In This Issue
That was the year that was... 2021
Large Fire at Longacres Shepperton - UPDATED
Tributes for Eddie Topping MBE, Founder, Pioneer, Dad
An Open Letter on the use of peat
We're Here For You
Blue Diamond to open the largest Home and Garden Centre in the UK
Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
£31m loss reported by Dobbies Garden Centre Group
Garden centre owners share their thoughts on being open during Lockdown 3
British Garden Centres announce 58th centre, in Harrogate, will open in April
Antony Harker to launch Altico at Glee - Read GTN's August issue on-line now
Nicholas Marshall returns... again
Four Oaks trade show director Pat Coutts sadly dies
Garden centres report busiest ever day as gardens are the focus for family re-unions this week - More comments added
Nicholas Marshalls Country House Group pulls out of Windlesham
Suez Canal blockage causes further delays for garden furniture
Joules acquires digitally led retailer Garden Trading
Easter thank you to growers, manufacturers & distributors from British Garden Centres
Elho takes top prize as GIMA Award winners announced
Sustainable decking brand invests in technology to aid its stockist partners
Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang", has died
Westland call for reality to be brought to the peat debate
Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening
Dobbies buy Johnsons of Boston
Government publishes plan to ban peat sales by 2024
Signs of growth for after lockdown
Has the sales volume bubble burst?
Dobbies No 71 opens in Boston, Lincolnshire
Nicholas Marshall interview and Solex On-Line Preview in GTN July 2021 Issue, live on-line now
£1.8m reward for Choice Marketing members
Smart, Kaemingk and Allensmore are Choice Marketing Suppliers of the Year
Alton's praised for tough stance on facemasks
Former LOFA secretary Phil Gibbs receives prison sentence for fraud
Blue Diamond acquires Mere Park Garden Centre
UK’s largest garden centre should get green light, say planning officers
GIMA Golf Day Photo Exclusive
Cherry Lane acquires Langford Garden Centre
Who have been the best buyers of the past eighteen months?
Industry prepares for a peat-less future
Derek Bunker adds his thanks to suppliers for "their efforts throughout this amazing period in garden centre history"
Shed prices set to soar
David Isaac says farewell to Johnsons of Boston
Europlants founder Renato Canale dies, aged 78
East Yorkshire garden centre sells for £1.5m
Petition to get Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales open again as soon as possible gains momentum, but they still need our help
BGC's Harrogate centre opens - Exclusive photo tour
Tong gets go-ahead to build £14m garden centre
57 garden centres vie for Christmas Greatness in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 FUNdraising goes past £35k and is still growing...
With eight weeks to go until Glee 2021, show organisers unveil a new date for next year’s event
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Online petition launched to get Welsh garden centres re-opened – sign it NOW!
Farewell to the Eddie Topping, the Preston pioneer - UPDATED
GCA Christmas competition winners announced
Martin Stewart leads industry tributes at Memorial Service for Eddie Topping
Joe Swift opens The Plant Room by Camden Garden Centre in Richmond
GIMA Charity Golf Day welcomes the industry back with a day of sunshine and friendly competition
Christmas Future Trends and GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards Winners to be announced during Glee's on-line Festive Focus Day
Alan Roper wins Director of the Year Award
After a fantastic three days at the NEC, the return to Glee "has been really special"
Boyd's 100km in a day and AMES Amble add to the Garden Re-Leaf Day FUNdraising for Greenfingers
Online garden products retailer sold to private equity firm
little dobbies opens its doors in Bristol
AMES UK invest more than £1m in infrastructure and people in response to increasing market demand
Garden Centres re-open in Scotland... and it snows!
Sue Allen and Tammy Woodhouse to Brave the Shave on Garden Re-Leaf Day
Little Dobbies brings Garden Centre Christmas and houseplants to Richmond High Street
Eddie Topping retires
LOFA reports increased freight rates and container crisis
Excited to be back at Glee - GTN September, Glee Preview Issue, on-line here
Private equity group acquires leading garden product firm
Pearson Memorial medal awarded to Adam Wigglesworth of Aylett Nurseries
Turbo charged gardening as February breaks all records
Record end to a record year, up 28% on 2020, up 17% on 2019
Industry taskforce to produce roadmap for a peat-free future
AMES UK reports record revenues in 2020
Wildlife Trusts call for immediate end to peat sales
Hillmount boss warns of disarray for gardeners in Northern Ireland as spring approaches
Christmas Future Trends at Glee's Festive Focus Day
Future proofing your garden centre for maximum flexibility and profitability
No bubble burst yet for garden centre sales volumes
Garden Kitchen by Pugh's is a unique concept
Dobbies strengthens leadership team
Hetland Garden Centre sold to Caulders
Immediate ban on peat use unrealistic, says HTA
The COVID year in numbers
Fordingbridge undertakes major work at Norfolk centre
Lull in sales before mid-Summer
New brands confirmed for Glee 2021
The new revolutionary smokeless fire pit
Pershore School Horticultural Unit, Pershore High School, Worcestershire has unwanted visitors.
Choice Marketing readies ‘Meet the Furniture Buyer’ event
The BBQ game changer!
Sales up by 49% compared to previous nine years, despite being closed for Easter Sunday
Monkton Elm and Old Railway Line scoop top Wales & West honours in GCA Awards
Expansion for family-owned garden lifestyle business
Moving on up… slowly
One good week and gardening sales get going
Glee to return in September 2021
Ho, Ho, Ho! GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back…for real!
Dobbies reports 51% increase in sales
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
12 page GIMA Awards Special in GTN November/December 2021 Issue available on-line
GTN Bestsellers
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...

