In This Issue
Christmas Future Trends and GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Winners to be announced during Glee's on-line Festive Focus Day
CSY in 2020 – Adapting To Change
Alton's praised for tough stance on facemasks
Garden centre owners share their thoughts on being open during Lockdown 3
GARDENA launches Leaf and Grass Collector
The COVID year in numbers
Flymo's 2021 products raise the bar for innovative gardening equipment
Team Smart’s Sue Sharp retires
Boyd's 'no cake and chocolate' pledge takes him into the top 10% of New Year fundraisers
The GTN Xtra Top 100 Most Read Stories of 2020
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Final call for scholarship applications
Order your Begonias from Ball Colegrave now
Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey) to postpone opening by eight months
Gardeningexpress.co.uk owner closes garden centre during lockdown 3
Launch of The New Heirloom Garden book
The best of last week's
We're Here For You
Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh
Millbrook plans for the future of Crowborough centre
Boyd gives up chocolate and cake for a whole year
Bursting fish tank averts aquatic shop blaze
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Garden Centre Photo Tours
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
Pet firm buys Ocado's Fetch brand
Pet Brands releases boredom-busting range of games
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Christmas Future Trends and GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Winners to be announced during Glee's on-line Festive Focus Day
Live, on-line, 21 January 2021

Take a look at Christmas future with forecasters, Trend Bible as they dive into the emerging trends that will define Christmas 2021, and celebrate the best of Christmas past with the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards, presented by Garden Trade News. Join us for the exclusive festivities on 21st January 2021...


 

It’s never too early to get your Christmas strategy in order. Festive Focus Day equips you with everything you need to know to make sure your 2021 Christmas ranges fly off the shelves.

 

Take a look at Christmas future with forecasters, Trend Bible as they dive into the emerging trends that will define Christmas 2021, and celebrate the best of Christmas past with the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards, presented by Garden Trade News. Join us for the exclusive festivities on 21st January 2021.

 

 

At 11am Join Kate Usher, Senior Trend Consultant at Trend Bible as she outlines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the 2020 festive period and how this will affect Christmas 2021 trends. Covering celebration, gift, greetings, decoration and homeware, this all-encompassing trend presentation will bring you up to speed on the most important factors to consider when buying for Christmas 2021.

 

 

Then at 1pm the first ever digital GTN Greatest Christmas Awards will be staged. Celebrating all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas, join the Festive Focus Day for Greatest Christmas Awards Winners’ Ceremony as we bring the industry together to celebrate great work over the festive season. Hosted by GTN’s Trevor Pfeiffer, and a panel of esteemed judges, this is the perfect way to reflect on a unique year for garden centre retailing.

 

To register for the Festive Focus Day visit https://www.gleebirmingham.com/festive-focus-registration?GTN

CSY in 2020 – Adapting To Change
GTN Xtra Promotion

2020 was not the year anyone was expecting but we all adapted in some way and helped each other out. From zoom meetings and wearing masks to introducing brand new features and a lot more online demos, CSY have found new ways to continue helping retailers across the UK...


 

2020 was not the year anyone was expecting but we all adapted in some way and helped each other out. From zoom meetings and wearing masks to introducing brand new features and a lot more online demos, CSY have found new ways to continue helping retailers across the UK.

 

“CSY were really proactive in all the challenges faced by us this year, from offering eCommerce lite early in the lockdown to making reporting eat out to help out easy. CSY approached us in instead of us asking for solutions to our problems, which was a massive help.” –  Freddie at Bell Plantation.

 

As well as welcoming new customers we love to see our existing ones grow, Nunhead Gardener opened 3 new stores across London in 2020. Peter Milne, Co-Head Gardener and founder, said when asked why they chose CSY over 2 years ago “one of the main reasons we invested in Vector was how easy it would be to put into our other stores once we started to expand, with their experience of working with multi-branch retailers.”

 

As well as multi-sites we also have helped our independent garden centres like Bell Plantation, Woburn Sands Emporium, Summerhill Garden Centre and many more to carry on serving customers throughout 2020.

 

Over 80% of our garden centre customers already have an EPOS system before having our system installed. This has allowed us to work closely with our customers and provide them with a simple and painless data migration experience. “The whole process was really easy, having gone through the pain of data migration with the previous system. CSY made it really easy! Their IT teams took our data and migrated it to the new system with ease,” says Ollie at Woburn Sands Emporium who started using our system at the beginning of the year.

 

With not just one but two lockdowns this year our Vector eCommerce Lite sites have been a great help in keeping sales flowing. Our Lite sites are super simple but fully functional versions of our eCommerce sites that allowed our customers to sell online with sales tracking and live stock levels. Throughout the past year our web designer Josh has been able to assist our customers, including Bell Plantation Garden Centre, in getting their sites live quickly and looking professional. “I just wanted to thank-you for your hard work and speed at getting our online shop up and running, Josh worked really hard on it and was very helpful throughout, despite being busy I’m sure.” 

 

Back in March when the talks of a nationwide lockdown started to circulate, we knew we had to help. Our eCommerce Lite sites have helped not only businesses stay in business but also paying staff's wages, reaching a wider customer base and some even introduced a click & collect option.

 

“CSY set up our ecommerce lite site in about 7 working days and we were able to take a quarter of our normal April takings doing home delivery. The website contributed hugely to our cash flow position, kept our plant waste down and helped pay the wages of the team I kept on.” – Freddie at Bell Plantation Garden Centre.

 

 

“CSY support with the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme was amazing with clear instructions and phone support if we needed it.” – Ollie at Woburn Sands Emporium.

 

In July came the announcement of the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme to get everyone eating in restaurants and cafes again. With many of our garden centre customers having restaurants, and only a few weeks turnaround, we made it possible for our customers to apply the discount at the till, with our EPOS doing all the calculations.

 

“We are so pleased CSY have automated the till process for the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. Without this assistance it really would have been very difficult to calculate the discount quickly and efficiently at the till. They have also added a new report to make claiming really easy,” – Katrina Holford, Operations Director at Parker’s Garden Company.

 

Alongside the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, in July VAT changes were announced for hospitality and tourism sectors. Knowing many of our garden centre customers have restaurants or cafes we wanted to make the VAT changes easy for them.

 

“2020 threw up a lot of challenges for us and our customers. At each turn, I am pleased to say the CSY team pulled out all the stops so that we could adapt to keep our ship running smoothly and provide new key services for our customers in rapid fashion. All the team have worked extremely hard this year carrying on with new installations, demonstrations and training. Our helpdesk has remained open throughout and I know their hard work has been very much appreciated by our customers.” – Ross Pierrepont, Managing Director at CSY Retail Systems.

Alton's praised for tough stance on facemasks

Following on from last weeks issue GTN Xtra received the following statement from Derek Bunker about the response to his COVID-19 update and his views on garden centres staying open during lockdown 3...


Following on from publishing the Groves – We Are Here For You – story in GTN Xtra last week (by far the most read story of the issue) GTN Xtra received the following statement from Derek Bunker about the response to his COVID-19 update and his views on garden centres staying open during lockdown 3.

 

Derek told GTN Xtra: “We posted this message on our website on the 4th of January:

 

Obviously, we are so pleased that we have been allowed to continue to remain open however, we would ask you to please make sure that you always wear a mask whilst in the garden centre. If you are exempt, please bring proof of exemption and show us. We are aware that in law you do not have to show us but if you are not willing to do this then we are sorry, but we will not allow you in. This decision has been made to protect our staff from anyone claiming to be exempt when they are not.

