Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (above) was awarded Best Garden Centre (GC) and Raemoir Garden Centre (below) won Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC) in Scotland. Creative Gardens Donaghadee scooped Best Garden Centre in Northern Ireland.



The awards were announced by GCA Inspector Liz Hutson and presented by Scotland Regional Chair, Yvonne Ritchie from Brechin Castle Garden Centre.  Commenting on Raemoirs win, Liz said; "in my opinion the food offering at Raemoir is amongst the best in the UK, it's great food with added pixie dust."

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “The Scotland and Northern Ireland area awards evening is always a popular event and this year proved to be no exception. It was a great opportunity to visit one of our newer members, Glendoick, and we thank Kenneth Cox and his team for hosting the occasion. There were some fantastic examples of best practice and innovation shown in the presentation and there were some very worthy winners.

“The award for Best Customer Service went to Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre in Scotland and Creative Gardens Donaghadee in Northern Ireland while the award for Most Improved Centre in Scotland went to Klondyke Garden Centre – Mayfield and Bushmills Garden centre in Northern Ireland.”

The awards are decided by the results of the annual inspections, which take place at all GCA garden centres. Garden centres have no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.

The Best Garden Centre and Best Destination Garden Centre awards went to the members that scored the highest overall mark in the area in their annual inspections.

The top scoring centres overall, nationally, in both the Destination Garden Centre and Garden Centre categories will be re-inspected before the titles of Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place in January 2016.

The full results for the Scotland and Northern Ireland GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Scotland:

Best Garden Centre
1:  Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre
2:  Gouldings
3:  Mains of Drum

Best Destination Garden Centre
1:  Raemoir Garden Centre
2:  Simpsons

Best Customer Service
1:  Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre
2:  Raemoir
3:  Simpsons 

Best Environment and Community
1:  Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre
2= Simpsons
2= Gouldings

Best Creativity and Innovation
1:  Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre
2:  Gouldings
3:  Raemoir

Most Improved Centre
1:  Klondyke Garden Centre – Mayfield (Kelso)
2:  Raemoir
3:  Caulders Kirkintilloch

Best Restaurant - Garden Centre
1:  Glendoick Garden Centre
2:  Klondyke Mayfield (Kelso)
3:  Mains of Drum

Best Restaurant - Destination Garden Centre
1:  Raemoir Garden Centre
2:  Simpsons

Garden Products Retailer - Garden Centre
1:  Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre
2:  Gouldings
3:  Brechin Castle

Garden Products Retailer - Destination Garden Centre
1:  Raemoir Garden Centre
2:  Simpsons

Best Indoor Lifestyle - Garden Centre
1:  Gouldings Garden Centre
2:  Glendoick
3:  Garden Wise

Best Indoor Lifestyle - Destination Garden Centre
1:  Raemoir Garden Centre
2:  Simpsons

Best Outdoor Living - Garden Centre
1:  Gouldings Garden Centre
2:  Brechin Castle
3:  Mains of Drum

Best Outdoor Living - Destination Garden Centre
1:  Raemoir Garden Centre
2:  Simpsons

Northern Ireland:

Best Garden Centre: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Best Customer Service: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Best Environment and Community: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Best Creativity and Innovation: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Most Improved: Bushmills Garden Centre 

Best Restaurant: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Garden Products Retailer: Creative Gardens Donaghadee 

Best Indoor Lifestyle: Bushmills Garden Centre 

Best Outdoor Living: Creative Gardens Donaghadee. 

About the GCA:
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please call 0118 930 8918. Alternatively visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association. 

Two garden centres have joined the Great Western Buying Group, bringing the membership total to nine. The group says it is looking to expand further.

The new recruits are Caerphilly Garden Centre in South Glamorgan and Sunnydale Garden Centre in Cwmbran.

Steve Searle, store manager at GWBG member Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset said the group had built good relationships with the best suppliers in the garden industry during its 15 years of working together. “We felt it was the right time to increase our presence in other parts of the country and we’re thrilled to have Caerphilly Garden Centre and Sunnydale Garden Centre come on board,” he added. “The two centres fit well with our geographical area and will strengthen our relationship with suppliers.”

