Wyevale Garden Centres has today announced a number of changes to its executive and senior leadership team.

Following the successful completion of the initial phase of the sale process, and a strong close to the year, Roger Mclaughlan (avove), Chief Executive of WGC will leave the business at the end of January, handing over the running of the business to Anthony Jones, who is promoted from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer.

Justin King, currently Non-Executive Chairman, will become Executive Chairman. As part of this re-organisation, Paul Emslie, Trading & Marketing Director, will also leave the business, and there are further changes across the leadership team.

The changes follow a transformational year for WGC which has seen the sale of 40 garden centres and put the business in a much stronger financial position. These changes deliver a support structure and cost base appropriate to the future needs of the re-shaped business.

The business commenced a sale process in May 2018 and continues to evaluate a wide range of competitive offers from the group buyers, regional operators and local entrepreneurs.

Justin King, Executive Chairman of WGC said: “I would like to thank Rog for his outstanding leadership in transforming Wyevale Garden Centres into a business that puts customers and colleagues at the heart of its operation. Wyevale Garden Centres has transformed beyond recognition over the period of his leadership and is now well placed for the future.

"I would also like to thank Paul for the critical role he has played in transforming our customer proposition, including delivering improved ranges, better stock availability and stronger customer communications.”

Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive of WGC, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be handing over to Anthony Jones, who has worked closely with me on every step of the turnaround, including leading the re-shaping of the portfolio through the sale process.

"I am extremely confident he will deliver strong results. I would also like to thank all our colleagues at Wyevale Garden Centres who are the most passionate, talented and committed I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Two hundred and fifty invited guests celebrated 80 years of Noma in Harrogate last night.  In the glitzy star lit surroundings of the Theatre Royal comedian Dara O'Briain entertained after a wonderful three course meal interspersed with more entertainment including singing waiters.  The evening ended on the packed dance floor with music provided by The Secret Show Band.

Leisuregrow held the event to celebrate NOMA's 80th Birthday and to say thank you to all of their customers.

See GTN Xtra's photo gallery of the evening below and if you are in Harrogate you can meet the Noma team in Hall A.

History and Heraldry scooped the No 1 Christmas Bestsellers spot  in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Product chart for 2018, with last years winners Suki claiming both the No 2 and No 3 Bestsellers positions.

Once again, new products were the biggest winners with customers when it comes to volume sales.  Nine of the Top 10 Christmas Bestsellers were new lines.  The forty seven new lines in this years chart accounted for 48% of the Top 100 sales volume which dropped by 17% on the volumes for the Top 100 in 2017.

Download a pdf of the Top 100 using this link

Being environmentally friendly is big news these days. As extreme weather made headlines around the world the UK saw one of its hottest summer’s on record people everywhere are starting to take this Global Warming stuff seriously. In fact, the number of single-use plastic bags used by shoppers in England has plummeted by more than 85% after the introduction of the 5p charge.

So what are you offering as an alternative? And how do your GREEN credentials add up?

When using bags as a marketing tool you have to consider the primary use. Your customers will need something hardwearing, fairly rigid, a bag that will stand up on its own leaving hands free for easy loading and when not in use can be rolled up and stored with no loss of integrity.

Jute has all of these attributes. Not only is it strong and hard wearing, its hessian-style look adds to the “eco” image associated with a Bag for Life. If you want your brand to clearly shout “environmentally conscious” – jute is the way forward.

TMD supply and print jute bags with your logo or pattern of choice. We recently completed a project with Stewarts Garden Centres, and don’t they look great!

Various sizes are available.

Contact us for a quote today.

W: www.taylormadedesigns.co.uk

E: hello@taylormadedesigns.co.uk

CSY Retail Systems are very happy to announce that In-Excess’ four new garden centres are now using CSY Vector, the reliable and powerful EPOS system.

When CSY found out In-Excess had purchased some of the Wyevale garden centres, the company couldn’t wait to help.

CSY wanted them to be able to trade as soon as possible, and with their successful migration experience, a data conversion procedure that works and a dedicated EPOS project manager, the go-live process was trouble-free and simple.

“All the old data was integrated into our system which was seamless, and we were able to sell our stock side by side with the Wyevale stock immediately,” said Managing Director of In-Excess, Carl Chambers.

At the point In-Excess took over, there were no telephone lines or internet connections at any of the centres. Getting the systems up and running as soon as possible was our main priority so they could open for business as soon as possible.

“CSY were there as the old IT came out and all the new kit went it, we were trading within 4 hours the very next day.”

Here are a few features that stood out to In-Excess and have improved the way their garden centres run:

• Seamless Multi-branch Capability – as In-Excess have nine sites this is an essential feature allowing them to manage their stores effectively.
• Ease of Use – as we have focused on a making our front end as straightforward as possible, the garden centres staff who had never used Vector before were soon comfortable with its operation making the most of quick menus and touchscreen interface.
• Comprehensive reporting suite - allowing In-Excess to take an in-depth view of the business operations, allowing potential improvements to be highlighted and acted upon.
• After Sales Care – with a dedicated account manager, project manager, in-house training and helpdesk, we were able to mobilise quickly to make sure the new centres went live smoothly.

“Overall I am very happy with the system, and would happily recommend it to any business,” adds Carl Chambers.

Greenfingers Charity started it's 20th Anniversary year at its AGM held last week.  Over 50 supporters, Ambassadors, Trustees and staff heard of the plans for activities during 2019 aimed at generating increased funds for the Charity and increasing a wider awareness so that more gardens can be built at Children's Hospices across the country.

Richard Jackson, who started the charity 20 years ago recounted memories of the hand to mouth way they planned and raised monies in the early days and praised the current team and all of the industry at the way Greenfingers has devloped over the years and the important role it plays in so many lives.

Greenfingers current Chairman, John Ashley was presented with a cake to celebrate is 80th birthday.

