In This Issue
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Fuel crisis hits garden centre sales
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Squire's Twickenham seeks Plant Area Manager
Are you an amazing garden project manager looking for a new challenge? Greenfingers wants to hear from you!
It’s a sell out for the 40th annual GIMA Awards
Key industry achievements during an unpredictable year
Weber opens new European centre in Poland
Plant sales hit by fuel shortages
GARDENA unveils new showroom in Milton Keynes
Runner wearing Leon Boots wellies breaks world record
New product launch just in time for Christmas
Keukenhof optimistic about the 2022 season
Premium Christmas Trees: the sustainable choice
Garden Project Manager – Greenfingers Charity
Plant Area Manager – Full Time – Alternate Weekends – Twickenham
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Roger Smalley, Smalley House & Garden Plants, has died
Panic buying of pot feet
Slow start for Christmas in September
Autumn growing up by 28%
HTA’s grower committee calls for action on labour shortages and post-Brexit trade controls
Onion sets save the day
BBC’s Tom Heap attends climate-change event
Wild bird care suffers from drop in footfall
RHS celebrates 2021’s community gardening superstars
The best of last week's
Martin Stewart leads industry tributes at Memorial Service for Eddie Topping
Peter Seabrook is NOT panic buying at Meadow Croft Garden Centre...
MD Brett Avery to leave Farplants for new sector
Perrywood's Hannah Powell publishes new book
Glee success for Woodlodge as garden industry reunites
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
Excitement builds as AQUA 2021 gets set to open
Paleo Ridge appoints new Trade Account Manager
Skinner's launches Get Out & Go!
Good Boy continues growth with first TV campaign
Situations Vacant
Garden Project Manager – Greenfingers Charity
Salary: Negotiable
 
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Plant Area Manager – Full Time – Alternate Weekends – Twickenham
Salary: £40+ Depending On Experience
 
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Key industry achievements during an unpredictable year

 

The Annual General Meeting of the Horticultural Trades Association, which took place virtually on Thursday, heard how the horticulture industry has continued to adjust and adapt to the long-term impact of the pandemic and the effect of Brexit. 

 

The sweeping changes to how people live, work and shop and the ways in which the sector has met the challenges this brought have seen the record levels of interest in gardening generated during lockdown show no signs of wavering in the last 12 months.  

 

Demand for plants, gardening products and landscaping remains high, and even as challenges with the cost and complexity of importing and exporting, haulage and supply and skilled labour have continued to cause problems, the industry has delivered. 

 

As outlined in its Annual Review, the HTA has had many accomplishments throughout the year, which saw the association driving policy action on key issues for horticulture, improving communication and engagement and delivering more for our members. 

 

Key achievements for the industry included: 

  • Garden centres in England defined as ‘essential’ during lockdown ensuring £250m sales safeguarded the industry 
  • Garden centres in devolved nations enabled to open weeks before other retailers thanks to HTA lobbying 
  • £4m in savings achieved for the industry as inspection fees deferred as a result of Brexit lobbying • Bringing the horticultural supply chain together to commit to removing peat 
  • Online training enabled double the number of members to access learning in the first six months of the year

Chairman of the HTA, James Barnes, said: “The HTA has continued to make excellent progress in our efforts to raise the profile of horticulture and the opportunities it presents as a sector poised to deliver green growth. As governments begin the task of building back economies impacted by the global pandemic, its essential they recognise that our industry has a vital role to play and commit to giving the necessary support to enable horticulture to grow and succeed.” 

 

With the news that Brett Avery, HTA Vice-President, was unable to put himself forward for the President-role at this year’s AGM, current HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies has kindly agreed to continue in the role while the appointment of a successor is concluded. 

 

Commenting on this, he said: “The theme of my Presidency has been “unpredictable”, and this continues with the news that I will stay in post as HTA President while successors are confirmed for both my role and that of Vice-President. I’m pleased to be able to support the HTA membership in this way and to continue to play a part in the important work the organisation does to champion the industry with those who need to hear what we have to offer. ” 

 

The AGM also saw the following appointments ratified at the AGM: 

  • Neil Grant and Geoff Caesar as Directors of the Board. 
  • The re-appointment of Matthew Bent and Brian Fraser as Directors of the Board 

The President supplied a report on activity by the HTA Benevolent Fund during the year and encouraged all to help raise awareness of this valuable and underused resource which is available to HTA members and their staff. 

 

 The minutes of the AGM will be available to members on the HTA website in due course. 

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