Due to popular demand GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back for 2021, and for real, again with judging visits and a LIVE, in-person, presentation ceremony at Spring Fair as well to celebrate all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas through the pages of GTN and the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter.

The team of Greatest Awards judges are readying their sleighs and charging their camera batteries to get out and meet you all.  Just send an e-mail with your nomination to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk and then we’ll get your judging visit arranged. 

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2021

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
• The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team (for sales of BBQ’s, firepits, furniture etc)
• The Greatest Christmas Pets Team
• The Greatest Christmas Community or Charity Initiative 
• The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
• The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team
• The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Display Team
• The Greatest Christmas Supplier – Garden centres will be asked to vote for this
• The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team 
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

Here's the list of winners from GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards in 2020 – Who will be the winners in 2021?

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team – Sponsored by Woodlodge - £500 stock for the winner – Barton Grange. 
  • Highly Commended: Pengelly, The Old Railway Line
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team – Sponsored by GTN Bestsellers -subscriptions worth £580 for the winner – Pughs Radyr.
  • Highly Commended: Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Pengelly
•  The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team – Sponsored by Garden Radio – 1 years’ service with bespoke messages, worth over £500 for the winner – The Old Railway Line.
  • Highly Commended: Barton Grange, Colemans Garden Centre, Planters Tamworth, Squires Badshot Lea
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team – Sponsored by SOLEX - 2 x Hotel Rooms at SOLEX 2021 for the winner – Altons BBQ World
  • Highly Commended: Hillmount
• The Greatest Christmas Pets Team – Sponsored by Smart Garden Products, Zöon -£500 stock for the winner – The Old Railway Line
  • Highly Commended: Planters Tamworth, Squires Badshot Lea
• The Greatest Christmas Community/Charity Initiative – Sponsored by Kaemingk – A display from their UK showroom for the winner - Pengelly
  • Highly Commended: Daisy Nook, Dobbies, Perrywood, Thetford
• The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea – Sponsored by Glee – 2 x Hotel Rooms at Glee 2021 for the winner - Groves
  • Highly Commended: Altons BBQ World, Hillmount, The Old Railway Line
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video – Sponsored by Premier Decorations - £500 stock for the winner – The Old Railway Line
  • Highly Commended: Bosworths, Glendoick, Pengelly
• The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team – Sponsored by Elho - £500 stock for the winner - Baytree
  • Highly Commended: Lakeside Plant Centre
• The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Display Team – Sponsored by Global Journey - £500 stock for the winner – Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange
  • Highly Commended: Baytree
• The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by DCUK - £500 stock for the winner – Squires Badshot Lea
  • Highly Commended: British Garden Centres Thatcham
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Ascalon - £500 stock for the winner - Pengelly
  • Highly Commended: Jacksdale, Lakeside Plant Centre
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by Kaemingk - A display from their UK showroom for the winner – Busy Bee
  • Highly Commended: Glendoick, Planters Tamworth, Sapcote, The Old Railway Line
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by Festive - £500 stock for the winner – Barton Grange
  • Highly Commended: Baytree, Hillmount, Perrywood
• The Greatest Christmas Supplier – Garden centres are voting for this award – To be confirmed Thursday morning.

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are organised by the team from GTN.  Contact Trevor Pfeiffer trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk  07973 504214 or Alan Burdon alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk  07939 048899 to make your nominations or to be one of the sponsors.

GTN Bestsellers top line analysis for week 43, week ending 24th October 2021

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 43.

• Garden Products Top 50 – down 11%
• Growing Media Top 50 – down 6%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 53%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 14%
• Christmas Top 50 – up 12%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 43

• All Plants with Barcode index – down 3%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 10%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Corby + Fellas Ltd has announced that Gates Garden Centre, of Cold Overton near Oakham in Leicestershire, has recently updated its IT systems with the installation of WinRetail, the innovative and comprehensive EPoS and Retail Management package.

The system, installed in August 2021, brings the number of garden centre businesses using WinRetail to 50, operating in over 200 locations throughout the UK and Ireland.

Gates, a destination Garden Centre that is currently number 12 in the GCA top 150 garden centres, replaced an existing system with WinRetail to better handle the burgeoning needs of their business.

The new system is well able to handle the particular needs of Gates’ large farm shop, as well as its restaurant and coffee shop. 

In addition, Gates are able to benefit from the use of WinRetail’s advanced Warehousing Module, which features a sophisticated ‘pack-tracking’ feature, giving the company precise control over the purchase, receipt, storage, movement, sales and distribution of stock.

To further increase the usefulness of WinRetail, the package was enhanced to include the new Order Delivery Visualisation program, which assists dispatchers in organising the delivery of customer’s sales orders in an efficient and timely manner.

Corby + Fellas Ltd.  01493 658800 

www.corbyfellas.com

Royal Canin Sensory feeds cats’ senses

Royal Canin is introducing a new a feline wet range - Sensory - with three new sensorial stimulations of Smell, Taste and Feel developed to excite cats’ senses. The new range will launch throughout August and September.