Read more»
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
 
Buy your GTN Bestsellers Subscription here
12 page GIMA Awards Special in GTN November/December 2021 Issue available on-line

In this New Product and GIMA Awards Special issue of GTN:

  • New lines and bestsellers from G Plants.
  • Thinking outside of the box 1 – Little Dobbies.
  • Blue Diamond ambitions for 2023.
  • Thinking outside of the box 2 – The Plant Room.
  • A Boost for peat free growing.
  • Thinking outside of the box 3 – Hillmount come to Cheshire.
  • Poinsettias on social media.
  • Illumination Street celebrates the magic of Christmas.
  • 2021 GIMA Awards Roll of Honour - 12 Page Special.
  • New Product Directory for 2022 - All 283 products entered in the Glee 2021 New Product Showcase.
  • HTA Column – A fresh beginning for 2022.    
Read GTN's November/December 2021 Issue on-line here
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news.

Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


That was the year that was... 2021

Happy New Year to you all.  We hope you all had a good and safe festive period and are now looking forward to an exciting 2022.

 

Since New Year the GTN gnomes have been beavering away to compile the Top 100 stories read in GTN Xtra last year as our review of 2021.

 

During 2021 we published in excess of 2,500 stories in GTN Xtra which was opened 390,397 times by 34,334 unique readers who viewed 856,595 pages.  Added to that are the pages of GTN magazines published through the year which have been read on line almost 33,000 times (you can catch up with any you may have missed using the links on the bottom right hand side of this GTN Xtra edition) as well as the many thousands of readers of the printed copies.

 

We've thoroughly enjoyed bringing you all the news, views and ideas during 2021 and we hope you found them useful and informative.  Here's to an even greater 2022!

Top 100 most read stories in GTN Xtra during 2021...
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Large Fire at Longacres Shepperton - UPDATED
No 1 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 15 2021

Longacres have issued the following statement following the fire yesterday at their Shepperton Garden Centre...

Read more»
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Tributes for Eddie Topping MBE, Founder, Pioneer, Dad
No 2 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 36 2021

Eddie Topping, one of the pioneers of garden centre retailing in the UK, sadly passed away peacefully with his family around him yesterday evening (Monday 6th September 2021)...

