In This Issue
Crowders rumoured to be Wyevale's next acquisition
HTA Netherlands Retail Study Tour 17-19 February 2016
Magic earlybird start for Jack’s All Purpose
Garden lighting sales continue to shine in New Year
The Greatest Awards go back on tour in 2016
Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (West Yorkshire)
Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Plantarea Manager/ Supervisory (Berkshire)
Bedding Department Head - Full time, including alternate weekends
Plantarea Manager/Horticultural Manager/Garden Centre
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (Somerset)
Matt's over the moon to be a Rising Star at Squires
Coolings Rising Star Sophie loves responsibility
From watching at Blackpool, Will Clark is now a Barton Grange Rising Star at Brighton
Jack Fillingham graduates from Sunshine training scheme to Rising Stars
Barton Grange Cookshop Rising Star Kath Bailey sets her goal on winning in Brighton
Sam Clark from Cowells is "chuffed" to be a Rising Star
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Pictures from The Greatest Christmas Gold-winning Teams
Brookside Garden Centre
Haskins West End
Hillmount Garden Centre
Mains of Drum
Premier Decorations
Bents and Le Friquet
The Greatest Christmas Display winners
Silverbirch (Small Garden Centre Gold)
Old Railway Line (Mid-sized Garden Centre Gold)
Barton Grange (Large Garden Centre Gold)
Le Friquet (Group Garden Centre Gold)
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
Read more»
Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (West Yorkshire)
Salary: Dependent on experience
Read more»
Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
Read more»
Plantarea Manager/ Supervisory (Berkshire)
Salary: Dependent on experience
Read more»
Bedding Department Head - Full time, including alternate weekends
Twickenham TW2 5PA
 
Read more»
Plantarea Manager/Horticultural Manager/Garden Centre
Salary: £18,000-£24,000
Read more»
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Twickenham TW2 5PA
 
Read more»
Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (Somerset)
Salary: £20,000-£24,000
Read more»
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Contact us with your news.  Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700



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Crowders rumoured to be Wyevale's next acquisition


Crowders Garden Centre in Lincolnshire has become the centre of intense speculation over its future ownership as rumours have been circulating throughout the industry that Wyevale Garden Centres has acquired the business...



Crowders Garden Centre in Lincolnshire has become the centre of intense speculation over its future ownership as rumours have been circulating throughout the industry that Wyevale Garden Centres has acquired the business.

GTN Xtra learned about the proposed deal this week but were given the stock reply that Wyevale doesn't comment on speculation.

Normally we would wait for official confirmation of a deal before breaking the news, but the local newspaper has now posted a story on its website saying it had been contacted by several people caliming that Crowders Garden Centre, on Lincoln Road, had been sold to national chain Wyevale.

The Horncastle News spoke to Robert Crowder - head of the family owned business - who said he ‘could not comment’.

The newspaper also said it understood that all jobs at the garden centre would be secure while the on-site café and restaurant would continue to trade.

Crowders Nurseries has been successfully trading for more than 200 years - spanning seven generations of the family.

The business was initially launched by Robert Crowder’s great, great, great grandfather William Crowther who opened a nursery in 1798.

GTN Xtra has been contacted by a number of people in the industry, who told us that Wyevale was in the process of buying a number of garden centres at the moment. We will, of course, keep you posted.
HTA Netherlands Retail Study Tour 17-19 February 2016
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK



Retail reality is forever changed. Consumers are empowering, well informed and hypermobile due to their smartphones and tablets. They are looking for entertainment, hospitality and experience, shopping 24/7 and expects the widest range at the best price.

How do you translate these developments to the shop floor and how can you actually sell more? How do you deal with the new consumer? And how can your business remain profitable in the garden industry in the near and far future? The GARDEN RETAIL EXPERIENCE offers inspiration and answers and helps in the transition to a new shopping model...


028 Tuinzaken Retail Experience 2015.jpg

The Horticultural Trades Association has arranged an inspirational Study Tour to the Netherlands in February 2016 and there is still some limited availability for this opportunity.

As well as visiting some creative garden centres and a tour of Edelman, the Study Tour will also take in the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 5thEdition, including the event’s gala dinner.

