In This Issue
Very last chance to enter the 2021 GIMA Awards
Garden Centre sales slow as we wait for some Summer weather
RocketGro see massive rise in sales of their 100% Peat Free, Vegan, Organic Soil Improver and Chemical Free liquid plant feed
Europlants founder Renato Canale dies, aged 78
One year on from Lockdown #1
BGC join in the "fun" at Harrogate Flower Show
Peat free up by 452%
Garden centre customers keen to sample horticultural hospitality as restaurants welcome guests back indoors
Vitax donation transforms hospital’s Secret Garden
Plant sales still 200% up
Call for innovation in recycled plastic products
Take advantage of the rise in demand for garden rooms with Windowlink software
Bloomin Amazing lands at Dobbies
Perrywood Tiptree’s Coffee Shop & Restaurant team purchase 130 fans for Colchester Hospital
Employment scheme to help you find the ideal candidate for your next vacancy
New packaging for Empathy’s natural granular feeds
Sustainable decking brand launches nationwide recycling initiative for schools
Wyevale Nurseries receives Plant Healthy Certification for high biosecurity standards
Unprecedented Demand - Record Easter garden centre sales lead to stock shortages - Read GTN's April issue on-line now
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Re-elected GIMA President Simon McArdle thanks retail customers
Lighting up garden sales
Keukenhof is closed; in full bloom but no visitors
Veg outshines all plant sales
HTA responds to England Trees Action Plan
The best of last week's
Government publishes plan to ban peat sales by 2024
Industry prepares for a peat-less future
Blue Diamond top £200m turnover and commit to Chelsea garden
Two London locations announced for little dobbies
Fargro Ltd set to bloom in 2021 under new management
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Fish4Pets launches puppy treats range
Increase in sales helps Wilsons Pet Food donate over 20,000 meals to rescue centres
46% of dog owners dreading return to work
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Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

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Garden centre customers keen to sample horticultural hospitality as restaurants welcome guests back indoors
HTA Market Update
 

As lockdown measures continue to ease across the UK, there is no sign of the incredible growth in sales by garden centres slowing. In fact, overall sales for 12th April - 12th May 2021 are 22% up vs the same period in 2019; and garden/gardening sales within this are +34%.

 

 And as all nations except Northern Ireland began welcoming patrons back inside cafes and restaurants from Monday (17/5) there’s great news about consumer confidence, too.  

 

The HTA have been tracking consumer confidence in visiting both garden centres and garden centre cafes, set in the context of COVID-secure measures being in place. The results from the most recent wave show that 80% of British adults now feel confident visiting garden centres and 67% feel confident in visiting a garden centre café or restaurant. This is the highest these numbers have been since tracking began - welcome news for garden centres, who offer a diverse range of eating experiences.  

 

Catering is of great importance to many garden centre’s revenue streams, helping to counteract the seasonal nature of business, especially in colder months. There’s a wide range of hospitality on offer across UK garden centres, from small, traditional tearooms, to full-on sit-down restaurants. Garden centre catering follows all the necessary COVID-secure measures but urge customers to be respectful of fellow customers and staff and continue to follow the guidelines set out. 

 

Matthew Bent is Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home in Warrington, which boasts a Tapas Bar, a Coffee Hut, and various other dining options, including a Pet Café with pet-safe treats such as ‘pupacinos’ and ‘pupcakes’. 

 

He said: "The past year has been a very challenging time for everyone, and although as a garden centre we have been fortunate to remain open for much of the time, like other hospitality venues our indoor dining destinations remained closed in line with government guidelines. We were delighted when the first steps in the Road Map were announced and we were able to offer outside dining options, and now we are looking forward to extending this to inside.  

 

“We’ve had to make many changes, including a slightly reduced menu and reduced covers to ensure everyone’s safety. Not all our dining destinations have re-opened yet, but our colleagues have embraced the challenge and created welcoming destinations where diners can enjoy their meal in our bright, relaxing and attractive surroundings.” 

 

In line with government guidelines, garden centres are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Many have implemented new safety measures such as hand sanitizing stations and are requiring visitors to remain socially distanced. 

 

Glendoick Garden Centre and Café in Dundee is adjusting to the new normal with the help of a mobile ordering app to help patrons avoid queueing.

 

Owner Jane Cox said: “Our cafe brings in a third of our income and the lockdowns have had a huge impact on our turnover. It’s a relief to be open again and a joy to see our staff and customers smiling, glad to be back. Embedding the app has had its challenges in the first two weeks, but staff and customers are now enjoying its benefits. We hope to add more tables as lockdown eases and look forward to serving our customers in a really safe and friendly setting.” 

 

This month’s Market Update also shows promising news in terms of Average Transaction Values in catering, with a 19% increase on April 2019 and a catering ATV of £10.21. 

 

The HTA’s Market Update is produced for its members each month and is available for them to download from the website. https://bit.ly/3fsLMo2 

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