Read more»
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An Open Letter on the use of peat
No 3 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 51 2021
 

The undersigned feel there should be a much more open debate on the peat in horticulture issue with both for and against statements up for discussion...

 

Sir Brian H  Donohoe Ret'd MP Secretary of the Gardening and Horticultural Group 1992—2015

Peter Seabrook, International TV Gardening Presenter/Gardening Editor, The Sun.

Robert Hillier, Director Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres.

Jim McColl, Presenter BBC TV The Beechgrove Gardening Progammes.

Adrian Bloom, Chair Blooms Nurseries Ltd.

Jason Bloom, Managing Director Blooms Nurseries.

Bunny Guinness, Garden Designer and Broadcaster.

Andrew Tokely, Horticultural Director, E. W. King & Co Ltd.

Garry Coward Williams, Editor, Amateur Gardening Magazine.

Robert Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses (fears unfair European Competition).

Paul Wharton, Director Wharton’s Roses.

Alan Sargent, Founder Association of Professional Landscapers.

Paul Cooling, Chair Coolings Garden Centres. (Currently not enough Peat Free alternatives).

Neil and Nicci Gow, Experienced and long-term Garden Retailers.

Steve McCurdy, Managing Director, Majestic Trees Ltd.

Kenneth Cox, Director Glendoick Nursery and Garden Centre, Ericaceous Plat Exporter.

Christine Walkden, Gardening Broadcaster and Lecturer.

Steve and Val Bradley, Authors, Social Media, National gardening Columnists.

Graham Richardson, Group Managing Director Johnsons of Wixley and six fellow directors:-

John, Andrew, Iain, Robert, Eleanor and Jonathon Whitemore.

Douglas Wilson, Director/Partner, Trioscape Garden Centre and Nursery.

Jo Davey, Horticultural Marketing Research and Development Manager.

Michael Smith, Director Grange, Nurseries and MeadowCroft Garden Centre.

Simon Crawford, Director, Burpee Europe.

Tim Kerley, Director, Kerley & Co, Plant Breeders.

Derek Jarman, Director Hayloft Nurseries Ltd.

Read more»
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We're Here For You
No 4 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 1 2021
 

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..."

Read more»
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Blue Diamond to open the largest Home and Garden Centre in the UK
No 5 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 3 2021

Scotch Corner Designer Village has announced that it has just signed a lease for a 160,000 sq ft home and garden centre with Blue Diamond, which will be the largest in the UK...

Read more»
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Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020
No 6 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 3 2021

 

The winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 have been announced LIVE! on-line during Glee's Festive Focus Day today. 

 

And the winners are...  

Watch the LIVE announcement and see all the results here
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Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
No 7 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 19 2021
 

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.

Read more»
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£31m loss reported by Dobbies Garden Centre Group
No 8 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 49 2021

Dobbies Garden Centres Group Limited accounts for the 52 weeks ending 28 February 2021 show an operating profit of £12.9m on reduced turnover of £224m, however, after finance costs the group reported a loss of £31m...

Read more»
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Garden centre owners share their thoughts on being open during Lockdown 3
No 9 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 2 2021

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..."

 

Read comment from Aylett's, Hilliers, Planters, Groves, Bosworths and Stewarts Garden Centres
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British Garden Centres announce 58th centre, in Harrogate, will open in April
No 10 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 11 2021

British Garden Centres arrive in Harrogate with their 58th garden centre, due to open in April, and are looking to fill 40 new jobs...

Read more»
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Antony Harker to launch Altico at Glee - Read GTN's August issue on-line now
No 11 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 33 2021

In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals:

  • Patio Black Spot - Bloomin Marvellous on Patios.
  • Antony Harker launches Altico at Glee.
  • Made to measure merchandising from Primeur.
  • Meadow View Stone Delivers.
  • Miss Marple Afternoon Tea – Alan Roper’s new dining concept.
  • Blue Diamond Springfields, GTN Photo Tour.    
  • Downtown Grantham, GTN Photo Tour.
  • Glee 2021 is ready to refuel retail.
  • HTA Column – Job for life?
  • LOFA Member profile – Traeger.
  • GIMA Column – A Celebration of newness.
Read GTN's August 2021 Issue on-line here
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Nicholas Marshall returns... again
No 12 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 15 2021

Nicholas Marshall is making a return to Garden Centre retailing at Lavershot Barns, Windlesham, Surrey...