2019 News from Greenfingers Charity includes: 

Greenfingers Charity celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2019

The start of 2019 will see 3 more children’s hospice gardens get underway
The “Greenfingers Charity Garden” will feature on Main Avenue RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Kew Green Hotels pledge to raise £200k in 2019 to mark the charity’s 20th Anniversary
Garden Re-Leaf Day is in its 7th year

2019 will see a very special celebratory year for Greenfingers Charity, the only charity dedicated to creating magical gardens for life-limited children and families who spend time in hospices.

The charity has created 55 hospice gardens in its 19-year history and thanks to the continued generosity of its supporters, now plans to add a further four hospice gardens to its growing portfolio;
 Sean Murray’s design for “The Nest and Rest Garden” at Grace House will be completed in the spring and will provide a wonderful outside space for children, families and carers who spend time at this facility in Sunderland.
 A one-acre woodland area at Richard House Children’s Hospice in East London will be transformed thanks to the vision and creativity of garden designers Andrew Fisher Tomlin and Dan Bowyer. Andrew and Dan have been working with the hospice to design an enchanting woodland in which life-limited children and their siblings will be able to have fun, explore and play together knowing medical support is close at hand.
 “The Garden of Colour” designed by Carolyn Willitts will come to life at Claire House Children’s Hospice in the Wirral this year. As well as being a feast for all the senses, this new garden will provide shelter to enable hospice carers and families to work and play outside.
 Designed by Darren Hawkes, a vibrant sheltered outdoor space will be created at Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in St Austell in Cornwall later this year.

John Ashley, Chairman of the Charity said, “The charity has certainly been on an incredible journey since the early days and I’m delighted to be at the helm at the beginning of this special anniversary year. We are all enormously grateful to every one of our wonderful individual and corporate supporters who continue to work tirelessly to supporting by fundraising, helping us to fund-save, and build the Greenfingers Charity brand. We are all looking forward to an exciting year ahead and to see these new gardens coming to life and being enjoyed by hundreds more children who would otherwise find it difficult to spend time outside.”

Also, to mark its special year, thanks to a private donor, the charity will be showcasing its work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. “The Greenfingers Charity Garden” on Main Avenue, has been designed by Kate Gould.

Greenfingers Charity’s partnership with Kew Green Hotels is also going from strength to strength as hotel teams around the country pledge to raise a further £200k in 2019 to mark the charity’s 20th year. To date the hotel group has raised £233k since the partnership began in December 2016.

A regular event on the Greenfingers Charity calendar, Garden Re-Leaf Day will take place on 22nd March this year. The cycle ride is back for its 2nd year and the Garden Re-Leaf Day walk will see many walkers walking their 100th mile for the charity. Director of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons said: “We hope that more garden retailers, suppliers and the general public will get involved this year. It’s a really great team-building event and an opportunity for businesses to generate positive PR all whilst helping to make a difference to life-limited children and families who spend time in hospices.”

Whilst many brands were wrapping up for the year, Johnsons Lawn Seed was stepping into the spotlight with a special feature on BBC news.  The one-off report helped to not only highlight the Johnsons Lawn Seed brand, its world-class R&D facilities, and market-leading products, but also helped place the plight of UK lawns following this year’s extreme weather firmly at the fore.   

Recorded at the company’s Tewkesbury research facility and broadcast on New Year’s Eve, over 600,000 viewers tuned in to hear just how much time and effort goes into creating Britain’s best known lawn seed.

Johnsons Lawn Seed Consumer Manager Guy Jenkins told BBC Midlands Today:  “We’re looking at breeding grasses that are more tolerant to drought, heat and cold weather — they also have to be very disease resistant too.  The breeding programme might take around 15 years, so we might start with thousands of different gene types — and in 15 years end up with a couple of varieties that we can actually use.” 

Guy’s comment was proceeded by one from the news anchor: “Johnsons grass seed company has seen a 300% increase in demand after the summer’s baking hot weather damaged so many lawns.  Freezing cold temperatures followed by a summer long drought meant that many simply didn’t survive.  But now the Johnsons Lawn Seed research facility has been working hard to create new varieties that will be able to withstand more extreme weather in future.”

New products for 2019

DLF/Johnsons Lawn Seed’s most recent breakthroughs have included grass seed varieties with twice as many chromosomes, a leap forward in terms of resistance to drought, and the ability to grow thicker and healthier lawns.  Special seed coatings have also been introduced to ensure greater success with germination, and to quickly fill in gaps, most recently featured as a new addition to the company’s bestselling Luxury and Shady lawn mixtures. 

The latest innovation from Johnsons is Super Smart Lawn Feed, a lawn feed consisting of beneficial bacteria, seaweed extract and mycorrhizae.  A ground breaking new product, the company expects Super Smart to perform particularly well as homeowners look to resurrect their lawns from any damage sustained the previous year.

Watch the full report on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-2VsgOaz5A8

Find out more

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed and its products, visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com, email info@johnsonslawnseed.co.uk or telephone 01386 791113.

With over 150 products Charles Taylor continue with their tremendous growth and expansion.

Leading the industry with UK-made garden products Charles Taylor has invested heavily throughout the close season, ensuring stock is available all year round and more importantly when the retailer needs it.

Richard Ball, Director, said: "Throughout the 2018 season we achieved tremendous delivery times, and plans for 2019 are to deliver within a week of ordering with no out of stocks.

"In our industry we recognise that stock availability is key and with all of our products made  by ourselves in the UK we do not have to wait for shippers etc."

"Further investment has been made in-house with a full traceability IT system to help our online accounts,

"With the unique white glove delivery and assembly service offered by Charles Taylor this will again improve efficiency and shorten lead times.

"We are in an industry similar to ice cream sellers and when the heat is on we have to react. With the measures and investment in place we are confident we can achieve success."

www.charlestaylortrading.com

As part of their centenary celebrations, Taylors Bulbs will be holding a Daffodil Day in conjunction with the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) on 10 April 2019 at their site in Holbeach, Lincolnshire.

Visitors will be able to listen to informative talks about daffodils and other bulbs from world renowned experts, visit the bulb fields where more than 400 varieties of daffodils are grown, visit the Taylors trial ground and see the machinery involved in producing top quality flower bulbs.

