enduring the toughest of times.

Ewings Sarcoma Research Trust (Bone Cancer Research Trust) aims to improve the treatment and outcomes for patients with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Each year, around 2,400 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer, with approximately 88 facing primary bone cancer. The impact of treatment adds to the complex challenges these young patients already face.

Old Railway Line Garden Centre is a community-focused business committed to supporting local causes and enhancing the lives of those around us. Through various initiatives and events, we strive to make a positive impact on our community.

If you’d like to read more about their fundraising efforts or sponsor, please visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.

Hamilton’s Outdoor Living, a new outdoor living showroom in Penrith, Cumbria, officially opened its doors in May 2024, welcoming both the public and garden professionals. 

A first of its kind for the North West, the showroom offers premium outdoor living products from some of the best suppliers across the UK and Europe. 

Suppliers including Breeze House, Bromic Heating, Living Green, Cubic Outdoor Cooking & Kitchens and more will showcase various products including hard landscaping, outdoor rooms, pergolas, outdoor kitchens and dining options, garden furniture, al fresco heating solutions and accessories.

The Hamilton’s Outdoor Living team works closely with trusted gardening professionals including architects and designers to help create their clients' dream outdoor living space. A dedicated outdoor office will be available to hire on a complimentary basis for garden professionals to meet with clients so they can see, feel and try a range of products from hardscaping to lighting. 

Alan Hamilton, Owner of Hamilton’s Outdoor Living and Cumbria Quarrying Services says, “This has been the culmination of years of knowledge in the landscaping industry to create a unique destination for the area that both garden professionals and the public can come to and enjoy, gain inspiration from and hopefully create their dream outdoor space.

Along with building up a trusted and experienced network of gardening professionals, we’ve worked hard to establish relationships with some of the leading landscaping and outdoor living suppliers across the UK and beyond to make sure that our customers only receive the best possible products, advice and service when they visit our showroom..”

The showroom located in Penrith, Cumbria, is just a short drive from Junction 40 on the M6 and ideally placed for customers across the northwest, northeast and southern Scotland, open daily from 7am to both trade and the public. 

More information can be found online at www.hamiltonsoutdoorliving.co.uk

A visit to the AMES Companies stand at Glee this September (10-12 September, NEC Birmingham) will bear witness to the first major steps being taken by the popular aggregate and garden landscaping brand, Kelkay, on its journey of creating new and innovative solutions that delight garden retailers.

Recycled stepping stones

Grabbing the headlines will be Kelkay’s first recycled stepping stone collection. Made from 100% recycled post-consumer materials, this collection will help retailers to offer consumers innovative solutions for their gardens and outdoor spaces. Designed to look like natural stone with a tree or bee debossed design, these stepping stones are not just hardwearing and long lasting, but a handy hanging hole makes them perfect for positioning on walls and fences to create creative displays too.

Recycled packaging

Kelkay will also introduce 50% recycled post-consumer plastic on its aggregate packaging – markedly above the industry standard where the threshold currently sits at just 30%.  Rigorously tested, the Kelkay team are confident in the bag’s performance in transit and on the shopfloor and are already taking steps to further improve the recycled content. Paul North, MD at the AMES Companiesexplains. He said: “Meeting the minimum standard is never an option for us, and we hope that our latest development is demonstrative of our commitment to a greener future for the Kelkay brand. 50% now, but we have our eyes on solutions that enable us to build on this.”

Newness abounds

As always, a large area of AMES Companies stand will be given over to showcase the complete Kelkay offering. This will include several new paving designs and aggregate solutions to further bolster the company’s offering ahead of the 2025 season, including new colourways and sizes to ensure the overall offering covers all consumer tastes and need. New premium chippings, pebbles and boulder will also join the 2025 line-up, further expanding Kelkay’s appeal.

Find out more

All the latest Kelkay introductions are available to order from 1st August. Interested parties are invited to contact their usual sales manager to place an order or to find out more. Retailers wanting to become an Kelkay stockist can find out how at www.kelkay.co.uk.