We have checked out this decision and we are within our rights to implement this procedure.

We look forward to seeing you and please be assured our garden centre is as COVID safe as we can make it.

 

“The response we have had has been amazing and very heart warming. Comments such as "wish more businesses would follow suit", "thank you very much for what you're doing" and many, many more messages of congratulations on the stance that we've taken.

 

“The government has put garden centres in the essential class. Let's be sensible, this is not because you need to buy compost seeds, plants, etc. at this time of year. This is more for mental health than anything else. It is to give members of the public somewhere that is fairly safe so that they can get growing as soon as the weather improves.

 

“Are the centres that are choosing to stay shut, therefore, sending out the wrong message. If you were happy to be open throughout the previous lockdown when you were selling Christmas, are you not sending out a message that whilst it is quiet, you are going to close to save money?

 

“It is up to individual centres to choose what they wish to do. But after all the hard work that the HTA and the GCA have put in to allow us to open, I feel we should respect that.

 

“Are those that are closed now going to stay closed until the restrictions are altered, maybe not until March or April?”

Garden centre owners share their thoughts on being open during Lockdown 3

After the first full week of operating during lockdown 3, several garden centre owners and directors have shared their views about being allowed to be open for business.

 

"With the classification as “Essential” I believe they are looking at the science and evidence of the mental and physical benefits that gardening brings..."

"Even in this cold weather you only have to spend an hour or two outside to know how much better it makes you feel..."

"Its ironic that centres were heaving before Christmas with the potential hazards and now we are empty some choose to close..."

"I felt more uneasy about staying open during the November lockdown when our focus was Christmas..."

“It would be a desperate shame to be open now, and then get shut down when we desperately need to be open..."

"This of all years, with the disruption to the supply chain, is not the year to delay deliveries..."

 


After the first full week of operating during lockdown 3, several garden centre owners and directors have shared their views about being allowed to be open for business.

 

Adam Wigglesworth at Aylett Nurseries said: “Three times the government has taken the specific decision to open garden centres. In May ahead of mainstream retail, in November and now last week. With the classification as “Essential” I believe they are looking at the science and evidence of the mental and physical benefits that gardening brings. As soon as the weather improves many people will be keen to get in their gardens and by being open we are facilitating that.

 

“Garden centres have been exemplars of safe retailing and we are encouraging customers to “shop and go”. Centres have packed away areas, such as their Christmas sales, to discourage browsing and because January is traditionally a quiet month customer numbers are low, allowing customers and staff even more space.  Helping to keep people busy at home, thinking and planning for lighter, brighter spring days is surely one of the things that our industry can help with.

 

“Our team are on site preparing for spring, as we would normally be, and it is vital that we are supporting our growers and suppliers by being here to receive deliveries and also to prepare to have the full range and stock that customers will need when spring and summer is here . There will not be capacity in the supply chain if goods cannot be delivered early in the year. We will be here to receive those goods and the team that are on site recognise this important issue . Organised retail areas leads to less customer queries, interactions and problems, reducing time spent in store and resulting in safer efficient shopping for all.

 

“We are offering online purchases for delivery and click and collect, but one size does not fit all. There are many customers who cannot order this way, or experience problems finding a delivery or click and collect slot from other retailers – they are pleased to be able to come in and frequently thank us for being open . Every centre will make their own decisions based on their risk assessments and circumstances – situations are changing all the time.

 

“However, we should also never take lightly the importance of the Governments view that we are “ essential retail “ and the responsibility this brings.”

 

Chris Francis at Hillier told GTN Xtra: “I fully respect any individual’s decision to do what they feel is right for their business.  I have read a number of comments recently from Mathew Bent, Adam Wigglesworth and Martin Stewart, amongst others who all make excellent comment and clearly well-judged reason as essential retailers for remaining open. The HTA have shown great leadership throughout this situation and have also made a very balanced statement.

 

“At Hillier, as a designated essential retailer,  we feel it is right to be available for our customers essential purchases. Fuel and Gas is currently our top selling product category (after food probably one of the most essential products at this time of year) closely followed by seed potatoes, seeds and propagation. Although the weather may not be conducive to spending too much time outdoors there are still the more dedicated hardy of our customers out in their gardens. Many gardeners are sowing, working in their greenhouses and generally getting ready for the moment the weather improves enough for them to spend more time outdoors.  We have received many appreciative comments from our customers that we have remained open for them and thanking us for, in their words not mine “being responsible in regards to their safety and our staff safety” with the measures we have put in place.

 

“Even in this cold weather you only have to spend an hour or two outside to know how much better it makes you feel, I am pleased we are able to assist our customers in getting outdoors and hopefully improving their mental wellbeing at such a difficult time.”

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters agreed with Derek Bunkers thoughts: "One of the things constantly at the back of my head is how hard the HTA have worked to keep us open and it’s a bit of a slap in the face for them if we close.   And as Derek suggests some have furloughed their workers simply to reduce losses in a month we would normally lose money anyway.   I also think it weakens the case for getting Welsh and Scottish centres open when English ones have volunteered to close.

 

“I appreciate Covid and how we react is a very individual response and some centres will have been touched with it more than others.   Some centres have been slow to reopen or kept their restaurants closed and it’s those same centres that have chosen to close in January and February.

 

“However its ironic that centres were heaving before Christmas with the potential hazards and now we are empty some choose to close.

 

“The teams at all three of our centres have been very supportive of staying open and inventive in ways of keeping safe at the same time delivering a first rate service.  We have been getting a lot of support on Social media for our measures etc, as well as some “how are you essential?” remarks.

 

“Interestingly one of the reasons we launched our call and collect service last March was because a lot of reptile owners are dependant on us for live and frozen food.   We are essential but not necessarily for the reasons most people think!  However, I do think seeds, plants, fruit bushes and trees, compost are all essential to the hardened gardener and those looking for an activity at home.

 

“Also, if we close we are sacrificing our trade to The Range, B&M, B&Q, Home Bargains etc, not to mention online retailers. 

 

“Fortunately, we have not had crowds descend on us just to spend an hour out of the house, however this is the first weekend so it may test that.

 

“We have split our team at Tamworth and to a degree at Bretby into two so that also helps reduce numbers in store.”

 

Charlie Grove, Groves of Bridport, who's "We Are Here for You" message to his customers has been used widely by other centres gave us his view on the situation: “Personally, I feel that garden centres should be staying open where they can. The HTA and GCA worked hard to get us open in the spring and like it or not we have been classed as an essential retailer, so we have a duty to do our best to remain open in a safe way.  We don’t have a food hall at Groves, but we do offer a large ranges of items that I would deem as truly essential such as pet food, farm supplies and household fuel as well as a traditional range of grow your own and these are all things that our customers rely on us for. I felt more uneasy about staying open during the November lockdown when our focus was Christmas.

 

“Having said that, garden centre offerings vary a lot and we all rely on different footfall drivers such as catering that are not there right now.  If you are in a particularly high COVID case area I completely understand the risk to staff verses the reward of opening just might just be too high. It’s a fine balance and we all have to be able to sleep at night.

