The GCA's garden centre members are being asked to nominate their Associate Member of the Year 2025 – with the winner crowned at the industry body’s Annual Conference in January (January 25 until 28, 2026).

The award recognises companies or individuals that have contributed to the success of the sector and that are highly regarded and valued by garden centres.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks, explains: “We’re inviting our member garden centres to share their nominations for who they believe should be named our Associate Member of the Year 2025.

“This award is our way of recognising the significant contribution to the success of garden centre businesses that Associate Members make. The award is highly regarded and valued by our Associate Members.

“There are no strict criteria for the selection of the winning supplier, members can simply vote for the company that has helped their centre the most, with service, new products or marketing, for example.

“The deadline for voting is 5pm on Friday, December 31, 2025, and all votes should be submitted by email to info@gca.org.uk. We will be presenting the Haskins Stewarts Cup to the winner at our 60th anniversary Annual Conference this January.”

The GCA’s Annual Conference will be held at Carden Park, Chester from January 25 until 28, 2026 and places can still be booked via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk/.

The GCA members conference pages on the body’s website have full details. There is also a dedicated email for any queries members, and those wishing to book for the event, may have: conference@gca.org.uk.

Peter continues: “Many garden centre suppliers don’t realise that they can join us. We welcome applications from any supplier offering products or services relevant to our garden centre members. We offer the opportunity to communicate and network with more than 200 of the UK’s leading garden centres. Anyone interested in joining and potentially becoming one of our Associate Members of the Year in the future, can find out more at https://gca.org.uk/suppliers/.”

Pictured: Last year’s GCA Associate of the Year winners Lyme Bay Winery.