What’s more, Kelkay can be found alongside the wider AMES Companies family of brands at Glee later this year, where the company is poised to launch over 700 new products! To see them for yourself join the team in Hall 8, stand A80-D81, A60-C61.

Further details about the AMES Companies and its family of brands, including Kelkay, AMES Tools, La Hacienda, and Apta, can be found at www.ames-uk.com

Tong Garden Centre has collaborated with the National  Science and Media Museum to offer a series of summer holiday drop in activity sessions this summer.

On August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, visitors to Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play at Tong Garden will be able to participate in fun activities and science demonstrations led by the museum team. It is part of the museum's drive tobring science to children this summer with an exciting programme of free activities across Bradford.

"Since the National Science and Media Museum is still closed until January, we needed some exciting new places to go for Summer. Grass Hoppers is one of the top places to visit in Bradford and the photos looked awesome, so we knew we'd have lots of fun," said Emma Hart, Schools and Families Producer at the National Science and Media Museum.

"Depending on when you come, you'll either be able to create a straw rocket and see how far you can blast it off into space, design a storyboard for a film or make a mixture to help a very large animal brush its teeth, so don't miss out!" said Tong's Assistant Manager at Grass Hoppers, Rebecca Ure, who has organised the sessions with the team at the National  Science and Media Museum.

The sessions take place every Monday in August between 9.45 am and 4 pm. Entry to the drop in sessions is free with your Grass Hoppers ticket, which costs £7.95 and must be pre-booked online at https://grasshoppersplay.co.uk/. Each child's ticket comes with two free adult tickets.

The drop in sessions are part of a summer of fun at Grass Hoppers that includes an 8th play free offer for Green Card members, Hoppers Penalty shoot (6th August), Party Dances (8th August), Giant Games (13 August) and Giant Bubbles and Chalks (20/22 August).

Grass Hoppers at Tong Garden Centre is suitable for children up to 10 and comprises an indoor play area with interactive features, a sports court, a special baby and toddler zone, and a role-play zone. Outdoors, children can enjoy bouncing pillows, a zip wire, a giant sandpit, swings, slides, and a race track.

Tong Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) Group that also includes Tingley, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres plus Dean's York and Dean's Scarborough. Otley and Bingley were known as Stephen H Smith's before they were acquired by YGC in 2022.

Follow the link for more information about the museum's summer activities:https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/summer-family-activities

If you attended Spring Fair earlier this year you may have recognised a familiar face in Hall 8, though the product on display may have surprised you. Well known amongst garden retailers for its recycled rubber garden landscaping products amongst, now is the time to introduce Primeur’s alter ego – Mighty Mats. 

With sales exceeding six million units annually and 55 years of heritage in the market, Primeur’s doormat story is well established, but now it is time to make garden centres part of its next chapter. With autumn on the horizon, and wet weather expected to provide the backdrop for the next six months, there has never been a better time for garden retailers to view the Mighty Mats offering. From core, volume-selling doormat ranges, including washable and ‘barrier’ designs, to the designer Rubber and Coir collection, plus boot trays, the Scrape N Sorb brand, all-new sustainable solutions and an exciting, licenced collection that opens up new gifting opportunities, there is a Mighty Mats for every home and garden retailer.

Jenny Douthwaite, Managing Director at Primeur, said: “The feedback from buyers at Spring Fair has been invaluable in helping us to tweak our offering so that we’re coming to market with a range of products that truly hit the mark. What’s more, we’ve taken steps to ensure that we have a fully stocked UK warehouse, so that we’re able to respond quickly as the wet weather unfolds, including delivery into store within as little as two days.

“We firmly believe in the Mighty Mats offering.  Our extensive work behind the scenes has purposefully elevated mats from a necessity to something of beauty. Not only this but we know we’re bringing market something different and are taking a category that was once seen as purely utilitarian and making it creative yet functional, hugely giftable and a proven seller during those traditionally quieter months within garden retail.”

