In This Issue
100% Business Rates Reliefs for Garden Centres Confirmed
Rising to the Challenge
Trading update from this weekend - UPDATED
The Royal Horticultural Society cancels upcoming RHS Shows & Garden Events following latest COVID-19 Advice
GIMA Day Conference and AGM postponed
Orangutan Books specialise in extremely high-quality bespoke gift books for your Christmas event
Gardenex to support UK firms in light of National Hardware Show postponement
To sell greenhouses or not? Let Vitavia help!
Blue Diamond Awards Shine Brightly
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020 is a FUNdraising success
GTN Bestsellers EPoS data analysis: It’s good news for gardening
Eco-friendly milk now on tap at Brimsmore farm shop
HTA welcomes Budget measures - but waits to see the detail
How pets can boost health, wellbeing and the value of the ‘Pet Pound
Tong Garden Centre honours its values champions
New Johnsons Lawn Seed mix solves problem of dog wee damage
On track to become the UK's most sustainable fire logs...
LOFA's 1629km charity drive to Monte Carlo aims to raise £3,500-plus
Seedball gets eye-catching display stand
Wyevale Nurseries wins licence to propagate new award-winner
GTN Bestsellers Garden Re-Leaf Subscription Offer
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Best week of the year so far for Primula
Call for stories for Greenfingers book
Shoots of growth for garden product sales
11,000 Mr Fothergill's Seeds Packets to Help Refugees in Kurdistan
Young strawberry plant sales on the rise
Upward trend for Wild Bird Care
Keukenhof will not open on March 21
Peat-free compost sales on the up
Christmas Grotto Gift Books
Rain kept shoppers away in February says BRC
DCF to fund plant health studentship
Still struggling with GDPR? Try this new book for 'dummies'
The best of last week's
Worcester centre extension project beats February weather
Work starts on £1.5m Fron Goch expansion after MSC planning win
Melcourt Bag for Life wins New Product Award
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Spacious new restaurant opens in Woodbridge at Notcutts
Casual Dining show postponed until July
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700


100% Business Rates Reliefs for Garden Centres Confirmed

It was confirmed yesterday by the Minister for Housing, Communities & Local Government that Rates relief at 100% for the retail and leisure sectors will be applied to all Garden Centres...


It was confirmed yesterday by the Minister for Housing, Communities & Local Government that Rates relief at 100% for the retail and leisure sectors will be applied to all Garden Centres.

 

The relief will apply for a period of 12 months, effective from the 1st April 2020. For the avoidance of any doubt, there is no Rateable Value limit.

 

The guidance is subject to confirmation from the EU in respect of State aid rules. The EU have been notified, and a decision is awaited.

 

A copy of the guidance document from MHCLG can be downloaded here.

 

Thanks to Allen Evans at Gilbert Evans for providing this update.

Rising to the Challenge

Garden centres across the country are rising to the challenges of Coronavirus, making sure their customers are safe and selling a lot of gardening products too...


Garden centres across the country are rising to the challenges of Coronavirus, making sure their customers are safe and selling a lot of gardening products too!

 

Every centre contacted by GTN Xtra this week has reported an increase in sales of growing media, young plants (especially veg plants) and other gardening products as customers prepare for possible self-isolation with the intention of spending as much of their time in the garden as possible.

 

The buoyancy of sales can be seen in the latest GTN Bestsellers All Sales index for the week ending on Sunday 15th March.  Our EPoS data analysis shows sales up 12% week on week and 17% up on the same week last year.  We’ll include the full analysis in this weeks GTN Bestsellers for subscribers and the highlights in GTN Xtra.  It will be interesting to see the breakdown of those sales.

 

High volume sales of Grow Your Own, Wild Bird Care and Jigsaws have been reported in the conversations we've had but the big downside has been a mass cancelling of events and sharp declines in restuarnats and coffee shops.

 

We’ve also heard that centres have been selling garden furniture and mowers.  At Downtown Garden Centre Keith Wilbin reported two very large furniture sales to people who’d had holidays cancelled and wanted to spend the money on their garden instead.

 

At Ayletts Nurseries where re-stocking composts has been an hourly task, staff from the coffee shop where business has dropped off have been helping out in the production nursery making sure they have plenty of home grown plants to sell.

 

Many garden centres are offering delivery services, at Gates Garden Centre they have started on line orders and delivery from their new Farm Shop, focusing on elderly who are self-isolating, using the butchers refrigerated van in evenings.

 

The Old Orchard Nursery in Burwash is offering delivery or collect from the car park orders for groceries and take-away food.

 

Catering is the area hardest hit but where centres have Farm Shops the drop in catering sales appears to being made up partly by increases in food sales.  At Barton Grange the catering team have upped the production of their own freshly made and frozen meals that are on sale in the Farm Shop.

 

Never before has there been so much potential benefit from a garden centre having a good e-mail database of customers to keep them directly informed of offers, or a large following on Facebook and other social media.  There are some good hashtags out there encouraging people to get gardening, notably #keepcalmandgetreadytogarden as conceived by the Young People in Horticulture Association.

 

Sam Bosworth told GTN Xtra: “If you are self-isolating in May and June and the sun is shining, then why not do it on a nice set of furniture?  We are about to embark on a local social media advertising 'campaign' telling everybody about our delivery service and our online shop.

 

“In 2007/8/9 we all felt that people could not afford (or would not commit to) holidays and spent money on the home and garden, I feel it will be the same this year.  70 years old is not as old as it used to be, they are far more active now, so I expect plenty of Septuagenarians to say "sod staying at home I am going out to do something", whether we agree with them or not!”

 

Getting back to gardening sales, an update from Andy Bunker at Alton Garden Centre this morning was: “Sales are very good in general, veg particularly and compost good as well.  They are our bread and butter lines and a must for stay at home gardeners.”

 

Fortunately, suppliers of composts and other garden products have plenty of stock to allow for replenishment prior to Easter, which is only 3 weeks away now.  Mark Portman at Evergreen Garden Care said: “We’ve seen loads of demand.  The season has certainly got started and we are well paced for the season ahead.  Where we have some weed killer products that are manufactured in France that may be an issue further down the line, but we have plenty of stock right now.”

 

Steve Harper from The Greener Gardening Company told us: “There are a few people mentioning that they have seen an uplift in sales of compost and plants but equally some stopping ordering because they seem unsure about whether they’ll be closed down so it’s a very mixed picture.”

 

In Holland “the clock” at Royal Flora Holland has seen a huge drop in demand which means there could be some great deals to be done provided customers keep coming into UK garden centres and keep on gardening.

 

In Germany where they have closed all non-essential retail stores, garden and DIY stores have been allowed to carry on opening.  Let’s hope that is the situation here in the UK too!

 

With gardening being so good for the nations physical and mental health it makes total sense for customers who are able to, to get out and buy from garden centres.  We will have to do lots of Social Distancing actions to make people feel even safer than usual in a garden centre but with the ingenuity, teamwork and passion of garden centre staff there are bound to be good solutions found.  Where garden centres are a key part of their community the safety and wellbeing of customers and staff will be forefront in everybodies minds.  Our industry sense of nuture will come to the fore and hopefully help as many people as possible through this difficult period.

 

At GTN Xtra we’d like to publish as much of a record of garden centre Rising to the Challenge of Coronavirus as possible so when you get a moment please send a note of your actions and your customers reactions, together with photos if you can, to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or use the comments link below.

Stay safe and stay well…

 
Trading update from this weekend - UPDATED

As garden centres trade through the first weekend after the move to the Delay Phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, GTN Xtra has been asking garden centre managers and owners how trading has been this weekend and about their thoughts for the coming weeks...


As garden centres trade through the first weekend after the move to the Delay phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, GTN Xtra has been asking garden centre managers and owners how trading has been this weekend and about their thoughts for the coming weeks.