The Sensory range was developed using the latest research from cat experts. Cats have an instinct for new experiences and diverse aromas, textures and tastes in their diet so Sensory mealtimes will not only be nutritious, but also sensorially rich, filled with novelty and discovery.

With over 600,000 new cats entering the market each year and three-quarters of cat owners mixed feeding with wet, the Sensory range represents a great opportunity to reach into the cat market. As part of a mixed feeding routine, Sensory can be fed alongside dry food from Royal Canin’s Exigent, Sensible, Outdoor, Fit and Indoor ranges.

The three new varieties are available in boxes of 12 x 85g pouches in gravy or jelly, alongside side a 12-pouch gravy multipack with four of each of smell, taste and feel.

The Sensory range will be supported by extensive marketing including a large consumer sampling activation, a wide-reaching online presence and varied point-of-sale materials so pet owners are able to navigate the range easier on and off shelf.

Royal Canin Customer Marketing Lead Ben Hurley said, “Cats’ senses are their gateway to the world. How a cat’s sense of smell, taste, and touch are stimulated determines how they feel. Our feline experts researched cats’ senses and took what they learned to develop Sensory.”

Talk to your Royal Canin Business Manager today, call us on 0330 6781 520, or click here to find more information about Sensory.

Cyclamen has returned to the top of the GTN Bestsellers Plants chart, replacing Pansies...

The highest climber of the week was Calocephalus, which jumpoed 19 places to No 27.

There were six re-entries, topped by Vinca at No 39 and Sedum at No 40.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

The GCA Barometer of Trade reveals furniture and BBQ sales continued to remain strong and were up by 58.27% year-to-date according to its recently released figures for September.

Proving demand didn’t slow during the month, the report shows a year-to-date increase in 12 out of 13 categories.

GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “Our members’ September figures remained consistent. Once again, BBQ and furniture sales topped our BoT report. Normally at this time of year we’d be packing up our outdoor spaces and preparing for cosy entertaining indoors, but the late Indian Summer allowed people to continue enjoying their outdoor living spaces.

“We’ve embraced alfresco living as a nation, post-lockdowns, and even if there is a chill in the air and it’s dark, dining is now accompanied with twinkling lights, throws and firepits. Social occasions outdoors with friends and family no longer seem unusual. Of course, demand for staycations has also continued to be a contributing factor for boosting the need for outdoor accoutrements, whether for homes or holiday lets.

“Catering also remains steady despite continuing to face some difficulties. We’re confident our members’ cafés and restaurants will once again become social hubs of their garden centres this autumn, as visitors opt for warming beverages and a bite to eat while shopping and enjoying being amongst the greenery.”

The year-to-date figure for catering is up at 3.1%, although this still needs to be tempered against last year’s events.

Iain adds: “As the nation’s gardeners prepared for autumn planting in September, outdoor plants remained favourites with sales up 42.54% year-to-date. Similarly, houseplants were also up at 40.36%. This demand may be due in part to the impact of the first autumn-based Chelsea Flower Show in September, where experts showcased ideas that can be implemented regardless of the size of space available. The buzz around the event encouraged novice gardeners to help keep up the hobby and has also helped reinvigorate those who have been gardening for years.

“As the nights grew darker earlier and the leaves started to change outside, September was also the perfect time of year for bringing some much-needed greenery and colour indoors using houseplants. They’re great accessories and provide a dose of Vitamin G – ideal for boosting mental health and wellbeing.”

The remaining categories that performed well, year-to-date, in September were gift sales up 37.56%, clothing up 33.91%, food hall/farm shop up 32.37%, hard landscaping up 32.03%, garden sundries up 27.24%, pets and aquatics up 23.93%, as well as seeds and bulbs up 11.4%.

Iain continues: “We’re thrilled that this month’s figures have remained steady. Many members started October by unveiling their festive displays to meet demand and we’re anticipating a buoyant Christmas sales period.”

Overall sales in September were down for the month by -0.29% when comparing 2020 with 2021.

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

The Greenfingers Charity is looking to expand its team with the appointment of a new part-time Garden Projects Manager.

This new role will see a dedicated, passionate and experienced individual help the Greenfingers Charity to realise its ambitious plans to create even more much-needed garden spaces at hospices throughout the country.

The Garden Projects Manager will have a pivotal role to play in the planning and development of each garden build, working in accordance with a statement of works for each garden, and will also act as a vital point of contact between the hospice, designer, landscaper and Greenfingers.

Experience in the technical delivery of landscape projects, working with masterplans and technical drawings, site inspections and working with independent contractors is essential, as is a qualification in Landscape Architecture or Landscape/Garden Design. The right applicant will also need to demonstrate the ability to work under pressure, complete work to the highest standard and precise deadlines and be able to work both autonomously and as part of a team, including liaising with principal sponsors, stakeholders, the Greenfingers Director of Fundraising & Communications, the Garden Committee and all other members of the Greenfingers Charity team, including freelance contractors.

Whilst not essential, horticultural and plant knowledge, knowledge of Vectorworks 3D and Sketch-up, as well as being a registered Landscape Architect with the Landscape Institute, are all desirable skills that may help the right candidate stand out from the crowd.