Proven Primeur sales tools

For retailers seeking integrated merchandise solutions that can help them create engaging in store displays, Primeur’s proven point of sale is the ideal solution. Mighty Mats benefits from ‘plug and play’ display options, plus tailored stock profiles help retailers to target specific consumer demographics. In addition, Primeur’s ethical credentials and commitment to responsible sourcing and manufacturing can be seen throughout the Mighty Mats® portfolio,  

Finally, it has been confirmed that Mighty Mats can be cross-category ordered with Primeur’s renowned sustainable garden ranges that include Tierra Verde Planters, EZ Border garden borders and EcoWay Recycled Rubber stepping-stones, with a MOQ of just £500.

Don’t miss at Glee 2024

To find out more about how Mighty Mats can keep your tills ringing this winter and beyond, please join the team at Glee 2024 in Hall 8, stand D40-E41. Retailers are also invited to visit  www.primeur.co.uk or call (01274) 518800 for more information.

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A Bradford headquartered garden centre group has created three new roles to support growth at its six sites.

Yorkshire Garden Centres has sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley and has recently acquired Dean's of York and Scarborough. The new roles of Group People and Culture Manager, Group Catering Operations Manager and Giftware and Christmas Team Lead will work across all sites.

Steph Harrison joined Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) in 2022 and has been promoted to the Group People and Culture Manager position. Lisa Passant joined YGC in 2022 and has been promoted to Giftware and Christmas Team Lead. Thomas Waller joined YGC from British Garden Centres earlier this year.

An experienced catering operations specialist, Mr. Waller is responsible for driving the growing business forward in catering operations, standards and compliance. Mrs. Harrison's role includes overseeing the running of the People and Culture team and working with the team's Head to develop and implement the People and Culture strategy and Ms. Passant's responsibilities include managing the gift area, her team and stock rotation.

Mark Farnsworth, Yorkshire Garden Centres' MD, said: "Steph and Lisa have worked hard to earn their promotions and Thomas has joined the business at a very exciting time. All three appointments will help to prepare us for future growth.

"At Yorkshire Garden Centres, we pride ourselves on investing in our team to help us, and them, grow. Lisa has been through our in-house leadership development programme, Great By Nature, which aims to grow great leaders who inspire others to be the best that they can be, and the business funded Steph's CIPD Level 5 People Management qualification."

The YGC group comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres plus Dean's York and Dean's Scarborough. Otley and Bingley were known as Stephen H Smith's before they were acquired by YGC in 2022.

Following news in June of four new additions, and the launch of their Spring Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Collections, Trans-Continental Group have now announced they have increased their Sales Team further with another two new team members.

Lee Kennerley (Sales Director) said “Following a great start to the pre-season selling campaign for Spring Summer 2025, we have strengthened our Sales Team even further with another two fantastic new additions. We welcome Steve Redfern and Emma Murray, who both bring a wealth of experience within the industry. Steve & Emma have a great reputation for great customer service and account management. The addition of Steve & Emma gives us additional coverage in the North of England & Wales and in Scotland too.

"With the announcement in June of new additions, and now Steve and Emma joining the team in August, we are in a great position for the future growth of our business. On behalf of Trans-Continental Group and the entire team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our valued customers and partners for acknowledging our efforts to develop and strengthen the business further in our 30th year! With new additions to the team and some fantastic new products for the Spring Summer 2025 season.”

Steve Redfern has a wealth of experience within the Garden Industry and joins Transcon to manage accounts across the North of England & North Wales. Steve has worked with the likes; Harbo, Hozelock, and Mercer servicing the Garden & Leisure industry. With experience across both Garden Furniture and Christmas categories Steve is a great addition to the team.

Emma Murray  joins Transcon to assist Ross McFarlane managing accounts across Scotland. Emma has several years’ of experience within the Industry, working brands such as LeisureGrow & Noma, AMES and Growmoor. Having already built up a great reputation within the industry, Emma will help Ross in giving our existing and potential new customers comprehensive cover in Scotland.