The GWBG is a group of independent family-run garden centres who share best practice in buying and marketing. It is currently looking for more new members.

Phil Taylor, MD at Caerphilly Garden Centre and Sunnydale Garden Centre, said: “We are very pleased to have become part of such a prestigious and well organised buying group. A number of options were open to us but we felt that the Great Western Buying Group gave us the best fit for our centres.

“Combining our experience and skills in the market we feel that we can benefit from and positively contribute to its continued success. 

“It is an exciting time for us, the group and suppliers alike, providing us all with real potential to do more business and build on and develop exciting and new relationships.”

Group members include Monkton Elm, Highfield Garden Centre in Gloucester, Exeter’s Bernaville Garden Centre, Plymouth Garden Centre, Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset, Brimsmore Garden Centre in Yeovil and Poundbury Garden Centre, also in Dorset. Former members include Trelawney in Cornwall, which is now owned by the Blue Diamond group.

For more Information, contact Steve Searle (s.searle@monkton-elm.co.uk) or Fiona Newton (fiona@plymouthgardencentre.co.uk)

The 24-centre Klondyke group is to bank exclusively with HSBC  after securing a five-year deal that will fund the redevelopment of five outlets.

The projects, expected to contribute to a projected group turnover increase to £50 million, include the planned re-build of Savilles at Leeds, the completion of an expansion at Stokesley, and refurbishments with new restaurants at Weavervale, Northwich and Polmont

CEO Bob Hewitt, who is retiring next year, said the support from HSBC would enable the group to fulfil its ambitions and invest funds back into the business.

He added: “Plants are our passion and we will always stay true to the quality of our products. However, we want to evolve Klondyke sites from traditional garden centres into social places for people to meet friends and family.”

He said Klondyke aimed to capitalise on recent successes that have led to strong turnover growth.

Doug Baikie, head of large corporate for HSBC in Scotland, said: “Klondyke Group’s model for growth has proved to be a success and we are very proud to be backing its plans for the future. Their sites are transforming into full-service retail operations but are still rooted in the company’s traditional passion for gardening.”

• Garden Products - down 9%
• Veg-2-Gro Products - down 1%
• Growing Media - down 21%
• All Items Index - down 8%

• Glendoick, Scotland, Thursday 1st October
• St Peters, Worcester, Tuesday 6th October
• Coletta and Tyson, Beverley, Wednesday 7th October

“There is a tremendous buzz surrounding the show,” says organiser Annie Foord. “So much is happening at PATS Telford over both days of the exhibition, it really is a must-visit event for retailers and buyers. You won’t be disappointed.

“All the latest new product launches will be unveiled as well as great talks from some of the industry’s most respected names and demonstrations from the country’s top groomers.

“I can promise it will be great day out so make sure you still travel to Telford and attend the biggest pet trade show for years."

With so many exciting plans it could easily be a record-breaking year for attendance numbers as well.

On arrival at Telford International Centre, a large majority of visitors will head for the New Product Showcase, which will have a huge presence at the exhibition with more than 300 items being presented. All entries in the Showcase will be judged by a panel of retailer judges for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show, and the results will be known and highlighted throughout the exhibition hall for the rest of the event.

As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new pet products and speaking to top suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to witness demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers and listen to talks from prominent industry figures.

Other PATS features aimed at making it a great day out include free entry, free catalogue, free tea and coffee, and free parking. Visitors still have time to register online at the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk.

A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website together with information on how to reach both venues and regularly updated show news.

Opening times

Sunday, 27^th September, 2015: 9.00am-5.00pm

Monday, 28^th September, 2015: 9.00am-4.00pm

John Lewis has teamed up with TV gardener David Domoney to launch its first bulb and seed range.

The collection of spring-flowering bulbs and seed gift packets perfectly complements the John Lewis Partnership’s existing non-plant gardening range.

Eighteen hand-picked bulb sets go on sale at www.johnlewis.com from later this month [SEPT], while three specially-selected seed mixtures themed for bees, birds and butterflies join them on sale in October.

In a stunning combination of colours and varieties, the bulb collections will bring borders, pots and containers bursting into life.