Sally Jenkins, Director of Finance and Resources said: “The role of Garden Project Manager is an exciting one for both us as a charity but also for the person who joins our team. We have ambitious plans for the coming years and our new Garden Project Manager will be a pivotal part of this longevity and a vital conduit for the development of our gardens programme.”

Find out more

To find out more about the role or to apply please contact Sally@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

As world leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow for COP26, the Horticultural Trades Association is working with its membership to encourage them to take the necessary action to create a more sustainable sector.

Coinciding with the second week of COP26, and in the lead-up to the one-year anniversary of the launch of the HTA Sustainability Roadmap, the association is bringing together key opinion leaders from horticulture and environmental organisations for a roundtable event on  Wednesday 10 November. 

Representatives from Water Resources South East (WRSE), the Garden Centre Association (GCA), Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA), Evergreen Garden Care and Allensmore Nurseries will meet to discuss, debate and share insights on sustainability within the horticulture industry, and the opportunities within the roadmap.  

A ‘one year on’ sustainability impact report will also be published in November, setting out the progress the industry has made so far towards the roadmap’s goals, and details of what HTA members and stakeholders can expect in 2022. 

The HTA is taking a three-pronged approach to provide members with all the help and resources they need and to demonstrate how the horticultural industry can and should be leaders in sustainability.  

Practical Guidance: ‘How-to’ guides, outlining practical tips and information for members on their sustainability journey, have been compiled, with two new guides on water use in garden retail and water use in ornamental production, launched today (Thursday). Over the summer, the HTA published a guide to help garden retailers reduce their carbon footprints.  Sustainability content has also featured in Inside Horticulture magazine, a webinar and the HTA’s own Hort Talk podcast. 

Lobbying: the HTA has responded to consultations on behalf of its members, providing industry expertise and using data to carefully construct responses on issues including: water companies’ plans for drought bans; the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) consultation on packaging; Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain; Defra’s consultation on consistency in household recycling collections and Defra’s England Trees Action Plan.  

Training:  At the start of 2021, the HTA launched its partnership with Planet Mark. This provides members access to expert support in reducing their carbon footprint, to make a tangible difference to both their business and the planet. Two free member-only workshops have been run so far, with a third one planned in November, and members have been signing up to become accredited so they can track their own carbon footprints.  

David Denny, HTA’s Futures and Sustainability Manager, said: “The progress made for sustainability throughout this year, especially against the backdrop of the pandemic and Brexit, is something HTA members can justifiably feel proud of. Since launching the roadmap and embarking on this journey to empower our membership, so many of our members have shown real leadership in the steps they're taking to make a difference to their businesses and our planet.”  

Looking towards 2022, the roadmap promises further action by delivering more resources, case studies, data, training and services for members, enabling them to increase their environmental, commercial and social sustainability. The association is encouraging all its members to join the sustainability journey to 2025 and contribute what they can, regardless of the size or type of business. 

The latest information and resources on sustainability are available at:  https://hta.org.uk/news-current-issues/sustainability.html 

Rainbows for the NHS, Mary Poppins and the natural world are among this year’s new Christmas display themes at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil, Castle Gardens in Sherborne and Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester.

Having been in the planning since January and constructed behind closed doors throughout September, these magical Christmas displays are now open to the public seven days a week until Christmas Eve. 

With hundreds of glass baubles, paper decorations and wooden ornaments on show, along with twinkly LED lights, visitors can escape the daily routine to wander through magical autumnal woodland scenes, enjoy a trip on safari and venture under the sea.

Taking people and planet into consideration, the displays have been constructed using repurposed and recycled materials, such as timber, fabric and cardboard.

Many of the decorations have also been sourced from small scale makers and fair-trade businesses, with the hope that they last a lifetime and are passed down through families. 

Covid-safety measures, such as hand sanitising points, one-way systems and more space to allow for social distancing are all still in place at each of the Christmas displays to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. 

After many months of focus on managing stock availability and coping with unprecedented demand for their core lines, AMES UK is now looking to the future with an exciting programme of new product innovation.

To drive this new engine for growth, Caroline Elliot has recently joined the business in the role of Product Director.

It’s only a few weeks since Caroline stepped into her new role, but she’s already begun to make an impact on the AMES UK product development strategy for the coming years. The product team has been re- structured with a separate line of reporting to empower the team and focus on unique new product innovation.

Caroline says “I’ve really hit the ground running and I’m working on three pillars of activity that will build our product development plan for the future. Firstly, it’s the power of data and understanding how that can provide insights into the richest seams of opportunity. Secondly, it’s building a strong 3-year roadmap that gives the business visibility and allows us to plan our growth strategy. Thirdly, it’s building and developing the team of experienced professionals who are the people that will bring the plan to life.”

The business plans to put considerable emphasis on expanding their existing category offers with unique product developments. In the short term, there’s also range gap filling opportunities too. “Right now, my main priority is season 2022/23 and making sure we are ready for GLEE in June – less than 10 months away!”

