Garden Style becomes the third garden centre in the Langlands group. Along with the original and larger site at Shiptonthorpe, York, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last summer, Langlands also has a second store at Whinmoor Leeds purchased in 2009.

Langlands Loxley, formally Garden Style at Rhinegold Garden Centre, is sited on the North/West of Sheffield on the edge of the Peak District National Park, making it the most scenic garden centre of the group with stunning views from anywhere you stand in the outside plant area.

Langlands director James Ducker said: “This is an exciting time for us, and work on site is already underway to bring the quality and exceptional service to Sheffield that makes us one of Yorkshire’s leading garden centre shopping attractions.

"We are delight to welcome Diane the centre manager and her team of 20 plus staff into the Langlands family."

The centre boasts a large amount of specimen plants growing in the grounds, including many unusual varieties that can be seen in full splendour while picking your way through a network of paths.

Former owners Pat and Kerry Brears, who have owned the garden centre for nine years were sad to hand over the business but have not gone too far away to continue and concentrate on their landscape and garden design company from a site just behind the centre.

The full results North Thames at Perrywood, on Monday  (in the order they were announced)

Best Customer Service

3: Perrywood

2: Poplars

1: Burston

Best Garden Products Retailer - Garden Centre

3: Squires Windsor

2: Thetford

1: Squires shepperton

Garden Products Retailer – Destination Centre

3: Burston

2: Aylett Nurseries

1: Poplars

Creativity and Innovation award

3: Burston

2: Perrywood

1: Squires Twickenham (below)

Most improved centres

3: Van Hage Chenies

2: Notcutts Oxford

1: Hilltop

Environment and Community Award

3: Squires Twickenham

2: Poplars

1: Burston

Best Plant Area - Garden Centre

3: Meadowcroft

2: Squire Stanmore

1: Sunshine

Best Plant Area - Destination Centre

3: Perrywood

2: Burston

1: Squires Twickenham

Outdoor Leisure - Garden Centres

2=  Squires Shepperton

2= Squires  Stanmore

1: Sunshine

Outdoor Leisure - Destination Centres

2= Poplars

2= Perrywood

1: Van Hage Great Amwell

Best Restaurant - Garden Centre

3: Hilltop

2: Squires Shepperton

1: Thurrock

Best Restaurant – Destination Centre

3: Burston

2: Perrywood

1: Frosts Woburn Sands

Indoor Lifestyle Retailer - Garden Centre

3: Squires Windsor

2: Thetford

1: Squires Shepperton

Indoor Lifestyle Retailer - Destination Centre

3: Poplars

2: Perrywood

1: Burford

North Thames Highly commended centres: (over 75%)

• Ayletts
• Burston
• Frosts at Woburn Sands
• Perrywood
• Poplars
• Scotsdales
• Squires Windsor
• Squires Shepperton
• Squires Twickenham

Outstanding Acheivement Award (Inspectors Choice) - Altons BBQ area

North Thames Region Best Garden Centre

3: Squires Windsor

2: Squires Shepperton

1: Sunshine

North Thames Region Best Destination Centre

3: Poplars

2: Perrywood

1: Burston

Special Awards - the Lizzies

Outstanding till area - Thetford (above)

Outstanding houseplant area – Frosts Millets Farm

Outstanding Farm Shop -  Frosts Woburn Sands

Outstanding bedding area - Meadowcroft (above)

Consistent commitment to wildlife - Squires garden centres

Customer focussed signage - Aylett Nurseries

Best cups of coffee - 3 winners - Frosts Brampton - Squires Windsor - RHS Hyde Hall

Best cup of herbal tea, ever – Thurrock

Best home made cake - Frosts Willlington

Above and beyond the call of duty award - Darran Major at Burston

The Greatest Outdoor Living Categories

• The Greatest BBQ Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Decoration and Lighting Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Inspiration for New Gardeners Team – Love The Plot You've Got Award
• The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team of the Year

The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards Categories

• The Greatest Garden Care Retail Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Customer Service Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Training Team or Initiative of the Year, sponsored by MorePeople
• The Greatest Garden Centre Merchandising Team of the Year
• The Greatest Gardening Supplier of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre of the Year (Public Vote), sponsored by National Garden Gift Vouchers

As usual The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out and about meeting nominated teams, gathering information and taking photos of their work so that the Gold, Silver and Bronze Greatest Awards winners can be chosen.

Plus your team have the chance to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team of 2015 by involving your customers in the public voting later this summer.  The Greatest Garden Centre Teams, small, medium and large will be the teams that have the best relationships with their customers and generate the most votes (taking size of centre into account) and in the event of a tie, the centre with the most complimentary comments form their customers.  To take part in the public vote please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call The Greatest Awards on 01733 775700 to request an in store voting pack.

As this issue of GTN Xtra goes to press the expert judges are meeting to decide the winners of The Greatest Plant Retailing Team Awards in advance of The National Plant Show.  Make sure your Outdoor Leisure, Garden Care and Garden Centre teams are nominated for visits later in July and August.

The Greatest Awards would like to thank sponsors, Elho, National Garden Gift Vouchers, MorePeople and The HTA plus the event organisers at The HTA Catering Conference, National Plant Show, GIMA Awards and HTA Futures for agreeing to be presentation venues for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015.  The date and venue for The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Awards will be announced in a future issue of GTN Xtra. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available for product and service suppliers seeking to gain the highest possible exposure between now and November this year.  Please contact mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk for details.

• Garden Products – up 5%
• Veg-2-Gro Products – up 22%
• Growing Media – up 10%
• All items index – up 9%

Are you talented, enthusiastic and a team player? We are looking for a numerate, articulate and experienced person to join our busy buying team. You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning.

You will be based at our Marlborough office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis. You will report directly to the Managing Director.