Event Background: Retail reality is forever changed. Consumers are empowering, well informed and hypermobile due to their smartphones and tablets. They are looking for entertainment, hospitality and experience, shopping 24/7 and expects the widest range at the best price.

How do you translate these developments to the shop floor and how can you actually sell more? How do you deal with the new consumer? And how can your business remain profitable in the garden industry in the near and far future? The GARDEN RETAIL EXPERIENCE offers inspiration and answers and helps in the transition to a new shopping model.

As well as exclusive access to the Retail Experience our tour party will also attend the Retail Gala on Wednesday 17 February. The full tour itinerary is as follows …

  • Wednesday 17 Feb 2016 –Fly out in the morning to Amsterdam –from airport begin tour of creative Garden Centers in the Netherlands throughout the day. Tuincentrum Osdorp and a second De Bosrand in Alphen a/d Rijn. In the evening attend the exclusive Retail Experience Gala in Boskoop including speakers and entertainment.
  • Thursday 18 Feb –Attend Retail Experience with full expert guided tour. www.gardenretailexperience.com
  • In the evening attend a locally based meal for additional networking opportunities.
  • Friday 19 Feb -Visit to Intratuin Zuidplas followed by a Tour to Edelman, lunch and in the afternoon fly home to the UK.

The cost for the entire trip is £380 per person, this covers accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as lunch and Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening but the HTA request those attending the tour to make their own way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport as travelling from all over the UK and attendees can then organize as best suited to their location.

The tours intended start time is 11am from Schiphol airport and once in the Netherlands Martin Simmons of the HTA will host alongside, GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Retail Experience Experts and Edelman and as such have been able to keep any related costs for this to a minimum.

If you would like to book on to the event or need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact the HTA – events@the-hta.org.uk

The Garden Retail Experience is a truly inspirational event, see the GTN Xtra picture gallery from last year to give you a flavour of the ideas that will stretch your thinking and give you a head start as you prepare to meet the demands of the garden centre customer of the future...

 
Magic earlybird start for Jack’s All Purpose
Westland's Jack’s Magic (60 litres) is the earlybird compost of choice once again, taking the first GTN Bestsellers No 1 Growing Media Product of the year for the third year running...
Westland's Jack’s Magic (60 litres) is the earlybird compost of choice once again, taking the first GTN Bestsellers No 1 Growing Media Product of the year for the third year running.
 
As keen gardeners make an early start to the year Levington Multipurpose + John Innes, Farmyard Manure and Premium Garden Soil combine with Jack’s Magic to deliver over 70% of the Top 50 sales volumes.

Star performers this week include:
  • Westland Jack’s Magic All Purpose Compost 60 litres moves up from No 23 to the top spot.
  • Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes 56 litres remains at No 2.
  • Westland Ericaceous + John Innes 30 litres is the highest mover, up 30 places to No 14.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Garden lighting sales continue to shine in New Year


Are you making the most of winter garden lighting sales? Half of the Top 10 listings in the first GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart of the year are garden lighting lines and their sales volume accounts for 66% of the Top 10 total sales...



Are you making the most of winter garden lighting sales? Half of the Top 10 listings in the first GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart of the year are garden lighting lines and their sales volume accounts for 66% of the Top 10 total sales. 

Early bird growing items are also selling well – could this be another great year for gardening sales?
  • Gardman Stainless Steel Colour Changing Marker Lights are a new entry, straight in at No 1.
  • DLF Trifoleum Johnsons Anytime Lawn Seed 250g is another new entry at No 6.
  • Gardman Extra Wide 4 Tier Grow Arc debuts in the chart at No 20.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
The Greatest Awards go back on tour in 2016
After the resounding success of The Greatest Awards ON TOUR in 2015, we are pleased to announce that in 2016 The Greatest Awards ON TOUR will be bigger and better than ever...