Caroline has the skills and experience to deliver on the commitments she’s made to the business having spent much of her career in buying, product management and ‘go to market’ roles in the DIY and building trade. She’s also demonstrated she has personal grit and determination in abundance too. During the first lockdown she embarked upon the ‘couch to 5k’ programme, having never done any running before and is now training every week with an objective of reaching her 10k goal in the next few months.

Paul North, Managing Director AMES UK said “I’m delighted to have persuaded Caroline to join the team; she is exactly the sort of person that we need to deliver our huge product development plan. Her energy levels and planning experience combine to make her a formidable force and we are all looking forward to working closely with her in the coming months and years.”

Reacting to the Chancellor’s announcement on funding for new T-levels, James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association, highlighted the role UK horticulture plays in ‘greening the economy’ and tackling climate change.

But he warned that the time taken to get sector-specific T-levels up and running, the ‘mixed bag’ of changes to business taxes and uncertainties of seasonal labour availability for next year, was acting against the ‘green growth’ opportunities the sector provides: 

“The UK horticulture sector is the ‘original green economy’ - we can grow to being a £42bn-worth industry by 2030. That includes creating new and exciting jobs. The Chancellor’s emphasis on ‘upskilling’ the workforce is welcome but does not go far enough for our sector, which is struggling to fill vacancies across the board. 

“We’re being prevented from unlocking this growth potential by a skills gap and lack of labour. T-levels are one opportunity to address this issue, but they don’t overcome a fundamental lack of college courses in the skills we need as a sector, not to mention that the relevant T-level subjects for our industry don’t come online until 2023.  

“We also need urgent action from the government on seasonal labour rules for next year – we're calling for the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme to continue and a very simple measure of including ornamental horticulture in the existing numbers, supported by an extension of three months to the current visa system. This will cover the Spring and Autumn ‘shoulders’ of the season when plants are picked in fields and trees produced. If not, the Government’s environment targets are not going to be met. 

“The announcement today of a 50 per cent relief for retail business rates will be appreciated by garden centres. Garden centres, nurseries and garden industry manufacturers will welcome the investment relief for solar panels – with large buildings, our sector is well-placed to maximise the use of solar energy. Yet this is offset by increases in National Living Wage – while good for individuals – and further hikes in corporation tax and national insurance contributions which will make our UK industry less competitive. It undermines efforts to invest in the workforce. This is on top of the additional extra costs and burdens we already face doing trade overseas. 

"Our call to the Government today is to harness the power of the UK’s 30m gardeners and millions of green space users, by backing the industry that produces and sells the products consumers want to ‘build back greener’. " 

Town & Country has a great range of boots that will not only ensure that little people stay warm on Bonfire Night, but will also rival the bright lights of the fireworks!

The new Kids Light Up Wellies come in bright blue and vibrant red, and will make every day look like the 5th November, with their inbuilt LEDs that light up upon impact, as children run and play. The pull on-straps help the little ones pull up their boots themselves, whilst high-quality design and materials provide protection, durability and comfort. These boots provide peace of mind for parents, as they’ll easily spot their child in a crowd, and offer maximum fun for kids as they can flash along to the fireworks!

The cosy and colourful Kids Lightweight Boots are available in zingy green and cheerful yellow, and are ideal if the temperatures really drop, as they will keep feet warm even if the temperature gets to -30C. Made from durable and lightweight EVA, these boots won’t weigh little legs down, so they’re perfect for walks and outdoor play dates throughout the winter. The removable, washable liners also mean that these boots, that will get a lot of wear, will stay fresh!

Town and Country has got Bonfire Night and beyond covered, whether it’s wet or cold, it certainly won’t be dull. Further information on products is available on the Town and Country website at https://www.townandco.com

The ten winners of wilko’s national garden transformation competition have been announced, following a nationwide search for impressive garden makeovers, big and small.

Each entered before and after images of their outdoor space for the 2021 wilko Gardening Competition which ran earlier this year.

The judging panel at wilko were so impressed with these ten remarkable lockdown projects that they were chosen as the winning line-up. Each winner was awarded a £300 wilko voucher to spend instore and to help keep their newly refreshed garden in tip top condition.

Check out and be inspired by the incredible outdoor DIY and gardening skills of the winning entries below.

Marcia from Flitwick, Bedfordshire with an impressive transformation featuring a colourful array of flowers and a beautiful walkway.

Diana from Market Rasen with a delightful seating area, perfect for those cosy evenings.

Tiffany from Scarborough brightened up her outdoor space with a stylish wall mirror and seating area.

Cherryl from Cardiff added an eye-catching pop of colour to her lawn.

Jane from Cambridge with a selection of beautiful planters to frame the lawn.

Amy from North Tyneside brought the indoors out, with this charming living space.

Paul from Lancaster added an impressive decking and raised planters to this garden space.

Lisa from St Helens transformed her garden by adding an impressive new shed surrounded by beautiful greenery.

Charlotte from Hampshire brightened up her shed, turning it into a stylish outdoor seating area.

Jayne from Warwickshire added a selection of raised planters to grow her own vegetables.