Read more»
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Four Oaks trade show director Pat Coutts sadly dies
No 13 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 35 2021
 

GTN Xtra has learned of the sad passing of Pat Coutts, the long-time event director of the Four Oaks trade show...

Read more»
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Garden centres report busiest ever day as gardens are the focus for family re-unions this week - More comments added
No 14 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 13 2021

Gardens are the main stage for family re-unions as England moves to the next stage of the Roadmap today, and garden centres have been reporting their busiest ever day on Saturday this weekend...

Comment from BGC, Blue Diamond, Altons, Baytree, Planters, Bosworths, Groves, Summerseat, Fron Goch, Klondyke, Newbank, Perrywood, Raglan, Bents & Longacres Garden Centres
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Nicholas Marshalls Country House Group pulls out of Windlesham
No 15 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 49 2021
 

Last Friday, 3rd December, new operators, Lush Landscapes, took over the running of the plant and garden centre at Windlesham after Nicholas Marshalls Country House Group pulled out...

Read more»
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Suez Canal blockage causes further delays for garden furniture
No 16 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 13 2021

Many LOFA members have products on the container ship that is blocking the Suez canal, Ever Given, or held up in one of the container ships behind the vessel, which means yet another setback for the outdoor leisure industry which is already dealing with issues caused by port congestion, lack of empty containers and rising shipping costs...

Read more»
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Joules acquires digitally led retailer Garden Trading
No 17 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 6 2021

Joules, the premium British lifestyle brand, has announced that it has acquired The Garden Trading Company Limited, a digitally led retailer of home and garden products inspired by the British countryside and lifestyle trends...

Read more»
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Easter thank you to growers, manufacturers & distributors from British Garden Centres
No 18 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 14 2021

 

 

The team at British Garden Centres took the opportunity of a brief lull in trading on Easter Sunday to express their huge thanks to their industry friends for their help in the last year...

Read more»
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Elho takes top prize as GIMA Award winners announced
No 19 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 46 2021

Elho won the Sword of Excellence at the GIMA Awards last night with its Green Basics Veggie Wall 80cm. Other winners on a spectacular night of celebration at Celtic Manor in Wales included: Richard Jackson Garden, Stihl, Fallen Fruits, Mr Fothergill's Seeds, Onduline, Wildlife World, The Solar Centre, Woodlodge, Evergreen Garden Care, Dalefoot Compost and Meadow View Stone...

See all the GIMA 2021 winners here
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Sustainable decking brand invests in technology to aid its stockist partners
No 20 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 26 2021

The UK’s leading brand of sustainable composite decking and cladding, Composite Prime, has launched an exclusive online stockist training programme. Following a huge surge in demand for composite decking products experienced by stockists during the pandemic the brand has invested in a free to use, virtual training platform...

Read more»
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Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang", has died
No 21Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 33 2021

 

Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang" of garden centre pioneers in the UK, has died aged 83.

 

He passed away peacefully last Wednesday evening at home after a short illness, with his family around him...

Read more»
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Westland call for reality to be brought to the peat debate
No 22 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 12 2021
 

"Westland Horticulture is significantly ahead of our plan in delivering ambitious sustainability targets across our potting soils and composts for 2021. However, we would warn that the toughest days lie ahead for the sector unless some reality is brought to the debate around peat." Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director Westland Horticulture...

Read more»
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Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening
No 23 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 46 2021

Here’s our picture special from last night’s glitzy GIMA Awards evening hosted by celebrity Vernon Kay. Pictures taken by Steve Burden and Trevor Pfeiffer.