 

“To be honest I am constantly reviewing the local situation and if I felt that the cases in our town were rising rapidly or things were becoming tense and unmanageably busy, like it was just before the first lockdown, then I would be prepared to close for the sake of our team but as things stand we have had nothing but positive feedback about staying open.  Customers are coming in for the right reasons in slow but steady numbers (I don’t have much heating in the shop, so they aren’t hanging around!) and it honestly does feel safe and under control in our centre at the moment.”

 

Sam Bosworth, who owns two garden centres in Northamptonshire also echoed Derek Bunkers comments.  “I understand we all have our own reasons for doing things, but HTA and GCA have worked so hard to get this status, it is a shame it is not being supported wholeheartedly, even if this means supported very quietly.  Some areas have bigger Covid problems than others, and our businesses are very different - plant nurseries to virtual department stores - so different approaches are understandable.

 

“It would be a desperate shame to be open now, and then get shut down when we desperately need to be open because we are not considered essential.  In reality, February through to June is when we really are essential to mental health due to our Gardening offering, a few weeks of keeping our heads down now may be essential to keeping us open in Gardening season.

 

“We all need to be stocktaking, putting Christmas stock away and getting gardening out, so it is not too difficult to serve the few customers that are venturing out, and as long as we are not actively seen to be promoting footfall at present, we should be OK.  There is no way anyone can afford to not have staff on site, so even though we may furlough some people, keeping a till open is good for everybody's sanity.”

 

Martin Stewart, Stewarts Garden Centres, adds: "It is impossible to lock the doors of a Garden Centre, walk away and turn off the lights.

 

"Plants need watering, heating needs to be on, deliveries need to be accepted in preparation for the busy spring months ahead, seasonal lines need to be packed away, admin including payroll and bill paying needs to happen. The 31st Jan is our, and many others, end of year so stock takes have to take place.

 

"Suppliers need to continue to move stock from their greenhouses and warehouse.  It cannot be simply ‘put on hold’ until later. Chaos would ensue. We have to be there to accept them. This of all years, with the disruption to the supply chain, is not the year to delay deliveries.

 

"None of the above is any different from operating an online operation except we don’t have people packing in the warehouse! People seem to forget that. Why online is deemed safer I don’t really know.

 

"By putting a till operator on we are able to serve the very few customers who are coming in. We are quiet and will remain so. What a sensible time to get those gardening essentials. Far better now than when we are busier after lockdown.

 

"Any staff that do not wish to be in are willingly furloughed, many others are keen to be in, but we don’t need many. We have so much space to socially distance and those few customers who are coming in for garden supplies are very grateful.

 

"We have so much to offer, we should not have to remind ourselves of the significant benefit of being able to enjoy working outside in your garden preparing for spring.

 

"Clearly it is for each business to decide what is best for them, their staff and customers. But for us, and we are constantly reviewing how we feel about the situation, we are remaining open."

 

GARDENA launches Leaf and Grass Collector

The GARDENA Leaf and Grass Collector collects leaves in record time – quietly, effectively and without putting unnecessary strain on your back...


 

The GARDENA Leaf and Grass Collector collects leaves in record time – quietly, effectively and without putting unnecessary strain on your back.

 

Collecting leaves is one of the most unpopular gardening tasks. It is however, essential for preventing a yellow colour, rot, fungi and moss on the lawn.

 

The new GARDENA Leaf and Grass Collector allows gardeners to maintain a healthy lawn quick and easily, the collector is easy to use and environmentally friendly and reliable.

 

The collector can also easily adapt to the terrain it is being used on. Complete with an ergonomic handle which makes it easy to manoeuvre along the ground.

 

Gardeners can quickly remove any unwanted leaves from larger lawns, paths and driveways using the leaf collector – without the need to bend down.

 

Specially shaped bristles made from high-quality plastic transport the leaves into the large collection bag, which can be easily removed for convenience and effortless emptying.

 

If the brushes become worn, they can quickly and easily be replaced without the need to use any tools.

 

The collector can be easily stowed away in small spaces in an upright position. GARDENA offers a five-year warranty for this new and innovative garden tool.   

 

For more information and to shop, visit: https://www.gardena.com/uk/

The COVID year in numbers
GTN Bestsellers Analysis

Phew what a year that was!  Prior to garden centres closing for the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the All Garden Centre Sales Index, as monitored by GTN Bestsellers from weekly garden centre EPOS data, was running at 3.6% up year on year with indications that, weather permitting, we were heading for an above average year...

 


Phew what a year that was!  Prior to garden centres closing for the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the All Garden Centre Sales Index, as monitored by GTN Bestsellers from weekly garden centre EPOS data, was running at 3.6% up year on year with indications that, weather permitting, we were heading for an above average year.

 

That all changed with seven weeks of closure during Lockdown 1, when nothing was sold in store and by the time garden centres were added to the list of essential retailers and allowed to re-open the year-on-year deficit had soared to 50.7% down.  That meant if sales were only the same as the previous year for the rest of 2020, we would have lost half a year’s business through being closed for seven of the key gardening weeks of the year.

 

As we all now know, the pent-up demand and the increased number of people making good use of their gardens created a spike in sales, which despite social distancing, saw transaction values double, furniture and BBQ’s sold out, and sales ran ahead of last year for 28 consecutive weeks by an average of just over 20% per week.

 

By the end of week 50 the GTN Bestsellers All Products Sales index had recovered to such an extent that volume sales for the year were only 8.9% down on last year.  A truly amazing result that makes everyone so grateful to be a part of this wonderful sector and hugely grateful for all the lobbying and PR work carried out during Lockdown 1 to enable garden centres to re-open ahead of other retail.

 

Read more analysis and see the GTN Bestsellers sales index graphs for 2020 in GTN's December issue below:

 

 

GTN Bestsellers is a weekly subscription service provided by GTN using EPOS data supplied by garden centres.  A year’s subscription to receive the printed newsletter with Top 50 Bestselling Product Charts every week costs just £145.  Full details and a payment link can be found here.  Or e-mail: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk

Flymo's 2021 products raise the bar for innovative gardening equipment

Leading gardening brand Flymo introduces an innovative new range of gardening equipment, enhanced with the latest technology and intuitive features designed to make gardening tasks quicker and easier...


 

Leading gardening brand Flymo introduces an innovative new range of gardening equipment, enhanced with the latest technology and intuitive features designed to make gardening tasks quicker and easier. 

 

Inventors of the convenient and easy to use hover lawnmower, Flymo throughout its 56-year heritage, has consistently remained a trusted UK best-selling household name celebrated for its intelligent lawncare and gardening innovations. The new Flymo 2021 range is equipped with the most up to date technology to make gardening even simpler.

 

Introducing its smallest ever battery powered robotic lawnmower, the EasiLife Go 150, perfect for smaller lawns of up to 150m2 in size. The new fully automatic robotic lawnmower ensures a tidy lawn with zero effort. 

 

Designed to be compact and straightforward to use, the EasiLife Go 150 with cutting heights of 20-50mm, is operated with a user-friendly Push & Go interface and can be fully controlled via a smartphone app. The compact charging station, only 60cm in width, can be placed anywhere in the garden including corners. Gardeners with bigger lawns can also opt for the EasiLife Go 250 or 500 for lawns up to 250m2 and 500m2 in size. 

 

The resourceful smartphone app allows users to schedule mowing times for their EasiLife Go robotic lawnmower, it gives users full access to settings and communicates mower status, next start time, date & time, and battery life. The app also provides helpful on-screen guidance, a blade change reminder and can be used to troubleshoot and access product support. 