Far from being a serene hideaway where brands of a certain ‘nostalgic persuasion’ connect with naturally inquisitive artisanal food & drinks audiences, garden centres are fast becoming a vibrant destination for ambitious, British born brands who have moved away from ‘arms-length’ supermarkets, opting instead for more collaborative partnerships with influential garden centre chains who give brands much greater scope to express themselves.

Today it’s all change, with the very best garden centres treated more as a fine food destination than a tucked away backwater, an essential weekend port-of-call where plant lovers, gardening enthusiasts, ‘pet parents,’ café loungers and fine food lovers all mill around enthusiastically. 

Popcorn Kitchen is the perfect example of an ambitious small food & drinks disruptor who’s discovered that its steadfast commitment to small batch production, best-in-class all-natural ingredients, head-turning flavours and eye-catching gifting formats resonates with this most appreciative of small producer audiences.

There are countless reasons why garden centres have been able to so emphatically reinvent themselves in recent years.  For one thing there’s a surprising depth of products on display, coupled with a peaceful meandering mindset that often accompanies such a weekend trip.  More importantly perhaps is the fact that garden centres are very receptive to added value gift offer and all-singing product displays.

According to Popcorn Kitchen co-owner Andy Valentine, ‘Whether working through wholesale partners like Cress, Cotswold Fayre or directly with the likes of Squires Otter or British Garden Centres, we’ve found that our specialist ranges – Yard of Popcorn, Giant Bottles and a NEW for 2021 Variety Box go down especially well in the festive period an outcome that fits perfectly with our ongoing commitment to championing top tier garden centres as priority partners.’ 

Popcornkitchen.co.uk 

In this Glee Review issue of GTN:

• Vitax increases range and capacity
• Remembering Eddie Topping MBE
• Capturing the essence of Autumn at Chelsea
• Get Grilling with Traeger
• Glee 2021 – a special return
• Glee Buyers Power List
• Glee New Product Awards
• Sustainability Award – Southern Trident
• Glee 2021 Gallery
• Floral Thursday for Greenfingers Charity
• GTN Bestsellers Subscription Offer
• GTN Bestsellers – September garden centre sales analysis and charts
• Garden Centre Books
• HTA Column – Tales of the unexpected
• GIMA Column – The future is looking bright.

Salary: Negotiable

Location: Flexible

Deadline: 29th October 2021

Hours: 21 hours per week

Benefits: We can offer flexible working, 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays (pro rata) and a work-place pension.

Job Type: Permanent Part Time

Working as part of the Greenfingers Gardens Team, this role is to project manage and support the design and build and ongoing maintenance of Greenfingers gardens in children’s hospices.  

You will need to:

•   be an excellent project manager with a garden/landscape qualification
•   be an enthusiastic team player but also have the ability to work independently
•   have strong written and verbal communication skills
•   have strong IT skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Vector Works)
•   have the ability to build excellent relationships
•   have a positive can-do attitude

At Greenfingers Charity, we are all about creating magical and inspiring gardens in children’s hospices across the UK, gardens in which a million precious family memories can be created.  If you have a passion to make a difference through horticulture, we’d love to hear from you. 

For more information or to apply for this role, please email your CV, along with a covering letter to Sally Jenkins, Director of Finance & Resource: Sally@greenfingerscharity.org.uk. 

A once in a career opportunity has arisen to join our flagship garden centre at Twickenham.  You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department. This is an outstanding department which has won GCA Ruxley Rose competition on several occasions and has a reputation for excellent plant quality and the highest standards of plant care and advice. you will line manage two assistant plant department heads and a number of full time and part time colleagues who make up a motivated, responsible and committed team.

If you are energetic, highly motivated, have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, demonstrate a passion for plants, are commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays this could be just the opportunity for you. 

If you have garden centre retail experience and, ideally, horticultural qualifications, the ability to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets, the ability to inspire your team to offer the highest standards of plant quality and customer service we look forward to hearing from you.

Hours: Full Time, including alternate weekends.

Rewards & Benefits

• Employee Discount – 50% in Restaurants and10% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 20% after 3 months service, 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
• Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Bonus – We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year.  (first year is dependent on start date)
• Pension – We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
• Attendance – Our employees with 100% attendance in a financial year, are rewarded with Squire’s gift vouchers.
• Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – a reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through; outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner and a ‘team member of the year’. All winners select a gift to receive.
• Learning & Development -You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
• Free parking – available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our sites.

Interested in this role? Call 01252 356860 or email hrtraining@squiresgardencentres.co.uk

About us

Squire’s is a family-owned group of 16 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment. Our company is over 85 years old, and Twickenham was the first garden centre we opened way back in 1964. It was one of the first garden centres in the country and holds a very special place in the hearts of the family and at the heart of our business. Plants and core gardening remain central to our business.

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Sales in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart indicated the switch of priorities to preparing for winter and looking after plants indoors.