 

Martin Stewart told GTN Xtra that the two supermarkets close to their Christchurch centre had been busy all weekend with shelves cleared out as customers stocked up.  "It's just like pre-Christmas food shopping here but we still had a fantastic day yesterday.  With the rain today if the situation was normal we would be saying the weather is deterring people.

 

"At Abbey where there are no supermarkets nearby we were 30% up last week.

 

"I have one wish that is places like us are able to keep trading, we can cope with a spring that is 10% down but we don't want the panic of all shops being closed down. We can run our business leanly if need be and hopefully garden centres will continue to be seen as safe places to be."

 

Nigel Long at Longacres has tlod GTN Xtra on Wednesday morning: "We have seen some large increases in various departments ,but especially in household ,food and gardening.  Customers look like that they are stock piling just in case that they have been told to self-isolate.

"We've also had a large increase on local deliveries across all departments.  Catering yesterday dropped off the cliff and we will try and promote take away coffees and teas from now on.

"Let hope things get better soon.

 

At Bents Garden And Home, Matthew Bent says: ""Food sales are doing really well, especially meat and essentials.   Plants, compost, seeds, edibles are really flying, customers are getting ready to spend time in their garden at home.

 

"We have put extra ranges of products in and more stock on the shop floor. In the restaurants there has been a big downturn and we've been widening between tables, reminding customers in the queues to leave space and the numbers have reduced massively."

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters sent us this update on Monday morning: "Trade has been very strong for the past week although the restaurants actually traded down slightly. We get the impression people are stocking up on essentials like compost, seeds and veg plants. This week last year saw a big upswing
because of the weather being dramatically better so we may not match the figures, but that’s a weather issue not COVID 19."

 

Sam Bosworth in the Midlands reports: "Trade is still down on 2019, but up on 2018. Trade year to date to the end of week 10 in 2020 is 22% up on 2018, but 5% down on 2019. 

 

"The weather is still currently a bigger influence than COVID-19, it is raining as I look outside now at a quiet car park, but the virus is really big long term issue to us and the trade. We have spent this morning looking at scenarios and trying to make plans. These include for total closure to retail businesses, closure of restaurants, or just a significant reduction in trade.

 

"Trade is still OK, coffee shops ticking along, but a noticeable difference in demographics. Our Elton store has a significantly older demographic and has already seen catering trade drop off significantly in the week, whereas Burton Latimer has held up better with a younger demograhic."

 

James Ducker at Langlands said: "Trade has been pretty normal over the weekend. The Farm Shop has been really busy and people are spending as usual in the Garden Centre and Coffee Shops."

 

At GCA Garden Centre of the Year, Fron Goch, Justin Williams says: "The situation seems very fluid with public opinion changing quickly. We are seeing the supermarkets being very very busy with people stocking up at the moment.

 

"Last week we did manage to match last year. But yesterday the restaurant was approx 25% down on transaction numbers against last weekend and it looks like today could be between 40-50% down transaction numbers wise in the restaurant against last year."

 

It was a different picture at Poplars in Toddington where Alastair Jackson commented: "Our restaurant was busy this weekend and footfall in general was excellent but lots of those people were just browsing or whiling away time. I think its all this talk of a possible lockdown.  People want to get out while they think they still can!"

 

Across the big groups, Blue Diamond's Alan Roper said: "I was concerned because it felt quiet in the centres especially on budget day. However I've had some numbers in for Monday to Friday for some of the sites and they are up."

 

British Garden Centres said they had a slow start yesterday morning but the day picked up well by lunchtime and at Dobbies, CEO Graeme Jenkins has reported: "Trade has been very good, with strong like-for-likes across plants, gardening, food hall and pet categories in particular."

 

In Scotland, Colin Barrie of Caulders told GTN Xtra: "We are concerned as the current situation develops.  The last 3 days have seen a noticeable decline in our coffee shops, yesterday was around 30% down on expected revenue. That said, the weather has also been against us in Scotland.

 

"I think over the coming days we will see older people staying at home as the fear factor and self isolation set in. The garden centre side of the business never gets going in Scotland until the second half of March so it’s difficult to judge where the effect on this is at present.

 

"Without being too pessimistic, I think this will be our most difficult season ahead in our 21 years in business..... hopefully the government will support independent businesses and allow them to survive it!"

 

Meanwhile at Groves in Bridport, Charlie Grove (pictured above) has found stocks of Christmas loo rolls which they have put out on sale to help alleviate that shortage and give customers some light relief too.  "Look what we found in the stockroom to bring out to the shop! Loads of (Christmas) loo roll!" he says on their Facebook page.

 

"Perfect for cheering up your bathroom in an emergency!

 

"Don’t forget you can always phone through orders for local delivery if you find you can't get out so you can stay fully stocked with all of your gardening and pet needs.

 

"Take care everyone."

 
The Royal Horticultural Society cancels upcoming RHS Shows & Garden Events following latest COVID-19 Advice

Following the Government update on 16 March 2020 and ongoing situation with COVID-19, all RHS Shows, Garden events and school visits will be cancelled with immediate effect until 30 June 2020.  RHS Gardens remain open, with a number of increased precautionary measures in place...


Following the Government update on 16 March 2020 and ongoing situation with COVID-19, all RHS Shows, Garden events and school visits will be cancelled with immediate effect until 30 June 2020.  RHS Gardens remain open, with a number of increased precautionary measures in place.

 

This is a worldwide unprecedented and challenging time for so many people and of course the health and safety of our members, visitors, exhibitors and staff remains our number one priority.

 

With the Government no longer supporting mass gathering events due to the impact on emergency services and heightened actions to encourage social distancing, the following RHS Shows will regrettably no longer take place in 2020:

 

-       RHS London Spring Launch & Orchid Show, 7-8 April

-       RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show, 17-18 April

-       RHS Flower Show Cardiff, 17-19 April

-       RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 7–10 May

-       RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 19–23 May

-       RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 11–14 June

-       RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show, 26-28 June (we will investigate if RHS Harlow Carr Flower Show can be moved into July)

 

We will be in touch with everyone who has purchased a ticket to any of the cancelled RHS Shows offering them a full refund.  We are therefore asking that ticket holders please refrain from contacting us immediately, except in an emergency, so that we can continue to handle this situation as swiftly as possible.

 

We will be contacting everyone involved in the Shows about the cancellation of these events.

 

One of the many reasons why we cannot postpone any of these large events to later in the year is that most of the thousands of plants grown for these Shows are chosen because they are at their best in spring.  This is the first time the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been cancelled since the Second World War. *

 

We know this will be very sad and disappointing news for all involved with our shows, as well as for our members and visitors who have purchased tickets and enjoy our shows every year.

 

Our four RHS Gardens – RHS Garden Wisley, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and RHS Garden Rosemoor –remain open.  However, all Garden events and school visits will be cancelled with immediate effect until 30 June.  If Government guidance changes, we will of course react immediately.

 

RHS Libraries at Vincent Square, RHS Garden Wisley and RHS Garden Harlow Carr will all close from tomorrow, 18 March.

 

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following advice and guidelines set by Government.

 

We hope as they are later in the year, that the following RHS Shows may continue, but we will continue to follow Government advice and will update you immediately if this changes. The option of a full refund would once again apply should this happen.

 

-       RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, 6-12 July

-       RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, 22–26 July

-       RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show, 5 – 9 August

-       RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, 14 – 16 August

-       RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show, 8– 13 September

 

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, says: “In these unprecedented challenging times we have carefully followed Government advice and made difficult, responsible decisions with the health and safety of people at the foremost of our minds.

 

“Our RHS Shows are vitally important platforms for the horticultural industry, and we are especially aware of the impact of cancelling these events on everyone involved.  We will be doing all we can to help growers and nurseries to sell the plants they will have grown for the cancelled Shows. 

