In This Issue
February sales - 37% above average - Gardening is Essential!
The GIMA Awards are back!
Going from strength to strength
Dobbies reports 51% increase in sales
Why choose Meadow View Stone?
Half term sales set course for a record February
Plants pour out of planterias
Book Your Place for the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz Today!
Welsh petition to re-open garden centres closes on 11,198 signatures
Hillier Nurseries bidding farewell to 2021 Chelsea Flower Show
Hayes Garden World launches online Grow Your Own range
What Lies Ahead for 2021? - GTN's February Issue On-Line Now
Empowering change for a brighter future
Poundbury Gardens to mark 15th birthday with 15 planting projects
Bents introduces new virtual shopping service
Tong creates new role ahead of new Food Hall launch
Perrywood Tiptree helps communities to get growing
Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
Christmas Future Trends at Glee's Festive Focus Day
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Huge year for Grow Your Own
New appointments to AMES UK Senior Leadership Team
Mad March sales levels in February
GCA virtual area meetings hailed a success
Growing media sales up 175%
Gardenex organises webinar on ‘Exporting to the EU since the trade deal’
Best week since 2017 for Wild Bird Care
David Austin reopens its UK wholesale trade with the announcement of its partnership programme
The best of last week's
Sue Allen and Tammy Woodhouse to Brave the Shave on Garden Re-Leaf Day
Garden centre seeks planning permission for holiday lodges
Last chance to view Woodlodge’s new Snowlodge Christmas Décor range
James Parr joins Smart Board
Gardening comes to the Sun on Sunday
Henry Bell secures exclusive contract with Blue Diamond
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
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
PetQuip Awards set to reward outstanding achievements during pandemic
Doggy day care facility opens at Dobbies
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GCA virtual area meetings hailed a success
 

The first regional meetings of 2021 for Garden Centre Association members were held online and were hailed a great success by attendees recently...

 

Garden centre staff from South Thames, Midlands and Wales & West, North Thames, North West and North East areas got together virtually to discuss and air their views with their peers.

 

Iain Wylie (pictured), Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Although slightly different from our usual style of area meetings, we, like many others, are using technology to ensure members have some face-to-face contact, even if it is via a computer screen.

 

“After what has been a tremendously difficult year, it gave owners and management teams from our member centres the opportunity to meet and discuss various topics, such as current trading conditions and predictions for 2021, issues surrounding supply, including the challenges due to the container shortages and Brexit, as well as phytosanitary legislation. The environment and sustainability matters, were covered too, including the peat debate.”

 

The meetings had very similar agendas, but the Area Chairmen were able to facilitate the sessions and tailor the conversations to the topics most important to their respective regions.

 

They held true to the essence of a good area meeting, the opportunity to share business concerns, successes and best practice with likeminded individuals.

 

Iain added: “The feedback from members couldn’t have been more positive. It is more than apparent that meetings in person are missed but in the current situation these type of meetings are the next best thing and no doubt in the future will have apart to play alongside and supplementing the traditional meetings.

 

“We held our first online meeting in November 2020 for our Scotland and Northern Ireland areas, and more online meetings are being planned and will take place in the coming months.

 

“We pride ourselves on our area meetings and many of our members say they are one of the biggest benefits of membership. They are a fantastic motivational and management tool and, in more difficult times, reassuring, as members facing the same challenges are able to share their problems and to look forward to the future with more optimism.”

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