In This Issue
Easy Fountain picking up on latest trends
Exclusive: First look at Westland's 'Lawn Man' TV ad
Velcro Companies expands with investment in Petface
Vitax appoints new sales manager
Mother’s Day records despite drop in volumes
Pink Kisses are a big sales winner
Woodstock Chimes offer quality and great value
Boost your EGO with sales of petrol free garden machinery
Record-breaking Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day sees 5-year tally pass £0.5m
Team Briers survive the Garden Re-Leaf Day walk
Which one will be crowned Rising Star 2017?
Strongest Man contenders train amongst the plants
Writtle wins Young Gardeners title in Ideal Home Show design contest
Zest 4 Leisure employees to tackle Manchester Marathon
Assistant Garden Centre Manager - Oxfordshire
Nursery Grower Seasonal Bedding Plants (Devon)
Garden Centre Plantarea Horticultural Manager (Worcestershire)
Plantarea Department Head / Manager (Hampshire)
Plantarea Supervior / Manager (Berkshire)
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Notcutts celebrates staff ‘heroes’
Lights add sparkle to Mother’s Day
Tomato plant sales soar
Impressive initial roll-call of speakers for GrowQuip
DCF invests £8,500 in students of horticulture
Nursery loans plants for children's charity fundraiser
Mother’s Day hit for growing media sales
LifestyleGarden on the move
Pictures from the Greatest Christmas Gold-winning teams
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
A taster to whet your appetite!
Situations Vacant
Assistant Garden Centre Manager - Oxfordshire
Hilltop Garden Store (part of Hillview Garden Centres)
 
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Nursery Grower Seasonal Bedding Plants (Devon)
Salary: Excellent
 
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Garden Centre Plantarea Horticultural Manager (Worcestershire)
Salary: Excellent
 
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Plantarea Department Head / Manager (Hampshire)
Salary: Excellent
 
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Plantarea Supervior / Manager (Berkshire)
Salary: £18,000 - £23,000
 
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Easy Fountain picking up on latest trends


Kelkay’s Easy Fountains have been updated and extended for 2017 to respond to changing customer demand...

Kelkay’s Easy Fountains have been updated and extended for 2017 to respond to changing customer demand...



The business review on which Antony Harker embarked in 2016 extended across the whole business including water features which represents a significant opportunity for growth.

That’s what drove the team at Kelkay to update and redesign the brand, the packaging and the point of sale resulting in a strong new marketing campaign. A full range review led to the launch of almost 50 new fountains taking the total range to 85 with price points from £69.99 up to £2,499.99 making it the most comprehensive and up to date range of water features on the market.

Picking up on a classical theme, the new modern range includes Italianate and Greek design to grace the most contemporary garden space. There’s a total of 18 new modern designs including amusing floating tap designs and features that include spinning glass balls and coloured LEDs.

Extended range of rock and wood effect features have all been designed to appeal to gardeners seeking a natural look and theme to their garden design.

The traditional collection focuses on brick, stone and terracotta effect features which have long been best sellers in the water features category.

Kelkay have also responded to sales trends and changes in consumers resulting in the development of a range of highly distinctive novelty themed water features. The new range features otters which have proven particularly popular, and also the charming range of miniature village scenes, all of which also feature LEDs.

 

Pictured: Greek Columns RRP £799.99 (top); Classic Urn RRP £199.99 (above left); Waterfall Dancer RRP £299.99 (above right).

Finally, frogs, fish, turtles, cranes and even a crocodile are included in the completely new range of pond ‘spitters’ which are specially designed pond water ornaments that create a stream that splashes directly into a garden pond.

Some of the historical best sellers from the range have also been added to, enlarged and improved to create higher price points and large impressive features for the
larger garden.


“We’re responding to feedback from consumers and trends in garden design to ensure that our range of water features remains the best available to UK independent retailers.” said Richard Pyrah, Sales Director. “Additionally, we’ve had a real hard look at the most effective way to package and display this category and developed improved packaging and easier to manage merchandising. Retailers can select just best sellers, or a complete range from the entry level right up to very large fountains. We can now supply the full range.”

“I’m confident that this range development and the new packaging and point of sale will cement our position as the leading supplier of water features in the UK” said Richard.

To find out more about Kelkay’s range of Easy Fountains go to www.kelkay.com  or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call 01405 869333.



Above: Easy Fountain display in Tong Garden Centre.
Exclusive: First look at Westland's 'Lawn Man' TV ad


Westland has significantly upped its TV spend, as early indications show SafeLawn is set to storm ahead of the competition this spring. The advert, featuring CGI created ‘Lawn Man’, will air on screens in April.  Here's an exclusive look at the TV ad...



If the embedded link above doesn't work on your device click the image below



or use one of these links:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B37XSiGkCliSSTVMc0hUYmlQekU

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B37XSiGkCliSaDE0V3RzalVVRVU

Westland has significantly upped its TV spend, as early indications show Westland SafeLawn is set to storm ahead of the competition this spring.

The news comes following an unprecedented sell-in to retailers, who have pledged support for child and pet-safe product, now pride of place at the front of stores.

The advert, featuring CGI created ‘Lawn Man’, will air on screens in April and will run alongside a large-scale digital and social campaign designed to generate maximum interest among parents and pet-lovers. Here's an exclusive look at the TV ad.

The campaign will drive consumers’ in-store over April and May, including the key Bank Holiday weekends.

‘Lawn Man’ is a lawn which has come to life! He puts up with a lot. Kids and pets tearing around, ball games and harsh weather conditions.



In the advert he is worn and tired. He longs to be loved. To be brought to life and to be part of the family again. Enter Westland SafeLawn. After just one application, he comes to life, revived and ready to play! LawnMan will show parents and pet owners they can get a thick, green lawn that’s 100% natural and safe for children and pets.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland said: “Early indications show Westland SafeLawn is already out-selling existing lawncare products and the feedback we’re getting from garden retailers is that it’s worth committing to.

“It’s a product which has launched an entirely new category, however its very conception is based on solid insight proving there’s an appetite for it within the marketplace. Therefore, we’ve decided to be bold with this product and up the TV spend considerably to allow it to make a real impact as we come into peak season.”

Velcro Companies expands with investment in Petface


Velcro Companies has acquired a minority stake in Petface Ltd. The agreement will add further momentum to the company’s global consumer business and supplements its innovative product development capabilities...



Velcro Companies has acquired a minority stake in Petface Ltd. The agreement will add further momentum to the company’s global consumer business and supplements its innovative product development capabilities.

Established in 2011, Petface has over 3,000 products across the dog, cat, small pet and wild bird categories.

Mark Sater, Vice President of Strategic Execution for Velcro Companies, said: “This new shared venture with Petface represents another strategic step in building our presence in growth markets, and we are enthusiastic about the significant further potential for Petface to develop and deliver innovative products and expand globally.

"This agreement reflects our commitment to create a powerful global consumer business by developing new products and leveraging the strong consumer awareness of the Velcro brand. With a heritage of innovation and a passion for great product design, Petface is an ideal partner to help us realize this goal.”

Peter Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Petface, said: “The investment by Velcro Companies represents a resounding endorsement of our success to date and acceptance of our commitment and enthusiasm towards pets and pet owners.

"We are looking forward to working with their development teams, and both businesses are dedicated to the details that make products functional, durable and easy to use. This significant investment aligns the business and gives Petface the perfect platform to grow internationally.”