 

“As with everyone, we have no crystal ball, but for the time being we are planning our Summer Flower Shows and our Gardens remain open, as they are large outside spaces where people can escape in open space and benefit from some tranquillity and beauty, surrounded by nature – all things that are much needed during these unsettling times. 

 

“Things of course may change, but whatever decisions we make, safety will be utmost in our mind and we will, like the rest of the world, be monitoring the situation closely.”

GIMA Day Conference and AGM postponed

This week’s annual GIMA Day Conference and AGM has been postponed...


This week’s annual GIMA Day Conference (19 March, Ettington Chase, Warwickshire) has been postponed.

 

In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, Monday 16th March, GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall said:

 

In order to safeguard our members’ employees, and in light of the current Coronavirus situation we have decided to postpone the GIMA AGM & Day Conference that was due to take place this Thursday 19th March. We do plan to reschedule the event for later in the year when the risk has passed and members travel plans are less restrictive.

 

GIMA Coronavirus Support

 

In these uncertain time, please be assured that GIMA is here to support our members in any way possible. Here are some of the ways we are supporting our members.

 

· CBI Updates - As a member of the CBI we have been able to pass on regular advice and information relating to Coronavirus to our members. Support has included CBI/UK Finance webinars, regular business advice and updates on the situation as it evolves.

 

· FREE Advice Line and Document Library - GIMA members have unlimited access to a FREE advice line on HR, Legal, Health and Safety and Tax & VAT services. Specialist advisors are on hand to help members with any issue, supporting them every step of the way.

 

· HR, Legal and Health & Safety Services Website - A dedicated website provides members with access to over 1,000 business and legal document templates available to download, including a FREE Health and Safety Health Check, and a newsroom with regularly updated legislation information.

 

We will endeavour to pass on any other information, advice or support to our members as and when we receive it.

 

My apologies for any inconvenience caused and thanks for your understanding.

 

www.gima.org.uk

 
Orangutan Books specialise in extremely high-quality bespoke gift books for your Christmas event
GTN Xtra Promotion

If you are looking for that special gift for your Grotto, Orangutan Books (formally Hometown World) are the only publisher in the UK that specialise in producing extremely high-quality bespoke gift books for your Christmas event...


 

If you are looking for that special gift for your Grotto, Orangutan Books (formally Hometown World) are the only publisher in the UK that specialise in producing extremely high-quality bespoke gift books for your Christmas event.

 

Using a wealth of publishing expertise that has in the past created the best-selling local book series Santa Is Coming To and Santa’s Sleigh Is On His Way, our team will create a gift for your visitors that will be kept and treasured for many years. 

 

This bespoke range contains storybooks about the child’s Visit to Father Christmas or to Santa, a Magical Grotto visit that features a ride on a steam train, a Sticker Activity book and the favourite family Christmas classic story The Night Before Christmas. Your book will feature your name or brand on the cover and throughout the story as well.

 

Order before April 30th and your unique books will be available for delivery from the beginning of October.

 

For more information call Garry or Roger on 01225 478444 or email sales@manning-partnership.co.uk so that we can tell you about all the book options that we have available and how with your input we can create that truly bespoke book.

Gardenex to support UK firms in light of National Hardware Show postponement

Gardenex has announced that it will update UK businesses scheduled to exhibit at the National Hardware Show on developments following the decision to postpone the international trade exhibition...


Gardenex has announced that it will update UK businesses scheduled to exhibit at the National Hardware Show on developments following the decision to postpone the international trade exhibition.

 

NHS was due to take place on May 5-7 in Las Vegas, USA, but the organisers have decided to postpone it because of the spread of coronavirus.

 

“We will stay in regular contact with the NHS organisers ahead of their announcement of the new dates for the event,” said Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of Gardenex.

“We will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and will be providing our members and show exhibitors with more updates as and when we hear from the organisers.”

 

NHS organisers have yet to confirm when they expect to announce a new date for the show.

 
“We will be working hard to support our members through these challenging times,” added Amanda.

 

“Gardenex will shortly be announcing a new package of publicity and support to ensure that all our exhibitors’ brands and product introductions are promoted to buyers during the postponement period. 

“Then nearer to the new exhibition dates we will send out our comprehensive press material to all key international journals, plus send our multi-lingual preview to our exclusive database of international buyers.”

Contact Gardenex if you require further advice and assistance:

Tel:  +44 (0) 44 1959 565995

Fax:  +44 (0) 1959 565885

Email: info@gardenex.com
Website: www.gardenex.com

To sell greenhouses or not? Let Vitavia help!
GTN Xtra Promotion

To sell greenhouses or not? Vitavia appreciates this is the question that floats across lots of your minds when you’re thinking of filling a space within your garden centre.


 

To sell greenhouses or not?

 

Vitavia appreciates this is the question that floats across lots of your minds when you’re thinking of filling a space within your garden centre.

 

We hear that voice inside your head, saying "we’re so busy, can we really deal with greenhouses on top of everything else?"

 

The answer is you don’t have to! Let us tell you why…

 

With a Vitavia greenhouse the journey is seamless, as we do all the work! 

  • We visit your garden centre to see the space available and advise on the display models we think would fit
  • We have specialised installers who will come and put up the greenhouses as agreed
  • We also supply a POS to be displayed in the greenhouse in case a customer wants to know specifics
  • Once the customer decides on the model with or without installation, they come to you to make payment
  • The order is then sent to us and you can forget all about it
  • Our Operations team contact the customer directly to arrange delivery and installation (if applicable)
  • We have a team of drivers who deliver the greenhouse to the chosen location on a preferred date
  • We have a team of installers who will arrange an installation date and time to suit the customer
  • If the customer decides to install the greenhouse themselves, we have a fantastic Customer Service team who deal with any installation queries
  • If the customer has any greenhouse questions thereafter, they can contact us directly 

So there you have it, it really is hassle free! 

 

Contact us today and let Vitavia be part of your Garden Centre Success! 

enquiries@vitavia.co.uk
01473 218100

 

Blue Diamond Awards Shine Brightly

The Blue Diamond shone brightly at the Chateau Impney on Thursday last week as over 500 colleagues and guests celebrated Blue Diamonds' sucesss in 2019 and announced the winners of the Blue Diamond Awards...


The Blue Diamond shone brightly at the Chateau Impney on Thursday last week as over 500 colleagues and guests celebrated Blue Diamonds' sucesss in 2019 and announced the winners of the Blue Diamond Awards.

 

The headline winners were Harlow (above) and Derby (below) centres who won the Blue Diamond Acorn and Oak Cup awards for garden centre of the year.

See GTN Xtra's photos from the dazzling Awards night below.

 

 

 

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

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


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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020 is a FUNdraising success

Over 100 walkers and cyclists took part in the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Charity Walk and Cycle Ride in Chilton, Oxfordshire on Friday 13th March 2020, one of many events across the country...


Read more and see photos from Garden Re-Leaf Day 2020

Over 100 walkers and cyclists took part in the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Charity Walk and Cycle Ride in Chilton, Oxfordshire on Friday 13th March 2020.

 

The walkers and cyclists have raised over £10,000 in sponsorship to add to the thousands of pounds raised across the country on Garden Re-Leaf Day.

 

Matthew Mein, who's idea the first walk was six years ago, and Kimberley Hornby both completed the 20 mile route clocking up 120 miles to date for Greenfingers.

 

The first 20 mile industry walker back was, Ian Cross from Mr Fothergills, pictured above.

 

The first 10 mile industry walkers back were Trevor and Karen Pfeiffer powered by Doodles Olly and Floyd.

 

The cyclists rode four 25km laps of the Oxfordshire countryside to complete their 100km challenge.  The first rider home was...

 

Huge thanks to headline sponsor: British Garden Centres who hosted the event at their Chilton Garden Centre.