Highlights of the week were:

• Smart Garden Jumbo Leaf Grabbers were the highest chart re-entry at No 20.
• Greenkey Mini Mister Mixed Colours climbed furthest up the chart to No 13.
• Smart Garden G30 Plant Warming Fleece 10m x 1.5m was a new Top 50 Bestsellers entry at No 40.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

The top of the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Products chart took on a more familiar look last week with six of the top 10 bestsellers being personalised festive goodies.

Total sales of the GTN Top 50 grew by 50% week on week, bringing the deficit against last year down to 6.5%. With a booming half-term week we could be back above last year by the end of the month.

Highlights of the week were:

• History & Heraldry Santa's On His Way Personalised Card moves up one place to No 1.
• Suki’s Personalised Penguin Hanging Decorations are the highest chart re-entry at No 6.
• Festive Productions 14cm Gold Bell with Red Bow is the highest new entry of the week at No 19.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Even as thoughts turn to Christmas, sales of growing media continue at unseasonally high levels. Last week’s Top 50 volumes were up by 25% on the same week in 2019.

Highlights of the week were:

• Westland Multipurpose Compost with John Innes 50 litres moves up to No 1.
• Growth Technology Orchid Focus Repotting Mix Peat Free 3 litres is the highest chart climber, up 15 places to No 28.
• Kelkay RHS Horticultural Potting Grit is the highest chart re-entry at No 35.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

The new site - https://sfe-trade.com/ - is now live, offering retailers with a wealth of useful content and material to help drives sales of poinsettia both in-store and online throughout the 2021 festive season.

Retailers are welcome to log on to download point of sale and merchandising materials, press releases, as well as useful printable material regarding the right care to help poinsettias bloom.

A library of video content will also shortly be made available, providing retailers with an unrivalled library of content to add to their social media channels.

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

Blue Diamond managing director Alan Roper said: “Mere Park Garden Centre has excellent A1 retail planning permission and is a quality freehold asset. The site has strong potential and Newport has a strong AB1 demographic.”

Owner David Brierley said: “I am delighted to have sold Mere Park to the leading garden centre operator in the UK and look forward to watching the business thrive as part of the Blue Diamond Group.”

According to the garden centre’s website, Mere Park’s 12-acre retail park offers a full range of products and services that meet its customers’ shopping and leisure needs. 

The Institute of Directors (IoD) in Guernsey has announced that Alan Roper, Managing Director at Blue Diamond Group is the winner of this year’s IoD Director of the Year Awards, sponsored by JT.  The winners were celebrated at this year’s IoD Guernsey Annual Convention.

Roy McGregor, the Director of the Year Award’s coordinator, said: "The calibre of the winners’ submissions was of a brilliant quality. I’m very pleased that the winner represents the best of Guernsey directors.

"Guernsey has some of the finest directors I know and it’s important they get recognition for their efforts.  I would like to thank everyone who supported and entered this year’s awards and the judges who gave up their time to help."

The IoD Director of the Year Awards were set up to recognise excellence in leadership, proven governance skills and the individual's positive impact on the culture and success of their organisation. 

Daragh McDermott, Managing Director at JT Channel Islands, the sponsors of the Director of the Year Awards, said: "The role of leaders is constantly changing and evolving - just like the world around us, which is why JT are pleased to support this important award.  Leadership brings many challenges, and success is built around a leader’s ability to adapt, enable and empower their team to achieve collective and individual goals. The winners of this award demonstrate those skills which clearly have been central to their success, alongside a level of confidence, commitment and ambition which then followed through in their business strategy and values."

The large business award was presented to Alan Roper, as it was evident that he directly contributed to an increase in turnover and profitability across the Blue Diamond Group. He also utilised his deep industry knowledge and leadership skills to inspire and retain their local, loyal workforce.

The Director of the Year Award’s judges consisted of Stuart Falla MBE, Carol Goodwin, Roy McGregor, Gordon Wilson and Charlotte Denton. All have extensive experience across a variety of sectors.   

Squire’s Garden Centre at Wokingham is to open a new look café bar and enhanced food hal, including a butcher and bakery, in November.

The café bar will have a brand new kitchen allowing a wider range of dishes to be prepared, plus a pizza oven. The seating will have a stylish new look and offer a choice of air-conditioned areas inside, plus a new outside terrace.

The food hall will be extended and updated, offering a choice of everything from store cupboard essentials and fresh fruit and vegetables to cakes and biscuits, as well as local beers, wines and spirits. The focus will still be very much on local produce, with many products sourced from suppliers across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire.

In the food hall, JL Butchers is re-locating from its current shop in West Byfleet. Voted ‘Butchers shop of the year’ in the Surrey Life Food & Drink Awards 2019, it is known for its top-quality British meat and great customer service. Cavan Bakery will offer baked goods such as artisan breads, croissants, pastries, cakes, savoury pies and sausage rolls.

Sarah Squire, chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, said: “Supporting local suppliers has been part of our philosophy for more than 85 years, so I am very pleased to welcome Cavan Bakery and award-winning JL Butchers to Squire’s. I also can’t wait for customers to come and enjoy our new café bar, which will be a great meeting place for the local community.”

British Garden Centres group has taken exclusive sponsorship of the national Christmas campaign Illumination Street for a second year.