An ideal gift for the gardener in your life, or a treat to brighten up your own plot, the new range promises to bring some sunshine into your life with show-stopping flowers.

David Domoney is a TV gardener and multi-medal winning garden designer, creating show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Palace.

He presents ITV1’s Love Your Garden alongside Alan Titchmarsh and is the resident garden expert on ITV1’s This Morning programme.

David says: “I have hand-picked these bulb collections specially to help people achieve award-winning, flower show-style results in their own gardens.

“David removed the hassle of mixing and matching individual bulbs by choosing the best single-varieties and companion plants for a great combination of colour, height and shape.

“These stunning combinations will bring panache, elegance and class to your garden – all from the same packet and flowering at the same time for a magnificent effect.”

John Lewis / David Domoney bulb collections include:

• The ‘Take a Stroll’ collection containing 30 tulip bulbs in four brilliant shades (pink, white, mauve and black/purple) and the vibrant stripe variety ‘Hotpants’, combined with ten anemones in striking royal blue.
• The ‘Amaryllis Christmas Gift Set’ which promises masses of glorious foliage, delicate scent and dramatic trumpet-like flowers with one brilliant Amaryllis Hippeastrum bulb.
• The ‘White Passion’ collection, chosen to represent the most vibrant pure whites of the daffodil world and containing 30 super bulbs from spectacular ‘White Lion’ to ‘Mount Hood’ and ‘Ice Follies’, each certain to stop spectators in their tracks.

David has also designed gift ranges for Christmas horticulture including, wildlife-friendly collections of flower seeds specially-designed to attract and help butterflies, birds and bees.

John Lewis / David Domoney seed mixture sets include:

• The ‘Bee Garden Seed Mix’ containing 30 nectar-rich flower varieties designed to add colour and form to your garden – plus provide food for your local bee population. Includes seeds, soil and maize granules for instant sowing.
• The ‘Bird Garden Seed Mix’ containing 20 varieties aimed at attracting wild birds into your garden by offering readily-accessible food throughout the summer and autumn months. Includes seeds, soil and maize granules for instant sowing.

David adds: “Bees and butterflies are important pollinators in the garden and attracting them couldn’t be easier with my specially-selected seed mixtures. Sow them in your borders or beds in the autumn and by spring you’ll have the beginnings of a stunning insect-friendly display.”

All the ranges will go on sale on the John Lewis website www.johnlewis.com 1^st week of October.

• Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham, Kent
• Holmes Chapel Primary School, Crewe, Cheshire East
• Lough View Integrated Primary School, Church Road, Belfast
• Mowmacre Hill Primary School, Tedworth Green, Leicester
• Stafford Preparatory School, Burton Manor, Stafford
• The Weatheralls Primary School, Soham, Cambridgeshire
• The Topsham School, Topsham, Devon
• Vale First Middle School, Worthing, West Sussex
• Whitehorse Manor Infant School, Whitehorse Road, Thornton Heath

• premium seed tray
• two 22cm Kitchen Garden Propagator sets
• plastic plant pots
• 70cm Corinthian Trough
• 5 litre watering cans
• three varieties of easy-grow vegetable seeds from Pippa Greenwood’s range
• compost donated by participating garden centres and professional grower’s specialist, J Arthur Bowers
• promotional materials and an informative booklet produced by Stewart Garden

Yesterday a handful of dare-devil supporters of Greenfingers took part in a parachute jump to raise money for the charity.  A team of intrepid jumpers hurled themselves out of a plane to raise funds for Greenfingers next planned garden at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield.

The jump tooke place at Netheravon in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, under the capable guidance of the Army Parachute Association.

The money raised by those taking part will help Greenfingers improve two gardens spaces at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield.  The reflective and peaceful areas outside the hospice’s end of life suites, will provide great comfort to grieving families staying at the hospice.

If you would like to contribute funds for the garden at Bluebell Wood you can sponsor one of the brave parachute jumpers – Greenfingers own Ollie Tuck (pictured in training last week) – via her Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/Ollie-Tuck1/

The Horticultural Trades Association is delighted to invite you to join us for the prestigious annual Garden Futures Conference and Gala Dinner, a must attend event for those in the garden industry. This event tackles the tough challenges retailers, growers, landscapers and suppliers encounter in the sector today. 