 

Elsewhere across the country Perrywood Garden Centre held their annual Garden Re-Leaf DayQuiz Night raising an amazing £1690 in ticket sales and raffle ticket purchases.

 

And at Poplars Garden Centre they held their annual (in its third year) Garden Re-Leaf Quiz and Curry night in the restaurant on the evening of March 13th. They also had Colin Goodhand and his son Jack taking part in the Garden Re-Leaf Day bike ride. In total the two events raised over £2000 for Greenfingers.

 

Please send us details and pictures from your Garden Re-Leaf Day events so we can add them to this story: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

The date for the next Garden Re-Leaf Day is:  FRIDAY 19TH MARCH 2021

GTN Bestsellers EPoS data analysis: It’s good news for gardening

Great news for gardening:  when the weather improves people get active in their gardens and in spite of Coronavirus fears they seem happy to visit garden centres...


 

Great news for gardening:  when the weather improves people get active in their gardens and in spite of Coronavirus fears they seem happy to visit garden centres.

 

Sales in the GTN Bestsellers EPoS data were a match with levels for the first week of March in 2018 and up 8% on the same week last year.

 

Judging by the full restaurants we’ve seen at garden centres during this week could it be that garden centres are a haven of tranquillity away from all the doom and gloom in the news.

 

Let’s hope garden Re-Leaf Day, this weekend and Mother's Day next weekend continue the good news!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 10

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 10% 
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 21%
  • Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 22%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 12% 
  • All Plants index – up 14%

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

Eco-friendly milk now on tap at Brimsmore farm shop

The Apple Tree Farm Shop at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil has installed a milk station that dispenses semi-skimmed milk from Trewithen Dairy in Cornwall...

 

 


The Apple Tree Farm Shop at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil has installed a milk station that dispenses semi-skimmed milk from Trewithen Dairy in Cornwall.

 

Bosses at the multi-award-winning farm shop says it will help customers reduce their single-use plastic waste while continuing to support a dairy that practices environmentally friendly and sustainable farming methods.

 

 

Each reusable screw-cap glass bottle holds up to 1 litre of milk, which comes from cows that spend at least 120 days grazing outside on Cornish pastures. Once purchased full of milk for £2.99, each refill thereafter will be £1 per litre. Customers are also encouraged to bring in their own reusable receptacles into the store and fill up for £1 per litre at the milk station.

 

Kate Soan, The Apple Tree Farm Shop manager, said: “It is really exciting to be able to offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for buying milk at The Apple Tree Farm Shop. Trewithen Dairy cares as much about looking after their patch of England as we do here at The Gardens Group, making them the perfect partner for this new installation. As well as having its own herd of cows, the dairy works with other like-minded farmers across Cornwall to produce delicious and sustainable milk, so we hope our customers enjoy being able to reduce their own waste, while also supporting good farming practices.”

 

HTA welcomes Budget measures - but waits to see the detail

The HTA has welcomed chancellor Rishi Sunak’s measures to help small businesses cope with the impact of coronavirus – but director of policy and communications James Clark said “the devil will be in the detail”...


The HTA has welcomed chancellor Rishi Sunak’s measures to help small businesses cope with the impact of coronavirus – but director of policy and communications James Clark said “the devil will be in the detail”.

 

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivered the Government’s first budget since the election today (11 March 2020). As expected many of the announcements focussed on providing support to the economy in dealing with coronavirus.

 

Mr Clark said the budget provided support to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), including in horticulture,  to minimise the impact of coronavirus. Measures including assistance with Statutory Sick Pay for SMEs and the abolition of business rates for small businesses for 2020 were all helpful short term measures for members in dealing with the immediate impact of coronavirus. “The devil will be in the detail of how members will fully benefit”, he added.

 

“With regard to medium and longer-term business support we welcome the long-awaited review of business rates and we will ensure our members’ views are communicated to Government when further detail is available.

 

“It is positive to hear that the government is making a further commitment to their environmental pledges with the announcement of plans to plant 30,000 trees over the next 5 years. Support for nurseries is critical to build and enhance UK production capabilities for plants as well as trees to help deliver the government’s ambition to create a greener Britain.”

 

How pets can boost health, wellbeing and the value of the ‘Pet Pound

The new Pawexpo trade show this autumn will tap into the UK's growing enthusiasm for pet ownership - a lucrative market for suppliers and retailers... 

 

 


Pet ownership is undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures in life so it should come as no surprise that the money spent on pets has been consistently on the rise for several years.

 

The UK pet product and services market was estimated to be worth around £850 million in 2016 (AMA Research) and  the boom is set to continue. Focusing on the important role pets have to play as a source of companionship and joy cannot be underestimated as Pawexpo, the new trade show launching this September (15– 17 September, NEC Birmingham), will reveal.

 

 

A pet loving nation

The most recent PDSA Pet Wellbeing Report in 2019 revealed that 9.9 million adults in the UK own dogs whilst 10.9 million adults’ own cats and 900,000 of the population own rabbits.  It’s not just furry friends that we love – according to the PFMA’s 2019 report, the UK is also the proud guardians of 500,000 indoor birds, 500,000 domestic fowl, 300,000 tortoises and turtles, 300,000 lizards and 200,000 snakes.  There also are 2.7 million indoor fish tanks in the country (6% households) and 1.3 million outdoor ponds making the pet retail sector a high profit opportunity.

 

The world of pet parenting is changing with animals now seen as members of the family. Pet ‘humanisation’ has become a huge trend with many consumers prepared to spend more on pet food and other pet-related products.  Mintel revealed that 30% of millennial pet care owners (aged 19-38 years) like their pet to keep up with the latest trends through gifting and grooming and, in return, they experience profound psychological benefits of owning a domestic animal.

 

Emotional Wellbeing

Pets make people smile – that’s a proven fact with 95% of dog owners, 93% of cat owners and 91% of rabbit owners revealing that their pet makes them happy (PDSA). Man/woman’s best friend can help us to live mentally healthier lives and improve moods. With domestic animals evolving to become attuned to their owners’ behaviours and emotions, pets can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as ease loneliness. Scientists have shown that dogs can help lessen the symptoms of depression with oxytocin released as you cuddle your canine, the same hormone triggered when a mother bonds with her newborn child. Dogs especially are great at encouraging owners to get exercise by taking them for a walk, releasing endorphins, the body’s natural antidepressant. 

Mintel research revealed that Brits spend on average £1,150 a year or £95 a month on their pets on special occasions such as Christmas and their birthdays. With 66% of owners admitting to buying gifts for their pet (OnePoll), luxury dog beds, premium leather collars and leads, personalised coats and artisan treats have become the norm. Pet technology such as pet cameras or trackers allow those on the go to interact with their animals and help combat common issues like separation anxiety for both the pet and its owner.

 

Valentine’s Day has become popular with one in five adults buying a gift for a pet, equating to £27 million, according to a survey by American Express. A survey by the Kennel Club has found almost one in five also would rather have a dog than be in a relationship, with unfailing loyalty cited as the main reason.

 

Owning a pet also helps to combat loneliness, especially to those in later life, by offering companionship, a sense of security and someone to share the day with.  Daily dog walks can often lead to friendships and conversations with other dog owners, helping to stay socially connected and less withdrawn from the outside world. 81% of cat owners also revealed that their cat makes them feel less lonely with the act of caring and for a pet giving purpose and reward, and a sense of achievement.

 

Physical Health

Regular walks help dog owners meet the levels of exercise recommended by public health guidelines according to the NHS.  Benefits of such consistent exercise include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones, as well as decreased stress levels.  PDSA research revealed that 50% of owners walk their dogs more than once a day, whilst 32% walk their dogs once a day.  The dogs too.