After the resounding success of The Greatest Awards ON TOUR in 2015, we are pleased to announce that in 2016 The Greatest Awards ON TOUR will be as follows:

GTN’s The Greatest Catering Awards
At The HTA Catering Conference – The Belfry, 7-8 June

GTN’s The Greatest Plant Retailing Awards
At The HTA National Plant Show – Stoneleigh, 21-22 June

GTN’s The Greatest Garden Relief Day Fundraising Team Awards
At the GIMA Awards – 14 July

GTN’s The Greatest Outdoor Living Awards
At spoga+gafa – Cologne, Germany, 5 September

GTN’s The Greatest Garden Centre Awards
At HTA Futures – Heythrop Park, 12 October

New for 2016

GTN’s The Greatest Marketing Awards
At The HTA Marketing Forum – 8 November

Watch out for nomination and entry details in Garden Trade News and GTN Xtra.

To book places at HTA events please e-mail: events@the-hta.org.uk

 

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our garden centre at West Horsley.
  • You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.
  • You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.
  • You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (West Yorkshire)
Salary: Dependent on experience
Horticultural / Plantarea Manager l West Yorkshire (ref:DS7976)

Location: Yorkshire and the Humber
Salary: Dependent on experience
Date: 15 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent



Our client is a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales. They are proud of their heritage in the gardening industry and each and every one of their garden centres has its own identity and for this reason each of the garden centres is separately branded and the staff and customers are loyal to their centre.

Currently they are seeking an outstanding Plants Person / Horticultural Manager to manage their Plantarea.

The role

The role will be to take responsibility for one of the largest departments within the centre. As Horticulture / Plantarea Manager you will look after the day to day merchandising and maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating the team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre.

The candidate

For this role we are seeking a leader with superb retail experience to head this busy department.

Candidates MUST HAVE strong horticultural knowledge both practical and academic and be able to demonstrate a very high level of plant knowledge.

The plantarea is the focus point of any garden centre and your standards for customer service, merchandising and the little details that make a department special will make you stand out. Experience within a garden centre is desirable as is supervisory skills.

To apply for this role click here
 

Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.
  • You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
  • A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.
  • You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Plantarea Manager/ Supervisory (Berkshire)
Salary: Dependent on experience
Plantarea Manager / Supervisory l Berkshire (ref:DS7973)

Location: Berkshire
Salary: Dependent on experience
Date: 15 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent



Our client is a wonderful independent garden centre and nursery set within the grounds of a rural estate. This lovely centre has a large plantarea and café, along with a garden shop that offers customers a range of quality gifts and garden sundries. They are currently looking for a superb Plants Person to assist their Nursery Manager in running the Plant Centre. They are open minded and will look at Supervisory to Management level candidates for the role.

The role

Will be to manage the plant centre on a day to day basis ensuring plant stock is in tip top condition and merchandised to a high standard. Buying of additional stock needed for the centre liaising with suppliers on delivery etc. Supervising staff and holding key holder responsibilities when senior managers are unavailable.

The candidate

For this role candidates must have:
  • A proven track-record in the industry along with good management and supervisory skills.
  • Excellent plant knowledge and a good background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role as they offer over 3 acres of quality plants from their own nursery as well as choice plants sourced from a variety of other suppliers.
Salary will be competitive and depend on experience and what you can bring to the role.

To apply for this role click here
 

Bedding Department Head - Full time, including alternate weekends

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.
  • You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Twickenham Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. 
  • A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 
  • You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site
£ Competitive

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Plantarea Manager | Horticultural Manager | Garden Centre (ref:DS7814)

Location: Swindon
Salary: £18,000 - £24,000
Date: 13 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent



Our client is a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales. They are proud of their heritage in the gardening industry and each and every one of their garden centres has its own identity and for this reason each of the garden centres is separately branded and the staff and customers are loyal to their centre.

They currently employ more than 5,000 people and some of their longest serving employees have been with the Group for more than 40 years. They offer their employees great opportunities to progress and are keen to meet great retailers and plants people who are looking for the next step in their career.

Customer service is of prime importance to everyone who works for them and they believe that better customer service is achieved by education. They have one of the best staff training scheme in the industry. It is based on practical training with experienced staff together with their own in-house E-Learning system which covers every part of the business.

Currently they are seeking an outstanding plants person / horticultural manager to manage their Plantarea.

The role

As Horticultural / Plantarea Manager based Wiltshire the role will be to take responsibility for one of the largest departments within the centre. As Horticulture / Plantarea Manager you will look after the day to day merchandising and maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating the team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre.