Click here to see gallery of pictures
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Dobbies buy Johnsons of Boston
No 24 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 15 2021

Yesterday afternoon, local newspapers reported that Dobbies had bought Johnsons of Boston Garden Centre...

Read more»
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Government publishes plan to ban peat sales by 2024
No 25 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 20 2021

The Environment Secretary, George Eustice, will today speak from Delamere Forest when he will confirm that the Government will ban sales of peat products by the end of this Parliament, subject to public consultation this year...

Read more»
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Signs of growth for after lockdown
No 26 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 4 2021

A combination of lockdown#3 and wintry weather means that even shopping for gardening essentials stays at an all time low as far as the GTN Bestsellers Epos data tells us...

Read more»
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Has the sales volume bubble burst?
No 27 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 16 2021

Has the bubble burst for garden centres increased sales volumes?  Analysis of last weeks Epos data for GTN Bestsellers shows sales dipping below or just matching previous years levels for the first week since mid February...

Read more»
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Dobbies No 71 opens in Boston, Lincolnshire
No 28 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 18 2021

Dobbies opened its 71st store, located in Boston Lincolnshire, on Friday 30th April 2021...

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre
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Nicholas Marshall interview and Solex On-Line Preview in GTN July 2021 Issue, live on-line now
No 29 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 27 2021

Nicholas Marshall is back - with aspirations to open many new plant centres.


In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals:

  • Solex Online - “exhibitors preview”
  • Marshall is back… again
  • Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 raises £75,000
  • New Products - Glee style
  • Glee Buyers Power List - nominate your top buyers
  • GIMA Golf Day - full results and pictures
  • Hillier Heritage at Syon Park - GTN Photo Tour
  • Signs of the times at Thetford - GTN Photo Tour
  • Jam on top at BGC Bressingham - GTN Photo Tour
  • HTA Column – 20/20 Vision… so last year.
Read the July Issue of GTN magazine on-line here
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£1.8m reward for Choice Marketing members
No 30 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 26 2021

Choice Marketing members are celebrating the completion of another successful year with a huge rebate of £1,800,000, for achieving agreed targets with their key suppliers during 2020...

Read more and see pictures from the Choice Meet the Furniture Buyer event
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Smart, Kaemingk and Allensmore are Choice Marketing Suppliers of the Year
No 31 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 41 2021

Last week saw the return of Choice Marketing’s annual conference and trade show. The two day event brought together Choice members from over 40 independent garden centres across the country for what was described as “the perfect mix of supplier presentations, networking opportunities, and entertainment” combined with a trade show with over 90 trade exhibitors from the garden, leisure and gift sectors...

Read more»
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Alton's praised for tough stance on facemasks
No 32 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 2 2021

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...

Read more»
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Former LOFA secretary Phil Gibbs receives prison sentence for fraud
No 33 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 42 2021
 

On the 14 October 2021 – Phil Gibbs, former LOFA Secretary was given a 27-month custodial sentence for Fraud by abuse of position – fraud act 2006 between 01/08/2013 and 31/12/2018...

Read more»
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Blue Diamond acquires Mere Park Garden Centre
No 34 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 43 2021

The Blue Diamond Group has added to its portfolio of garden centres with the acquisition of Mere Park Garden Centre in Newport, Shropshire...

Read more»
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UK’s largest garden centre should get green light, say planning officers
No 35 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 26 2021

Planning officers have recommended that proposals for what’s been described as the UK’s largest garden centre be approved by local councillors...

Read more»
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GIMA Golf Day Photo Exclusive
No 36 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 24 2021

Full Results and photos from the GIMA Golf Day 2021
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Cherry Lane acquires Langford Garden Centre
No 37 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 13 2021

 

Value garden centre group, Cherry Lane, has acquired Langford Nurseries & Garden Centre in Bedfordshire, taking their group of garden centres to 15...