Meadow View Stone has appointed Spencer Goodall as sales agent for the South West, covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Spencer provides a wealth of industry expertise and replaces Matt Fevin, the company’s former South West agent, who has decided to descale his number of principals due to time constraints imposed by the success of his other agencies.  

A spokesperson for Meadow View Stone said: “All the team are immensely grateful to Matt for his support of our loyal customer base, which he amicably passes over to Spencer for management.”

Former GIMA president Spencer, who has worked in the garden industry for 35+ years representing a strong portfolio of brands, said: “I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to work with Meadow View. Meadow has always been a company I have admired from afar and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to manage and develop both new and existing accounts for such an esteemed brand.”

www.meadowviewstone.co.uk

The Horticultural Trades Association has launched a series of Regional Member Events resounding success, starting with the inaugural meeting in Scotland earlier this week.

These events offer hundreds of HTA members a chance to network with fellow nearby members, hear from experts on important industry issues, and most importantly, express their voices and concerns to their regional member engagement manager, ensuring their opinions are listened to and valued.

The first session at McLarens Nurseries in Glasgow was attended by 48 delegates, including 18 members and five prospective businesses from growers, retailers, landscapers, and service providers.

The attendees took an hour-long nursery tour with Adam McGowan, the general manager of Scotland's largest wholesale nursery. They then had the opportunity to hear from HTA Chairman James Barnes, Stan Green from Growforth Nurseries, and Matt Elliot, Plant Health and Biosecurity Scientist at Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. 

Neil Cummings, HTA Regional Manager for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and North England said: “These regional meetings allow us to bring members and prospective members together to connect and discuss the challenges and opportunities on a regional and national level. The feedback from our hosts, McLarens, has been fantastic, and those I spoke to on the day said it was fascinating and well worth attending.”
 

Regional meetings are scheduled for the remainder of the year in locations scattered across the country, offering a wealth of opportunities for our members to learn, network, and contribute to the growth of our industry.
 

Register for an event:

hta.org.uk/regional-member-events

Steve Turner, Export Sales Director of Spear & Jackson, has been appointed Chair of the BHETA Export Committee. The BHETA Export Committee encourages and enables BHETA members to start exporting or to build their existing export business.

Steve is a well-known figure in the DIY industry with over twenty-five years’ experience in the sector.  He has worked at Spear & Jackson in senior sales roles for nearly ten years, and prior to that, worked at QEP, managing UK and export accounts.  

Under Steve’s guidance, Spear & Jackson UK now sells in over 100 countries worldwide under its globally recognised brands, Spear & Jackson and Eclipse Professional Tools.  Complementing the UK operation, Spear & Jackson France, Spear & Jackson Australia, Eclipse Tools North America and Spear & Jacksons manufacturing & warehousing facility in China provide sales and distribution services globally.  

Commenting on Steve’s appointment, Will Jones, BHETA Chief Operating Officer, said: “Steve Turner brings with him plenty of enthusiasm, energy, and experience to help drive the success of the committee, having spent many years being involved with the BHETA DIY and Export committees.  

"Steve has extensive experience of exporting the Spear and Jackson brand around the world and by utilising the knowledge from older heads, combined with new blood that now exists in the committee, firmly believes that BHETA can help inspire members to look further afield from home markets.” 

The BHETA Export Committee’s objective is to encourage and support BHETA members either to start exporting or to build their existing export business.  It works with Government departments and the international Chambers of Commerce to explore opportunities for overseas missions, international shows, and grant availability in support of such opportunities.  It also has a raft of business service providers who can help with the practicalities of selling product to overseas markets. 

For more information about BHETA including the Export Committee, contact the Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or visit the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk.

Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner’s announcement of an overhaul of the planning system to pave the way for 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said:

“We acknowledge the importance of addressing the housing shortage in England and the Government's drive to build 1.5 million new homes. However, we urge that this ambition be balanced with the equally crucial need to enhance urban green spaces and gardens with them, which are vital for biodiversity, urban cooling, flood resilience, and overall public wellbeing.