‘Embracing Change’ is the theme for this year’s conference and speakers from inside and outside of the industry will address key areas impacting on the garden retail sector including:

• The latest economic outlook
• The threats and opportunities for the future of garden retail
• The evolving retail landscape
• The changing consumer

Don’t miss out on the event that gives you what you need to face the future in your business.

Bringing together the key players in the garden industry to consider cutting-edge practice and ideas from business leaders and experts, the HTA Garden Futures event provides the perfect opportunity for networking with the leading figures in the business.

Set in 400 acres of tranquil Oxfordshire countryside and with a purpose built auditorium and beautiful ballroom, Heythrop Park will provide a fantastic setting for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference and Dinner.

To book go to:  

http://gardenfutures.org.uk/

Buyers at Glee responded with enthusiasm to Gardman’s new-look 2016 offer, with special acclaim for its commitment to continuous product innovation across many categories.

Many potential best-sellers were identified amongst more than 400 introductions across the full range of 2,800-plus SKUs.  The established categories for core gardening were further boosted with an increase of over 300 extra new products.

Gardman’s radical five-brand strategy, introduced last season, also continues to offer retailers an effective means of encouraging increased basket spend by trading customers up to better-quality products; key unveilings for 2016 included:

Moulton Mill ‘Budding Gardeners’: a new range of top quality lightweight garden tools for children and aspiring gardeners. The range endorsed by the Rich Brothers, RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s youngest Gold Medal winners, encourages family-time spent gardening via its ethos ‘for families that grow together’.

Blacksmith: To further strengthen this brand’s offering, Gardman have worked closely with UK craftsmen to design a beautiful collection of arches, obelisks and ‘romantic’ heart-shaped plant supports. Made from heavy duty wrought iron, this new hand forged range boasts the same impressive 5 year guarantee as its existing hanging garden range.

Garden & Home Co: a new range of four stylish themed homestyle collections, character doorstops, artificial pot plants and topiary, offer retailers seasonal and year-round gifting opportunities at affordable price points.

Cole & Bright: new ‘dual-power’ string lights, that guarantee year-round lighting, whatever the weather were unveiled at the show, together with a range of wooden flameless candle lanterns, that are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Ernest Charles: two charming new nest boxes have been introduced to complement its existing range of finest quality wild bird care seed blends and bird tables. This tactical product development not only strengthens the brand further but, also offers retailers and consumers a wider choice across the range.

The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards Categories

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

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

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

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

The Greatest Awards would like to thank sponsors, Elho, National Garden Gift Vouchers, MorePeople and The HTA plus the event organisers at The HTA Catering Conference, National Plant Show, GIMA Awards spoga+gafa and HTA Futures for agreeing to be presentation venues for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015. 

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

The ever-increasing digitalization and globalization leads to significant changes in consumer behaviour and distribution channels. In order to stay ahead of the game, retailers as well as producers must be aware and able to react on these changes.

This is a unique opportunity for anyone to either progress their career into senior management who have a passion to help people less fortunate than themselves or if you have a wealth of experience in running a plantarea but want to give back something to the community then this is the job for you.

Not only are we a well-established garden centre and Café serving the local community and surrounding area we also help disabled and disadvantaged youngsters get into work by training them in a real working environment.

Please send a CV and covering letter to Simon Harpin, Shaw Trust Palmer Gardens. Simon.harpin@shaw-trust.co.uk or visit Shaw Trust – vacancies – on our website vacancy number ST/3391.

The Person:

We are looking for motivated, dynamic, passionate and professional sales agents with experience in the gardening industry.

The Responsibilities:

• To research relevant retailers and identify new accounts for growth
• Work with the Kingfisher range to come up with a sales strategy
• Communicate with current and potential stockists to manage sales

The Requirements:

• A great sales person: tenacious, assertive, resilient, with initiative and ability to communicate well.
• Good knowledge of gardening wholesale business practices
• Excellent understanding of different stockists
• Likes working in a start-up environment, and has the passion to be an instrumental part in the growth of an emerging garden centre
• Has the firm grasp of the Kingfisher brand positioning and the ability to target stockists
• You will be well presented, trustworthy and love being with customers

The Position:

This is a freelance position. The sales agent will work independently in his/her own time.