The candidate

For this role we are seeking a leader with superb retail experience to head this busy department. The plantarea is the focus point of any garden centre and your standards for customer service, merchandising and the little details that make a department special will make you stand out. Plant knowledge is essential but we are open minded about the level of academic qualification. Experience within a garden centre is desirable as is supervisory skills.

To apply for this role click here
 

Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.

  • The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and energetic, have a passion for plants and an eye for creating exciting detailed displays.
  • Horticultural experience or equivalent qualifications desirable.
  • The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Horticultural/Plantarea Manager (Somerset)
Salary: £20,000-£24,000
Horticultural / Plantarea Manager - Somerset (ref:DS7948)

Location: Somerset
Salary: £20,000 - £24,000
Date: 12 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent



Our client is a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales. They are proud of their heritage in the gardening industry and each and every one of their garden centres has its own identity and for this reason each of the garden centres is separately branded and the staff and customers are loyal to their centre.

Currently they are seeking an outstanding plants person / horticultural manager to manage their Plantarea.

The role

The role will be to take responsibility for one of the largest departments within the centre. As Horticulture / Plantarea Manager you will look after the day to day merchandising and maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating the team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre.

The candidate

For this role we are seeking a leader with superb retail experience to head this busy department.

Candidates MUST HAVE strong horticultural knowledge both practical and academic and be able to demonstrate a very high level of plant knowledge.

The plantarea is the focus point of any garden centre and your standards for customer service, merchandising and the little details that make a department special will make you stand out.

Experience within a garden centre is desirable as is supervisory skills.

To apply for this role click here
 
Matt's over the moon to be a Rising Star at Squires
Matt Tanner was “over the moon” to be nominated on Rising Stars



Matt Tanner, Assistant Manager at Squires Badshot Lea

Matt Tanner was “over the moon” to be nominated on Rising Stars by Squires HR Manager Jo Ripley.

Starting as a schoolboy weekender in 2002, Matt has worked at Squires for 13 years in different stores including department head in sundries at Woking, furniture head at West Horsley, Cobham as Assistant manager and now Badshot Lea as Assistant manager

“The best things about Rising Stars are the chance to go to centres I wouldn't normally get the chance to visit and stealing ideas from other guys on the course and implementing those, everything is so positive,” Matt told GTN Xtra.

Matt’s MD at Squires, Denis Espley added “every section of the training has been very useful to him.   Everybody in Squires likes Matt.  He is assistant manager at our biggest centre so that shows how much we rate him.”

 
Coolings Rising Star Sophie loves responsibility
“I love having more responsibility”.  That’s the driving motivation for Sophie Leibthal who joined Coolings 6 years ago...



Sophie Leibthal, General Shop Assistant at Coolings Rushmore Hill

“I love having more responsibility”.  That’s the driving motivation for Sophie Leibthal who joined Coolings 6 years ago, starting as a Saturday girl while at sixth form.  From being “just a till operator” to a Rising Stars finalist it’s been quite a journey for Sophie.

Sophie explained “as a result of Rising Stars now I've got confidence to do more and I know my ideas could be successful.   We got sales increases so everyone happy with the changes and the results, even Shop Manager Brian Archibald.”

Coolings MD, Garry Carvasso said: “Sophie has grown, she shines.  Rising Stars has made her more receptive to new ideas, we are seeing a big difference.  Thank you to Westland who have made it all possible.”

 
From watching at Blackpool, Will Clark is now a Barton Grange Rising Star at Brighton
Will Clark saw the Rising Stars presentations at the GCA Conference in Blackpool two years ago: “I never thought I would be up there myself...



Will Clark, Planteria Supervisor at Barton Grange

Will Clark saw the Rising Stars presentations at the GCA Conference in Blackpool two years ago: “I never thought I would be up there myself.  I was so surprised when nominated and it has brought me a lot of confidence.” With a keen interest in plants since really young, Will has worked at Barton Grange  for 5 years and now has responsibility for 17 staff in the planteria

“It’s been one big friendly bunch,” explained Will. “I’m aiming to improve other categories next year after the experience of Rising Stars.  Other departments here at Barton Grange have got behind me, given me plenty of help and we've achieved great results.