The existing Petface management team will remain in place. Other financial terms were not disclosed.
Vitax appoints new sales manager

Vitax has appointed Mark Butler as its new sales manager to help drive future sales and expand into new markets. Mark, who has almost 30 years’ industry experience, will be working alongside existing sales manager Colin Wetherley-Mein, who will be stepping down from his UK-wide role later this year to concentrate on Vitax’s key national accounts.



Pictured (left to right): Daniel Wilkinson - Vitax's managing director, Mark Butler - Vitax's new sales manager and Colin Wetherley-Mein - Vitax sales manager.




Vitax has appointed Mark Butler as its new sales manager to help drive future sales and expand into new markets.

Mark, who has almost 30 years’ industry experience, will be working alongside existing sales manager Colin Wetherley-Mein, who will be stepping down from his UK-wide role later this year to concentrate on Vitax’s key national accounts.

Mark joins Vitax from Town & Country where he has spent the past three years as national sales manager. Prior to joining the fashion retail brand, Mark spent eight years at Solus and 18 years at Sinclairs working his way up from sales rep to key account manager.

The appointment of a second sales manager is a first for Vitax, but essential to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and the existing sales team as Daniel Wilkinson, Vitax’s managing director, explains: “The success of Vitax is embedded in its sales team.  Our customers trust not just our products, but also the relationship it has with its sales representative and the company.

“Colin has worked for Vitax for over 25 years and is well-respected by all.  To ensure continuity and prepare for Colin’s change of role, we needed to appoint an individual that not only knew the industry, but also knew our customers too.  Mark’s experience speaks for itself and we are delighted to have him on board.

“Mark already has a great reputation and a wealth of sales experience.  For the next six months he will be working alongside Colin with the expectation that come September he will take full responsibility for the sales team.”

In addition to working with customers and managing the sales team, Mark will also be responsible for streamlining the existing sales system and overseeing the installation of a new online ordering system.

“It is an exciting time to join Vitax as it is has ambitious plans to grow its product range and is already investing in its online presence in preparation for that growth,” says Mark, Vitax’s new sales manager.

“Over the next six months I will be working with the reps to pinpoint areas for growth and supporting Colin as he hands over the management of the sales team so he can focus on other areas of the business.”

Colin and Mark already have a great working relationship having spent the past three years on the GIMA Council together.

Pictured (left to right): Daniel Wilkinson - Vitax's managing director, Mark Butler - Vitax's new sales manager and Colin Wetherley-Mein - Vitax sales manager.

Mother’s Day records despite drop in volumes
First reports of records broken for March from Alton Garden Centre


As we reported in GTN Xtra last week garden centres across the country had record sales over Mother’s Day weekend as people flocked to garden centre restaurants and coffee shops and reports suggest good sales levels are continuing this weekend setting record sales for March...



As we reported in GTN Xtra last week garden centres across the country had record sales over Mother’s Day weekend as people flocked to garden centre restaurants and coffee shops.

And those high sales levels are continuing this weekend leading to record totals for March as reported by Andy Bunker at Alton Garden Centre in Wickford, Essex: "I've just finished number crunching March and it's our best ever in the Plantaria here at Alton, up by 46% which means year to date we are plus 34% and that is the best ever start to the quarter.  I guess Brexit is really biting here in Essex." 

Andy added yesterday:  "It's also a good job I don’t buy to the weather.  I did hear it was supposed to be awful today with wind and rain.  Okay, it’s not a heatwave but by 2pm we've had no rain and only a bit bit of wind.  The car park is full and it's good gardening weather.  That makes me very cheerful!"

According to GTN Bestsellers Epos data analysis the record sales over Mothers Day weekend didn’t quite equate into sales volumes for the whole week.  Plant sales volumes dropped by 8.3% with some centres reported high sales of Italian specimen plants as gifts which will partly account for the drop in volume but deliver higher turnover.  Garden Products dropped by 14.1% and Growing Media by 17.5%.

As with high value plant sales, early furniture and BBQ saleshave been reported as encouraging, contributing to further boosts in value of sales if not volume.

Overall, week 12 was a better week than last year, even though it was Easter in 2016 but as you’ll see from our GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts (links below) the big wins were last minute gifts and garden lighting.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Pink Kisses are a big sales winner
Dianthus Pink Kisses and Orchids were two big plant sales winners during Mother’s Day week...


Dianthus Pink Kisses and Orchids were the two big plant sales winners during Mother’s Day week.

The first deliveries and great displays of Pink Kisses contributed to a 113% increase week on week while Orchids were the last minute gift of choice, seeing sales increase by over 150%.

Overall plant sales dropped by 8.3% week on week.

The UK Garden Centre Plants Bestsellers Chart

    

Week Ending Sunday 26th March 2017

    

This Week

Last week

Plant genus

Volume Sales Change

1

1

Primula

 

2

2

Viola

Increase

3

4

Pansy

Increase

4

13

Dianthus

 +100% Increase

5

5

Lathyrus

Increase

6

3

Pelargonium

 

7

7

Rose

Increase

8

9

Ranunculus

Increase

9

6

Lavandula

 

10

19

Bellis

Increase


Other big movers in the GTN Bestsellers Plants Top 50 Chart include:
  • Orchids moved up 16 places to No 12.
  • Azaleas also make a big move up the chart, 14 places to No 23.
  • Calibrachoa, Campanula, Gerbera, Argyranthemum all re-enter the chart for the first time this year.
  • Fressia are the highest new entry at No 47.
The GTN Bestsellers Plants chart is the only weekly sales analysis of plants available in the UK.  You can see the full GTN Top 50 Plants chart every week for a full year by subscribing to GTN Bestsellers for just £145.00.  Use this link to buy your subscription on-liine or email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Woodstock Chimes offer quality and great value
GTN Xtra Promotion


Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad, Woodstock Chimes have been the choice of discerning UK customers for over 30 years. The authentic windchimes offer premier quality and great value...

Woodstock Chimes UK’s best-selling Chimes of Pluto – Bronze is tuned to a lovely pentatonic scale and acts in concert with the wind to create random patterns of wonderful music.

  • Authentic and original musically tuned windchime
  • Premier quality, affordable & value priced
  • Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad
  • The choice of discerning UK customers for over 30 years
  • Shipping within 48 hours from our UK warehouse

As a music student in the 1970s, Garry’s curiosity about ancient worlds led him to learn about ancient music and musicians.

The musical scales he was studying could not be played on modern instruments, so he decided to build a metallophone (a xylophone-like instrument with metal bars) that could play the ancient scale of Olympos, a Greek flute player from the 7th century B.C.

Being an ecologically minded recent college graduate on a tight budget, Garry found the materials for his metallophone at a landfill—it was made from the aluminium tubes of a discarded lawn chair.

Garry’s metallophone experiment was so successful, he had the idea to cut and tune aluminium tubes to create windchimes, and Woodstock Chimes was born!

In addition to his work at Woodstock Chimes, Garry is a professional musician. Pictured right: Garry with his adapted lawn chair.

He has been performing and recording with the ensemble Steve Reich and Musicians since 1980 and is one of the 18 musicians to win a GRAMMY® Award for the 1998 recording of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.

In 2002 Garry joined NEXUS, the internationally renowned chamber music ensemble based in Canada. Called “the high priests of the percussion world” by the New York Times, NEXUS is considered to be one of the premier percussion ensembles in the world today.

