In This Issue
Guy Hands puts the "For Sale" notice up at Wyevale Garden Centres
Golds for Hillers, Cooks, Taylors Bulbs and Dibleys at Chelsea 2018
Best in Show Awards for Mr Fothergills and T&M
Get the right compost for your hanging baskets & patio planters
Blue Diamond profits increase to £9.2m
Plant sales soar...'just like an old-fashioned bank holiday'
Profits up by 24% at Westland Horticulture
“You may now kiss the bride” Royal Wedding celebrations at Gouldings 
The man from Taylors Bulbs with the ‘Midas Touch’ chases his 25th consecutive Chelsea Gold
Squires host visit from 70 overseas journalists at Twickenham
spoga+gafa 2018: More space, more themes, added values
Woodlodge ranges to feature at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In its 80th anniversary year, Hartley Botanic showcases the value of provenance & history on its RHS Chelsea trade stand
Burgon & Ball showcases New Wonder Weed Puller at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Mr Fothergill’s joins forces with BBC Children in Need
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden care just the support act...
Rolawn lend Malvern winners a helping hand
Haskins donates gardening equipment to hospital’s mental health ward
Acclaimed gardener, writer and plantswoman Beth Chatto, OBE VMH, dies
Wild bird sales chirpy in the sunshine
Rapper to open RHS Feel Good garden at Chelsea
Growing media sales set new record
Dine with Petersham Nurseries at Chelsea Fringe
Gardening Journal is a passion for Moleskine
The best of last week's
Home and Garden UK Ltd still alive and trading
Bosworths expand to 2 centres with The Walled Garden at Elton Hall
From record low to record high in 10 weeks - GTN Bestsellers reports an all time record for Bank Holiday week
Smart Garden Products named in the FT 1000
Blue Diamond buy Orchard Park Garden Centre
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Join leading operators at Commercial Kitchen: 5-6 June
Ivy House All Day Kitchen opens at Groves Nurseries
Adande Grab & Go cabinet wins Sammie award
Situations Vacant
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager

Hillview Garden Centres have a vacancy for Deputy Centre / Plantarea Manager at Scotland Nurseries Garden Store...

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Blue Diamond buy Orchard Park Garden Centre
 

Blue Diamond celebrated the acquisition of their 21st garden centre last week following the completion of the purchase of Orchard Park Garden Centre in Gillingham, North Dorset.

 

MD, Alan Roper, told GTN Xtra that it was an ideal addition to the group; "it is in a very good AB1 customer catchment area in a growing town and there is planning permission in place which will allow us to add 3,500 sq m to take the centre to 5,500 sq m overall.  Orchard Park is a very well located centre.  It has a loyal customer base and we were particularly attracted by the opportunity of developing the centre and moving the business forward.”

 

Richard Cumming, Managing Director of Orchard Park said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Blue Diamond will be taking over the business. We’ve worked hard with our staff to create a business which is successful at a local and regional level and has lots of potential”.

 

The garden centre was built in 2004 on a green field site and has developed a strong customer base. It is on an 8 acre site and has an existing planning consent to expand it more than three-fold to create a lifestyle centre.

 

Gilbert Evans acted on behalf of Orchard Park, Mike Gilbert commenting, “there’s a strong demand for well-run garden centres with potential.  We approached a limited number of parties and received very strong interest.  We’re all delighted with the result.”

 

Robbie Cumming, Richard's son told GTN Xtra: "This is great news, and I just wanted to say I am so chuffed for mum and dad who retire after having given absolutely everything to their careers in horticulture and garden retail.

 

"Both started from scratch with a small plant and nursery built on bare farmland (Milton Garden Plants as some may remember), battling against all odds financially (not to mention three football mad boys) to become a local institution. Outgrowing the original site, they had to start again in the larger local town and build a new business from the ground once more.

 

"Orchard Park is the centre of what is now a thriving business park and a genuine focal point for the local community. So congratulations to Alan and all at Blue Diamond, who obviously know a good thing when they see one."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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