“Will's a good young lad,” added Guy Topping, MD at Barton Grange.  “Hopefully one day will be running he whole department.  Rising stars has really improved his retailing skills and given him a lot of confidence.”

 
Jack Fillingham graduates from Sunshine training scheme to Rising Stars
Jack Fillingham has worked in every part of Sunshine Garden Centre after joining on their Graduate Training Scheme...



Jack Fillingham, Leisure Duty Manager at Sunshine Garden Centre

Jack Fillingham has worked in every part of Sunshine Garden Centre after joining on their Graduate Training Scheme and after a year landed on the leisure department and a nomination for Rising Stars 2015.

Jack applied for the Sunshine Graduate Scheme after studying Business Economics at the University of Leeds, “I was looking for a career in retail and found this opportunity on the milk round,” Jack explained.   “Meeting other people in same situation as me, sharing experiences have been the high points of Rising Stars, As a group we have all helped each other. Colleagues have always wanted to know about Rising Stars, hoping they can get some new ideas too.”

Patrick Loughrey, HR Manager at Sunshine told GTN Xtra: “Jack has come back from any Rising Star seminar much more confident and you can just tell through his body language he's really trying to initiate things in the business to improve things so it’s been a great success.”

 
Barton Grange Cookshop Rising Star Kath Bailey sets her goal on winning in Brighton
"Rising stars is quite nerve wracking but at the end of it you feel very motivated.  It is a fantastic course to go on."  That's the verdict of Barton Granges' second finalist Kath Bailey...



Kath Bailey, Assistant Manager in the Cookshop at Barton Grange

Kath Bailey moved to Barton Grange 5 years ago as a result of her husband’s job re-location.  She started in outside sales but after a year moved back into familiar territory, she had worked in Debenhams before, in the Cookshop at Barton Grange.

The Cookshop team of eight think that Kath’s involvement in Rising Stars has been really good.  “They’ve been encouraging me all the time and we've been doubling sales as a result of Rising Stars, explained Kath.  “The most important thing I’ve learned is about planning and setting goals.  Rising stars is quite nerve wracking but at the end of it you feel very motivated.  It is a fantastic course to go on.”

Barton Grange MD, Guy Topping was also full of praise for Kath; “She is aiming towards being the department manager in that section.  With great enthusiasm Kath has improved the standards throughout. We started with 5 candidates from Barton Grange and two have made the final.  They've put so much into their projects and gained fantastic results I'm sure they must be the two best candidates in the final.”.  

 
Sam Clark from Cowells is "chuffed" to be a Rising Star
Sam Clark was “chuffed” when nominated for Rising Stars by his centre manager Martin Cowell...



Sam Clark, Perennials Supervisor at Cowells Garden Centre

After joining Cowells 8 years ago as a dogs body around all departments, Sam Clark was “chuffed” when nominated for Rising Stars by his centre manager Martin Cowell.  “It’s been brilliant meeting new people in the same situation, exchanging ideas, getting different influences from around the country. Everything we've learned has been brilliant,” Sam enthused about his Rising Stars experiences.

“I’ve learned about stock rotation, always pushing your bestsellers and been on top of everything a lot more this year.”  As to the future, Sam says: “Martin and Dylan, my department manager, both come into work every day full of beans, if I can stay happy that will keep me fine, learning a bit new every day.”

“Sam has come back from Rising Stars full of enthusiasm and new ideas,” added centre manager Martin Cowell.  All of the staff have wished him well. Rising Stars has pushed him out of his comfort zone and made him grow as a person.”

“I made a £50 wager with Adam Wigglesworth from Aylett Nurseries that our Sam would get to the final.  I look forward to passing on the £50 win to Greenfingers at conference in Brighton.” 

 
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direct to your e-mail inbox...



direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
 
Pictures from The Greatest Christmas Gold-winning Teams
Garden centre teams excelled with their Christmas displays in 2015. Below we reveal galleries from the gold-winning teams. The galleries are sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Brookside Garden Centre
Winners of both The Greatest Christmas Garden Team and The Greatest Grotto Team...
See full result and gallery


Brookside Garden Centre were winners of both The Greatest Christmas Garden Team and The Greatest Grotto Team...