See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here

http://www.woodstock-chimes.co.uk

White Pebble International
Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road
Chichester PO198 TX UK
Tel +44(0)1243 780501
Fax +44(0)1243 839332
info@whitepebbleint.com


New for 2017! The popular Chimes of Pluto in a new Evergreen finish!

Boost your EGO with sales of petrol free garden machinery


EGO Power Plus presented their 2017 range of petrol free mowers and other garden machinery tools to the UK gardening press last week and are now looking for ethusiastic garden centres to add to their sales network...



EGO Power Plus presented their 2017 range of petrol free mowers and other garden machinery tools to the UK gardening press last week and are now looking for ethusiastic garden centres to add to their sales network.

Peter Melrose, President EMEA, told the assembled journalists: "Since our launch in 2015 in the UK we've learned that the early adopters of this technology are older gardeners who love the push button ease of use.  This group of "engaged enthusiats" appreciate the liftetime cost benefit over a 2 to 3 year period and when you combine that with the green credentials of EGO and cordless machines with excellent performance they are ideal for sales through garden centres."

EGO actually launched in the US in 2014 and since then their machines have carried out 12 million hours of grass cutting saving 6 million litres of petrol.  Their factory in China has a "Blue Roof" to generate power and a ground source heating system that saves 1 million kWh of electricity annually, while their dedicated R&D facility includes a 7,000 sq m Green Roof system.

The key to the success and performance of EGO tools is the battery technology.  Their patented Arc Lithium 56V batteries include Keep Cool technology, intelligent power control, fast recharge and they are all exterior mounted which means they stay cool to deliver longer lasting power.

The machines work well too.  GTN Xtra tested the mowers, the multi tool system and the backpack blower during the press day and they all performed at least as well as equivalent petrol machines from a power perspective but much quieter and with little or no vibration.  The new multi tool system was particularly impressive and given gardeners love of other mutli tool systems could be a great seller in garden centres.  Next year EGO will also be introducing a consumer version of their backpack power unit which would be a huge benefit in areas of the country where gardeners have miles of hedges to cut or to be shared by users of an allotment society.

If any garden centres would like to find out more about EGO Power Tools they should contact Peter Melrose via: peter.melrose@egopowerplus.eu  or visit: www.egopowerplus.com

Here are more details about the EGO range.

THE ONE TOOL FOR EVERY REVOLTIONARY GARDENERS’ ARMOURY

Until now battery powered multi-tools have always been a jack of all trades but master of none. This has all changed now thanks to the brand new offering from EGO Power+, the industry’s leading cordless specialist and the first manufacturer to deliver petrol performance in a battery operated tool, courtesy of its ground-breaking battery technology.

With a single power head and five powerful tool attachments, that can be changed quickly and easily, the new EGO Power+ multi-tool is packed with innovation. It pushes the boundaries of cordless battery performance, making it the one tool that every gardener needs to have in their armoury.

Delivering the power of petrol minus the petrol, the EGO Power+ multi-tool utilises EGO’s 56 volt lithium-ion battery, which is the industry’s highest energy capacity battery. The multi-tool features extreme technology inside EGO’s lithium-ion batteries that deliver the cutting-edge performance required to transform the entire garden.

From tackling hedges with the 160cm hedgetrimmer with 12 lockable cutting angles, to attacking thick undergrowth with the 30cm brush cutter with a three-sided reversible blade, the EGO Power+ multi-tool is designed to help breeze through a variety of jobs without the noise, fuss and fumes of petrol. It also features a 38cm line trimmer, with EGO’s new rapid reload bump head to speed up replacing the line; a 25cm pole saw with a hook for pulling and cutting down loose branches; and a lawn edging tool with an adjustable depth wheel. There is also the option for an additional carbon fibre, lightweight extension pole offering a further 75cm to reach new heights.

EGO’s intelligent battery is designed like no other, giving the user all the power to get the job done, whilst freeing users from musculoskeletal and hearing problems caused by exposure to vibrations and petrol fumes. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and “Keep Cool” cell technology.

The power head of the tool is £199

Then each attachment is:

  • Edger                    £99
  • Pole pruner         £119
  • Brush cutter       £79.99
  • Line trimmer       £79.99
  • Hedge trimmer  £169
  • Extension pole   £79.99

Also available as sets:

  •  The power head, line trimmer, brushcutter and shoulder strap    £229
  •  The power head, line trimmer, brushcutter, hedgetrimmer and pole saw, with shoulder strap                     £469

               

BE PART OF EGO’S RELENTLESS GARDEN TAKEOVER AND BE THE ENVY OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD


Lawnmowers from EGO Power+ will be the source of intrigue and envy among neighbourhoods, when the quiet machines start up and breeze through mowing the lawn.

The stylish mowers are not only the best in product design but also feature ground-breaking battery technology from the cordless equipment specialist.

EGO Power+ lawnmowers are powered by EGO’s intelligent lithium-ion battery which is designed like no other, making it the industry’s highest energy capacity in a hand held battery, giving the user all the power to get the job done. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and Keep Cool™ cell technology.

EGO Power+, the only brand with a 56-volt battery on the market, has extended its revolutionary range of lithium-ion powered lawnmowers, and with it has developed the features within the range, helping the brand to conquer the market and silence its competitors, whilst delivering products that power through gardening tasks until the job is done.

Two new innovative, stylish and powerful mowers, the LM2024E and the LM2024E-SP, have been added to the line-up. Both have a steel deck and a 50” cutting width. They boast a new feature to the EGO range of the brushless motor that offers greater efficiency, durability and power.  Packed with intelligent power, the LM2024E has a 700W motor, and the LM2024E-SP has 1000W to power the self-propelled function, even in the toughest grass conditions.

These models join the four other mowers in the EGO range, all of which are able to be compactly folded for vertical storage in seconds. This is aided on these new models by the addition of new aluminium handles that offer improved ergonomics, sturdier storage and easier grass box emptying. EGO mowers range from 49cm to 52cm and are available with either a steel or poly deck, as well as push or self-propelled.

EGO’s European marketing director, Steve Roskell, commented: “Since the inception of EGO, we have re-written the powered garden products rule book and our latest product developments further that. As innovators in the sector we are constantly developing our range and the two new mowers have new features, such as the brushless motor and the aluminium handles, that help gardeners maintain their lawns without the hassle associated with petrol machines.”

Unlike many competitors’ cordless systems, the EGO Power+ system has the power to match petrol without the noise, fuss or fumes; silencing many cordless sceptics and proving that battery power is the new way forward in the garden power sector.

  • LM2001E             £519      including 4Ah battery and rapid charger
  • LM2011E             £519      including 5Ah battery and rapid charger
  • LM2102E-SP       £729      including 7.5Ah battery and rapid charger
  • LM2014E-SP       £629      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger
  • LM2024E             £599      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger
  • LM2024E-SP       £679      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger

 

RELENTLESS STRIMMING POWER BREAKS NEW GROUND

Packed with innovation and industry leading technology that surpasses all others, line trimmers from EGO Power+ offer optimal balance, consistent trimming and relentless power.

EGO has introduced three new line trimmers to its power revolution, bringing the total in the range to five models – one of which has brushcutter capabilities too.

The new ST1500E-F, BC1500E-F and BC3800E have been innovatively designed with the user in mind. They utilise EGO’s unrivalled battery technology, exceptional growth and extensive R&D facilities to create products that are the best in their field. The result? These strimmers feature the new rapid reload, free rotating bump feed cap which allows for quick and easy line refilling that enables perfect line winding every time, and eradicates wasted time spent replacing line when you could be strimming.

