Twelve candidates from this year’s Glee Talent Store have been selected to showcase their designs at Glee (May 2023). Clare Baker and Nathan Evans from Bents Garden & Home (pictured) are among the finalists.
They were selected from 24 garden centre staff members, who took part in a visual merchandising training day and submitted ideas for a pop-up store concept based on either houseplants or outdoor plants.
Matthew Mein, Event Director at Glee, said: “During a training day in March, the 24 individuals learnt all about visual merchandising from some of the very best, including Talent Store mentor, Debbie Flowerday, a Visual Merchandising Consultant, TrendBible’s Home & Interiors Trend Editor, Wendy Lowe and Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek.
“They were then placed into groups and tasked to come up with a pop-up store concept and design based on houseplants or outdoor plants. These designs were submitted and we’re thrilled to announce that the following individuals have made it to the finals and will be showcasing their designs at Glee 2023.”
The finalists are:
Outdoor plants:
- Freya Markwood from Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
- Louisa Power from Ongar Garden Centre – British Garden Centres
- Amber Dowsett from Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
- Katherine Davies from Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe
- Nathan Evans from Bents Garden & Home
- Damian Walker from Harrogate Garden Centre – British Garden Centres.
Houseplants:
- Clare Forster from Braintree Garden Centre – British Garden Centres
- Hazel Woodward from Millbrook Garden Centre, Staplehurst
- Alison Smith from Chessington Garden Centre
- Clare Baker from Bents Garden & Home
- Matthew Bone from Thurrock Garden Centre
- Wendy Jones from Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe.
The finalist’s pop-up store designs will be showcased at Glee, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from June 27 until 29, 2023.
Peter Burks, Chief Executive at the GCA, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Glee Talent Store and to those who have been selected to have their designs showcased at Glee. It is a fantastic achievement as Glee is one of the most important trading events in the gardening industry calendar.”
For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.