The Greatest Garden Centre Team 2015

Finalists:

  • Dunbar Garden Centre
  • Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
  • Langlands Leeds
  • Langlands Sheffield
  • Perrywood Garden Centre
  • Pughs Radyr
  • The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Waresley Park Garden Centre

Silver: Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre

Silver: Perrywood Garden Centre

Gold: Brookside Garden Centre

The Greatest Grotto Team 2015

Finalists:

  • Arcadia Garden Centre
  • Baytree Garden Centre
  • Brigg Garden Centre
  • Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
  • Gouldings Garden Centre
  • Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
  • Millbrook Gravesend
  • Newbank Radcliffe
  • Silica Lodge Garden Centre
  • Whitehall Lacock
  • Wyevale Worlds End

Regional Winners:

  • South West: Chaplins Superstore
  • North West: Gordale Garden & Home Centre
  • North East: Woodbank Garden Centre
  • Wales: Pughs Radyr
  • Northern Ireland: Hillside Garden Centre
  • Scotland: Hetland Garden Centre

Bronze: Chessington Garden Centre     

Silver: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

Gold: Brookside Garden Centre, Kent






Gallery of pictures below sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Haskins West End
Haskins West End picked up the gold award in The Greatest Festive Plants Team category...
See full result and gallery


Haskins West End picked up the gold award in The Greatest Festive Plants Team category.


The Greatest Festive Plants Team 2015

Finalists:

  • Burston Garden Centre
  • Cowells Garden Centre
  • Gordale  Garden & Home Centre
  • Langlands Shiptonthorpe
  • Millbrook Gravesend
  • Munros Nurseries
  • Newbank Halifax
  • Pughs Radyr
  • Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre
  • Van Hage Great Amwell
  • Wyevale Gosforth
  • Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

  • London: Aylett Nurseries
  • East: Perrywood Garden Centre
  • Northern Ireland: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
  • Midlands: St Peters Worcester
  • Scotland: Simpsons Garden Centre

Bronze: Bents Garden & Home

Silver: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Gold: Haskins West End



A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Hillmount Garden Centre
The Greatest Christmas Sizzle was won by Hillmount Garden Centre...
See full result and gallery


The Greatest Christmas Sizzle, awarded to acknowledge the efforts of garden centres selling barbecues to customers for cooking their Christmas turkey, was won by Hillmount Garden Centre.


The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team 2015

Finalists:

  • Langlands Shiptonthorpe
  • Mere Park Garden Centre
  • Sunshine Garden Centre
  • Van Hage Great Amwell
  • Van Hage Peterborough

Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Langlands Shiptonthorpe

Silver: Fairways Garden Centre

Gold: Hillmount Garden Centre





A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...

 
Mains of Drum
Mains of Drum were winners of The Greatest Festive Catering Team...
See full result and gallery


Mains of Drum were winners of The Greatest Festive Catering Team with Bents Garden & Home picking up the silver award.

The Greatest Festive Catering Team 2014

Finalists:

  • Burford Garden Company
  • Frosts Woburn Sands
  • Haskins Snowhill
  • Haskins West End
  • Hilltop Garden Store
  • Perrywood Garden Centre
  • Scotsdales Fordham
  • Simpsons Garden Centre
  • Torwood Garden Centre
  • Wyevale Fairoak
  • Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

  • Midlands: Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Rooms
  • South: Squires Badshot Lea
  • North: Woodbank Garden Centre
  • South West: Whitehall Lacock
  • Northern Ireland: Hillmount Garden Centre

Bronze: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Bronze: Haskins Roundstone

Silver: Bents Garden & Home

Gold: Mains of Drum Garden Centre




A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Premier Decorations
The Greatest Christmas Supplier gold went to Premier Decorations...


It was a hotly contested affair in The Greatest Christmas Supplier category - voted for by retailers – and the final outcome was very close but Premier Decorations just pipped Kaemingk to the gold award. 