The line trimmers deliver petrol matching power without all the downsides and keep operating (with less noise, fuss and fumes) until the job is complete. This is courtesy of EGO’s ground-breaking battery design and patented Arc-Lithium technology that is the brain power behind the EGO range.

The ST1500E-F has a large 38cm cutting swathe, variable speed options and lightweight aluminium shaft with an adjustable loop handle for maximum user comfort, balance and control. Alternatively, the BC1500E-F, also 38cm, has all the power and extreme capabilities of its stable-mate but with a solid steel drive shaft. On top of this, it has a bike handle for enhanced durability and prowess – giving users the freedom to work comfortably anywhere, with the added bonus of being exhaust and emission free.

Designed to perform and built to last, the third new model, the BC3800E adds brushcutting capabilities to the EGO line up. The EGO Power+ brushcutter powers through thick, dense brush with complete ease. The 38cm model boasts a three-sided brushcutter blade that conquers tough undergrowth. There is also a harness to assist with control and balance whilst using the tool, along with adjustable handles for greater comfort and more compact storage.

For the ultimate in power and performance, the BC3800E can be used with the EGO Power+ backpack battery to offer up to eight hours of usage on just one charge! Now that’s power beyond belief! EGO’s intelligent battery is designed like no other, making it the industry’s highest energy capacity battery, giving the user all the power to get the job done. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and “Keep Cool” cell technology.

With a powerful and efficient brushless motor that improves both performance and run time, EGO line trimmers have all the power to get the job done.

  • ST1210E               £119 excluding battery and charger,  £219 as a kit including a 2Ah battery and standard charger
  • ST1300E               £139 excluding battery and charger
  • ST1500E               £189 excluding battery and charger
  • ST1500E-F           £199 excluding battery and charger
  • BC1500E              £199 excluding battery and charger
  • BC1500E-F          £219 excluding battery and charger
  • BC3800E              £299 excluding battery and charger

For more information visit www.egopowerplus.co.uk.

 

Record-breaking Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day sees 5-year tally pass £0.5m
Early reports indicate that  Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017 will be a record breaker in terms of industry participation and sponsorship as the five-year tally of funds-raised passes half a million pounds...



Above: Haskins staff celebrate after their fund-raising efforts.

Early reports indicate that the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017 will be a record breaker in terms of industry participation, sponsorship and for the grand total raised since 2012 – now standing at an incredible half a million pounds.

One hundred walkers - the most fundraisers for any single Garden Re-Leaf Day event - took part in this year’s sponsored walk through Cambridgeshire, which was sponsored by Scotsdales, GTN, LOFA, Outback, Briers, Cadix UK Ltd, GIMA, Kelkay, Town & Country’s Mark Butler, Hozelock, SBM Life Science, Youngs Coaches and Quinton Edwards.  The event has so far raised £25,000 - smashing last year’s total of £9,000.

Special thanks go to Scotsdales, who fielded a team of walkers and fund-raised in-store, raising more than £1,000 for the Greenfingers charity. They are now busy planning their 24 hour Plant-athon which takes later this month.

Thanks, too, to Garden Re-Leaf newcomer Mr Fothergill’s, who have so far raised over £3,986 from the walk and the company’s ‘Go Green’ event held at their base in Suffolk.

Bayer Garden’s new owners, SBM Life Science, jumped in to support Garden Re-Leaf for the first time, raising £2,180.53 from office collections and walk sponsors – they generously sponsored medals, donated items for the goody bags as well as two welcome refreshment stations along the route.

The Garden Store Gallopers (Boyd Douglas-Davies and his team) raised £3,003. Cadix UK raised £2,221 AND sponsored a support car.

Greenfingers’ head of fundraising and communications, Linda Petrons, said: “This year’s Garden Re-Leaf walk was a record breaker that boosted publicity for Greenfingers Charity like never before.  I know it was a real challenge for many of those that took part, and with many giving up their valuable time, travelling and organising overnight stays, it really was an incredible effort and on behalf of Greenfingers I must say we are so very grateful to you all.”

Elsewhere, garden centres raise more than £20k… and the total is still rising.

  • Klondyke’s plant-athons are expected to raise over £8000
  • Adrian Hall’s vintage tea party with raffle raised £320.00
  • Aylett Garden Centre’s mad hatter day with Pippa Greenwood raised £918.20
  • Alan Down’s hellebore tour at Cleeve Nursery raised £433
  • Haskins raised a whopping £3,000
  • Holiday Inn Colchester’s quiz night raised over £400
  • Longacres raffles, food tastings and special offers raised a total of £2,566
  • Millbrook Garden Centres spring launch raised £2,438
  • Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s quiz and curry night raised £618
  • Perrywood’s quiz night raised £1,155
  • Orchard Park Garden Centre has beaten its target of £500
  • Hillview are still to report the fund-raising from their megathons
  • Andy Bunker and the team at Alton Garden Centre staged a Plant-athon that has so far raised over £500

Other garden centres and businesses staging events include:

  • British Garden centres (static push bike)
  • Chessington Garden Centre (drinks, pots and gardening sets sales)
  • Coletta and Tyson Garden Centre
  • Fairweather Garden Centre
  • Ross Garden Store
  • Langlands Garden Centres
  • Paradise Park (daytime events and a quiz night)
  • Rolawn’s (miniature spring fair and product promotion)
  • Squire’s Garden Centre, Hersham (afternoon tea)
  • Whitehall Garden Centres
  • HTA (fundraising at the APL Awards)
  • Deco-Pak (play pit sand promotion)

QVC and its gardening experts once again gave Garden Re-Leaf Day a huge boost.  Hosted by Greenfingers founder president and presenter Richard Jackson, two special shows on Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March helped to raise a magnificent £37,000. Suppliers including Richard Jackson’s Garden, Hayloft Plants, De Jaeger, Plants2Gardens, Thompson & Morgan and Mont Rose of Guernsey all generously donated profits to Greenfingers.  BBC Radio Cambridge held a special Garden Re-Leaf show on the 15th March, promoting the walk and the event in general, with local TV reporters appearing at Scotsdales alongside the local media.

Orchard Park’s 24hr Plant-athon event (left) was also involved in the first ever live stream on Facebook with additional vlogs, one of which was a record breaker for the Garden Re-Leaf page, reaching 714 people with 106 engagements.  Over on Twitter, the number of individuals who saw the #gardenreleaf hashtag was an incredible 100 times that of the year before, with 267,490 reached during the week of the event.  Gardening celebrities supported Garden Re-Leaf Day too; Greenfingers patron Ann-Marie Powell, David Domoney, Richard Jackson and Michael Perry all helped to drive social activity amongst their followers.

Linda adds: “We are delighted that once again that so many garden centres, suppliers and organisations took part this year.  It isn’t always easy to put on events like these, but we hope that the business benefits of getting involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day have been realised by all those who took part and that, coupled with raising money to make a difference to life-limited children, and their families who spend time in hospices will be reason enough to see everyone return next year for more fun and FUNdraising.”

Date for your diary: Garden Re-Leaf Day 2018 will be on Friday16th March

 

 
Team Briers survive the Garden Re-Leaf Day walk
Six members of the Briers team took on the gruelling Garden Re-Leaf 20 mile walk, all in aid of the wholly deserving Greenfingers charity...