“Green spaces provide natural cooling and make cities more liveable during heatwaves. In 2020 alone, they prevented the loss of 49,126 lifeyears due to air pollution.

“We advocate for a bold national programme of urban greening supported by reformed planning processes and guidelines. This should set clear targets for garden size and biodiversity, ensuring at least 29.5% of space in new developments is dedicated to gardens to maintain the current proportion of Britain’s urban residential gardens.

“The fact that 29.5% of the UK’s urban areas are domestic gardens—covering around 0.54 million hectares—underscores the immense potential of these spaces. Garden areas in England are more than four and a half times larger than our National Nature Reserves, representing a colossal resource for thousands of species. This is why preserving, expanding and maintaining garden space is of national significance. 

“The Deputy Prime Minister has pledged to “increase access to green spaces, and we look forward to seeing the details and how this will be implemented. Enhancing green spaces is not just about addressing the housing crisis but also about improving the quality of our communities. Prioritising green spaces promotes renewal, raises living standards, and fosters healthier, more vibrant neighbourhoods. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that new planning policies balance housing development with the creation of sustainable, high-quality green spaces.”

Blue Diamond have announced that they have acquired Frosts Garden Centre at Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire and will also be acquiring Frosts Willington in September.

Alan Roper, the CEO of The Blue Diamond Group said “Frosts Garden Centre is a thriving and respected family business with a unique brand and excellent reputation within the local community. Blue Diamond is proud to be the new owner of this aspirational Garden Centre. We intend to protect its heritage and core values whilst driving the business forward into the future and are delighted to welcome Frosts into the Blue Diamond portfolio.”

James & Jeremy Frost said “When our grandfather started this business in 1946, he could not possibly have foreseen how Frosts would develop - it has been our family’s passion now for over 75 years. We are not getting any younger, and there is no-one in the Frost family to take over the reins. Therefore, when we received an approach from The Blue Diamond Group, to buy Frosts, we concluded that the time was right - not only for us, but also for the business.”

The Blue Diamond Group now owns 45 garden centres in the UK and Channel Islands and is committed to running aspirational centres which provide their customers with an exceptional shopping and dining experience. This acquisition will move the Group turnover to £332m per annum.  

Alan Roper added: "We welcome all the Frosts team into the Blue Diamond family, and we look forward to getting to know everyone in the coming months."

Robert Tannahill – Bob as he was known to many of his friends and work colleagues – has died aged 68.

Bob’s horticultural career began at the City Council run Glasgow Botanic Gardens, before qualifying in both Horticulture and Beekeeping at the West of Scotland College of Agriculture at Auchincruive in Ayrshire. 

Joining Dodge City, later to become B&Q, he was one of the pioneers as the DIY sheds got into Horticulture in the 1980’s, managing stores in Scotland, South Wales and London before joining WH Smith’s Do It All as a Product Manager.

Wanting to get back more to his horticultural roots, Bob joined Worcester Garden Centre, [now part of the Blue Diamond Group] then independently owned by the Thompstone family who also owned Byrkley Park in Staffordshire. He managed the centre, with a keen eye for detail and his artistic flair and in time seeing the business and his staff team through the transition to Blooms, then shortly afterwards to Wyevale.  

Always keen to be involved with something new, the centre was one of the founding members of the Future Marketing Group, as well as winning many industry awards and accolades over his years heading up the team. Bob retired early some years ago through poor health and is survived by his brother Duncan, still living in Scotland.

Robert’s funeral will take place on Thursday 15th August 2024 at 11:30am at Worcester Crematorium, Astwood Cemetery, Tintern Avenue, Worcester, WR3 8HA. 

Family flowers only, No black ties, bright clothing and optional buttonhole flowers.

Mackenzie & Cruickshank Garden Centre in Forres, Scotland, has announced the sad passing of its owner and managing director Peter Wilson.