The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2015

Finalists:

  • Allensmore
  • Ascalon
  • Florasilk
  • SnowTime
  • Konstsmide
  • Swift Imports
  • Wax Lyrical

Bronze: Festive Decorations

Silver: Kaemingk

Gold: Premier Decorations

 
Bents and Le Friquet
Golds in The Greatest Pet Christmas Team category have been won by Bents Garden & Home and Le Friquet Garden Centre...
See full result and gallery


Golds in The Greatest Pet Christmas Team category have been won by Bents Garden & Home and Le Friquet Garden Centre.


The Greatest Pet Christmas Team 2015

Finalists:

  • Baytree Garden Centre
  • Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
  • The Old Railway Line

Bronze: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver: Planters Tamworth

Silver: Torwood Garden Centre

Gold: Bents Garden & Home

Gold: Le Friquet Garden Centre




A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
The Greatest Christmas Display winners
The Greatest Christmas Display award was strongly contested again this year with four garden centres picking up main awards – Silverbirch (small garden centre), The Old Railway Line (mid-sized), Barton Grange (large) and Le Friquet Plant Centre (group)...





The Greatest Christmas Display award was strongly contested again this year with four garden centres picking up main awards – Silverbirch (small garden centre), The Old Railway Line (mid-sized), Barton Grange (large) and Le Friquet Plant Centre (group).



The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Small and Mid Sized Garden Centres

Small Centre Finalists:

  • Blackbrooks Garden Centre
  • Caerphilly Garden Centre
  • Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
  • Pughs Radyr

Mid-sized Centre Finalists:

  • Almondsbury Garden Centre
  • Birkacre Garden Centre
  • Busy Bee Garden Centre
  • Cherry Hill Garden and Landscape Centre
  • Frosts Brampton
  • Mere Park Garden Centre
  • Millbrook Gravesend
  • Newbank Halifax
  • Sunshine Garden Centre

Bronze Small Centre: Munro's Nurseries

Silver Small Centre: Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre

Gold Small Centre: Silverbirch Garden Centre

Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Perrywood Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Burleydam Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Castle Gardens

Gold Mid-sized Centre: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Large and Group Garden Centres

Large Garden Centre Finalists:

  • Aylett Nurseries
  • Burford Garden Company
  • Burston Garden Centre
  • Frosts Woburn Sands                                                           
  • Gordale Garden & Home Centre
  • Hillside Garden Centre
  • Newbank Radcliffe
  • Pennells Lincoln
  • Planters Tamworth
  • Scotsdales Cambridge
  • St Peters Worcester
  • Van Hage Gt Amwell
  • Whitehall Lacock
  • Woodbank Garden Centre

Group Garden Centre Finalists:

  • Brigg - British Garden Centres
  • Grosvenor - Blue Diamond
  • Houghton Hall - Klondyke
  • Squires Badshot Lea
  • Wyevale Swansea

Bronze Large Centre: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver Large Centre: Bents Garden & Home     

Gold Large Centre: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Bronze Group Garden Centre: Littleheath Garden Store - Hillview

Silver Group Garden Centre: Haskins Snowhill

Silver Group Garden Centre: Spring - British Garden Centres

Gold Group Garden Centre: Le Friquet - Blue Diamond




To see a gallery of pictures, sponsored by Kaemingk, click on the following links

Silverbirch

Old Railway Line

Barton Grange

Le Friquet
 
Silverbirch (Small Garden Centre Gold)
Silverbirch won gold in small garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...
See gallery of pictures
2015-12-10 14.34.04.jpg

Silverbirch won gold in small garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...




The gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Old Railway Line (Mid-sized Garden Centre Gold)
Old Railway Line Garden Centre won gold in mid-sized garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...
See gallery of pictures
ORL 2.jpg

Old Railway Line Garden Centre won gold in mid-sized garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...




The gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Barton Grange 4.jpg
Barton Grange (Large Garden Centre Gold)
Barton Grange Garden Centre won gold in large garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...
See gallery of pictures
Barton Grange 10.jpg

Barton Grange Garden Centre won gold in large garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...




The gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
 
Le Friquet (Group Garden Centre Gold)
Le Friquet won gold in group garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...
See gallery of pictures
2015-12-15 13.10.26.jpg

Le Friquet won gold in group garden centre category of The Greatest Christmas Display Team...




The gallery of pictures (below) is sponsored by Kaemingk...
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 
Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

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