Six members of the Briers team took on the gruelling Garden Re-Leaf 20 mile walk, all in aid of the wholly deserving Greenfingers charity.

Taking place in rural and central Cambridgeshire, the team – Jackie Eades, Sharmini Martin, Tristan Sissons, Mandy James, Charlotte Prentice and Matt Jackson, who ran the course – were battered by strong winds, freezing temperatures and enough leg cramps to last a lifetime.

All but one member of the team completed the route (sadly injury saw one Brier walker bow out early) with the last member of ‘Team Briers’ crossing the finish line in just under eight hours.

Jackie Eades, managing director at Briers, said: “Team Briers are so pleased to have been part of what was the most successful Garden Re-Leaf Walk to date. It was a tough slog at times, but knowing what our efforts were contributing to helped us dig deep and keep walking.”

This year’s Garden Re-Leaf Walk raised an amazing £24,500, with over 100 walkers and runners taking part. In addition to walking, Briers were also incredibly proud to be part of the efforts behind the walk, helping the Greenfingers team to encourage more walkers and drive awareness of the event.

The company’s bestselling gloves also helped raise much needed funds with a donation from each sale going to the charity. The popular children’s gardening sets also added even more to the total, with 50p from each set sold being donated directly to Greenfingers.

Jackie added: “Garden Re-Leaf Day is an amazing event and means so much on a number of levels. Firstly, it works to kick start the season, bringing the industry together to do something fun and to start thinking about the season ahead of us. But more importantly, it helps us to raise much needed funds for Greenfingers.

"The work that the charity undertakes every day is incredible, and I sincerely hope that our efforts work to offer some comfort to those families that that rely on Greenfingers each year. Knowing that we have been able to help – even if just a little bit – really drives you to do more, and Team Briers will certainly be back in force to make Garden Re-Leaf Day 2018 even bigger and more exciting.”

Linda Petrons, from Greenfingers said: “What an amazing turnout we’ve had again for Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day. From our walkers, runners and four legged friends to our bakers, raffle sellers, quizzers, Plant-athoners, Meg-athoners and QVC suppliers, we are enormously grateful to all of you for your ongoing support, helping Greenfingers Charity continue its work making a difference to life-limited children, and their families who spend time in hospices. Our thanks go to Briers for their ongoing support, and endless enthusiasm. It really does mean the world to us.”

Linda’s thoughts were also echoed by Boyd Douglas Davies, the founding father of Garden Re-Leaf Day.

He said post-walk: "What a great day, and what an incredible turnout - the industry, Scotsdales and the Greenfingers team did us proud! I'm chuffed to bits with the event, the amazing spirit of all those involved, and of course the amount raised.”

To find out more about Team Briers please visit www.briersltd.co.uk. Further details about the 2017 Garden Re-Leaf Day can be found at www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk

 
Which one will be crowned Rising Star 2017?
This year’s Rising Stars Programme has begun with 25 hopefuls competing to win the prestigious title of Rising Star 2017...

 

Photographs show the Northern Rising Stars at Barton Grange (above left ) and the Southern Rising Stars at Squire's Badshot Lea (above right).



This year’s Rising Stars Programme has begun with 25 hopefuls competing to win the prestigious title of Rising Star 2017.

The programme, run by Westland Horticulture and the Garden Centre Association (GCA) is now in its ninth year and has been hugely successful to date, welcomed by the industry and participants alike.

The Northern Masterclass kicked off at Barton Grange Garden Centre on Tuesday (21), where Ian Boardman, IBBIS (UK) Director and Rising Stars facilitator gave hints and tips on how to drive sales, making every square metre of the garden centre count and improving customer shop-ability. This was echoed at the Southern Masterclass at Squires Badshot Lea on Thursday (23), which also featured a special guest appearance from The Sun journalist Peter Seabrook.

Each Rising Star will now embark on their first project, transforming a space in their garden centre into a selling hotspot, which will inspire and educate customers while increasing sales. They will report back to the group in July with how they got on.

In the meantime, the group will compete for a chance to grow and exhibit an ‘unusual container’ for 40 Sunbury Square, a suburban back garden created by Peter Seabrook and the HTA for RHS Chelsea and supported by the industry. This year they also have a Whatsapp group to allow the stars to keep in contact with each other throughout the year.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “Each year the Rising Stars evolves to create a better experience for those taking part. This year we’re giving participants the chance to take part in RHS Chelsea, something that will look great on any CV. We’ve also introduced a Whatsapp group to help them keep in contact with each other.”

Photographs show the Northern Rising Stars at Barton Grange (above) and the Southern Rising Stars at Squire's Badshot Lea (below).


Strongest Man contenders train amongst the plants

World-class competitors from the Strongman circuit, including Game of Thrones star Thor Bjornsson, prepared for the ‘Europe’s Strongest Man’ competition with the help of leading commercial nursery business Johnsons of Whixley...


World-class competitors from the Strongman circuit, including Game of Thrones star Thor Bjornsson, prepared for yesterday’s ‘Europe’s Strongest Man’ competition with the help of leading commercial nursery business Johnsons of Whixley.

Bjornsson, who rose to fame after appearing as ‘The Mountain’ in the hit fantasy drama, and who is also a two-time Europe’s Strongest Man winner, was joined by former World Deadlift Champion Benedikt Magnusson and ex-World Champion Bill Kazmeier.

Bjornsson and Magnusson trained for the Car Lift event on site at Johnsons’ North Yorkshire base, while Kazmeier, who is now a part of the broadcasting team for the competition, conducted interviews with the pair as part of the build-up to the event, which took place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on Saturday (1 April).

Johnsons offered to host the session, having provided storage and training facilities for the ‘Giants Live’ Strongman circuit for more than five years.

The business’s directors are keen followers of the sport and group managing director Graham Richardson says it was a pleasure to host the athletes.  “Thor and Benny are elite athletes who compete on the global stage,” he said. “It’s always a privilege to witness their incredible displays of strength at such close quarters, and often, visitors to the site are far more interested in the plethora of Strongman equipment on display.

Former World’s Strongest Man competitor and Giants Live director Darren Sadler said: “The site at Johnsons provides the perfect environment for training sessions, and we are grateful to Graham for hosting us in the lead-up to this event.

“While they were here, the guys enjoyed gaining an insight into the work Johnsons does, and the sheer scale of the operation here. It’s a wonderful setting and we were all made to feel at home during our stay.”

A short video of the day’s activities can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/uIF0ouhHi8s 

Johnsons of Whixley is one of the largest commercial nursery businesses in Europe, and a supplier of plants and trees to the amenity sector in the UK.
Writtle wins Young Gardeners title in Ideal Home Show design contest

Writtle University College has been crowned the 2017 ‘Young Gardeners of the Year,’ announced in line with the launch of the Ideal Home Show sponsored by Zoopla...



Above: Writtle University College's winning design at the Ideal Home Show.


Writtle University College has been crowned the 2017 ‘Young Gardeners of the Year,’ announced in line with the launch of the Ideal Home Show sponsored by Zoopla.

Each competing college was given a 5.5m x 4m plot to design a front garden demonstrating an understanding of harmony and sustainability. The gardens inspired visitors to the Ideal Home Show with clever ideas to try at home.