 

Mowing lawns is now even faster, more efficient, and quieter than before with EasiLife Go robotic lawnmower. Flymo’s PassageSense feature navigates the robotic lawnmowers route around the garden with a controlled frequency to ensure it mows every corner, even on lawns with up to 25% slopes. A guide wire system and remote start points guides navigation in a random path around the lawn to give a neat and tidy finish that leaves no trace marks. Equipped with Flymo’s LawnSense and FrostSense functions, the EasiLife Go 150 automatically adapts to weather conditions to prevent lawn damage.  

Adding to Flymo’s series of hover lawnmowers is the brand new SimpliGlide 300. Equipped with a 30cm long-life metal blade, this new electric non-collect hover lawnmower boasts an even more powerful 1700W motor. 

 

The original lawnmower of convenience, the hover lawnmower floats on a cushion of air while cutting grass, making it a popular choice as it is extremely easy to manoeuvre. Geared towards use on smaller lawns with complexities and difficulties, such as irregular edges and slopes, the SimpliGlide 300 hover lawnmower is lightweight and super agile to use on even the most difficult terrain.

 

For limited storage space, the SimpliGlide 300 has fully foldable dual-lever handles and can also be wall-mounted. The SimpliGlide 330 complete with a 33cm metal blade and SimpliGlide 360 with a 36cm blade are alternatives for bigger lawns. 

 

Available in three variations with up to a 36cm wide cutting deck, the new EasiGlide 300 collect lawnmower is also a practical choice if storage space is limited and the ambidextrous dual lever handles ensure comfortable manoeuvring for both left and right-handed users. 

Ideal for small to medium gardens, EasiGlide 300 has a 20-litre grass box that collects and compacts grass whilst mowing. This new corded 1700W electric hover lawnmower, has a long life metal blade, convenient cable storage and easily folds down for wall mounting. 

 

Alternatively, opt for the EasiGlide 300V for all the advantages of the EasiGlide 300 but with the added extra of a vision window to show when it is time to empty the grass box. The EasiGlide 300V can also be folded down and wall mounted for hassle-free storage.

 

Already assembled and ready to use out of the box, the inventive EasiGlide Plus 300V comes with a 20-litre single hand lift grass box for easy emptying and an extra-large vision window. An attractive choice for those with limited storage space, the electric hover lawnmower folds vertically offering a space saving solution. The other two variations of EasiGlide are EasiGlide Plus 330V and EasiGlide Plus 360V.

 

Since 1964 Flymo has created products which have revolutionised the gardening process to make it faster and less complicated. Flymo’s expertise is not limited to lawnmowers but also encompasses other garden equipment designed to save time and make completing outdoor tasks a breeze. 

 

For swift and undemanding cleaning around the home and garden, Flymo presents its new handheld EasiClean Li, a lithium ion battery pressure washer with interchangeable nozzles to adjust the water pressure level as needed. The EasiClean Li has a six-metre hose, a long and short lance included as well as three different nozzle attachments. An LED display shows the status of the 18V battery which can run for up to 24 minutes and only requires 180 minutes charging time. 

 

EasiClean Li Plus incorporates all the features of the EasiClean Li with extras such as a 20-litre water container, foam dispenser, battery and charger included.  

 

 

Team Smart’s Sue Sharp retires

 

After working 32 years in the garden industry – including 21 of them at Gardman and six at Smart Garden Products – Sue Sharp is retiring...


After working 32 years in the garden industry – including 21 of them at Gardman and six at Smart Garden Products – Sue Sharp is retiring.

 

“What a fabulous industry the gardening Industry has been to work in,” said Sue.  “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunities that have come my way throughout the years. There have been challenges of course but that has been what has made the experience so rewarding.  It has been like a large family and I have made so many lasting friends in the industry over those years.”

 

This is not the first time that Sue has retired. “I originally retired from Gardman in Autumn 2013 only to join Smart Garden Products in January 2014 which was initially for a year. Working with Paris Natar again – together with some previous and new colleagues as part of the Smart team – has been fantastic.

 

“I am proud to have been part of Team Smart whilst it has been so actively growing the business.

 

“Over the past few years it has never seemed the right time to retire and leave – there has always been another challenge and something else to be done. I have really enjoyed helping all the customers to grow their businesses and although I am sad to leave, as with everything there does come a time to say goodbye.

 

“I do want to thank all the garden centre customers I have been working closely with, for all their support over the years, and wish them together with Smart Garden Products all the very best of luck for the future. 

 

“In the meantime I am hoping for a little more leisurely time to spend with my family and longer term, to support my hobby of travel just as soon as it is safe to do so.”

 
Boyd's 'no cake and chocolate' pledge takes him into the top 10% of New Year fundraisers

 

HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies, has decided to give up chocolate and cake to raise money for Greenfinders charity...and he's already causing a stir with justgiving.com putting his effort into the top 10% of New Year fundraisers...


HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies, has decided to give up chocolate and cake to raise money for Greenfinders charity...and he's already causing a stir with justgiving.com putting his effort into the top 10% of New Year fundraisers.

 

Boyd’s chocolate and cake fast is set to last a whole year and follows on from his 2020 year with no chocolate.

 

“If I get to £1,830 that will be £5 per day of no chocolate. I decided to add cake to the challenge this year so now it is 365 days of no chocolate or cake,” said Boyd.

 

“Who knew that NOT doing something could raise so much money.”

 

If you'd like to donate to Boyd's fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/boyddouglasdavies4

 

Meanwhile, Natalie Porter has been doing her own fundraising activity for Greenfingers and Perennial. She had the “Most Jumperful Time of the Year”, saying: “Each day of advent I wore a different Christmas jumper,” and so far has raised £2,185.

 

To help Natalie reach her £2,500 target you can donate at https://themostjumperful.co.uk/

The GTN Xtra Top 100 Most Read Stories of 2020

During 2020 we've sent out 391,634 GTN Xtra e-mails that have been read by 29,777 unique readers.  The e-mail newsletter and each issues website has been opened 472,682 times during the year and 847,981 pages viewed...


During 2020 we've sent out 391,634 GTN Xtra e-mails that have been read by 29,777 unique readers.  The e-mail newsletter and each issues website has been opened 472,682 times during the year and 847,981 pages viewed.

 

From all that activity, here are the Top 100 Most Read Stories of the year.  The Top 5 are re-published in this year-end newsletter and the rest can be accessed via the links below or by searching the GTN Xtra Archive here.

 

Thank you for all your reading during the year, and your news items, for which we are extremely grateful.

 

Happy New Year for all of the team at GTN.  After such a traumatic year, let’s hope 2021 is a prosperous year for UK garden centres!