Bookings can be made via the website where there is a small charge of £5 per person for the day, which includes a light lunch and refreshments.

Taylors Bulbs are the UK’s leading supplier of flower bulbs. They supply pre-packed and loose bulbs to garden centres, nurseries and landscapers throughout the UK.

Adam Taylor, fourth generation of the Taylor family said: ‘’We have a busy and exciting year ahead of us with various centenary celebrations planned which will include special promotions for garden retailers later in the year. However, our first event is the Daffodil Day as we particularly wanted to celebrate with gardeners and enthusiasts when our bulb fields will be in full bloom. We are also delighted that the RHS are collaborating with us for the Daffodil Day.’’

Taylors Bulbs have been running since 1919. Over their impressive 100-year history they have grown from 4 hectares of land to more than 750 hectares of which more than 150 ha are daffodils. Still a thriving family business, they employ over 200 staff at peak times.

Smart Garden Products will unveil its extended Three Kings  collection at this week’s Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair (13-16 Jan).

The initially modest Christmas collection launched at the Harrogate last January has gone down well with the trade. “We are still finding our feet in this dynamic category,” said MD Jonathan Stobart,  “and have spent the past year seeking out and developing an exciting, innovative new range for 2019 with stunning new collections across Festive Lighting and Décor, all priced for maximum impact in store.”

The collection will be showcased Hall Q, Stand 1.

One of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries, Johnsons of Whixley, has supplied over £120,000 plants for two award-winning projects.

The North Yorkshire-based nursery teamed up with professional landscapers, Plant Style Ltd, to offer its first-class products to the Great Kneighton, Trumpington, Cambridge development and Tadpole Garden Village in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The Cambridge development, by Countryside Properties, also saw the property firm win a gold award in the ‘Best Public Realm’ category at the prestigious WhatHouse? Awards 2018.

It includes 120 acres of country parkland, lakes and green spaces as well as a bird reserve, woodlands, allotments and over 14,000 new trees which were planted in the community.

Plant Style Ltd was contracted to complete the landscaping which saw Johnsons supply £30,000 worth of plants such as 9,000 shrubs – including over 1,000 10L Buxus sempervirens and over 300 Skimmia Rubella 5L.

Meanwhile, Tadpole Garden Village, by Crest Nicholson Strategic Projects, was awarded a silver in the ‘Best Public Realm’ category at the WhatHouse? Awards 2018.

Its grounds include a mature woodland, ponds, hedgerows and a 100-acre park which is committed to encouraging wildlife.

Plant Style Ltd carried out the landscaping for this project too, which included over £90,000 of Johnsons’ plants throughout 2015 to 2018. Varieties included nearly 150 trees over 20-25 girth size, 80 large mixed native hedging units and over 12,000 shrubs and grasses.

Colin McDowell, Plant Style Ltd’s managing director, said: “Working with Johnsons to deliver these projects was an easy choice as they have proven to be one of the most reliable suppliers. The awards are great recognition for all involved and we congratulate Countryside Properties and Crest Nicholson on their success.”

Ellie Richardson, marketing co-ordinator for Johnsons of Whixley, added: “We are extremely proud to be associated with not only Plant Style Ltd, but the prestigious WhatHouse? Awards 2018. A huge congratulations must go to both developers and Plant Style Ltd who carried out the ground works.”

Johnsons of Whixley, one of the largest commercial nurseries in the UK, is based between York and Harrogate and is a trusted supplier of trees and plants to the amenity sector.

Eleven plants have been nominated for the Show Your Colours Award IPM 2019.

All the exhibitors at IPM Essen with woody plants and perennials were able to submit plants or plant concepts for this award.

The Show Your Colours Award IPM 2019 will be presented at 3pm on Thursday 24 January in the BIZZ Holland stand (hall 8, A40).

The award was introduced to encourage participants to put their added value products under the spotlight. The nominated plants distinguish themselves from other products in terms of leaf colour, shape, name, fruits or berries, drought and heat tolerance and sustainability.

Nominations include:

Camellia japonica ‘Winter Perfume Pink & Pearl’ (Van Son & Koot, NL); Cordyline ‘Mix About Plants’ (Zundert, NL);

Corokia virgata ‘Maori Green’ & ‘Maori Silver’ (Addenda, NL)

Cyclamen persicum ‘Indiaka’ (div. kleuren) (Morel Diffusion SAS, F);  Dianthus ‘Pink Kisses’ (Selecta One, D); Hydrangea macrophylla x H.scandens  ‘French Bolero’ (Vegepolys, F);

Laurus nobilis ‘Feel Green’ kitchen bay tree (GOVA Decorum, NL); Lavandula intermedia ‘Phenomenal’ (Joh. Stolwijk & Söhne, NL); ‘Lucky Berry’ 4-month strawberry  (Diederk Heinje e.a.,D);

Rubus Mix  (Jungheim Boomkwekerijen, NL);

Wonder Tree fruit trees (Fruithof, NL).

Visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite before a professional jury assesses the plants and their stories. The combined votes will determine the winner.

Warmer winter weather has created the perfect breeding conditions for slugs, warn BASF, the German chemical company who market the slug control Nemaslug. They advise retailers not to wait until spring to promote them...

Nemaslug offers a biological solution to pest control on vegetables, fruit, flowers, shrubs and trees, even in winter at temperatures above 5C. Users mix the nematodes with water and apply from a watering can with a coarse rose. The product is harmless to children and pets. 

If control is left until spring, which is when pest control typically begins, foliar damage could be severe enough to cause significant plant loss on a vast number of susceptible crops.

BASF has the largest specialist nematode growing facility in the EU – and the only one in Britain - growing trillions of beneficial nematodes for use in their Nemasys range of pest controls.

Recently, BASF created ‘virtual tour’ footage taken inside its high-tech facility in Sussex. The three videos can be viewed by clicking the titles below:

How do Nematodes work? 

BASF Factory Tour

Why choose Nemasys and Nemaslug?

Haskins is encouraging gardeners to set up their garden by planning ahead for the changing of the seasons and choosing a combination of plants to ensure year-round interest.