The annual awards, which are organised by TV gardener David Domoney (right) in association with the Prince's Foundation for Building Community, offer students an opportunity to showcase their work and celebrate the best of sustainable British gardening. The competition, now in its seventh year, has given more than 500 students the opportunity to create show gardens before they even leave the college gates.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, voiced his support for the competing colleges. "This competition is a great opportunity for talented young people to use their ’green fingers’ to design a garden thousands of visitors will enjoy,” he said, wishing contestants good luck in the contest. “It could also be the start of a fantastic career in landscaping and design. In London our much-loved green spaces boost the environment, improve air quality and enhance our neighbourhoods.”

The winning garden showed homeowners all that can be achieved with a front garden, giving pleasure to their visitors and brightening up the local community. It created a walkway that takes visitors away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, providing a beautiful, stress-free environment before they walk through the door.

Writtle University College was awarded Gold and Best in Show, Capel Manor College awarded Gold, Chichester College awarded Silver Gilt,  Shuttleworth College and Pershore College awarded Silver and Askham Bryan College awarded Bronze.



Above: the students line up at the Ideal Home Show with ITV's 'Love Your Garden'  presenters Frances Tophill and David Domoney.

Judges included Simon Sadinsky, head of education at The Prince's Foundation; Raoul Curtis-Machin, director of horticulture at the HTA; Andrew Gill, president of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture; Adrienne Wild, grower and garden writer, and Tim Jeffries, commercial director at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds.

The competition echoed the work of David Domoney, the competition’s organiser, on the Cultivation Street Community Gardening campaign. Domoney said: ”These young garden designers and landscape stars of the future are encouraged to use sustainable practices, which they will confidently pass on through generations. The careful planning, hard work and effort that goes into each of the show gardens is truly inspiring, and Writtle University College's garden highlighted to the public just what can be achieved in a small front garden."

The Ideal Home Show runs until 9 April at London Olympia.

Zest 4 Leisure employees to tackle Manchester Marathon



Zest 4 Leisure has announced that Cancer Research UK is its new chosen charity for 2017, and Managing Director Steve Morgan along with 23 other employees will be taking part in the 26 mile Manchester Marathon this Sunday...




Zest 4 Leisure has announced that Cancer Research UK is its new chosen charity for 2017.

Following the announcement, Managing Director Steve Morgan along with 23 other employees will be taking part in the 26 mile Manchester Marathon this Sunday.

Louise Aubrey, Cancer Research UK’sSenior Local Fundraising Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted that Steve and the team have decided to attempt such a great challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“They have done lots of preparation and we’re sure they’re going to have an amazing experience. We can’t thank them enough for all of their support and want to wish them all the very best for this Sunday.”

As a growing company Zest 4 Leisure is committed to employee fitness and long-term well-being as well as supporting the community and raising money for charity. The Manchester Marathon is the ideal opportunity to do both as they have a goal to train for and CRUK is their new chosen charity for 2017.
The company have been supporting their marathon runners with a fitness plan that includes weekly personal training sessions and extra training during work time.

Louise added: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”

Managing Director, Steve Morgan said: “There are so many people in our society that are living with or are effected in some way by this disease and everyone within our company feels privileged to be able to help this charity in the fight against cancer.

We’ve all trained tremendously hard and I hope our efforts at Manchester Marathon will encourage others to get involved by donating or raising funds for Cancer Research UK, enabling it to continue investing in its vital research, treatment and support that effects so many.”

Continuing to take part in events is very important for the company following the success of previous years when as a group they raised over £15,000.00 for The Alzheimer’s Society and over £6,000 last year for Meningitis Now, in memory of one of their own.

You can help the P&A Group in their fundraising efforts on their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/P-A-Group-and-Zest4Leisure

 
Assistant Garden Centre Manager - Oxfordshire
Hilltop Garden Store (part of Hillview Garden Centres)


Hilltop has grown considerably in the last two years and we're now recruiting an additional assistant garden centre manager to join the team.

You will work closely with the store manager and existing team on a variety of areas and hold responsibility for a specific part of the trading. 

Horticultural experience, gained in a garden centre, is preferable as you'll be very customer facing and spend most of your time on the shop floor. 

We work a normal 6/4 rota, on occasion you will be Duty Manager for the store. 

We offer fully funded training including RHS, HTA and a Management Development programme. 

 
 


Nursery Grower Seasonal Bedding Plants (ref:DS9216)

Location: Devon
Salary: Excellent
Date: 28 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


This Devon based bedding plant grower who supply the garden centre sector with choice plants is seeking a hands-on Grower / Nursery Site Manager for their busy and thriving business. They grow a wide range of products including herbaceous and season plants from two sites in East Devon.

The SUCCESSFUL candidate will be responsible for:
  • The growing and husbandry of the bedding plant lines.
  • Working within a team to ensure production targets are met.
  • Daily monitoring for pests and diseases and taking action when needed.
  • Be involved in all aspects of production from potting to despatch.
  • Supervision of staff in busy periods.
  • Ensuring that quality control procedures are adhered to.
The IDEAL person will possess:
  • Good technical horticultural experience and training.
  • Hands-on growing skills in the ornamental sector and in particular pack and pot bedding.
  • A forward thinking outlook with a background within a busy nursery.
  • Spraying certificates PA1 & PA6 desirable.

To apply for this role click here

 


Garden Centre Plantarea Horticultural Manager (ref:DS9213)

Location: Worcestershire
Salary: Excellent
Date: 28 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


This top Worcestershire garden centre who has a well stocked Plantarea, a popular restaurant along with a garden shop that offers customers a range of quality gifts and garden sundries. They are currently looking for a superb retailer and outstanding plants person to manage their Plantarea. As Manager you will be used to working in a fast paced retail environment. It goes without saying that you must have excellent plant knowledge, but you should also have a creative edge to be able to produce stunning displays with a point of difference that are both highly shoppable and commercially sound. You must be able to manage a team and ensure that the highest retail and plant care standards are always maintained. In return you can expect a generous salary and the chance to work for a market leader in the industry.

The Role
  • Will be to manage the Plant Department of this well established store, ensuring plant stock is in tip top condition and merchandised to a high standard.
  • Liaise with the Seasonal and Hardy Plant Managers and Supervisors on managing supplies, merchandising and promotions.
  • Assisting customers when necessary and ensuring that customer services are kept to a very high standard.
The Candidate

The ideal candidate for this role candidates must have:
  • Excellent plant knowledge and a great background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role.
  • Good standard of formal horticultural training.
  • Excellent visual merchandising and retailing skills.
  • Be a team player with the ability to offer superb customer service.
  • Experience of supervising and managing a team of staff is also essential. 
To apply for this role click here
 


Plantarea Department Head / Manager (ref:DS9211)

Location: Hampshire
Salary: Excellent
Date: 27 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Our client is a lovely up-market Hampshire garden centre who has a well stocked Plantarea, a popular restaurant and carvery, along with a garden shop that offers customers a range of quality gifts and garden sundries. They are currently looking for a superb retailer and outstanding plants person to manage their Plantarea. As Manager you will be used to working in a fast paced retail environment. It goes without saying that you must have excellent plant knowledge, but you should also have a creative edge to be able to produce stunning displays with a point of difference that are both highly shoppable and commercially sound. You must be able to manage a team and ensure that the highest retail and plant care standards are always maintained. In return you can expect a generous salary and the chance to work for a market leader in the industry.

