In This Issue
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are back!
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Plants & growing media are star performers at start of Lockdown 2
Simpsons expands with purchase of Aberdeenshire garden centre
Little Dobbies opens in Edinburgh
Homebase up for sale after recent overhaul
Plant sales increase in Lockdown 2
From minus 50% to plus 2%, growing media feeds the gardening bug
Supply chain keeps moving with Stax during pandemic
Horticultural businesses optimistic but cautious for 2021
Thieves break into Dobbies Garden Centre
BBC Gardeners’ World Live set to return in 2021
Tong Garden Centre keeps it local for new uniform
Glow illuminations to continue at RHS gardens
Kew Greeen Hotels and Tabletop are joint winners of Pennies Breakthrough Award
RHS receives record £1.8m donation to Bridgewater
bio-bean Certifies as a B Corporation
Casual Dining postponed until September 2021
Dobbies teams up with Teenage Cancer Trust to thank local heroes this Christmas
Tim’s Ties help Mr Fothergill’s Raise Money for BBC Children in Need
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
MP visits at British Garden Centres
Houseplant care feeds sales
Who will be The Greatest Christmas team for 2020?
Garden Press Event goes virtual for 2021
HTA launches new training development programmes
Dobbies launches series of Christmas podcasts
Celebrating with Christmas Lunch at Squire’s
The best of last week's
Lockdown 2 leaves garden centre car parks empty after record sales for October
Suttons Seeds acquired by T&M
LOFA reports severe disruption at UKs three main container ports
Not your average garden centre - Dobbies launch Christmas Ad Campaign
Lockdown 2 hits sales, but volumes still ahead of last year
Fosseway Garden Centre make the right choice with Corby & Fellas’ WinRetail system
Festive announce Christmas 2021 showroom opening dates
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Personalised Christmas Stockings and Pod Toys
Christmas cracker for cats and dogs
Raw frozen meatball pet food brand launched
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


Simpsons expands with purchase of Aberdeenshire garden centre

Inverness-based Simpsons Garden Centre has acquired an Aberdeenshire garden centre for an undisclosed sum.

 

Happy Plant, based in Mintlaw, was established in 1984 and is one of the largest garden and gift centres in the north-east and a 4-Star Scottish Tourist Board Garden Centre. 

 

The firm’s 30 employees will transfer to Simpsons under their existing terms and conditions. More jobs will be created as Simpsons plan to invest in the long running business.

 

Plans include upgrading the centre’s facilities including the restaurant and introducing new garden and furniture product ranges.

 

The acquisition is especially positive in the current climate and is testament to the strength of the gardening industry at this time.

 

Gardens and gardening have given many a welcome escape during lockdown, providing a positive outlet for mental and physical health with young and old enjoying the benefits of their outdoor space. 

 

Andrew Simpson, managing director of Simpsons Garden Centre, spoke of his appreciation of previous owner Moira Smart.

 

He said: “Happy Plant is a long running business that has been part of the Mintlaw and wider Aberdeen-shire community since the early 1980s. Moira and her team have created a fantastic local business and we are excited at the prospect of continuing their work and building on their achievements. 

 

“We plan to refurbish the garden centre, including the restaurant, where we will be launching a new menu with the focus on quality local ingredients. At the same time, we intend to expand the range of garden and furniture products on offer, again with the emphasis on quality and the type of products that keen gardeners expect. 

 

“We will also be creating new employment opportunities at the garden centre, which is further good news for the local community.” 

 

Moira Smart added: “I have been following the success of the Simpsons team for a number of years and I am delighted to leave the Happy Plant team in the hands of a younger owner who is full of enthusiasm and great ideas.”

 

“Like Happy Plant, Simpsons is very much part of the local community with a focus on customer service, experience and knowledge, while offering a wide range of quality products. It’s an exciting time for the team, and I believe for the many loyal customers, who I would encourage to support the new and improved version of Happy Plant. I hope to be a regular customer and I look forward to seeing the garden centre going from strength to strength.”

 

Agents for the sale were Alexander Mackie Associates, for further information, visit: www.alexandermackie.co.uk

 

Simpsons has been named as Scotland’s Best Destination Garden Centre by the industry’s governing body, the Garden Centre Association, for four years running. 

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

Email Address:*

Comment:*