Alasdair Urquhart, in-house plant expert at Haskins, recommends the following top five plants for year-round interest:

1. Choisya ‘Aztec Gold’

• With its gold architectural leaves, this is the perfect evergreen shrub.
• It has a roundish style, with leaves split into slender, pointed segments which are rich gold towards the tips and a slightly lime-yellow towards the base.
• Clusters of attractive, almond-scented white flowers first appear in spring and early summer followed by another flush in autumn.
• Happy in any reasonably well drained, fertile soil the brightest leaf colour develops in full sun.

2. Hebe Caledonia

• With many hebes to choose from, Haskins’ favourite is ‘Caledonia,’ with its profuse violet flowers that appear from spring to autumn.
• It’s a compact variety, with young, wine-red leaves that fade to a ball of dark green.
• It’s also popular with wildlife, as the violet flowers are very attractive to pollinators.
• Performs well in coastal areas, and thrives in any fertile, free draining soil.

3. Trachelospermum Jasminoides

• Haskins’ favourite evergreen climber that thrives in plenty of sun and can flower for what seems like all summer.
• Once established, the profuse white star-shaped flowers produce a sweet scent, followed by rich-bronze autumn tints to the leaves.
• Plants can easily be trained to cover a whole fence or trellis to make a green wall of foliage, which apart from rampant ivy, no other evergreen climber can achieve.
• For best results grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds.

4. Leucothoe ‘Little Flames’

• Making a dramatic container plant, the young leaves of this compact, evergreen shrub appear to dance like small bright orange-red flames over the darker green foliage below.
• Providing attractive, trouble-free gardening, this plant tolerates most conditions but thrives in a moist soil.
• Effective as a very low hedge, it also has an added bonus of being deer resistant.

5. Acer “Sango Kaku”

• Offering all year interest, this popular tree deserves its RHS Award of ‘Garden Merit.’
• The show starts with bright coral pink growth leading to deeply lobed yellow-orange foliage in spring, turning lush green in summer and then striking soft yellow in autumn.
• Once the foliage display is over, the bare branches take centre stage.
• Triggered by a cold snap, the stems and bark become a stunning winter focal point, turning a vibrant coral red.
• For best results, grow in a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
• Protect it from the harshest winds, which may cause leaf scorch.

Alasdair commented: “The key step to achieving a garden that really looks good all year round is to put in a good structure of plants that offer year-round colour and add seasonal flowering plants to provide additional interest.

"It is possible to achieve a garden that is never completely devoid of colour and looks stylish throughout the year. The full selection of plants we have recommended will be available at Haskins from mid-February.”

Haskins has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone and Snowhill in West Sussex. For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk

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Family-owned Haddenham Garden Centre, in Stanbridge Road, Haddenham, will recruit an extra 17 staff with the long-awaited expansion.

The project has been made possible after the centre secured a £180,000 grant from the LEADER Programme, which is aimed at small, rural businesses.

It will enable the centre’s coffee shop and farm shop to be extended creating 17 jobs over three years.

Director Ben Hawkins said: “Expanding our coffee shop and farm shop will help us meet local demand, create higher quality amenities for the local area with an emphasis on quality local food, and in turn create many jobs for the rapidly growing local rural population.”

Read the full story on the Bucks Herald website by clicking here

Thompson & Morgan, the UK’s largest horticultural mail order company, has made its business ‘smarter’ by digitising its plant range and follow-up after care.

Each online plant purchase made via Thompson & Morgan’s website will soon be accompanied by the newly developed SmartPlant ‘button’. One click and a customer will receive automated monthly care reminders and a wealth of information and expert support from the SmartPlant app.

This significant partnership sees the awarding-winning SmartPlant app extending Thompson & Morgan’s customers’ experience beyond each purchase; giving access to enhanced plant descriptions and hundreds of horticultural experts around the clock, as well as ongoing plant care instructions via push notifications.

Customers can simply click on the SmartPlant ‘button’ on their online order confirmation to activate their personal SmartPlant account, automatically adding their new plant purchase. This notable feature adds value to online plant sales and gives consumers additional confidence in caring for their plants and an enhanced user experience beyond their purchase.

Thompson & Morgan will be able to offer discounts and promotions to accompany monthly care notifications via the SmartPlant app, further improving customer retention and sales. SmartPlant offers unprecedented insights into consumer preferences and buying patterns.

George Williams, CEO of SmartPlant, said the partnership represented a massive step for SmartPlant and for the industry as a whole. “We want to give customers access to free, automated and simple plant care through our app and open horticulture up to a new generation of plant buyers whilst digitising care info for experienced plant owners."

Chris Wright, Thompson & Morgan’s commercial director, said: “At Thompson & Morgan, we’re always keen to find ways to offer our customers an even better gardening experience, so it is a natural move for us to embrace this fantastic technology in today’s digitised world”.

For more information about SmartPlant, use this link

Scottish EPOS supplier ACR EPOS Systems has helped the family-run Caulders garden centre chain to bring its till systems up to date.

Caulders operates five garden centres and restaurants across the Scottish central belt, at Mugdock Country Park, Kirkintilloch, Braidbar, Erskine and Cupar. When the company bought the Erskine business, it inherited an existing software-based EPOS system from the previous owners - something it did not yet have in place in its other stores.

That also brought Caulders into contact with ACR EPOS Systems, the Ayrshire-based supplier that had installed the Bleep EPOS set up at Erskine. ACR then played a key role in helping Caulders roll out a similar system at all of its sites, using the Bleep platform run on brand new AURES touchscreen terminals.

Ewan Moody, IT Manager at Caulders, said: “We knew the limitations of our old existing system and we could clearly see the advantages to Erskine. Within a short time we could see the flexibility and benefits. With the excellent customer support we received from ACR and the system’s adaptability, we knew it would be able to grow with us.”

ACR, which started out as Ayrshire Cash Registers in the 1970s when it was set up by the present owner’s grandfather, has been supplying AURES EPOS hardware across Scotland for 14 years. For Caulders, it recommended the AURES YUNO, a flexible and robust all-in-one touchscreen terminal that combines stylish looks with high class performance.