The Role

  • Will be to manage the Plant Department of this Flagship Store - ensuring plant stock is in tip top condition and merchandised to a high standard.
  • Liaise with the Seasonal and Hardy Plant Managers and Supervisors on managing supplies, merchandising and promotions.
  • Assisting customers when necessary and ensuring that customer services are kept to a very high standard.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate must have:
  • Excellent plant knowledge and a great background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role.
  • Good standard of formal horticultural training.
  • Excellent visual merchandising and retailing skills.
  • Be a team player with the ability to offer superb customer service.
  • Experience of supervising and managing a team of staff is also essential.
To apply for this role click here
 
Plantarea Supervior / Manager (Berkshire)
Salary: £18,000 - £23,000


Plantarea Supervior / Manager (ref:DS9190)


Location: Berkshire
Salary: £18,000 - £23,000
Date: 17 Mar
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

 
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox...



with all the news 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
 
Notcutts celebrates staff ‘heroes’
Notcutts has hosted an annual conference and awards dinner to recognise team and business achievements as it celebrates its 120th anniversary...


Notcutts has hosted an annual conference and awards dinner to recognise team and business achievements as it celebrates its 120th anniversary.

The conference, which was held on Wednesday March 22nd in Marlow, featured interactive learning sessions and focused on the vision of the company as it progresses with its exciting five-year development plan. The event was sponsored by leading names in the industry including Esprit, Hozelock, Bidvest, Briers, Mr Fothergills, Kettler, Gardman, Stanley Bragg, Scotts, Paddy & Scott’s, LeisureGrow, MJ Media and Talk Talk.

After the conference, an awards dinner took place with categories including ‘Best Garden Centre Performance’, ‘Best Visual Merchandising’ and ‘Best Restaurant Performance’. ‘Frontline Hero’ awards were also awarded to one outstanding team member from each of Notcutts’ 18 centres. Frontline Heroes are those people who, in the eyes of their closest colleagues, consistently go the extra mile to help both customers and colleagues alike.

Nick Burrows, Chief Executive, at Notcutts said: “This event was an opportunity to celebrate success and thank all of our teams for their hard work and dedication. We’d also like to say express our gratitude to all of our wonderful sponsors, as without their support this event would not have been possible.”

Notcutts is currently investing into its future by implementing a five-year investment plan to update and reposition its garden centres within their respective markets.
 
Lights add sparkle to Mother’s Day
As the clocks moved forwards, garden lighting saw a big increase in sales during Mother’s Day week...
As the clocks moved forwards, garden lighting saw a big increase in sales during Mother’s Day week.

In the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 there were 14 garden lighting lines, accounting for 29% of the total volume and an increase of 77% on the previous week.
  • Smart Solar Crystal Glass Stake Light was the highest climber, jumping 24 places to No 13.
  • Gardman Nickel Solar Marker Light was the highest re-entry at No 22.
  • Apta Verona Standard Pot 15cm was the highest new entry at No 27.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Tomato plant sales soar
The sales of tomato plants led the way during Mother’s Day week as the nation’s gardeners took the opportunity to get ahead with their veg growing for the summer...
The sales of tomato plants led the way during Mother’s Day week as the nation’s gardeners took the opportunity to get ahead with their veg growing for the summer.

Ten of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro Top 20 lines are tomato plants with Tumbling Tom the most popular for the second week running.

The main highlights this week were:
  • Tomato Shirley 8cm and Tomato Gardeners Delight 8cm filled the No 2 and 3 places.
  • Quantil Tomato Beefmaster 8cm was the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 17.
  • Farplants Rosemary Common was the highest re-entry at No 18.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Impressive initial roll-call of speakers for GrowQuip
The roll-call of speakers taking part in the GrowQuip 2017 Conference, dinner and industry showcase is taking shape and major sponsors have announced their support of the event...



The roll-call of speakers taking part in the GrowQuip 2017 Conference, dinner and industry showcase is taking shape and major sponsors have announced their support of the event.

GrowQuip is the cross-industry commercial horticultural conference focusing on the key issues facing growers of fruit, vegetables, salads and ornamentals, and will take place at the conveniently located four-star Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire from 1 to 2 November 2017.

The subsidised, all inclusive package for delegates of £265 plus VAT includes entrance to the full day’s programme of distinguished speakers,  access to the industry showcase,  lunch, dinner with an after dinner speaker, overnight accommodation at Stratford Manor Hotel, and breakfast plus refreshments during the event.

There will be ample opportunity for delegates to visit the industry showcase and network with fellow growers and suppliers during the conference and at the reception and dinner.

The GrowQuip event encompasses a themed conference programme --Equip yourself for success-- which will bring together the best brains in commercial horticulture to provide growers with help in overcoming some of the common challenges they face in the day to day running of their businesses and inspiration from an international line-up of speakers.

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of the Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers, will be opening the conference and introducing the speakers. A taster of the calibre of the speaker line-up includes:

Markus Kobelt of Lubera, Switzerland  and Felicidad Fernandez of East Malling Research will deliver a joint presentation, illustrating how countries can work together to produce new varieties which benefit the grower community and the industry.  

George Beach, Managing Director of Mudwalls Farms Ltd, will tell delegates how he has transformed  his multi-generational family business into a modern, branded retail and catering supplier of local fruit and vegetables. Jack Ward, Chief Executive of the British Growers Association will give an overview of how Brexit is affecting the grower community to date.

Additional influential industry figures will be confirming their participation shortly.

This year’s event is held in association with Bulrush Horticulture and headline sponsors to date include XL Horticulture, Hortifeeds, Vitax and MorePeople.

Attendees at the 2016 event were complimentary about the whole event:

“I found the event incredibly useful, informative and motivating; the speakers were excellent”, confirms Andy Merrick of Farplants Ltd.

 “I thought GrowQuip  was great; really good speakers!”, confirms Guy Moreton from one of the sponsors of the event,  MorePeople.

 “We more than recouped the cost of attending by the contacts we had made by the evening” reports Hortifeeds, another sponsor and showcase participant.  

 At November 2017’s event, as well as participating in a stimulating conference programme and networking with a wide range of industry colleagues and fellow growers, delegates will also be able to enjoy all the attractions of the area, which boasts William Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon five minutes’ from the hotel, giving the opportunity to tour the Bard’s birthplace, pay respects at his grave at Holy Trinity Church or simply explore the beautiful Warwickshire town he called home.  Delegates who choose to relax instead will be able to use the hotel’s luxury leisure facilities, including its Health Club with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa offering a wide range of luxurious treatments.

Allied to the conference programme is an industry showcase, where conference attendees will be able to view the latest products and services available to commercial growers from major suppliers to horticulture. 

The first day culminates in a networking dinner with an intriguing and amusing after-dinner speaker  who has delighted countless audiences with his career experiences – certainly not to be missed!

CHA Chairman Pat Flynn comments:  “We were delighted with the feedback from the first edition of GrowQuip. This year’s event is a must-attend,  cross-industry commercial horticultural conference which provides ideas, diversity and possibly solutions which may  come from a different growing sector to your own – equipping you for success, equipping you for the future.”

The two day conference and dinner package, including accommodation with breakfast and lunch, is  £265+VAT and industry showcase participation starts at £369+VAT. CHA members receive a 10% discount on delegate packages or industry showcase bookings.  Further sponsorship packages are also available on request.

Contact Pat Flynn for details and to book your places at the conference, dinner or your industry showcase presence. E-mail Pat@cha-hort.com  or ring Pat on 07778 313623 or contact the CHA secretariat head office on 01959 565995.
 