 

A pet’s health has become as increasingly important as their parents with 9.1 million dogs (92%) registered with a vet, with 75% of owners attending regular health checks to ensure their pet is healthy (PDSA). Pet supplements – such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, meal supplements and other similar products - is also a booming sector, with a recent TechNavio market research report stating that the UK market is currently valued at £100 million as owners become increasingly concerned about the health and comfort of their pets.

 

Pet health has also driven the UK pet food market to an all-time high, growing from £67 billion in 2018, to an approximate £102 billon by 2024 (Euromonitor). Many pet owners are now seeking food for their companions that reflects their own taste and lifestyle.  As a result, there has been an increase in premium and nutritional products - with ‘natural’, ‘raw’ and ‘organic’ food on the rise as an animal’s health becomes as important as ours.

 

Click here to find out more about Pawexpo

 

Tong Garden Centre honours its values champions

Tong Garden Centre celebrated last year’s success at its first ever awards evening at a Leeds hotel...

 

 

 

 

 


Tong Garden Centre celebrated last year’s success at its first ever awareds evening at a Leeds hotel

 

Around 130 of the184 work force attended a dinner and disco at The Marriott, where staff received awards.

 

Organised by Tong's People and Culture team, the event was the first in what will be an annual event designed to celebrate the values and behaviours that underpin the business.

 

 

Throughout 2019, staff nominated colleagues as monthly Values Award Winners in the six categories of Team, Excellence, Honest, Responsible, Accountable and Positive. The management team then selected the six overall champions.

 

The awards, presented by Tong's chairman, David Stanhope, were won by:

Monika Arabuka from Marketing, voted the ‘Team' values champion for showing support to colleagues in her own and other teams.

 

Victoria Kinder-Naylor from Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play, voted the ‘Excellence' values champion for always giving 100% effort and leading by example.

 

Natalie Hope Smith from the Restaurant, voted the ‘Honest' values champion for taking complete ownership of training the team to deliver exceptional afternoon teas.

 

Chancey Woodrow from Garden Sundries, voted the ‘Responsible' values champion for thinking of solutions to make things better for the team and being a pleasure to work with.

 

Charlotte Quinn from the Food Hall, voted the ‘Accountable' values champion for taking ownership in difficult situations and always taking pride in her work.

 

Jamie Maxwell from Customer Services, voted the ‘Positive' values champion for being great to work with and always finding a way to get the job done, even in trying circumstances. 

 

Tong's Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr, said: "We had a fantastic evening celebrating the business's performance over the last year and rewarding everyone in our team for making that success possible.

 

"As we grow, and look to open new sites in the future, embedding a culture built on our values becomes even more important and we're proud to recognise and reward the team's outstanding contribution - congratulations to our fantastic Values Awards winners for helping to make Tong a great place to work."

 

 

Pictured above and on cover page (left to right): Values awards winners Victoria Kinder-Naylor, Monika Arabuka, David Stanhope, Chancey Woodrow, Charlotte Quinn and Jamie Maxwell Values awards winners at Tong Garden Centre. Missing from the photo is Natalie Hope Smith.

New Johnsons Lawn Seed mix solves problem of dog wee damage

Johnsons Lwn Seed has launched an ultra-tough mix that resists the age-old problem of damage from dog urine...

 


It is a problem that has dogged lawn-owners for decades: manicured turf left scorched by beloved pets using grass as their toilet.

 

Now, says Johnsons Lawn Seed, this bane of gardeners’ lives will be consigned to history with the launch of a mix of ultra-tough grass seed scientifically proven to resist urine damage.

 

Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance is a unique new product exclusively introduced for 2020. With an estimated 9.9million dogs in the UK and 26% of UK adults owning a dog*, lawns across the country have been blighted by dog urine damage.

 

Dog urine, in particular female dog wee, can result in extensive grass damage. Often, pet fouling will leave unsightly yellow or brown circular patches on lawns, with damaged areas displaying bright green edges. While gardeners have traditionally been advised to immediately water affected areas to minimise the impact by diluting acidic urine before it burns the grass, remedial action is rarely carried out in time to save the appearance of turf.

 

Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance contains naturally tolerant grass species that won’t turn yellow when drenched with dog urine. Even if slight discolouration occasionally occurs, grass will recover. Pet-owners can relax in the knowledge that lawns will remain lush, green and patch-free – while there is no longer any need to change a pet’s diet or behaviour to prevent damage to turf.

 

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins said: “For decades, gardeners have toiled to repair and re-seed affected areas, but the launch of Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance will consign this job to history. At last, families need no longer worry about dogs damaging their sward, and gardens that are home to pets can boast a bowling green-style lawn that’s the envy of the neighbourhood.”

 

Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance was developed in Denmark by DLF Seeds, the parent company of Johnsons Lawn Seed. Scientists carried out 672 tests using 168 varieties of grass, simulating the effects of various concentrations of dog urine in a bid to find out if any types were resistant to damage.

 

After 18 months of trials, researchers discovered the holy grail of lawncare – grass varieties that didn’t just resist urine damage, but formed lawns that are also tough enough to cope with the wear and tear of regular family use. As a bonus, lawns sown with Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance have remarkable stamina, standing up well to low temperatures and snow, with excellent drought-resistance.

 

In line with the current trend towards greener gardening, the new blend of dog patch-resistant fine-leaved dwarf perennial ryegrass is a natural product, containing 100% grass seed and nothing else.

 

Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance can be used for overseeding in spring and autumn to gradually introduce improved levels of dog urine resistance into existing lawns.

 

Small areas of dog urine damage can be patch repaired with Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance.

 

SRPs are £4.15 (250gm pack), £7.25 (500gm), £16.99 (1.5kg) and £44 (5kg).

 

*Dog ownership statistics from pets charity PDSA.

On track to become the UK's most sustainable fire logs...

Launched in January, Kindwood may become known as the UK’s most sustainable wood fuel brand...

 


Launched in January, Kindwood may become known as the UK’s most sustainable wood fuel brand.

 

Founder Taylor Gathercole is building a purpose-led, consumer branded solid fuel company that cuts waste, captures carbon and provides “kind comfort” for mankind.

 

Kindwood is produced using 100% renewable energy throughout its processes, with waste heat from an on-site biogas plant captured to cut down drying time from 18+ months to 4-5 days, taking no energy from the national grid. The system also ensures consistency in the supply of kiln dried logs with 20% or less moisture content.

 

The wood Kindwood sources comes only from ancient semi-natural woodlands or sites of significant interest within an 80-mile radius of the Kindwood yard, using modern-day sustainable management practices to ensure the woodlands continue to thrive, maintaining biodiversity.

 

Packaging is either reusable or 100% recycled or recyclable. For example, the crates are ex-fruit or vegetable crates from local farms and orchards, while the latest ‘Hessian Sack of Logs’ uses jute. 

 

“The crates are what started Kindwood,” said Taylor Gathercole. “We wanted to find a way of packaging our wood that would further promote sustainability. So, while we offer the comfort experience, we also encourage our customers to do something creative with the packaging. We’ve got several customers turning their little crates into outdoor planters, bookshelves, and even bedside tables.”

 

Kindwood believes the fire log industry has stood still for too long and needs to start taking environmental and social issues seriously, looking beyond the material’s carbon neutrality and inwards at its processes. “Wood being a renewable resource is not enough to mitigate the carbon footprint a company can create throughout its supply chain,” added Gathercole.

 

You will be able to find Kindwood’s products at this year’s Garden Show (Ideal Home Show) on a garden designed by Lynne Lambourne to showcase sustainability.

 

For more information, click here.

LOFA's 1629km charity drive to Monte Carlo aims to raise £3,500-plus

A team of LOFA drivers will be among those heading for Monte Carlo in a £500 banger this summer to raise money for Greenfingers Charity...


A team of LOFA drivers will be among those heading for Monte Carlo in a £500 banger this summer to raise money for Greenfingers Charity.

 

They will drive the 1629 km from Shropshire to Monte Carlo on the 4 June, hoping to raise at least £3,500 in sponsorship.