 

Ranking

Story

1

Garden Centres close their doors "We want to be part of stopping the spread of Coronavirus" - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2020

2

Trading update from this weekend - UPDATED - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2020

3

Garden centres in England and Scotland can stay open - now is the time to review Covid-19 safety  - GTN Xtra - Issue 43 2020

4

Exeter garden centre stays open but cannot sell plants - Cherry Lane close all centres - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2020

5

Dobbies remain open and social media gets heated - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2020

6

After the quietest Easter ever, how are you and your team? - GTN Xtra - Issue 15 2020

7

Green light for garden centres to re-open on Wednesday in England - UPDATED - Comment from James Barnes at HTA and Alan Titchmarsh MBE - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

8

Man dies at Westland factory in Dungannon - GTN Xtra - Issue 23 2020

9

How are suppliers faring during lockdown - Westland, Smart, Evergreen Garden Care and others are getting ready for re-opening of garden centres - GTN Xtra - Issue 16 2020

10

Rising to the Challenge - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2020

11

Garden centre re-opening gains high attention - GTN Xtra - Issue 17 2020

12

Garden Centres back on the right track - UPDATED - New comment from Barton Grange, Newbank, Langlands and Green Pastures - GTN Xtra - Issue 20 2020

13

St Peters staff in tears after council serves Prohibition Notice - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

14

Wales - Monday, England - Wednesday or June 1st?, Scotland and Northern Ireland? - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

15

LOFA reports severe disruption at UKs three main container ports  - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

16

Mixed plans for garden centre catering re-openings - UPDATED - GTN Xtra - Issue 25 2020

17

Online garden centre retailer apologises to dissatisfied customers - GTN Xtra - Issue 30 2020

18

Safe Trading Guidance for all garden centres published by HTA - GTN Xtra - Issue 17 2020

19

Suttons Seeds acquired by T&M - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

20

First UK visitors to Kaemingk showroom after lockdown - GTN Xtra - Issue 28 2020

21

Monty Don makes headlines slamming garden centres - GTN Xtra - Issue 42 2020

22

Haskins are buying Forest Lodge Garden Centre - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

23

Lockdown 2 leaves garden centre car parks empty after record sales for October - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

24

Pictures from GCA Conference themed-party night - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

25

Getting ready for business - feedback from Coolings, Planters, The Gardens Group, Blue Diamond, Green Pastures, Fron Goch and more - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

26

100% Business Rates Reliefs for Garden Centres Confirmed - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2020

27

Horticultural Sector Worth £1.4 Billion Could Be Wiped Out By Coronavirus Shut Down In Just Weeks - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2020

28

"I just don't get how gardening is deemed non-essential then certain supermarkets put big banners with get ready for spring," more post Easter feedback - GTN Xtra - Issue 15 2020

29

Johnsons of Boston Food Hall open today despite major fire in garden centre yesterday - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2020

30

Kaemingk to open UK showroom - GTN Xtra - Issue 43 2020

31

British Garden Centres make it 58 with acquisition of Thatcham - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2020

32

Not your average garden centre - Dobbies launch Christmas Ad Campaign - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

33

Klondyke Group acquire Garden Wise Plant and Garden Centre, Dumfries - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

34

"Open For Business: Lessons Learned from Lockdown and The First Week of Trading" webinar today at 5:00pm - GTN Xtra - Issue 20 2020

35

Pop up Veg shops - Garden Centres help ease pressure on buying fresh food - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2020

36

Marlows , Bury St Edmunds, to close due to Coronavirus trading conditions - GTN Xtra - Issue 23 2020

37

Calling all businesses in garden retailing to sign HTA/RHS/NFU petition - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2020

38

It’s a sell out! - GTN Xtra - Issue 22 2020

39

Garden centres receive top awards at GCA conference - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

40

Dobbies close their centres this morning - GTN Xtra - Issue 12 2020

41

Blue Diamond report £14.4m profit from 42% increased sales of £181.6m - GTN Xtra - Issue 24 2020

42

FREE E-commerce Web Site for Garden Centres - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2020

43

Dobbies’ Swansea reopened - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

44

Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks up for sale - GTN Xtra - Issue 37 2020

45

“Stay Alert” - make sure your customers and staff have a safe and enjoyable garden centre experience - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

46

Year on year sales deficit halved in four weeks - GTN Xtra - Issue 23 2020

47

Blue Diamond Awards Shine Brightly - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2020

48

"Every single thing we do is driven at the moment by trying to manage the risk to customers and staff" - GTN Xtra - Issue 47 2020

49

Celebrity joins fight to prevent garden centre closure - GTN Xtra - Issue 8 2020

50

Spring Fair to be replaced by "Spring Fair @Home" on the Spring Fair website - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

51

It’s like Christmas, only bigger! - GTN Xtra - Issue 22 2020

52

British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham - GTN Xtra - Issue 43 2020

53

A Perfect Storm Hits the Garden Market - GTN Xtra - Issue 46 2020

54

Tackling the big garden industry issue: growing media and peat...what happens next? - GTN Xtra - Issue 9 2020

55

For sale - A long Established Garden Centre Business - GTN Xtra - Issue 13 2020

56

The lockdown gardeners – who are they and how do we keep them? - GTN Xtra - Issue 40 2020

57

Barton Grange and Fron Goch win top GCA Awards - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

58

Glee and Pawexpo 2020 at the NEC will not take place this year - GTN Xtra - Issue 25 2020

59

Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour - GTN Xtra - Issue 45 2020

60

Winnersh Garden Centre partly re-opens after floods - GTN Xtra - Issue 8 2020

61

Pughs cancel their award winning Christmas Grotto for 2020 - GTN Xtra - Issue 28 2020

62

We need centres re-opened, says Sun legend Peter Seabrook - GTN Xtra - Issue 18 2020

63

Dobbies sign up on new site that will be the biggest Dobbies in the South West - GTN Xtra - Issue 22 2020

64

Tributes for Ernest Wertheim, the original Garden Centre Guru - GTN Xtra - Issue 31 2020

65

Hayes Garden World announce sad passing of Elizabeth Hayes - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2020

66

Analogue survival for garden centres in a digital world - GTN Xtra - Issue 16 2020

67

Fire at Millbrook Gravesend destroys compost and furniture - GTN Xtra - Issue 22 2020

68

Neil and Nicci Gow to close Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre - GTN Xtra - Issue 26 2020

69

Dobbies Christmas trading up by 44% - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2020

70

Container issues continue to escalate at UK ports - watch ITV News Video featuring Steven Potter at Glencrest  - GTN Xtra - Issue 48 2020

71

Alver Valley Garden Centre gets green light - GTN Xtra - Issue 48 2020

72

Garden Centre sales reach record levels 2 weeks after re-opening - GTN Xtra - Issue 21 2020

73

Royal visit sends garden centre media coverage into the stratosphere - GTN Xtra - Issue 24 2020

74

AMES has ambitious targets in 2020  - GTN Xtra - Issue 4 2020

75

New Investors and re-structure at Fountasia - GTN Xtra - Issue 27 2020

76

Orderly queues form as garden centres in England re-open - GTN Xtra - Issue 19 2020

77

How lucky we are! - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2020

78

"New Gardeners", how are garden centres reacting to them, or not... - GTN Xtra - Issue 41 2020

79

John Lewis looks to expand into horticulture - GTN Xtra - Issue 31 2020

80

Great start to the New Year, reports GTN Bestsellers - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2020

81

Caulders buys Loch Lomond Homes & Gardens - GTN Xtra - Issue 3 2020

82

Customers saddened by garden centre closure - GTN Xtra - Issue 33 2020

83

Sustainability - Doing nothing is dangerous - GTN Xtra - Issue 6 2020

84

Anything and everything being purchased for the garden - GTN Xtra - Issue 24 2020

85

Garden Centre Opportunities..from around the world - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2020

86

New benchmark for summer sales - GTN Xtra - Issue 30 2020

87

Perrywood plan for major re-development at Sudbury - GTN Xtra - Issue 36 2020

88

Is selling online the future for garden centres? - GTN Xtra - Issue 48 2020

89

Garden centre sales increase despite all other retail re-opening - GTN Xtra - Issue 24 2020