The campaign motivates people to brighten up their front gardens with the spirit of Christmas usinglights, plants and community spirit and co-incides with National Illumination Street Week from from 6-12^t December.

Launched by Broadcaster David Domoney and backed by the Daily Express, Illumination Street enjoys hundreds of entries from all over the nation, in all shapes and sizes, some for fun and others for charity. Illumination Street entrants have raised more than £200,000 for various charities – and the prize money assisted them in reaching their targets.

Illumination Street will be launched from 1 Novem ber, when the public will be able to start entering their displays. Camopaign publicity has included TV, national newspaper coverage, TV news, online blogs, advice, and a full package of social media platforms to encourage the nation outdoors and to engage with their communities.

David Domoney, the campaign’s founder, said: “Illumination Street is a campaign that encourages, recognises and rewards the incredible efforts that homeowners and communities go to lighting up their homes and streets for Christmas. The Illumination Street national campaign, now in its third year, gives free advice and support to the nation to brighten up their front gardens, streets, and homes to spread the festive cheer that is much needed after the tough year we have all had. So many of the Christmas displays aim to raise money for charities that are close to their communities’ hearts, which adds even more magic to this time of the year, and we want to help promote and support their masterpieces by showing the nation their hard work. This is why there is also an Illumination Street Competition – to find the best of the best. A good way to get started is to go on a trip to your local garden centre, which are the best ports of call for advice when creating a spectacular Christmas display in your home and garden, they will give you good free advice on many aspects of outdoor illumination.”

Boyd Douglas-Davies, director of the British Garden Centre Group, said “We are incredibly excited to support Illumination Street for the second year running. The campaign brings so much joy to our streets, with support from all over the country for creative displays that inject that festive feeling. The transformations are heart-warming and continue to lift our spirits after a tumultuous couple of years. Many raise money for good causes and I am really looking forward to seeing this year’s displays.”

Prizes totalling £5,000 in British Garden Centre vouchers will be split across the following categories:

• Best Front Garden Large Outdoor Display
• Best Front Garden Small Outdoor Display
• Best Community Display
• Best Children’s Display
• Best Front Door Wreath Display:
• Online Best Front Door Display:

Information: click here

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

Read the full story in The News: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/royal-navy-veteran-jailed-for-siphoning-charity-cash-in-ps117000-waterlooville-business-fraud-3423028 

A LOFA statement issued today reads:

He had been made redundant in October 2018 as LOFA needed a greater marketing input, and there were some serious concerns and disciplinary actions relating to his poor financial reporting as requested by the previous Chairman Mark Osborne and Pravin Patel.

A former Secretary seconded in an interim term discovered suspicious paperwork which then prompted the launch of a full investigation. The board appointed an accountant to conduct a full forensic investigation going back several years and once the Fraud squad were involved there was an enormous amount of work carried out over many months to retrieve the facts and allow the Fraud Squad at Portsmouth to build a solid case. Phil Gibbs was calculating and conniving and had duped a professional company of auditors for over 6 years, there are suspicions his devious activity started even earlier than has been proved.

Phil Gibbs mis-appropriated a substantial amount of money from LOFA /SOLEX and even stole money allocated by the Board at LOFA to be donated to various charities, he was arrested in 2019 but still continued to evade the legal system until the overwhelming strength of the case was relayed to him by his council and finally led to him pleading guilty. The sentencing too was delayed by his actions before justice was finally served.

Pravin Patel (current Chairman) commented: "We are saddened and appalled that someone in such a position of trust could abuse the people and the organisation that had looked after him so well. We at LOFA have already ensured that the charities who were deprived of vital donations have been sent the funds allocated to them, the long fight to retrieve some of the money stolen from LOFA and SOLEX now begins."

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 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Bestsellers chart for last 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 £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

Skinner’s, the heritage dog food brand, has partnered with parkrun, the biggest provider of free, physical activity in the world.  

A recent survey by Skinner’s and parkrun found that dog owners like to get active with their dogs. In addition to regular walks, 70% regularly partake in a run or long jog with their dog and 25% already take their dogs to parkrun events. 

Encouraging the nation to ‘Get Out and Go!’ with their dogs, in some of the great parks across the UK, Skinner’s is asking parkrunners to think about bringing their canine companions to those parkrun events this October (but be sure to read the rules on where you can participate with dogs and what leads you can walk, jog or run with) all whilst being fuelled by Skinner’s new dog food range Get Out and Go! A range of dog food which supports active dogs with diets to maintain energy and wellbeing. 

With 50 years of experience of feeding the nations working dog, who have unique energy demands, Skinner’s has a strong understanding of how vital it is that active dogs just like their owners, have a certain diet that lets them rest and recover with the right food. This new high-performance dog food range has been formulated to ensure you can enjoy every adventure together.

Get Out and Go! supports whatever activities and adventures dog owners choose and offers complete wet and dry foods, training treats and innovative energy recovery bars all in 100% sustainable packaging, which is widely recyclable, allowing you to keep yourself, your dog and the planet happy.  