Read more»
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Who have been the best buyers of the past eighteen months?
No 38 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 28 2021

Nominations are now open for the Glee Buyers Power List Awards, the winners will be celebrated at Glee 2021...

Make your nominations on-line here
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Industry prepares for a peat-less future
No 39 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 20 2021

In advance of tomorrows reported publishing of the governments Peat Strategy by George Eustace, DEFRA Minister, the UK gardening industry appears to be preparing for a peat-less future...

Read more»
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Derek Bunker adds his thanks to suppliers for "their efforts throughout this amazing period in garden centre history"
No 40 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 14 2021

 

After reading Charles Stubbs Easter message in GTN Xtra on Easter Monday, Derek Bunker, who is celebrating 50 years of Alton Garden Centre contacted the GTN team to pass on his thanks to all suppliers and staff too...

Read more»
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Shed prices set to soar
No 41 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 23 2021

Britons could soon be paying up to fifty per cent more for their garden sheds due to a global shortage of timber...

Read more»
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David Isaac says farewell to Johnsons of Boston
No 42 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 16 2021

Twenty-three years after buying Johnsons of Boston, David Isaac, a self-described "engineer from a family of retailers", has retired and the business sold to Dobbies.  GTN Xtra had the privilege of visiting David and his team on their last day of independent trading, Sunday 18th April 2021, before the centre closes for a two week re-fit...

Read more and see our photo gallery from the centre
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Europlants founder Renato Canale dies, aged 78
No 43 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 21 2021
 

Renato Canale 1942-2021

It is with the heaviest of hearts that Valerie, Fabienne, (daughters) Kiaran, (grandson), Oscar Freddie and all the team at Europlants UK Ltd are notifying industry colleagues and friends of the passing of Renato Canale on the 17th May 2021...

Read more»
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East Yorkshire garden centre sells for £1.5m
No 44 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 14 2021
 

California Gardens in East Yorkshire has been sold for £1.5m to two local businessmen who plan to invest more than £1m in the garden centre and create 15 new jobs...

Read more»
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Petition to get Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales open again as soon as possible gains momentum, but they still need our help
No 45 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 6 2021

 

Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales, where garden centres are currently not allowed to open, need our support with their petitions to devolved governments to allow them to re-open as soon as possible...

Links to the petitions are here
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BGC's Harrogate centre opens - Exclusive photo tour
No 46 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 22 2021

British Garden Centres 58th centre at Harrogate opened yesterday where Charles Stubbs and Anthony Harker enjoyed the welcome sunshine...

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre
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Tong gets go-ahead to build £14m garden centre
No 47 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 23 2021

Tong’s new £14m garden centre on the edge of Wakefield was given the green light today (Thursday), as council planning chiefs approved plans for the site of a former golf course. The company now has permission to build the new garden centre and soft play area at the former Acanthus Golf Club off Thorpe Lane in Tingley, which is expected to provide up to 250 jobs.

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57 garden centres vie for Christmas Greatness in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
No 48 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 48 2021

GTN's Greatest Awards team of experts are out in force this week and the following two weeks visiting the teams at the 57 Garden Centres nominated in this year's Greatest Christmas Awards...

 

GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are sponsored by:

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Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 FUNdraising goes past £35k and is still growing...
No 49 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 12 2021

"From head shaves to virtual walks, quizzes to minutes mowed, pot sales, skipping, #floralfriday and much more we really cannot thank the industry enough for their inspiration and for digging deep and putting the FUN into FUNdraising!..."

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 picture special
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With eight weeks to go until Glee 2021, show organisers unveil a new date for next year’s event
No 50 Most read story in 2021 - From GTN Xtra Issue 28 2021

There is great anticipation in the garden retail sector for the long-awaited return of Glee (14th – 16th September 2021, NEC Birmingham) as an in-person event; with suppliers and retailers set to reconnect and create new opportunities at this year’s show. Building on this excitement, the Glee team has confirmed that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. As a result, Glee 2022 will take place June 28th – 30th...

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