90

Rosebourne appoint Carol Paris as Chief Executive - GTN Xtra - Issue 17 2020

91

Best year on record for garden centre volume sales - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2020

92

Bird food company fined £50k over accident that led to finger amputations - GTN Xtra - Issue 2 2020

93

When it rains... sales fall.  Garden centre business as normal... - GTN Xtra - Issue 40 2020

94

Face covers are bestsellers in advance of becoming compulsory - GTN Xtra - Issue 27 2020

95

Horticulture hits the national and local headlines - GTN Xtra - Issue 14 2020

96

Lockdown 2 hits sales, but volumes still ahead of last year - GTN Xtra - Issue 44 2020

97

Garden centre and nursery faces uncertain future - GTN Xtra - Issue 35 2020

98

Open For Business: Lessons Learned from Lockdown and The First Week of Trading. Watch the webinar replay now - GTN Xtra - Issue 21 2020

99

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020 is a FUNdraising success - GTN Xtra - Issue 11 2020

100

Plans to build 200 homes on garden centre site rejected - GTN Xtra - Issue 7 2020

 
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Final call for scholarship applications

With just three weeks left to apply for a scholarship, the David Colegrave Foundation is urging students to take advantage of available funding...


With just three weeks left to apply for a scholarship, the David Colegrave Foundation is urging students to take advantage of available funding.

 

DCF has awarded almost £100,000 over the last ten years towards study tours, work placements, college tuition, accommodation fees, books, equipment, and extra training courses.

 

This year there are seven fantastic scholarships to apply for. These include:

  • British Protected Ornamentals Association – Peter Seabrook Bursary – £1,000 – for students studying commercial horticulture. The scholarship is also available to schools and horticultural colleges to finance trips for students over 16 years of age to leading commercial horticultural establishments.
  • HortTech Award – £5,000 – for students who can show a keen interest in HortTech, academics who are actively engaged in the teaching and/or development of horticultural technologies, or individuals working in this field who are looking for funding to start to develop, or further their existing work on, a bright idea.
  • John Gibson Environmental Scholarship – £1,500 – for students who have demonstrated a keen interest in environmental solutions and sustainable applications as applied to commercial horticulture.
  • Horticultural Research Scholarship – £2,500 – for students with proven merit who are keen to pursue a research career in the horticultural industry. This includes undergraduates, postgraduates and those studying for doctoral degrees.
  • Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship – £1,500 – for an employee in the early stages of their career at a commercial bedding plant nursery, or a student studying horticulture with an interest in commercial bedding plants and travel.
  • Markham – Colegrave International Scholarship Award – $4,500 USD – for current or recent horticultural students.
  • Student Scholarship – £1,000 – for any students studying horticulture. Preference will however be given to candidates who have an interest in commercial and production ornamental horticulture, especially with an emphasis on the bedding, container, pot plant and cut flower sectors.

Colleges are urged to get involved and encourage their horticulture students to apply.

 

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 31 January 2020.

 

To apply, visit www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk

 
Order your Begonias from Ball Colegrave now

Tuberous Begonias are the first Summer bedding plant Ball Colegrave sow for plug deliveries in the Spring. The company is now currently sowing for deliveries in April...


Tuberous Begonias are the first Summer bedding plant Ball Colegrave sow for plug deliveries in the Spring. The company is now currently sowing for deliveries in April.

 

You can then rest in the confidence that your Tuberous Begonia plugs are sown, growing and programmed to be delivered on the week you need them most. 

 

All the high quality Ball 84 Tuberous Begonia plugs are supplied with a high impact, 4-inch (10cm) colour label to make your pots really stand out well at retail. 

 

Your labels will arrive with your plug delivery, so everything is in one place ready for potting! 

 

Top Sellers:

  • Upright - Nonstop®, Fortune, OnTop, Majestic
  • Trailing - Illumination®
  • Trailing (boliviensis types) - Starshine and Funky

CLICK HERE to see the full and extensive range of seed-raised and cutting-raised Begonia plugs from Ball Colegrave. 

 

To order your Begonia seed and plugs, dont forget you can do this online via WebTrack™, or contact your Account Manager or the customer services team on info@ballcolegrave.com

 

 
Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey) to postpone opening by eight months

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and Expo 2021 Hatay have agreed upon 10 December 2021 to 30 May 2022 as the new dates for their AIPH-approved International Horticultural Exhibition.,,


The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and Expo 2021 Hatay have agreed upon 10 December 2021 to 30 May 2022 as the new dates for their AIPH-approved International Horticultural Exhibition.

 

The postponement from early spring to later this year has become necessary due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on planning and preparations.

 

Expo 2021 Hatay will be hosted across two sites in Antakya and Iskenderun and the organisers expect to attract over two million visitors. Hatay Metropolitan Municipality will continue its hard work organising the event to stimulate city greening and sustainable development for the Hatay region and the local economy. 

 

Commenting on the date change, AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe says, "It is very important that the host cities of Expo prioritise the health and safety of national and international participants and visitors, and we commend the organisers' priority in this matter."

 

The Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality of Hatay, Dr Lütfü Savaş, explains, "The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted everyday life all over the world, including our region. We will turn this delay into an opportunity and use the time until opening to ensure security and safety for visitors and turn Hatay into a successful festival. We thank AIPH for its cooperation and assistance in this process."

 

Expo 2021 Hatay will last six months. As an AIPH approved International Horticulture Exhibition (B Category), it will enable cooperation and information sharing to address essential issues such as healthy lifestyles, green cities, sustainable living, education, and innovation. 

 

This event's participants and exhibitors include Turkish and international cities, cooperatives, universities, private companies, and non-governmental organisations. They will prepare gardens and pavilions promoting a better future under the subthemes of "Sustainable Development and Organic Agriculture", "Good Food for a Good Life", "Medicinal and Aromatic Herbs for Health" and "Creative Roads on Cultural Brotherhood".

 

For further information visit www.expo2021hatay.com.

 
Gardeningexpress.co.uk owner closes garden centre during lockdown 3

Chris Bonnett, who runs gardeningexpress.co.uk and Bonnetts Garden Village in Brentwood, has voluntarily taken the decision to shut his doors to keep staff and customers safe as the new strain of Covid-19 takes hold...


Chris Bonnett, who runs gardeningexpress.co.uk and Bonnetts Garden Village in Brentwood, has voluntarily taken the decision to shut his doors to keep staff and customers safe as the new strain of Covid-19 takes hold.

 

In a press release issued last week he said he believes garden centres should only open if they’re selling essentials like pet food and fuel and if they’re not, they should be forced to shut.

 

Chris, who also runs GardeningExpress.co.uk says now is a good time for the industry to go into winter hibernation ready to reopen to the public safely when restrictions are eased.

 

And while his garden centre is closed, he’s offering it to the Government for use as a vaccination hub or a drive-in testing centre.

 

 

 
Launch of The New Heirloom Garden book

Author and garden lecturer Ellen Ecker Ogden was inspired to preserve the diversity of plants that are slipping away after learning that we have lost over 85% of the plant world in the last century to extinction...


Heirlooms are more than just delicious ingredients or beautiful flowers--their seeds offer us a connection with the earth, and each one tells a story.