Leading home improvement and garden wholesaler, Decco has appointed Andy Macmillan as Manager for Decco Perth, Andy replaces John Graham who retired at the end of 2018.

Andy joins Decco from Sally Salon Services, his most recent role being Head of Store Operations for their 260 stores.

Commenting on his appointment, Andy said, “I am hugely excited to have joined the great team at Decco Stuart & McIntosh and be given the opportunity to lead a team that thrives on achieving operational excellence and delivering best in class service to all our customers.  The welcome I have received from the industry has been overwhelming and I look forward to building not just strong business partnerships but also good friendships with customers and suppliers alike.”

With seven strategic locations around the country giving a total of over 350,000 square feet of warehousing space and holding over £10m worth of stock, Decco supplies independent High Street retailers and garden centres throughout the UK with a wide range of gardening, home improvement and housewares products. Its strong partnerships with the leading suppliers enables retailers to benefit from the strength and differentiation provided by high profile brands.

To learn more about Decco, visit www.decco.co.uk.

Child and pet safe and with a long-lasting effect, Solabiol Top Lawn feeds for twice as long (versus the natural brand leader), so consumers can enjoy the comfort of feeding their lawn less often.

Solabiol Top Lawn is the only product in the UK to benefit from slow and fast release iron - which aids green up and lawn health.

This unique formulation from SBM Life Science is used on lawns in professional sports, so consumers will be proud to have a lawn as green, thick and healthy as those seen on TV.

The Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical trade shows return in June (11-12th) at the London Design Centre, Islington.

Trend experts Scarlet Opus will share their predictions for future high street and internet trends with talks, tours and displays during the event, to help buyers source products that will appeal to today’s consumers.

The Exclusively Shows are for senior level buyers, decision makers and merchandisers from across the housewares sector, including independent cook shops, lifestyle and electrical retailers, high street multiples, grocery chains, department stores, e-retailers, hardware, DIY and garden centres sourcing products for Christmas 2019 and 2020.

The show’s Brand Showcase will help visiting trade journalists to plan coverage for winter features and Christmas gift guides as well as preview new products for trend and news features.

Tickets are selling fast for the annual Party for Perennial, which this year celebrates the 180th anniversary of the charity dedicated to helping people in horticulture. It will be held in the elegant surroundings of La Goccia restaurant at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden, London and takes place on Tuesday 29 January 2019.

Anita Bates, Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising comments: “We are thrilled that our Party for Perennial 2019 will be hosted in this stunning nursery with such a delightful restaurant and bar, providing a really special setting to kick off our 180th anniversary year in style. Those who have attended before know that this is a fun way to network with existing contacts and make new ones, and also that the funds raised make a real difference to the lives of the people we help. In 2019 we want to reach more people than ever before and look forward to speaking to all our guests about how they can help us do just that.”

The event is now a popular fixture of the calendar for the horticulture trade, providing a great opportunity for catching up with friends, colleagues and discussing new business, while raising money for Perennial. In line with feedback from previous guests, the evening will be informal with a focus on fun, food and conversation.

Amanda Brame, Head of Horticulture at Petersham Nurseries said: “Petersham Nurseries is delighted to host the Perennial 2019 annual party at our central London destination in the heart of Covent Garden. As horticulture is at the very root of our business and fundamental to all that we do, joining forces with Perennial for this event is a natural partnership. We recognise and applaud the efforts they make to support those who work in this wonderful and demanding world of horticulture.”

Tickets cost £28 each and include a glass of fizz on arrival, as well as delicious Italian light bites and you will be able to order meals from the menu if you wish. Plus, there will be a raffle with fabulous prizes to be won. All money raised through ticket sales and the raffle will help support people in horticulture who come to Perennial for help.  As the only charity that helps people working in and retired from all sectors of the horticulture industry, Perennial is a lifeline for people who have nowhere else to turn.

This year’s event is generously supported by sponsors the Horticultural Trades Association and Gavin Jones.


Party for Perennial 2019

Venue: La Goccia, Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden, London

Date: Tuesday 29 January 2019

Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Ticket price: £28 (incl. glass of fizz on arrival and light bites) 

For more information and to book tickets visit: www.perennial.org.uk/party 

Naturalist and television presenter Nick Baker is calling for more people to put up nestboxes.

He says: “Holes are the big thing missing from today’s manicured parks and gardens. No holes mean no hole-nesting birds. Putting a box up simply replaces what humans have taken away.”

His call is timely since it coincides with the 2019 National Nestbox Week, which runs from 14–21 February.

Nick Baker goes on to say: “Think back to all those natural cavities that would have existed in the wild woods standing where your garden is now. Every bird box represents a missing piece of that ancient natural architecture. And you really can’t put up too many of the things.”

Since its launch in 1997 National Nestbox Week has grown to become one of the most recognised awareness campaigns in the annual ornithological calendar. Its message to the public is very simple: build or buy a nestbox and give a bird a home.

National Nestbox Week started because of the lack of nesting holes in modern and renovated houses, and overly tidy woodland management policies. Though woodland management today is more sympathetic to the needs of wildlife, the housing situation remains dire, with few opportunities for species such as Swift and House Sparrow to find nest holes or cavities in buildings – especially new builds and housing estates.

Nestbox Week 2019 is recommending three ways for everyone to get involved…

• Visit the campaign’s new website nestboxweek.com to learn about nestboxes and the British species that use them. 
• Build a nestbox for your own garden – it’s simple and rewarding. Choose a box with a hole for species such as Blue or Great Tit; or an open-fronted design for Robin and Wren. Easy-to-follow templates and instructions are given at nestboxweek.com. 
• Nestbox Week 2019 also celebrates the latest edition of the BTO’s definitive guide to nestboxes in Britain. Completely rewritten and redesigned, Nestboxes - Your Complete Guide contains practical expert advice and in-depth species-by-species profiles, with easy-to-use construction diagrams.

Brookside Garden Centre in Kent has decided not to produce its award-winning grotto in the foreseeable future because it has got ‘too big’ for the family business.