Required experience:

• Sales – 1 year

Please send CV to Laura@bonningtonplastics.com

Bonnington Plastics Ltd, Kingfisher House, 9 Glaisdale Parkway, Nottingham, NG8 4GP

Telephone:  0115 985 4119

www.bonningtonplastics.com

Polhill Garden Centre

Gifts and Homeware Team Leader

London Road, Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent,TN14 7BD

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self motivated, hands-on Team Leader to take on the responsibility of the daily management of the Gift and Homeware Department.

The products include gift items, cookware, home interiors and furniture, children’s toys, cards and books.

The successful candidate will possess outstanding retail knowledge in a similar environment, display attention to detail and flair for display and possess a real passion for providing outstanding customer service.

The main duties include:

• Assisting customers
• Ddaily ordering
• Merchandising
• Ddisplays
• Maintaining high levels of shop floor and customer service standards
• Managing a small friendly team
• Some heavy lifting involved

Hours: 4 weekdays and alternate weekends

Assistant Manager, Studley Garden Centre

This is a great time to join Studley Garden Centre, part of the Hillview Garden Centres group, as we're about to embark on an investment programme that is aimed to double the store's turnover.

We're looking for a strong individual, ideally with a garden centre background. You'll be shop floor based but required to assist with some of the site administration, budgets etc so need to be computer literate.
Most importantly you'll be a great retailer and team leader.

Send CV and covering letter to Paul Williams, GC Manager Studley Garden Centre, paul.w@studleygardencentre.co.uk

• Analyse tender documentation and prepare costs for the client  
• Adhering to tight deadlines  
• Understand client requirements and discuss cost estimates with the ability to offer alternatives for the benefit of both client and employer  
• Assisting the Commercial Sales Manager with duties  
• Identifying and introducing potential new clients  
• Assist the Sales Team with Technical Enquiries.

• Overseeing the implementation of contracts to strict deadlines and budgets
• Assisting in development and bidding for new works
• Liaison with clients
• Implementation and management of health & safety and quality procedures
• Supervision of Teams
• Maintaining contract files

Sundries Assistant | Garden Centres | Large Group (ref:BP7650)

Location: Hampshire
Salary: £18,000 - £20,000
Date: 14 Sep 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

My client is a large garden centre group based throughout Great Britain. The business prides itself on its mix of high quality large destination centre and more boutique offerings. They are a recognisable brand and are expanding.

The Role

This role will take on a number two position in the busy garden sundries department. The role will revolve around providing excellent customer service, maintaining merchandising standards and ad hoc management of the department. 

The Person 

I am seeking an experienced retailer preferably from a garden retail background. You will have good product knowledge with garden sundries and will be looking to find a role with potential to progress and real day one responsibilities.

Plant Area Supervisor (refBP7649)

Location: Hampshire
Salary: £18,000 - £20,000
Date: 14 Sep 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

My client is a large garden centre group based throughout Great Britain. The business prides itself on its mix of high quality large destination centre and more boutique offerings. They are a recognisable brand and are expanding.

The Role

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

The Person

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

• Scheurich’s Panna Orchid Cover Pot is the highest new entry at No 18.
• The Ripon Pot from Naylor Yorkshire Flowerpots is a new entry at No 25.
• Gardman Solar Stainless Steel Glass Marker lights are the highest climber, up 20 places to No 19.

• Taylors Onion sets Radar moves up to take the No 1 Bestseller spot, just ahead of Electric sets.
• Taylors Garlic Thermidrome is the highest chart climber, up 27 places to No 4.
• Quantil Chinese Cabbage plants have the biggest week on week sales growth to re-enter at No 24.

• Westland Top Soil, 35 litres moves up to No 2.
• Scotts Levington Organic Choice Top Soil 25 litres is a re-entry at No 3.
• Vital Earth Farm Manure, 50 litres moves up seven places to No 4.

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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.