 

Author and garden lecturer Ellen Ecker Ogden was inspired to preserve the diversity of plants that are slipping away after learning that we have lost over 85% of the plant world in the last century to extinction.

In The New Heirloom Garden, Ogden inspires us with a history of seed saving in this country, then guides gardeners of all levels to create their own heirloom gardens with tangible gardening tips, twelve themed garden designs, and detailed resources.

 

The first half of the book shares specific garden plans, plant keys with descriptions, plant and seed wish lists, interviews with gardening experts, and even tips and tricks to handle your own local weather.

 

The second half of the book contains 55 recipes for delicious entrees, sides, drinks, and desserts that can be made from each vegetable, fruit, and flower grown in your garden.

 

Readers will delight in making Fennel and Watermelon Salad, Cucumber Summer Soup, Fire Cider, and Winter Squash Pie. It's a book designed for readers to bring to their local supply store, take outside into the garden, and then enjoy in the kitchen.

 

Ellen Ecker Ogden is a Vermont writer and the author of The Complete Kitchen Garden and other books on food and gardens. She cofounded The Cook's Garden seed catalog, introducing cooks and gardeners to European specialty vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
We're Here For You

Groves Garden Centre in Bridport has published the following very well worded e-mail to it's customers explaining why they are open during Lockdown 3:

 

"We are privileged to be able to remain open during the January 2021 lockdown. Garden centres have been classed as an essential shop, and this is not a responsibility we have taken lightly..."


Groves Garden Centre in Bridport has published the following very well worded e-mail to it's customers explaining why they are open during Lockdown 3:

 

Serving our local community

We are privileged to be able to remain open during the January 2021 lockdown.

Garden centres have been classed as an essential shop, and this is not a responsibility we have taken lightly.  Our aim is to provide the safest possible shopping environment for our wonderful customers and fabulous team during this difficult time. January is a quiet time in the garden centre anyway so there will always be plenty of space for you to shop safely.

Please ensure that you follow our guidelines when visiting 

    • We ask that you sanitise your hands before entering and that you wear a face covering at all times.
    • Please keep your distance from us and each other.
    • Please only handle goods you intend to buy.
    • Please pay by debit/credit card and where possible use the contactless facility.  There is a £45 limit for cards and a £500 limit for iPhone/Android pay.
    • Please step back from the tills to give our till operators the distance to be able to scan your items safely.

In these difficult times remember that gardening is great for the soul, body and mind. Even in bad weather, seasonal houseplants and patio containers are wonderful to brighten up your home.   

January and February are great months to take stock and plan your garden for the season ahead.  We have seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots and all of the vegetable seeds you need for you to grow your own food this year.

We also offer an extensive rage of pet and farm foodwild bird food as well as household fuel such as logs and coal.

As we are all required to spend more time at home, we hope you will find your garden remains a relaxing place of calm and well-being and a good source of exercise for the body and mind.  If you are able to visit us, we will make sure our garden centre is a safe place to shop during lockdown.

We understand that some might not be comfortable visiting so please remember that we also offer a home delivery and click and collect service.  You can order items online or by telephone, 01308 422654 and both of these can be completely contact free.

    • Groves Nurseries in Bridport will be open 8am until 5pm Monday until Saturday 10am until 4pm Sunday.
    • Little Groves is closed for its annual winter break and will reopen on the 1st February
    • Ivy House & The Cabin are closed until the lifting of COVID restrictions allow us to reopen.

Stay safe and look after each other
Charlie, Becky, Clive, Di and the whole of the Groves Team xxx

 

A few garden centres have taken the opportunity to close all or part of their centre for the rest of January:

  • Coolings are closing all 4 centres with just a delivery service in operation,  Their Green & Pleasant Centre is being re-furbished during this period.
  • Baytree have closed all but their Planteria, Farm Shop and Pet department but are running a full click & collect and delivery service.

 

Meanwhile the HTA and GCA have issued the following statement this afternoon:

 

“We support all efforts to contain and eliminate this virus. We recognise that it is unsettling times for the industry, staff and customers. Garden centres offer so many real benefits to people wrestling with the impact of this pandemic. We have seen from the huge interest in gardening since the last lockdown how engaged consumers are with gardening – this carried on in to the winter months.

 

"Gardening provides mental and physical health benefits, garden centres being open supports British growers and local communities and keeps people at home with something to do. First class social distancing measures are in place in light and airy environments.

 

"We will continue to make the case to Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for garden centres to be reopened at the earliest opportunity”.

 

 
Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh

Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, which returned to screens on January 3...


 

Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, which returned to screens on January 3.

 

Set in the heart of Hampshire, the legendary horticulturist, presenter and author will celebrate all that is great about the British countryside, art, crafts, manufacturing and produce. In this new series, Alan will be chatting to celebrity guests as well as wildlife, craft and sustainability experts who will be sharing their top tips on how to make the most of our outside spaces no matter how big or small.

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “‘Love Your Weekend’ is the perfect partner for Dobbies. The feel good, upbeat tone of the show is a natural fit with our brand positioning, which is all about encouraging people to get involved with gardening, from beginners to professionals, and enjoying the very best of Britain’s gardens and green spaces.”

 

The sponsorship will see a series of five, 10 and 15 second Dobbies’ bumper ads throughout the series of 10, 120-minute episodes. The brand will also appear across the programme’s website, social media and on-air credits. 

 

‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’ will be broadcast on ITV and STV from 3 January 2021.

 

The partnership coincides with Dobbies’ recent brand positioning as ‘not your average garden centre’ and the launch of Dobbies’ first ever Garden Colour of the Year.

 

For more info visit dobbies.com

 
Millbrook plans for the future of Crowborough centre

The Millbrook Garden Company says it has no immediate plans to close its Crowborough centre in East Sussex despite submitting a planning application to build 33 homes on the site...


The Millbrook Garden Company says it has no immediate plans to close its Crowborough centre in East Sussex despite submitting a planning application to build 33 homes on the site.

 

Managing director Tam Woodhouse told GTN Xtra: “We have we submitted a planning application for Crowborough, this is in the public domain and all the staff have been aware of this for some time. 

 

“We have no immediate plans to close the site but in the longer term it is something we have to consider. 

 

“We would focus our attention on Gravesend and Staplehurst as both centres have the potential to grow in the future, particularly Staplehurst where we have plenty of space and the opportunity to develop. 

 

“We are very much continuing to invest in the rest of the business; in fact we are re-flooring Staplehurst at the moment to make sure we are ready for Spring!”

 

Crowborough Town Council has given its backing to Millbrook's application for outline planning permission for the site in Tubwell Lane.

 

The plan would involve the demolition of the garden centre and the building of 33 houses, 12 of which would be affordable homes.  

 
Boyd gives up chocolate and cake for a whole year

HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies, has decided to give up chocolate and cake to raise money for Greenfinders charity...


HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies, has decided to give up chocolate and cake to raise money for Greenfinders charity.

 

Boyd’s chocolate and cake fast is set to last a whole year and follows on from his 2020 year with no chocolate.

 

“If I get to £1,830 that will be £5 per day of no chocolate. I decided to add cake to the challenge this year so now it is 365 days of no chocolate or cake,” said Boyd.

 

“Who knew that NOT doing something could raise so much money.”

 

If you'd like to donate to Boyd's fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/boyddouglasdavies4

 

Meanwhile, Natalie Porter has been doing her own fundraising activity for Greenfingers and Perennial. She had the “Most Jumperful Time of the Year”, saying: “Each day of advent I wore a different Christmas jumper,” and so far has raised £2,185.