Peter’s son Ali said: “It is with great sadness that the Wilson and Mackenzie & Cruickshank family announce the passing of owner and managing director Peter Wilson.

“Peter faced his illness with dignity and bravery.

“M&C will remain open and we ask our customers for their love and understanding at this difficult time.”

Neil Gow met Peter when and wife Nicci visited the garden centre when judging the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards. Neil said: "An absolute gentleman, who always wanted to help. I was really impressed with his attitude to his staff team when we were there, pushing them forward and getting them to tell us what they were doing rather than him grabbing the limelight. He had a keen eye for detail, an essential quality of a good retailer and was a participating member of Choice Marketing. I know in the industry who dealt with him at the centre, he was very popular."

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

June's Barometer of Trade figures from the Garden Centre Association show once again that catering and food sales are at the top but there are other positives too.

Eight of the recorded 13 categories, when compared to June 2023, were up, according to data submitted by the body’s member garden centres.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, says: “As expected Junes figures show a fall in sales compared to last year, -0.68%, albeit a very small drop, but the year-to-date is now also negative at -0.76%. However, members I’ve spoken to recently at our Area Award Meeting still remain upbeat and proactive, despite unusual weather patterns, and they are buoyed by the categories that are doing well.

“Once again, the big winners were the restaurants and food halls/farm shops, and the biggest faller, excluding the miscellaneous and Christmas categories, was furniture & BBQs at -19.81%. It was good to see our smaller centres performing well and showing an increase of +5.49% and some centres on an individual basis were up by up to 30%, so it’s definitely not doom and gloom out there. With some warm dry weather now settling in in July, hopefully there will be a few summer furniture and BBQ sales too.”

The GCA’s top performing category in June 2024 was catering, up +19.18%, when compared to the same month in 2023. This was followed by food hall/farm shop +15.25%.

Houseplants was the third best performer of the month in at +14.5%, seeds & bulbs came in next at +10.94%, then pet & aquatics +10.63%, gifts +9.26%, hard landscaping at +4.88% and garden sundries +1.09%.

Clothing was -1.69% and outdoor plants at -1.86%, the miscellaneous category came in at -6.26%, furniture & BBQs at -19.81% and Christmas, was unsurprisingly last, with -28.69%.

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 allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Hartman Outdoor Products UK Ltd has announced key UK leadership changes to support growth and operational excellence across the business. 

The restructure of its company board of directors promotes David Cotgrave (pictured) to Sales Director having joined the company in 2021 as Head of Sales. 

David comments: “Hartman has a reputation for quality and excellence in the industry, I am delighted to join the senior team at this exciting time and help contribute to the company’s growth and innovation across its products and business strategies.”

In addition, the restructure also sees Paul Facey take a new role as Sourcing Director. Paul Facey celebrates his 26^th year at Hartman, in his new role he will oversee all aspects of the company’s supply chain, bolstering liaison with the factories to enhance operational performance and accelerate product development innovation.

Phil Daniels, Finance Director of Hartman UK, said: “As Hartman celebrates its 55^th anniversary, our commitment to deliver exceptional products and pioneering services to our customers is unwavering.

“Global supply chain over the past few years has thrown many challenges, It is crucial that we facilitate focussed liaison with our factories to enhance operational performance.

“The changes to our senior leadership team will ensure we can continue to further advance our products and services. With a team of this calibre, supporting our excellent wider Hartman team, it is a tremendously exciting time. We are well positioned for continued growth and strengthened focus on delivering Comfort, Design and Quality.”

Lithe Audio’s new wireless home cinema system transforms any living space into a fully immersive home cinema. And the enveloping, high-quality sound can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors thanks to the WiSA functionality eliminating the need for speaker wires, and the option of fully waterproof wireless speakers.

This is the ultimate audio system for anyone who is looking to upgrade their living room TV experience – and is ideal for homeowners who do not want or have space for a dedicated cinema room.