 

Donations to LOFA’s JustGiving fundraising page will go straight to Greenfingers.

 

The association had already raised £440 at the time of writing.

Seedball gets eye-catching display stand

 

 

Award- winning Seedball has introduced a free eye-catching display stand for garden retailers...


Award- winning Seedball has introduced a free eye-catching display stand for garden retailers.

 

It helps tell the story of Seedball, how simple they are to grow and how great they are for bees and butterflies in a compact but eyecatching way. The stand is free for with orders of £200, holds 42 Seedball tubes and is made from recycled cardboard.

 

A decorative information poster also comes free with every Seedball tube order.

 

Made from clay, peat-free compost, seeds and chilli powder, seed balls have their own mini ecosystem, protecting seeds from birds, ants and slugs and giving them the nutrition they need to get a head start. Throw them onto soil or compost in a garden bed or planter, water well and watch them grow in just a few weeks.

 

Seedball tubes are available in packs of 20 units.

Click here for more information.

 

Wyevale Nurseries wins licence to propagate new award-winner

Wyevale Nurseries has been granted the propagation licence for an award-winning foliage plant...


Wyevale Nurseries has been granted the propagation licence for an award-winning Lomandra.

 

The nursery will be growing Lomandra ‘White Sands’, the first variegated Lomandra, which was also the winner of best novelty at Groen-Direkt Spring Fair in Holland in January.

 

Kyle Ross, production manager at the firm’s containers division said: “We are the only end product seller in the UK. By having a propagation license, we are able to take production material from our own stock plants and grow it on, ensuring the integrity of the plants are true to type.

 

“Lomandra ‘White Sands’ has striking cream and green variegated leaves  thatgently cascade, forming tall elegant domes, making it ideal for spot planting or containers.

 

“Planted en masse, Lomandra ‘White Sands’ will bring waves of colour and texture as the breeze ripples through the variegated foliage, hypnotic and soothing.

 

“In our ever-changing climatic conditions ‘White Sands’ will cope with both extremes – drought through to waterlogged, what more could you ask for! It is virtually indestructible and will also withstand pets, children’s ball games, frosts and neglect.

 

“As fast growing as many bamboos, this evergreen perennial certainly offers customers a great return for their investment and is a landscaper’s dream.”

 

It was bred in a collaboration between Malcolm Woolmore of KiwiFlora Ltd and Robert Harrison of Greenhills Propagation Ltd. Available in a three-litre pot from March, SRP £14.99. Ultimate size is 75cm x 50cm.

 
GTN Bestsellers Garden Re-Leaf Subscription Offer

As we approach trading times that are uncertain now is a good time to access information that could help with managing sales and expectations during what could be a slow Spring.

 

Over the coming weeks we’ll be keeping GTN Bestsellers subscribers as informed as possible about what sold when during March, April and May of 2018 and 2013, when we also had slow starts to the season.

 

Take out a subscription this week and we'll donate money to Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day too...


As we approach trading times that are uncertain as a result of the Covid-19 Virus pandemic now is a good time to access information that could help with managing sales and expectations during what could be a slow Spring.

 

GTN Bestsellers has been recording and analysing garden centre EPoS data for over 10 years so we’ve got history of how garden centres have traded through slow Spring seasons in the past.

 

Over the coming weeks we’ll be using that analysis to keep our GTN Bestsellers subscribers as informed as possible about what sold when during March, April and May of 2018 and 2013.

 

To receive that information along with our weekly printed Top 50 chart updates of what is actually selling well this year all you have to do is take out a subscription to GTN Bestsellers which costs just £145.00.

 

And to add to the funds of Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day, for every new subscription purchased before 12:00 noon on Friday 20th March 2020 we’ll send £10 to the Greenfingers Charity.

 

To buy your subscription on-line use this link or the button below:

 

 

Thank you for subscribing and helping Greenfingers too.  If you have any questions about GTN Bestsellers please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 07973 504214.

 

The GTN Bestsellers weekly EPOS analysis combines data from a pool of independent garden centres whose annual turnover is around £100m.  Data from the same centres is received every week which makes the week on week and year on year comparisons particularly useful and great indicators of trends as and when they happen.  By subscribing to GTN Bestsellers you don’t have to wait until the end of the season and next year to see if a new product or a new sector of products are selling well.

 

GTN Bestsellers subscribers stay ahead of the game.  Buy your subscription today.

 
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox...





with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link

 
Best week of the year so far for Primula

Plant sales recovered at the start of March after 3 weeks of sales being down year on year thanks to the wet and cold weather...


Plant sales recovered at the start of March after 3 weeks of sales being down year on year thanks to the wet and cold weather.  

 

This March started up 14% on last year and on a par with 2018 when we had the first week after the initial blast of The Beast from the East.

  • Primula sales reached their highest volumes for the year so far selling 9 times the volume of the No 2 Bestselling plant: Narcissus.
  • Sempervivum sales had a good week climbing up the GTN chart by 31 places to No 8.
  • Young tomato plants were the highest chart re-entry at No 11.

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

 
Call for stories for Greenfingers book

Hannah Powell, Director at Perrywood Garden Centres, is writing a book and all money from it will go to GREENFINGERS. But she needs your help...


Hannah Powell, Director at Perrywood Garden Centres, is writing a book and all money from it will go to GREENFINGERS. But she needs your help.

 

The book will be a collection of funny tales from garden centres. Think about the amusing things customers say, silly things said over the radio, customer complaints and anything else comical, emotional or just plain ridiculous. All contributions will be anonymous – names of people and garden centres will be changed or taken out. They may be a list of garden centres and individuals who contributed at the end but you can ask not to be included.

 

Here are some to start you off:

 

I was asked, “Do you have a grow bag, but I don’t want the one that grows tomato plants.”

 

Can you believe someone said, “The flooded river water outside the window is too dirty and brown to look at, could you please change the colour?” (someone told Hannah this one at GCA conference).

 

Customer said “I’m looking for Jasmine” - I took them all the way outside to the plant area, and it turns out they actually wanted someone who works in the coffee shop.

 

Hannah comments; “How many of us have said we ought to write a book about the funny things which happen in garden centres? Well now you can let me do it for you, and together we can raise more money for the fantastic Greenfingers Charity. If I can get lots of people to send me one or two stories we will have a book full in no time.”

 

If you have any stories or tall tales to share with Hannah you can email her at Perrywood or you can fill in the questions here - https://poll.app.do/it-could-only-happen-in-a-garden-centre-greenfingers-book/l7VjZ2Q1

 

Hannah will not earn any money from the book herself, it’s all for charity. She is also looking for ideas or contacts of how to publish the book.

 

www.perrywood.co.uk

 

Insta: hannahcpowell1

Twitter: hannahcpowell

 
Shoots of growth for garden product sales

Everything in the garden is growing all of a sudden and that’s reflected in significant shoots of growth in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart...


Everything in the garden is growing all of a sudden and that’s reflected in significant shoots of growth in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart.  

 

Top 50 sales were up week on week by 17% with sales of plant feeds and seed sowing materials among the biggest movers.

  • SBM Toprose 1kg moves back to No 1 for the second week this year.
  • Stewart Premium Seed Tray with Holes 20cm Dark Green climbed 36 places to No 4.
  • Smart Solar Bee Bug Light is the highest new entry at No 22.

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

 
11,000 Mr Fothergill's Seeds Packets to Help Refugees in Kurdistan

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, with support from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has supplied over 11,000 packets of seed to Lemon Tree Trust (LTT) projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq...


Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, with support from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has supplied over 11,000 packets of seed to Lemon Tree Trust (LTT) projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

 

The mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers will be distributed to people living in refugee, Internally Displaced Persons and transit camps. It follows donations of seed made in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 2018 and 2019 to LTT gardening projects in refugee communities in the region.