 

To help Natalie reach her £2,500 target you can donate at https://themostjumperful.co.uk/

 
Bursting fish tank averts aquatic shop blaze

A ‘catastrophic’ fire at an aquatic shop was prevented when water from a bursting fish tank doused some of the flames...


A ‘catastrophic’ fire at an aquatic shop was prevented when water from a bursting fish tank doused some of the flames.

 

The fire started at Maidenhead Aquatics in Hawley Garden Centre near Dartford, Kent, on New Year’s Eve.

 

Staff were unaware of the blaze when they returned to work after the Bank Holiday but found the centre covered in soot and residue. It’s believed the fire started because of an electrical fault behind a fish tank.

 

Garden centre director Jan East told Kent Online a tank had burst, helping to douse the flames.

 

She said that a couple of fish were lost but she was thankful the outcome hadn’t been ‘catastrophic’.

 
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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

 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Sneak preview of Perrywoods Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Perrywoods Christmas Awards Entry Photo Tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of Perrywoods photo tour entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020, including the vital ingredient for all entries, team photos. See the gallery of photos below.  Apologies for the wrong photos being included in yesterdays edition.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards so get snapping and enter today.  Full details can be found here.

 

 
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened...


See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened.

 

The centre had been handed back to the landlords during the Wyevale Garden Centres sale of the century in and closed in September 2019 as the owners looked for a new leaseholder.  British Garden Centres took on the site in September 2020 and since then have refreshed the centre, enclosing a walkway at the Restaurant end to allow for extra covers, extending the covered sales area out into the planteria and hard surfacing the overflow car parking area which was previously a field.

 

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre below:

 

 
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.


In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

 

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

 

 
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Sneak preview of Squires Badshot Lea Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Squires Bashot Lea's Christmas Awards entry photo tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of the photo tour submitted by Squires at Badshot Lea as part of their entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 so get snapping and enter your garden centre team today!

 

Full details are here.

 

 
 
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 newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird & Wildlife Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for last 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 for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Pet firm buys Ocado's Fetch brand

Paws Holdings Ltd (PAWS), the online dog and cat wellbeing business operating in the UK and Continental Europe under the Pet-Supermarket.co.uk, PetMeds.co.uk and Medicanimal.com brands, announced the acquisition of a further brand, Fetch, which is currently owned by Ocado Retail....


 

Paws Holdings Ltd (PAWS), the online dog and cat wellbeing business operating in the UK and Continental Europe under the Pet-Supermarket.co.uk, PetMeds.co.uk and Medicanimal.com brands, announced the acquisition of a further brand, fetch.co.uk (FETCH), which is currently owned by Ocado Retail.

 

This acquisition represents a significant step in PAWS’ strategy to become the number one dog and cat wellbeing business within the very resilient and growing sector of pet parenting.

 

The recent pandemic has caused a significant shift in consumer spending from the high street to online providers across retail, and the pet market is no exception. PAWS believe that consumer spend that has shifted online will remain online, even after the pandemic has ended because customers will have become accustomed to the range of choice, the convenience of home delivery, and the authority and specialism that sites such as those operated by PAWS can offer.

 

The FETCH acquisition will mean that PAWS will become a significant player in the European online market for cat and dog owners, who currently spend over €41 billion per year on caring for their pets. PAWS will have in the region of 500,000 customers with a combined pro forma turnover in excess of £55m.

 

The terms of the acquisition are being kept confidential.

 

Commenting on this announcement Graham Coxell, Chairman of Paws Holdings Ltd (pictured above), said:

“Given the last year, it has become more obvious than ever the positive role that our pets play in supporting our wellbeing. The UK in particular is known to be a nation of dog and cat lovers, and we know that our customers are looking for a friendly, well-informed online community that will allow them to offer the best nutrition, healthcare and advice they can find. By bringing FETCH into the PAWS family we will become a business of sufficient scale to disrupt a market that is currently dominated by players who are only interested in shifting as much food as profitably as possible, regardless of whether this is the best food for the dog or cat that it is being bought for. We think our customers, who see their pets as part of their families, want and deserve more than that. As pet lovers ourselves, we are delighted to be embarking upon this journey, now with FETCH, to provide what will become the most personalised dog and cat parenting ‘best friend for life’ support.”

 

Commenting on this announcement Mel Smith, CEO of Ocado Retail Ltd said:

“While today’s announcement marks the end of our involvement with Fetch, a part of Ocado since 2014, we are delighted it is joining the PAWS family. We believe they will be the best long-term owner of Fetch and are impressed by the scale of ambition at PAWS as it seeks to scale its business. I would like to personally thank all our Fetch colleagues for their hard work and commitment over the years and wish them all the best for the future.”

Pet Brands releases boredom-busting range of games

Pet Brands has released a boredom-busting range of bamboozling brain games for dogs of all abilities, meeting the increasing demand for great pet enrichment options. IQuties have been developed in eight fun styles with three levels of difficulty, to harness a variety of food-motivated problem-solving skills, at an ideal price-point for gifting...


 

Pet Brands has released a boredom-busting range of bamboozling brain games for dogs of all abilities, meeting the increasing demand for great pet enrichment options. IQuties have been developed in eight fun styles with three levels of difficulty, to harness a variety of food-motivated problem-solving skills, at an ideal price-point for gifting. 

 

The range also presents the perfect opportunity to promote customer interaction. Stockists can challenge dog owners to post videos of their puzzle-solving pets on social media, tagging their local pet store.

 

Dogs display two types of intelligence, instinctive and adaptive, with the IQuties toys catering for both. Instinctive IQ refers to innate skills and behaviours, such as sniffing out kibble, whereas adaptive IQ includes an aptitude to problem-solve and learn. Engaging both forms of intelligence is brilliant for mental stimulation, helping to encourage active learning and training.

 

Rachel Barrass, Product Developer at Pet Brands explains the importance: ‘There is often a focus on pets’ physical health, but promoting mental health is also essential. This includes ensuring pets’ brains are being sufficiently challenged to avoid boredom and associated attention-seeking behaviours.’ 

 

The IQuties range has options suitable for dogs of all ages. Brain games are ideal for use in older or injured pets that have become less physically active. Rachel says: ‘By engaging your pet’s problem-solving skills, you can distract them from pain and reduced access to exercise. Plus, cognitive tasks can help to delay progression of the canine version of dementia*. IQuties are also handy for overweight or inactive pets as they can be used for regular meals to increase feeding time, which can help with weight loss.’

 

IQuties are brilliant for younger dogs too, and can increase confidence in puppies through encouraging independent play. This is set to be particularly important for the generation of lockdown pets which is predicted to experience greater levels of anxiety. Rachel adds: ‘Encouraging pets to entertain themselves, when supervised, can help prepare pups for spending more time by themselves.’

 

Beginner puzzlers will love the challenges such as Paw Hide – a colourful and attractive option to play and learn. While more experienced doggy detectives can try their paw at the advanced selection such as Twist and Flip which incorporates sequential steps to unlock the treats inside. 

 

The puzzles are boxed making them ideal for gifting and mail order.

 

IQuties are available exclusively from wholesaler Vital Pet Group. RRP £9.99 - £15. A helpful planogram is available, with two suggested displays depending on space.