Your role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with Sarah and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting Perch Hill approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events. You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company.

Salary dependent on experience.

To apply please send an email with subject title ‘Horticultural Buyer’ with your CV, and current employment and salary details to sally@sarahraven.com.

We are a family run centre based in Lincolnshire and have been trading for over 40 years.

JOB BRIEF

We are looking for a resourceful Restaurant Manager to join us as we plan to re-invent our Restaurant to look after our existing customer base and introduce a new generation of customers, with new menus and a new atmosphere.

You will be responsible for meeting all restaurant revenues, profitability and quality goals. You will ensure efficient operation and maintain high production, productivity and customer service standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the restaurant operation.
• Organise and supervise shifts.
• Estimate consumption, forecast requirements and maintain stock.
• Control costs and minimise waste.
• Manage health and safety and hygiene.
• Report directly to the directors of current and future operations and financial states.
• Create a positive working environment and lead by example.
• Respond efficiently to customer complaints. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in garden centre catering or similar.
• Proven working experience as restaurant manager.
• Extensive food knowledge.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with restaurant  ‘EPOS’ systems.
• Strong leadership, motivational and people skills.

Nigel Wallis

General Manager

Garden Centre Manager | South London | Newly Developed Site (ref:BP7468)

Location: London
Salary: £32,500 to £36,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Garden Centre Manager

The Business

My client is a national business with a good reputation in horticulture. They are currently redeveloping a large retail site that is part of one of their managed properties. They are looking to continue to develop this site in accordance with the groups strong retail offering.

The Role

This role will take on the day to day leadership of the operations team at this scenic centre. The site has been redeveloped recently to take on the companies branding and to promote a better more linked consumer experience across the property. The site is very strong on plants and is plant led in a lot of its retail space. It benefits from being able to offer a full range of stock in a historical setting.

The Person

I need a leader for this role first and foremost. The operations team on site are very strong but need a directing force to keep them moving in the right direction. The role will likely change as the site develops and we will need a candidate who can be flexible and adapt. A more analytical brain will be needed to take on strategic planning for the site and to formulate plans to be approved by senior management. 
This is a retail role first and foremost and that is where we will expect the background of the candidate to come from.

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Plant Area Supervisor | Hertfordshire | Boutique Garden Centre (ref:BP7428)

Location: London
Salary: £18,000 to £19,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Plant Area Supervisor

The Business

This small group is based with the majority of its stores in London. They have a good spread of centres covering different demographics throughout the capital. The business originally started with a landscaping offer and has since progressed to a sizeable garden retail business with a good online offering. 

The Role

This role will be instrumental to plantarea leadership team, deputising for the planteria manager and managing a team of passionate plants people. 
You will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the stock but first and foremost you will be managing the customer experience through your department.

The Person

We need a talented and ambitious retailer. The ideal candidate will be looking to step up into this role and will be looking to be a leader. 
Plant knowledge is essential to the role however is does not need to be supported by an academic qualification. A good level of self taught plant knowledge would be acceptable.

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Horticultural Buyer (ref:DS7491)

Location: Wiltshire
Salary: Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Horticultural Buyer

The Business

Our Client is a leading Horticultural Company who trade on-line and through mail order. They are currently seeking a Horticultural Buyer. Someone who is numerate, articulate and an experienced person who is happy to join a busy buying team. 

Reporting directly to the Managing Director. 

The Role

The role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with the owner and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting them approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events.

You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. 
You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company. 

The Person

You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning. 
You will be based at their office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis. 

Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

Assistant Propagator (ref:DS7504)

Location: West Sussex
Salary: £16,000 to £20,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Assistant Propagator

The Business

Our Client is a wholesale horticultural nursery, which grows high quality herbaceous perennials and herbs to supply garden centres and multiples nationwide. This position is within the Propagation department which is responsible for the establishment of various crops from seed or cuttings for on-growing by other departments.

The Role

• Based at their site near Arundel 
• Hours Full time 39 hours per week plus overtime
• Main Responsibilities
• Assist the Propagation Supervisor to organise, supervise and run the Propagation Team.
• Deputise for Propagation Supervisor as required.
• Take charge of specific activities, areas or staff as delegated by the Propagation Supervisor.
• Carry out pesticide/bio-control applications as directed (subject to PA certification).
• Carry out the general responsibilities and duties of a permanent member of staff and supervisor.
• Undertake any other nursery work when necessary.
• Carry out weekend duties on a rota

The Person

• Crop and pest knowledge
• Propagation experience (ideal but not essential)
• Good communication and organisational skills
• Computer literate (Excel and Word)
• PA1 and PA6 certificates (not necessary but an advantage)
• Has personal transport and/or clean driving licence

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss this role further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

• Town & Country Ladies Gloves (3 pairs bonus pack) have had a good sales week to re-enter the chart, along with Gardman Gard Stakes (8mm x 90cm), the highest returning item at No 13.
• Gardman also have the highest climber in Clip Twist with Cutter (30m), jumping 21 places to No 24, and the highest new entry in Solar Mosaic Lanterns (pack of four) at No 43.
• Scotts Levington Tomorite retains the top spot.

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

• Quantil Lettuce Little Gem jumps to the top spot.
• The highest climber is Turnip, moving up 34 places to No 15.
• The highest re-entry is Lettuce Butter Head at No 13.
• Woodlark Basil (1 litre) is the highest new entry at No 24.
• Quantil Courgette and Salad Leaf (Spicy Mix) have also had strong sales weeks.

• Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi Purpose (60 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 16.
• Arthur Bowers John Innes No 2 (25 litres) has seen the biggest sales increase on the previous week to return to the chart.
• Scotts Levington Multi Purpose Compost (50 litres) retains the top position for another week.

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 2013 as well as 2014 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 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 last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media 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.