The state-of-the art surround sound technology is fully scalable to fit the size and shape of any room, giving the ability to transform any living space into a 360-degree cinematic soundscape.  It can be simply and discreetly installed and comes without the clutter and wires of traditional set ups.

Seamless wireless integration

One of the standout features of this home cinema system is its seamless wireless integration. Unlike traditional home cinema setups that require a maze of wires and cables, Lithe Audio’s system eliminates the clutter and complexity. 

The wireless WiSA technology also allows for easy installation and setup. 

The  Lithe Audio Wireless Cinema Hub and Lithe Audio Cinema Subwoofer with 8-in driver and premium amplifier seamlessly connect to Lithe Audio ceiling and on-wall speakers, such as the Pro ceiling speakers or new WiSA iO1 indoor/outdoor speaker.

The system provides flexibility in speaker placement without compromising on sound quality, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of living spaces by reducing visible cables.

Customisable and Expandable Set Up

Lithe Audio’s home cinema system offers a customisable and expandable set up to suit various room sizes and personal preferences.  It can start with a basic configuration with more speakers added over time to build a more comprehensive sound system. The system is designed to be modular, allowing for easy upgrades and additions.

A wide range of Lithe Audio Home Cinema Speaker Bundles offer flexibility and versatility for creating the ideal setup for any home.  From 3.1, 5.1 and 7.1 setups to 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setups, Lithe Audio’s range of bundles will deliver an elevated home theatre experience via seamless integration of cutting-edge technology and unparalleled sound quality. 

There’s also a ‘build your own’ option offering additional flexibility.

Enhanced Connectivity Options

Connectivity is another area where Lithe Audio’s wireless home cinema system excels. The system supports multiple Wireless Streaming Services via AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, and Spotify, and Sound Formats including Wireless Dolby Atmos via WiSA connectivity, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+ / Dolby True HD and Dolby Atmos Virtual. This extensive connectivity ensures compatibility with any TV or gaming console.

Outdoor option

This high-quality cinematic surround-sound can also be set up outdoors when used with the Lithe Audio iO1 outdoor all-weather speakers.

As we look to the future, the concept of outdoor active audio is becoming increasingly prominent. These systems are not just about listening to music or watching movies outdoors; they are about creating a fully immersive, high-quality audio-visual environment that complements and enhances the outdoor living experience. The integration of wireless technology, weather resistance, and ease of installation positions these systems at the forefront of outdoor entertainment, offering a glimpse into a future where our outdoor spaces are as technologically equipped and versatile as our indoor environments.

Sleek and modern design

Beyond its technical prowess, the Lithe Audio home cinema system boasts a sleek and modern design that complements any home décor. The speakers are crafted with an aesthetic that features clean lines and a stylish finish, and the unobtrusive design allows the speakers to blend into any living space.

A new vision for home entertainment

Lithe Audio’s new wireless home cinema system represents a significant leap forward in home entertainment technology. By combining superior audio quality, seamless wireless integration, smart home compatibility, and a user-friendly interface, the system offers an unparalleled immersive experience.

Whether it’s for a movie enthusiast, a gaming aficionado, or a music lover, this innovative home cinema system has the potential to transform any living space into a fully immersive entertainment haven.

With its customisable setup, sleek design, and advanced features, Lithe Audio has set a new standard for what a home cinema system can be.

GTN August 2024. In this issue: Primeur defining sustainability.  GIMA Presidents then and now.  Innovation shines at SOLEX.  Zest – Designed for the good times.  Winners at SOLEX.  Bright future for eco firepits.  Hail the new BBQ Hero.  Plants in transit – GTN Interview with FloraLinc.  Christmas in August.  Greenfingers Dragon Boat Racing 2024.  What’s on the horizon for Glee 2024.  Who will you vote for as your Glee 50 Year Hero?  YPHA and CSF horticultural talent development.  Technicoloured pick and mix – GTN Planteria.  Pet Bonanza at PATS 2024.  Bracing for change – HTA Viewpoint.  New government, same objectives – EHG Viewpoint.