 

The seeds are being stored for distribution this spring to camps that offer safety for people displaced by conflict. The seed packets will be used in LTT home garden kits, garden competitions and community gardens.

 

Stephanie Hunt, Founder and CEO of the Lemon Tree Trust said: “Gardens and gardening bring people joy. It is as simple as that. I have been reminded on recent visits that a glimpse of green in an otherwise grey and hostile landscape is priceless. The support of Mr Fothergill’s Seeds and the RHS in bringing the pleasure of plants to the camps cannot be underestimated.”

 

Tim Jeffries, Commercial Director at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds, added: “We try to support projects where growing can help improve lives and we are delighted to help the RHS and the Lemon Tree Trust in their invaluable efforts in Iraq.”

 
Young strawberry plant sales on the rise

Young veg plants made their first appearance in garden centres last week and strawberry plants in particular sold through well...


Young veg plants made their first appearance in garden centres last week and strawberry plants in particular sold through well.  

 

Perhaps the promise of sweet juicy strawberries this summer is a good diversion from all the Coronavirus concerns.

  • Quantil Strawberry Cambridge Strips are once again the early strawberry plant bestseller.
  • Colour Gro Strawberry Jumbo 6 Pack is a new GTN chart entry at No 5.
  • Farplants Rosemary Common is the highest chart climber, up 26 places to No 14.

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

 
Upward trend for Wild Bird Care

Wild Bird Care sales fared well at the start of March, up on the last week of February and up 22% on the same week last year...


Wild Bird Care sales fared well at the start of March, up on the last week of February and up 22% on the same week last year.  

  • Tom Chambers Suet Treats Triple Pack were the highest chart re-entry at No 19.
  • Westland Peckish Daily Goodness Nuggets Pouch of 100 flew furthest up the chart to No 31.
  • Smart Garden’s 20cm Supreme Seed Feeder is a new entry at No 40.

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

 
Keukenhof will not open on March 21

Keukenhof Flower Exhibition cannot open on March 21...


As of March 14, an emergency regulation of the Dutch government is in force, with the aim to limit the spread of the coronavirus. It states that meetings with more than 100 people are not allowed in the Netherlands. This also applies to outdoor meetings. The measures are valid until March 31.

 

This implies that Keukenhof Flower Exhibition cannot open on March 21.

 

Keukenhof is the international showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector that we create together with hundreds of floriculture companies. It is the icon of Holland that is visited yearly by more than a million people. We organize Keukenhof together with many partners. We also work closely with international tourism. The fact that Keukenhof cannot open is a huge disappointment with major financial consequences for all involved. The dismay among employees and partners who have worked on the preparation for a year is huge. The park is currently ready for opening, the flower bulbs are blooming and the flower shows are largely decorated.

 

We realize that these measures have major personal and business consequences for many people and companies involved with Keukenhof and international tourism in the spring season.

 

Keukenhof is an organization prepared for her dependence on nature and international developments. We are now rapidly acting on this new situation. Keukenhof's long-term continuity is not jeopardized.

 

We carefully monitor the ongoing situation and will inform you as soon as possible about the period of time after March 31. We are ready to open on April 1, the day after the emergency regulation expires.

 
Peat-free compost sales on the up

Peat-free compost sales steal the headlines in the year's GTN Bestsellers first Growing Media chart of March. Westland New Horizon All Purpose Compost moves up to No 2, the highest ever ranking for a peat free compost.


The break in the weather prompted a good week for growing media sales, down on the previous week but 20% up on the first week of March 2019.  

 

Peat-free compost sales steal the headlines in the year's first chart of March.  Westland New Horizon All Purpose Compost moves up to No 2, the highest ever ranking for a peat free compost.

  • Westland New Horizon All Plant Compost 20 litres + 33% Extra Free is also a re-entry at No 40.
  • Strulch Organic Straw Mulch 100 litres is a re-entry at No 25.
  •  Evergreen Garden Care Levington Multi Purpose with John Innes 40 litres moves up to No 1.

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

 
Christmas Grotto Gift Books

View the catalogue in pdf form


Rain kept shoppers away in February says BRC

Strictly Embargoed until 00.01 hrs – Monday 16th March 2020

 

UK Total Footfall decreased by 2% in February year on year, which was below both the 3-month and 12-month average increases of 0.8% and 0.3% respectively, says the British Retail Consortium.


UK Total Footfall decreased by 2.0% in February year on year, which was below both the 3-month and 12-month average increases of 0.8% and 0.3% respectively.

 

Footfall on High Streets declined by 2.5% year on year, which was below both the 3-month and 12-month average growths of 1.1% and 0.2% respectively.

 

Retail parks saw footfall decrease by 1.5% year on year, below the 3-month average growth of 0.8% and the 12-month average decline of 1.1%. 
 

Shopping centre footfall declined by 7% year on year, which was below both the 3-month and 12-month average declines of 5.4% and 4.3% respectively.

 

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:  “Multiple storms took their toll on footfall this February, particularly for shopping centres and high streets. The decline was less marked for retail parks, which provide easy parking and offered some salvation from the rain. There was a slight boost in footfall in the final week, where concerns around coronavirus may have contributed to an increase in store visits.

 

“With the right investment in our communities, local retail will thrive.”  She believed that if the upcoming business rates review announced by the Chancellor, effectively relieved the business rates burden, it would allow more money to be invested back into people, property and technology.”

 

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant at ShopperTrak, said: “While January saw shopper levels on the High Street boosted by the ‘Boris Bounce’, February was a different story. Described as the wettest February on record, we also had three named storms, which all arrived over weekend trading, and certainly dampened shopper traffic levels. Total footfall for the month was down 2% year-on-year nationally, and some communities in the areas particularly affected by storm flooding saw a greater year on year decline still; in Wales, for instance, footfall in Cardiff fell 6.4% year-on-year."

DCF to fund plant health studentship

The David Colegrave Foundation is to support the Royal Society of Biology’s plant health undergraduate summer studentship programme for 2020 with funding for one of the ten places available...


The David Colegrave Foundation to support the Royal Society of Biology’s plant health undergraduate summer studentship programme for 2020 with funding for one of the ten places available.

 

Researchers wishing to host undergraduate studentships in plant health over the summer of 2020 are invited to apply by next Tuesday, 17 March.

 

The proposed research project must address at least one of the following R&D priority themes in plant health identified by Defra, listed below:

 

  • Detection or control 
  • Data & modelling 
  • Globalisation of trade and risks to plant health 
  • Host plants / Earth observations 
  • High-risk pests or pathogens 
  • Knowledge exchange 
  • Oak health 
  • Transboundary plant pests 

 

DCF chairman Jeff Colegrave said: “Last year great headway was made in understanding the life cycle and biology of the agapanthus gall midge hosted by RHS, Wisley. This year we would particularly welcome applications from researchers working in areas of interest to ornamental horticulture.”

 

Funding for the 2020 programme is provided by Defra, BSPP, Crop Protection Association, SCI Horticulture Group and the David Colegrave Foundation. 

 

Full details are available here.

 

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a complex set of rules you’ll need to follow if your organisation has any dealings with people in EU countries or if your organisation is established in the EU.

 

A must-read for small business owners, GDPR For Dummies (published by John Wiley & Sons in paperback, £23.99), by internationally renowned data protection lawyer and GDPR expert, Suzanne Dibble, provides simple steps to help you quickly and easily get to grips and comply on an ongoing basis with these new requirements.

 

These regulations apply to all organisations established in the EU and to businesses established outside of the EU insofar as they process personal data about people within the EU. In the book, you'll discover how GDPR applies to your organisation in the context of marketing, employment, providing your services, and using service providers.