After celebrating its 10^th anniversary this Christmas, the grotto has become the victim of its own success, having won multiple GTN Christmas Awards for its innovation and popularity.

“We have created something that has got too big for our little family business,” said Simon and Alison Shead, who produced the grotto with their son Matt. “We only have 3,000 tickets to sell but this year we had 16,000 customers on our website wanting tickets. That means over 13,000 unhappy customers.

“We have created such a good reputation that some customers have started to expect too much from us for the price we charge.”

The garden centre has actually received 'threats' on a weekly basis because the grotto had been sold out with some customers believing their family deserved tickets more than others.

“We've had comments like, 'you're punishing our children because we didn't get tickets',” added Simon and Alison.

“We've had countless people threaten to go to the media because they felt we weren't selling them tickets even though we had sold out.

“Over the past 10 years we have raised more than £60,000 for multiple charities such as Make-A-Wish, DEBRA and to the Miles Miller Trust, a local lad from our village.

“After putting tens of thousands of families before our very own we have decided we need time to enjoy Christmas with our own family who have been neglected this past decade.

“We aren't saying never again, but the grotto you know and love has gone, and we will need to come up with a new business model that suits us and the customer over the next couple of years.

“To all the customers, staff, friends and family that have supported us over the years we cannot express enough how much your support means to us.”

As the GTN Bestsellers All Trading Index reports December garden centre trading up by 10% on last year, GTN Xtra has been asking garden centres across the country for their feedback on Christmas trading and their early views on overall trading for 2018.

Here are reports from Bents, Ruxley Manor, Planters, Klondyke Strikes, Fresh @ Burcot and Alton Garden Centres. Please add your Christmas feedback by using the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Matthew Bent, Bents Garden & Home told GTN Xtra:  “2018 was a busy yet challenging year for Bents, with a lot to celebrate along the way, from the best ever sales year on our nursery to a record breaking week in December. The weather has done its best to challenge us with a very cold start to what turned out to be a great summer, then a warm autumn which definitely had an impact on early Christmas sales.   However, the snow free Christmas period and what was an extra retail week in the run up to Christmas Day definitely helped to turn things round, making it one of our best ever Christmases.  Although despite ending 2018 on a high we were down on our targets for the year as a whole.

“Our Christmas events were as popular as ever with all our workshops fully booked, and our best selling product line by value and volume proved to be our own design Bents Bear and Penguin toys.  Pink was very popular, proving to be our best selling colour baubles and unicorns were definitely a favourite for 2018.  We also saw a growth in any type of personalised products from cards, tree decorations to pet baubles and we think this is a trend which will continue for 2019.”

James Evans sums up Christmas at Ruxley Manor: "Unfortunately, due to development and building works, we opened Christmas 2 weeks later than normal this year and therefore we started slightly on the back foot in October. November was a little disappointing with Christmas being slightly down on last year but this was purely down to Christmas Lights as Decs and Artificial Trees were both up. However, December was a much better month for us with record days which meant that Christmas and the centre overall, finished up on last year, which after the early part of the year (and the impact/intrusion of a restaurant refurbishment in the early part of the year and the summer rebuild of part of the centre) was better than expected.

"With regard to Outdoor Plants, sales are mainly driven by cut trees, due to our ice rink taking up the majority of our Outdoor Plant Department but cut Xmas Trees were also up on last year. Certainly for us, as probably for all centres, snow prior to Christmas can have huge consequences in loss of sales and so thankfully that wasn't the case this year!

"Our Christmas Events also finished up on last year, with the Grotto this was driven by our new/additional 'My First Grotto' for under 2's and although our Ice Rink doesn't close until tomorrow, that is also significantly up, again, driven by improvements that we have made to the rink and the introduction of a winter market style catering offering next to it.

"Therefore, considering the spring season and the rebuild and refurbishment projects that we have done, which always impact sales, we are very pleased to have finished the year up on 2017. With regard to 2019, we don't have any large building projects planned for the garden centre and so look forward to a year of consolidation and driving sales and the customer experience as much as possible."

Gerald Ingram, Planters and Garden King Garden Centres tells us: "Christmas was our strongest trading period of the year.   All three centres had record Decembers.  Helped by no snow but still strong anyway. 

"Best sellers were water spinners from Premier, plastic willow tree skirts from Kaemingk, light up cushions, personalised decorations and books from H and H, Icicle lights, pink tree decorations.

"Plants were ok, wreath sales were strong, Christmas trees were up at two centres down at Planters but Planters sell three 20ft containers of artificial trees.

"Christmas exceeded expectation.  Bretby which does not have a reputation for Christmas finally seems to have made in roads into it!

"All events went better than 2017 and had record years.   Bretbys ice rink saw strong growth,  Planters and GK Grottos both sold out for the December weekends and Santa Paws sold out in the week days.  All events benefitted

the restaurants that will have record Decembers.

David Yardley, CEO at Klondyke Strikes sums up their Christmas and year end: "Christmas trading was ok for us, slightly down on last year for Christmas decorations and accessories but we did well with all gardening products in the first quarter as well as clothing, pets, gift ware, real trees and houseplants. Restaurants also did well on the run up to Christmas and overall we are 3% up on last year at this period. We maintained our trading margin throughout the Christmas period and did no price reductions or sales until after Christmas which is what we normally do and I am pleased with what we have achieved in this difficult trading environment. We bought a lot less Christmas product than last year and will therefore have less left than previously so will be looking to buy new products and ranges at the various shows coming up.

"Our financial year ended at the end of September and we had a good trading year again last year despite all the weather and economic issues.

"I think this coming year will continue to be difficult trading and all the uncertainty of Brexit wont help but we have to focus on what we do and can only deal with those issues under our control. If we continue to invest in our facilities, stock good products and give good customer service then we should still be successful in 2019."

Neil Gow, Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre told GTN Xtra: "2018 has been our best year ever since we began our business.  It was our strongest December ever, over 26% up on last year – but you will remember how poor last year was – skating across our car park was the norm! Many will have forgotten, or chosen to forget!