DCF invests £8,500 in students of horticulture
Eight students studying horticulture have been awarded £8,500 worth of scholarships by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF)...


Eight students studying horticulture have been awarded £8,500 worth of scholarships by the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF).

As part of the DCF Scholarship Season, six students have received Student Scholarships and two Sponsored Scholarships were also awarded.

Student Scholarships of £1,000 have been awarded to:

·         Aidan Kelly, Pershore College                       

·         Caitlin Robinson, SRUC        

·         Cameron Millar, Sparsholt College

·         Caroline Power, CAFRE        

·         Emma McFarline, CAFRE

·         Jacob Fleming, Plumpton College

South West Growers Show Sponsored Scholarship
George Laws, who is studying Horticulture BSc at Writtle College, received the £1,500 South West Growers Show Sponsored Scholarship.

British Protected Ornamentals Association - Peter Seabrook Bursary
Gabor Lukoviczki, who is studying at Myerscough College, received the £1,000 British Protected Ornamentals Association (BPOA) - Peter Seabrook Bursary.

Jeff Colegrave, DCF Trustee, says, “This year’s Scholarship Season drew in applications from students studying at 19 colleges across the UK. Those awarded are all a great investment with interests that include pests and diseases, organic growing methods, sustainability, hydroponics, plant pathology and crop management.”

Over £57,000 worth of scholarships has been awarded in the past five years to students studying at 14 UK colleges. The next Scholarship Season runs from Sep 2017 to Jan 2018.

For more information on the winners and scholarships visit www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk
 
Adrian Hoare of Wyevale Nurseries
Adrian Hoare of Wyevale Nurseries
Nursery loans plants for children's charity fundraiser

Wyevale Nurseries has loaned the WellChild charity a selection of plants for a Spring into Gardening event at the Royal Agricultural University later this week...


Wyevale Nurseries has loaned the WellChild charity a selection of plants for a Spring into Gardening event at the Royal Agricultural University later this week (6 April).

WellChild is a national children’s charity that helps to get seriously ill children out of hospital and home to their families wherever possible.

 The plants on loan include Camellia japonica rosa, Pittosporum Tenuifolium Elizabeth’, Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’, Anemone ‘Bordeaux’, Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ and a number of Hellebores.

The event will be chaired by TV presenter and producer Camilla Bassett-Smith. Attendees will learn the tricks of the trade with live demonstrations from green-fingered garden designers, Caroline Tatham and Kate Durr. There will also be an illustrated talk from Chelsea gold-medallist, Olivia Kirk.

Pictured: Adrian Hoare, garden design & domestic landscape sales manager at Wyevale Nurseries, with a camellia, which is being loaned to the WellChild fundraising event.


 
Mother’s Day hit for growing media sales
Growing Media sales volumes may have dropped slightly week on week during Mother’s Day week (bags of compost probably don’t make the best gift) but they are still running up year on year...
Growing Media sales volumes may have dropped slightly week on week during Mother’s Day week (bags of compost probably don’t make the best gift) but they are still running up year on year. 

91% of last year’s total volume for March has been sold with a week’s trading still to go.

This week’s highlights were:
  • Westland Multipurpose (50 litres) +20% Extra Free was the highest re-entry at No 2.
  • Westland New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost (50 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 21 places to No 22.
  • Westland Plant Protection Bark (90 litres) was the highest new entry at No 37.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
LifestyleGarden on the move
Due to the continued growth of the premium LifestyleGarden brand, and the successful expansion into the garden centre and independent retail sector over the past few years, ScanCom UK have found and moved into their new Head Office, Showroom and Distribution Centre in Essex...



Due to the continued growth of the premium LifestyleGarden brand, and the successful expansion into the garden centre and independent retail sector over the past few years, ScanCom UK have found and moved into their new Head Office, Showroom and Distribution Centre in Essex.

“In order to add additional support to our main showrooms in Las Vegas, Vietnam and Palma, Mallorca, we now have a dedicated LifestyleGarden showroom and Distribution Centre in the UK," said Paul Cohen, Sales Director.

"The success and growth of LifestyleGarden in UK over the last three seasons has confirmed the requirement for this facility, in order to showcase the full range of products as the range expands and develops.

"A big thank you has to go to the full UK Team who have worked solidly for the past four months in order to prepare the showroom in time for the official launch of our 2018 range, and to be ready for the upcoming meetings."

The showroom is now complete. With the addition of the full, brand new ranges for the 2018 season.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of our New 2018 collection and will be inviting our customers along to see the array of new designs and colours our design team have created," said Eddie Kriese, Key Account Manager, LifestyleGarden.

"Once again Scancom, a leading manufacturer, has delivered a collection that combines ethically sourced materials with forward thinking designs along with its state of the art production techniques strengthening Scancom’s position at the forefront of the industry."

ScanCom House, Wollaston Way, Burnt Mills Ind Estate, Basildon, Essex SS13 1DJ.

 
Pictures from the Greatest Christmas Gold-winning teams
Garden centre teams excelled with their Christmas displays and grottos in 2015. Below we reveal galleries from the gold-winning teams. Click on each garden centre to see their galleries...

Aylett Nurseries
Barton Grange
Bents Garden & Home
Brookside Kent
Castle Gardens
Chessington
Creative Gardens
Fryers (Blue Diamond)
Hayes Garden World
Mains of Drum
Pughs Radyr
Silverbirch
Walkers Nurseries

 
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 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £195.00 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 Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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 £195.00.

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.

All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering

 
A taster to whet your appetite!
HTA Catering Conference and Dinner - 13-14 June 2017
Recruitment, food psychology, barista training and communicating allergens are the latest topics to be added to the programme of the HTA Catering Conference – A Piece of Cake? which takes place on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield...
Recruitment, food psychology, barista training and communicating allergens are the latest topics to be added to the programme of the HTA Catering Conference – A Piece of Cake? which takes place on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 June at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

The two-day conference and dinner, sponsored by Compass Group, is a must attend event for all garden centre catering operators, from business owners and garden centre managers to catering managers, chefs and front of house staff.

With a focus on strategy and operations on day one and food on day two the programme draws on speakers from inside and outside the industry. The conference is supported by an exhibition and the programme allows for plenty of networking with delegates and suppliers.

Latest speakers to join the programme include:

Martin Christian Kent, Executive Director of People1st, who will talk about the all important topic of recruitment.

In live cooking sessions Rob Owen, Development Chef from Food Creed Services will demonstrate his latest ideas and recipes – complete with mini tastings.

Fresh from a tour of Melbourne, artisan coffee world leader, coffee company Matthew Algie, will run a workshop session on best practice and the important role that a trained barista can have in your business.

In association with Dawn Foods experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence from the University of Oxford will share his latest research about food psychology. Covering topics such as the way our palate changes with age and how our taste changes with the time of day this session will blow your mind!

Caroline Benjamin from Food Allergy Aware will run a workshop looking at the ways of communicating information about allergens. Communicating what you offer and how your procedures back this up are an important part of ensuring a safe customer experience.

For more programme details, further information and to book your place visit www.hta.org.uk/cateringconference

The Conference dinner takes place on the evening of Tuesday 13 June and this year we are delighted to announce that we will be joined by Jane Devonshire, the 2016 winner of Masterchef. Following dinner will be the presentation of the Greatest Catering Awards.
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