 

In relation to Brexit and the UK leaving the EU, following the end of the transition period, when the EU GDPR will cease to apply, the UK will adopt its own version of the GDPR, which is very similar to the EU’s. The effect of Brexit on data transfers and on data protection for organisations within the UK is covered within the book.

 

Suzanne explains how to prevent costly fines, regulatory investigations, customer complaints and brand damage, while gaining a competitive advantage and increasing customer loyalty by putting privacy at the heart of your business.

 

The book explains the complexities of the GDPR in language that anyone can understand. It is practical, relevant and comprehensive.  If you’re processing personal data - whether you’re part of a company, a charity, or an association, this is the book for you.

 
The best of last week's

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


 
Worcester centre extension project beats February weather

Construction work has been completed on an extension at Laylocks Garden Centre near Worcester...


Construction work has completed on an extension at Laylocks Garden Centre near Worcester.

 

Garden centre strategists Malcolm Scott Consultants worked with the Bromyard Road centre to obtain permission for the 470m² extension. Manager Hannah Warr, whose father Martin has built up the business over the past 57 years, said the project was completed ahead of schedule, despite February’s poor weather.

 

Pictured: Hannah and Martin Warr outside the new extension at Laylocks Garden Centre

 

MSC also helped the Laylocks team to plan space allocations and layouts to maximise footfall and increase turnover.

 

Andrew Burton, retail and operations specialist at MSC, said: “This extension to the indoor sales area brings a significantly larger retail footprint to the centre, which we are confident will now help Laylocks in reaching its full potential and see sales increase.”

 

Hannah said: “I could not be happier with the finished result. February has seen the region battered by storms and floods, which have had a devastating impact on the industry as a whole, so to have this extension delivered on time is a wonderful achievement and has filled our whole team with positivity about the months and years ahead.

 

“The extension will help both our business and the local community. As the first stage of our longer-term goal, it aims to maintain Laylocks’ strength as a quality garden centre growing many of its own plants, while increasing retail ranges, improving the ambience of the centre and providing our customers with an improved shopping experience.”

 

Laylocks is a family-run business, started by Martin in 1973.

 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 21 March.

 

 
Work starts on £1.5m Fron Goch expansion after MSC planning win

Work has begun on a £1.5million extension at Fron Goch garden centre after planners at Malcolm Scott Consultants secured permission to extend the centre and increase its parking facilities...


Work has begun on a £1.5million extension at Fron Goch garden centre after planners at Malcolm Scott Consultants secured permission to extend the centre and increase its parking facilities.

 

Planning specialists at the Worcester-based consultancy acted on behalf of Fron Goch garden centre in Pant Road to undertake a pre-applications consultation further to working closely with the client to create a five-year development plan. 

 

 

A full planning application was then submitted for 673sq.m. of heated shop extension, together with a 435sq.m. canopy and a new entrance. 

 

Further plans to increase the car park by 33 spaces were also submitted. All proposals were approved by Gwynedd Council.

 

 

Tracy Hubbard of MSC said: “Fron Goch has ambitious expansion plans for this year to build on the centre’s success in being named the top centre in Britain in the Garden Centre Association awards.

 

“Having identified the opportunity to extend its retail space, enhance its entrance and display areas and add to the customer experience with the additional car parking facilities,as part of its five-year development plan, we are delighted that the proposals were given the green light to help them set the wheels in motion.

 

“This will help an already exceptional centre enhance its customer experience, thereby increasing footfall and allowing it to showcase and enhance its product offering further.”

 

Construction work started week.

 

 
Melcourt Bag for Life wins New Product Award

The Melcourt Bag for Life won the Best New Product Award at the Garden Press Event held at the Business Design Centre in London on Wednesday...


 

The Melcourt Bag for Life won the Best New Product Award at the Garden Press Event held at the Business Design Centre in London on Wednesday.

 

The innovative product was judged to be best in show by visitors to the event.

 

In an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastic at garden centres, Melcourt has developed a unique system, including the Bag for Life.

 

A number of Melcourt’s growing media products are now available in a maxi-bale format, allowing garden centre customers to buy a Bag for Life and then keep refilling it with their chosen product.

 

The Bob Maker Memorial Award for Best Stand at the Garden Press Event went to Dobbies Garden Centres.

 

David Austin Roses received a Commendation for its Stand Display.

 

Denys & Feilding, exhibiting for the first time at the event, also received a Commendation for its Stand Display.

 
 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...


Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

 

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2017 as well as 2018 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 Wild Bird Care Products chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

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

Spacious new restaurant opens in Woodbridge at Notcutts

A bright and spacious new restaurant has opened its doors at Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre after a complete refurbishment project which began last summer...


 

A bright and spacious new restaurant has opened its doors at Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre after a complete refurbishment project which began last summer.

The Kitchen has been built as an expansion on the original restaurant site, offering a modern dining space with comfortable seating for up to 250 people, and a new outdoor terrace for eating alfresco with views across the garden centre. The restaurant is now serving breakfast, two or three course lunches and afternoon teas, as well as local Paddy and Scott's coffee and hot drinks. A new feature cake counter offers a selection of Notcutts' popular home-made scones and cakes.

As part of the refurbishment project, Notcutts Woodbridge also offers a private function room in the restaurant area which is available to hire for business meetings, community events or private dining for larger groups.

Darren Brooks, General Manager at Notcutts Woodbridge, said: "We are incredibly excited to unveil our restaurant transformation to customers and the local community. Our spacious dining area and varied menu - from cakes to three-course lunches - is a fantastic addition to Woodbridge and we hope people will pop in and take a look at what we have to offer."

 



The new restaurant is part of an ongoing redevelopment project at the Woodbridge garden centre, which opened as the first Notcutts garden centre in 1958. To enhance the overall experience for visitors, Notcutts opened a new Nature Walk last year and plans are now underway to revamp the outdoor plant area. 

For more information about Notcutts Woodbridge, visit notcutts.co.uk/garden-centres/Woodbridge or call 01394 445400.

 
Casual Dining show postponed until July

Following increasing concern about the developing coronavirus situation, Casual Dining organiser Diversified Communications UK has consulted with the industry and decided to postpone the ExCeL London event until July...


Following increasing concern about the developing coronavirus situation, Casual Dining organiser Diversified Communications UK has consulted with the industry and decided to postpone the event to 14 - 15 July 2020, at ExCeL London.

 

Chris Brazier, group event director of DC UK, said the show was the single most important business event for many in the restaurant, pub and bar industry. “A lot of companies rely on it to meet new and current customers, so this decision has not been taken lightly. However, the response to the outbreak is unprecedented, and I think most would agree that it is not a climate in which we want to hold the show. The success, as well as the safety, of our exhibitors and visitors, has always been our priority and this continues to be the case. We are a strong community, we’re all in this together, and I know everyone will get behind this decision.”

 

He said the company fully appreciated the level of planning required to attend and was grateful that visitor registration had stayed strong despite the COVID-19 publicity. “Casual Dining would like to thank everyone – our exhibitors, visitors, partners and suppliers for their continued support and patience during this challenging time.I know that the community will continue to support each other during these difficult weeks, and we look forward to seeing you on 14 - 15 July for the biggest celebration of our industry yet.”

 

Despite the date change, the industry has rallied around its annual show with leading visitors and exhibitors offering support:

 

Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality said  the effects of coronavirus werer being felt across not only the casual dining sector but also the events industry. “The health of guests has to be paramount and so this is a sensible if disappointing decision to have to make.

Like the rest of the sector, the Casual Dining Show will come back bigger and stronger.”

 

Steve Mangleshot, executive chef at Wagamama said: “I have no doubt Casual Dining will be more important than ever to our industry when it returns in July. As always, it has my full support.”

 

Tim Foster of the Yummy Pub Co, said: “It's one of the highlights of my year; if I have to wear shorts to it this year rather than a jacket, then so be it.”

 

Casual Dining trade registration is still open on this site www.casualdiningshow.co.uk.