From muscle and joint health to skin and coat condition, as well as boosting immunity and promoting stamina and recovery, there’s a diet in the Skinner’s Get Out and Go! range that’s right for every active dog. 

Tim Hansell, Skinner’s CEO says: “We are delighted to be the official dog food supporter of parkrun. The partnership is a natural fit for us, building on shared values of community, wellbeing and sustainability. 

"At Skinner’s we believe there’s no greater feeling than being in the great outdoors, and it’s even better with a dog by your side. With over 50 years of nutritional know-how, we understand what it takes to keep dogs active, healthy and ready for a challenge. 

"With our new Get Out & Go! range, we want to inspire people to put down their devices and Get Out & Go! on adventures (big or small) with their dogs (including parkrun), to reconnect with the great outdoors and to enhance wellbeing together.”  

Nick Pearson, parkrun CEO says: “We’re proud to welcome Skinner’s to the parkrun family. We know how many parkrunnners already enjoy the company of their dog on a Saturday morning and with Skinner’s expertise and values, we look forward to working towards a happier and healthier planet together.” 

Comprising of three varieties of nutritionally balanced complete wet food and four varieties of complete dry, in addition to handy training treats and a pioneering energy and recovery bar, the range has been formulated using functional ingredients to benefit dogs’ energy, stamina, performance and recovery. 

All foods in the range are formulated to a grain free recipe and the dry food and wet food has a protein base of chicken with a boost of superfoods, including the likes of kale, spinach, blueberries and turmeric, meaning you can change to a different food when necessary, by moving up and down the protein and fat levels of the range, dependent on your dogs’ energy output. 

Launched in 2004 in Bushy Park London, parkrun has since gone from strength to strength with more than 4 million registered parkrunners in the UK.  

Studies show that dog owners are four times more likely to meet physical activity levels, as they motivate us to get outside and exercise, which boosts endorphins for both parties, all whilst reaping the benefits of fresh air, vitamin D, and a strengthened bond between you and your canine companion.1  

Participants and their canine companions can choose from more than 700 5k events across the country to embrace the great outdoors whilst exercising with their dogs. 

To purchase the new, Get Out & Go! range visit www.skinners.co.uk    

To sign up for you to participate in parkrun visit https://www.parkrun.org.uk/.  

Up against tough competition, Bestpets has been named as ‘Wholesaler of the Year’ at the Pet Industry Federation awards, for the third time.

The prestigious Pet Industry Federation awards were this year held on Thursday 21 October at Whittlebury Hall Hotel, Towcester, and are the UK's premier event for the pet industry, recognising businesses in categories such as ‘Retailer of the Year’, ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ and ‘Supplier of the Year’.

This year has been one of growth and innovation for Bestpets and being voted the highly sought-after PIF ‘Wholesaler of the Year’ - hot on the heels of receiving the Pet Product Marketing Award for ‘Wholesaler of the Year’ - is a real testament to the continued hard work by the whole team.

Adam Moore, Category Controller – Pet, said:

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be selected to win this award and we would like to thank all those who nominated Bestpets. This is a fantastic achievement for the whole Bestpets Team. 

“We seek to offer customers the very best prices, service and availability and this accolade is testament to the hard work of the team which has resulted in us achieving national recognition for our efforts. 

“Thank you to all of our customers for shopping with Bestpets and for honouring us with this award.”

For further information on Best-pets, please visit www.best-pets.co.uk or download the Bestpets app.

Chosen from a record number of entries, the experts in herbal pet care Dorwest Herbs has won Supplier of the Year at this year’s National Pet Industry Federation Awards.

The PIF’s Gala Awards recognised public acknowledgement of outstanding candidates and businesses for their impact on the pet industry during 2021. An independent judging panel chose winners from 19 categories.

Jo Boughton-White, Dorwest MD commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award and it’s a testimony to our hard-working team. It’s certainly been a busy year, and with the increasing number of new dog owners our fantastic team have been there to help, from the initial enquiry talking through customers pet issues on the phones to the product being dispatched."

Jo goes on to say: “A trend we have seen develop over the past couple of years has been separation and general anxiety. Fortunately, through the sale of our bestselling calming tablets ‘Scullcap & Valerian Tablets’ and the expert advice given from our product advisors, I’m delighted that we have been able to help so many owners and their dogs remain calm and relaxed through these exceptional times and ensure there was continuity of supply."

Dorwest take the word ‘expert’ very seriously and has a wealth of knowledge spanning over 70 years. They remain a family-run business, now in its third generation and run by husband-and-wife team Ben & Jo Boughton-White, which has allowed a lot of valuable insight and knowledge to be passed down.  Known for working to only the highest of standards no wonder they are the UK’s leading provider of canine and feline herbal supplements.

Jo goes on to comment “Every day brings new challenges in these difficult times, and many UK businesses have adapted over the past couple of years, it was important to us that we did this as well to be able to supply and support our stockists.  Next year we will continue to provide customers the best possible service, together with the launch of new products supporting pets’ health further”.

To find out more about Dorwest visit call 01308 897272, email info@dorwest.com or visit www.dorwest.com