"Our strongest December ever, just over 8% up on our 5 year average which is the more important measure to us.

"The year has shaken out well too: 9.5% growth year on year (with zero cap. ex.) and still 7.7% growth over our 5 year average.

"None of this appeared possible at the end of April 2018, but that is what we mean about being fit and agile! Something the groups and chains will always struggle with and even we are seeing it now in the big independents that do not have agile management whether they are suppliers or retailers, in the horticultural sector or probably any other."

So far the only negative comment we've received about Christmas trading has come from Derek Bunker at Alton Garden Centre in Essex "Where have you been, Trevor?" Asked Derek after being asked how well Christmas trading had gone for them. "Here in our part of Essex we had a very poor November for Christmas and although December was fine we never made it up.  Lighting and artificial trees have been very tough with so much competition from other retailers taking a share of business at lower prices.

"As a core gardening centre we really suffered from the Beast from the East and then drought for two months. As for 2019, we will be really pleased when the uncertainty of Brexit is out of the way."

What were your experiences of Christmas trading and the year end?  Add your centres comments by using the comment link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Keep checking back to this story to see further Christmas updates as they are added during next week.

Dobbies Garden Centres has recorded strong figures this Christmas with total sales of £24.1m being 21% higher than the same period last year. The garden centre retailer also saw record real Christmas tree sales and record restaurant sales.

The highlights were:

• Total sales of £24.1m were 21% higher than the same period last year.
• Like-for-like sales were 8% higher year-on-year and 1% higher than 2016.
• Footfall was 6% higher year-on-year.
• Against 2016 footfall strengthened significantly in the last two weeks, being 9% higher.
• Stronger customer conversion for both Retail and Hospitality on a one and two-year basis.
• Record real Christmas tree sales.
• Record restaurant sales.
• Strong sell through to date for seasonal clearance event.
• Cash margin significantly ahead of last year and 2016.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO, said: “Our Christmas trading performance was underpinned by strong conversion, as customers responded positively to the re-ranging of favourite products and the launch of exciting new ranges.

"In addition, the improvements we have made to our Hospitality offer, including to our Santa Grottos, have been very well received by customers.”

Andrew Bracey, Chairman, added: “Dobbies’ Christmas trading results are a credit to the hard work of Graeme and the team. With this critical trading period following closely after the acquisition and successful integration of six new centres, we are very pleased with the progress that has been made.”

Pictured: Dobbies Christmas tree sales are top of the tree. Credit Jeff Holmes

Real reindeers, and camels, proved to be a big success at Planters Garden Centre despite protests by animal rights activists posted on Facebook.

“The reindeers are our own so we have a strong animal welfare message,” said company director Gerald Ingram.

“We also had camels on the weekend the protestors were at their most vocal and they also proved to be a great success.

“Next year I might make a stronger case that our reindeers have been saved from the Scandinavian meat and skins industry, so we’re seen as being more of a reindeer sanctuary.”

As part of the garden centre’s grotto experience, visiting children are invited to help mix a Christmas Eve reindeer food but Gerald picked up a valuable lesson as a result.

“We need to be more careful about making sure it does not contain nuts and give warnings on the booking page and in the grotto about traces of nuts,” added Gerald. “One little boy become ill after visiting on Christmas Eve because of this. He is now fine.”

What were your experiences with Reindeer and other live animal attractions at Christmas?  Are you taking steps to change things for next year?  Please add you comment to this story using the link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Evergreen Garden Care UK has strengthened its commercial team with three new senior appointments within marketing and sales.

Ann-Marie O'Riordan joined the company in mid-August as Marketing Director with responsibility for brand, product and category developments. She has held a number of senior marketing roles, including that of UK & Ireland Marketing Director for more than ten years at Akzo Nobel.

With a new strategic direction and company mission, Evergreen Garden Care has also strengthened its sales team with the appointment of a new Sales Director and Head of Sales for Independents.

Sean Elkins, who joined the company at the beginning of September in time for Glee, has overall responsibility for the sales team. Among his previous roles were senior sales, category and strategy positions with one of the largest food manufacturers in the world, General Mills.

Working closely alongside Sean, Phil Harrison also joined in October as the new Head of Sales for Independent Garden Centres. Having held a variety of sales roles at Westland, Phil brings with him a wealth of experience within the gardening sector.

Mark Portman, Managing Director, Evergreen Garden Care, said: “These key appointments reflect the positive changes we are making as an organisation and further strengthen our commercial teams as we look to work far closer with our strategic customer base”.

For more information visit www.lovethegarden.com

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 2016 as well as 2017 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 this week are here

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

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters 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 £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

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Work is officially underway on an exciting refurbishment project at Notcutts Garden Pride Garden Centre, on Common Lane in Ditchling.

Due to be completed this summer, the garden centre will have an extended covered planteria offering customers more variety of plants and garden supplies.

The garden centre will also benefit from an improved layout, upgraded lighting and flooring throughout, and new concession space for even more shopping variety.

The project also includes development of a brand new restaurant with a bright and spacious dining area seating up to 300 people, plus an additional 80 seats in a new alfresco south-facing dining terrace with views across the downs. There will also be a new outdoor children’s play area for little ones to enjoy. Freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches or afternoon teas will be available in the new restaurant, with comfortable seating areas for a relaxed dining experience.

The garden centre and current restaurant area will remain open as usual throughout the refurbishment period.

Gary West, general manager at Notcutts Garden Pride, said: “We are very excited to be investing in major improvements at our garden centre to provide customers with a fresh and contemporary shopping and dining experience.

“Notcutts Garden Pride Garden Centre will continue to remain open as usual and we are hoping to keep disruption to a minimum but we ask customers to please bear with us in the meantime. We look forward to unveiling our brand new look to all of our customers later this year.”

2019 is already set to be a record year for Casual Dining show, as it announces its free Keynote line-up featuring some of the biggest names from the nation’s best casual dining operators.

Visitors to the show, taking place at the new venue of London ExCeL on 27-28 February, will benefit from expert insights from 50 speakers appearing in 25 free business seminars across two dedicated keynote theatres (sponsored by Yumpingo).

