In This Issue
We're Here For You
CSY in 2020 – Adapting To Change
The COVID year in numbers
Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh
Hillmount charity donations in celebration of 80th anniversary
Gardenex launches new initiative following Brexit deal
Keukenhof looks back on 2020 with pride
It’s a full house for DJ Turfcare as its Lawn Boost receives RHS endorsement
GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer reviews 2020 with Peter Seabrook
The GTN Xtra Top 100 Most Read Stories of 2020
No 1 Most Read Story 2020 - Garden Centres close their doors "We want to be part of stopping the spread of Coronavirus"
No 2 Most Read Story 2020 - Trading update from this weekend - UPDATED
No 3 Most Read Story 2020 - Garden centres in England and Scotland can stay open - now is the time to review Covid-19 safety
No 4 Most Read Story 2020 - Exeter garden centre stays open but cannot sell plants - Cherry Lane close all centres
No 5 Most Read Story 2020 - Dobbies remain open and social media gets heated
No.6 to No.10 Most Read Stories in 2020
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Millbrook plans for the future of Crowborough centre
Boyd gives up chocolate and cake for a whole year
Bursting fish tank averts aquatic shop blaze
The best of last week's
New Year predictions from the "Bunker Booth"
HTA Chairman calls on industry to celebrate efforts of 2020 and look toward 2021 from a position of preparedness
GCA Chairman's New Year message: "I am looking at 2021 with optimism"
HTA President says we must make sure we understand the modern gardeners needs
Stax emerges strong from a trying year
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news.

Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

Sponsored by:


We're Here For You
 

Groves Garden Centre in Bridport has published the following very well worded e-mail to it's customers explaining why they are open during Lockdown 3:

 

Serving our local community

We are privileged to be able to remain open during the January 2021 lockdown.

Garden centres have been classed as an essential shop, and this is not a responsibility we have taken lightly.  Our aim is to provide the safest possible shopping environment for our wonderful customers and fabulous team during this difficult time. January is a quiet time in the garden centre anyway so there will always be plenty of space for you to shop safely.

Please ensure that you follow our guidelines when visiting 

    • We ask that you sanitise your hands before entering and that you wear a face covering at all times.
    • Please keep your distance from us and each other.
    • Please only handle goods you intend to buy.
    • Please pay by debit/credit card and where possible use the contactless facility.  There is a £45 limit for cards and a £500 limit for iPhone/Android pay.
    • Please step back from the tills to give our till operators the distance to be able to scan your items safely.

In these difficult times remember that gardening is great for the soul, body and mind. Even in bad weather, seasonal houseplants and patio containers are wonderful to brighten up your home.   

January and February are great months to take stock and plan your garden for the season ahead.  We have seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots and all of the vegetable seeds you need for you to grow your own food this year.

We also offer an extensive rage of pet and farm foodwild bird food as well as household fuel such as logs and coal.

As we are all required to spend more time at home, we hope you will find your garden remains a relaxing place of calm and well-being and a good source of exercise for the body and mind.  If you are able to visit us, we will make sure our garden centre is a safe place to shop during lockdown.

We understand that some might not be comfortable visiting so please remember that we also offer a home delivery and click and collect service.  You can order items online or by telephone, 01308 422654 and both of these can be completely contact free.

    • Groves Nurseries in Bridport will be open 8am until 5pm Monday until Saturday 10am until 4pm Sunday.
    • Little Groves is closed for its annual winter break and will reopen on the 1st February
    • Ivy House & The Cabin are closed until the lifting of COVID restrictions allow us to reopen.

Stay safe and look after each other
Charlie, Becky, Clive, Di and the whole of the Groves Team xxx

 

A few garden centres have taken the opportunity to close all or part of their centre for the rest of January:

  • Coolings are closing all 4 centres with just a delivery service in operation,  Their Green & Pleasant Centre is being re-furbished during this period.
  • Baytree have closed all but their Planteria, Farm Shop and Pet department but are running a full click & collect and delivery service.

 

Meanwhile the HTA and GCA have issued the following statement this afternoon:

 

“We support all efforts to contain and eliminate this virus. We recognise that it is unsettling times for the industry, staff and customers. Garden centres offer so many real benefits to people wrestling with the impact of this pandemic. We have seen from the huge interest in gardening since the last lockdown how engaged consumers are with gardening – this carried on in to the winter months.

 

"Gardening provides mental and physical health benefits, garden centres being open supports British growers and local communities and keeps people at home with something to do. First class social distancing measures are in place in light and airy environments.

 

"We will continue to make the case to Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for garden centres to be reopened at the earliest opportunity”.

 

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Del.icio.us Digg | Comment (0)
Comment
Name:*

Email Address:*

Comment:*