The addition of a second theatre ensures there’s even more great content from over 25 new show speakers.  Among them are CEOs, founders, and senior directors from Dishoom (Shamil Thakrar), Carluccio’s (Mark Jones), Hawksmoor (Will Beckett), Mowgli Street Food (Nisha Katona), Jamie’s Italian (Ed Loftus), Pizza Pilgrims (Thom Elliot), The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants (Simon Potts), MEATliquor (Scott Collins), PizzaExpress (Jane Treasure), BrewDog (David McDowall), Swingers (Matt Grech-Smith), Albion & East (Sarah Weir), Blacklock (Gordon Ker), Harcourt Inns (James McCulloch), Flight Club (Steve Moore), and Social Entertainment Ventures (Toby Harris).

Also making their debut are: head marketeers from wagamama (Andre Johnstone), Mitchells & Butlers (Anna-Marie Mason), Bill’s Restaurants (Lesley McIlroy), Revolution Bars Group (Kate Eastwood), and Las Iguanas (Lucy Harwood); operations directors from The Ivy Collection (Baton Berisha), YO! (Jo Childs), Browns Brasserie & Bar (Dave Lewis), and Pizza Pilgrims (Gavin Smith); plus wagamama’s executive chef Steven Mangleshot.

As previously confirmed, the CEOs of UKHospitality, Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, Pizza Hut Restaurants UK, Casual Dining Group, The New World Trading Co (NWTC), and Oakman Inns will also be giving their take on the challenges and opportunities of competing in this dynamic market.

For full details and timings, please visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk/keynote-programme.

“Casual Dining has already established itself as the destination show for restaurant, pub and bar operators.  It’s the only UK event that annually attracts so many leading innovators, influencers, trailblazers and decision makers from across the sector together in one place at one time.  And, this incredible free Keynote line-up, makes it even more unmissable,” says event manager Eva Ellis.

"In these turbulent times, it’s more important than ever that our great industry gets together.  I’m very happy to be speaking at our industry trade show, Casual Dining.  See you at ExCeL," says Dishoom’s Shamil Thakrar.

Speaker highlights (Keynotes & panellists) include:

•                     Steve Richards, CEO of The Casual Dining Group

•                     Jon Knight, CEO of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group

•                     Mark Jones, CEO of Carluccio’s

•                     Jens Hofma, CEO of Pizza Hut Restaurants UK

•                     Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of Dishoom

•                     Nisha Katona, CEO & founder of Mowgli Street Food Restaurants

•                     Will Beckett, founder of Hawksmoor

•                     Chris Hill, CEO of The New World Trading Co

•                     David McDowall, CEO – Retail at BrewDog

•                     Peter Borg Neal, CEO of Oakman Inns

•                     Scott Collins, co-founder & MD of MEATliquor

•                     Gordon Ker, founder of Blacklock

•                     Steve Moore, CEO & co-founder of Flight Club

•                     Brian Whiting, owner of Whiting & Hammond

•                     Matt Grech-Smith, co–founder of Swingers

•                     Toby Harris, CEO of Social Entertainment Ventures

•                     Paul Merrett, chef director at The Jolly Fine Pub Group

•                     Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UKHospitality

•                     Tim Foster, co-owner & head of being awesome at Yummy Pubs Co

•                     Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims

•                     Simon Potts, MD of The Alchemist Bars & Restaurants

•                     Jo Fleet, MD of Flat Iron

•                     Sarah Weir, MD of Albion & East

•                     James McCulloch, director of Harcourt Inns

•                     Jane Treasure, food & beverage director at PizzaExpress

•                     Paul Dickinson, director of food at Fuller’s

•                     Ed Loftus, group F&B director at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group

•                     Glenn Evans, head of food development at Las Iguanas, La Tasca & La Vina

•                     Antony Bennett, head of food at Loungers

•                     Steven Mangleshot, executive chef at wagamama

•                     Chris Knights, group exec chef at Young’s Pubs

•                     Baton Berisha, director of operations at The Ivy Collection

•                     Jo Childs, people & operations director at YO! Sushi

•                     Dave Lewis, operations director at Browns Brasserie & Bar

•                     Gavin Smith, operations director at Pizza Pilgrims

•                     Brian Trollip, operations director at Dishoom

•                     Anna-Marie Mason, director of brand marketing at Mitchells & Butlers

•                     Andre Johnstone, UK marketing director at wagamama

•                     Lucy Harwood, brand & marketing director at Las Iguanas

•                     Kate Eastwood, sales & marketing director at Revolution Bars Group

•                     Lesley McIlroy, head of marketing at Bill’s Restaurants

•                     Mark McCulloch, founder & CEO of WE ARE Spectacular

•                     Jay Morjaria, chef & food consultant, and winner of the BBC’s My Million Pound Menu

•                     Peter Martin, director of CM&Co and VP of CGA

•                     Fiona Speakman & Chris Jeffrey, client directors at CGA

•                     Simon Stenning, founder of FutureFoodservice.com

•                     Peter Backman, principal of Peter Backman Foodservice

•                     Mark Stretton, MD of Fleet Street Communications

Free advance trade registration

Casual Dining will take place at the new venue of ExCeL London on 27-28 February 2019.

The pre-registered visitor list, to date, also includes key decision makers from AccorHotels UK & Ireland, Admiral Taverns, Aramark, Azzurri Group, BaxterStorey, Be At One, Bourne Leisure Group, Brewhouse and Kitchen, Center Parcs, Daniel Thwaites, Domino's Pizza Group, Ei Publican Partnerships, Elior UK, Glendola Leisure, Greene King, Hall & Woodhouse, Hollywood Bowl Group, ISS Facility Services, Prezzo, Punch Taverns, Roadchef, Sodexo, Star Pubs & Bars, TGI Fridays UK, The Restaurant Group, Tortilla, Warner Leisure Hotels, Whitbread, and many more.  Over 5,000 attendees are expected.

To register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk and use priority code CD80 (direct link:www.eventdata.co.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=Cas29Visitor&TrackingCode=CD80).