Wyevale Garden Centres have today announced the sale of a further six centres.

A portfolio of five centres has been sold to British Garden Centres, comprising Bold Heath, Carr Gate, Leyland, Coventry and Bolton. In a separate transaction Woburn Sands has been sold to Rochmills Group. Both buyers will continue to operate all sites as Garden Centres with the sales expected to complete by the end of February.

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of WGC, said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of a further six centres - since the launch of the sale process in May 2018 we have sold 46 centres and have transformed our financial position. We continue to evaluate a wide range of competitive offers from group buyers, regional operators and local entrepreneurs, but we also look forward to re-focusing our efforts and trading the upcoming spring season with the vast majority of our remaining centres. We would like to thank our great colleagues at these centres, who have been central to the performance of their centres and made them so appealing to these buyers. We wish them well for the next stage of their growth and development under new ownership.”

Charles Stubbs, MD of British Garden Centres, said “We are proud to announce the purchase of these five centres into our British Garden Centres family, making our independent, family owned group now 16 centres. Myself, Robert and Phillippa and all of the team are looking forward to working with these new centres and their teams ahead of a busy spring season. We would like to express our thanks to all involved in this complex process.”

Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor managing the sale process on behalf of WGC, has achieved considerable interest from a wide variety of buyers. The opportunity to acquire garden centres has ignited significant interest within the sector and beyond, and as part of the process Christie & Co continue to liaise with bidders.

Smart Garden Products have announced the purchase of the Briers business and assets from administrators Duff & Phelps.

"The business was short of cashflow and their directors were trying to find a buyer for some months without success, eventually placing the company in administration.  We came in at the end of this process with an acceptable offer and managed to complete very quickly, within days in fact.  It was all very quick!" said Paris Natar, Smart's Chairman.

"The timing could be better with the season upon us and Chinese New Year holiday factory closures" added MD Jonathan Stobart.

"Fortunately there is some stock that has recently arrived at UK ports and even more in transit, in addition to that already in the Briers warehouse.  So we are now bringing that in and arranging for early shipment of other goods already on order, mostly made, as soon as the factories re-open in the second half of February.  Not where we would like to be with this, but also not irrecoverable by any means."

Paris added: We are determined to restore normal and full supply of this fantastic range and brand to our retail partners as soon as practically possible, doing whatever it takes.  We will be supplying Smart Standards and Smart Service Levels.  This is a brilliant opportunity for Smart Garden Products and we intend to make the most of it."

The Hillview Group have put six of their sites up for sale with a price for all six set at £12.9m

Advertised on www.adsre.co.uk as Project Pollard the six Freehold sites are:

HILLTOP GARDEN CENTRE, RAMSDEN
14.75 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £ 2,950,000.

SHIPLEY GARDEN CENTRE, SHIPLEY
2.18 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £2,950,000.

STUDLEY GARDEN CENTRE, STUDLEY
4.84 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £2,500,000.

SCOTLAND NURSERIES, MATLOCK
10.09 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £2,450,000.

CHARLECOTE GARDEN CENTRE, CHARLECOTE
1.89 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £1,500,000.

NEWTON REGIS GARDEN CENTRE, NEWTON REGIS
3.38 Acres. Freehold. OIRO £550,000.

Hillview Garden Centres CEO, Boyd Douglas-Davies told GTN Xtra; "our hope is that a new investor buys all six sites to continue the growth of the group."

"Our shareholders have decided to undertake a formal process to evaluate opportunites that have arisen and it is possible that these could lead to a strategic transaction of merging our business, selling individual sites or equally, that nothing changes and we continue to acquire new sites."

"Our suppliers understand that trading activities continue as normal, with all teams focussing on running our business successfully through the upcoming spring season and beyond."

As Boyd said in the GTN interview last month: "The Hillview Group has been a very good start up investor. They have funded us to get to this point and we are now seven and a half years old in terms of an investment fund so at some point they will probably be looking to realize some of that investment. That gives us an opportunity to bring in additional investors alongside them. We have been approached by a number of parties – strategic, financial and real estate developers – expressing interest to participate in Hillview Garden Centres, we always take those approaches seriously and fully evaluate them”

“We’ve created a great team, portfolio of well-located garden centres with massive development and growth potential and I’m looking forward to seeing us go onto the next stage and take what we've proven to work and extend across more stores. We’ve completed Phase one and now look forward to the next step. This is an exciting sector and completely differentiated from high street retail”

https://www.adsre.co.uk/disposals/project-pollard.html#top

Glee at Spring Fair opened today (Sunday February 3rd) in Hall 3 at the NEC.  Nestled between Christmas and greetings cards, Glee at Spring Fair is an oasis of exhibitors that are a must visit for all visitors to Spring Fair who have gardening and leisure on their mind.

GTN have been organising the Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase which will be judged during Sunday with the winner announced at 4:30pm.  Do come and join us for a drink!

Here's our photographic preview of Glee at Spring Fair as build up comes to a close on Saturday evening.  See you here.

See the Glee Daily News at Spring Fair using this link

Sun 3 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Mon 4 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Tues 5 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Wed 6 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Thurs 7 Feb - 9:00 - 16:00

Register now using this link

See the Glee Daily News at Spring Fair using this link

Garden centres remain at the very heart of sales planning for Forest Garden, the UK’s leading producer of decorative timber structures, wooden fence panels, trellis, outdoor storage and sheds.

“Garden centres remain a key channel where customers can physically see and touch a selection of our extensive range of products, learn about our products from informative Point of Sale Material and pick up a brochure to be introduced to our full range,” says Forest Garden’s sales director, John Gomersall (pictured).

“Adding a decorative structure to your garden can make a real difference and because of the nature of our products, not all customers are happy to buy without seeing them first.  They want to see a range of different styles and examine them so they can really picture them in their own gardens.   Being able to walk round an arch or arbour or hold up a trellis panel is important and the garden centre affords them this opportunity.

“For those customers that choose something from our extended range, they still have the opportunity to order in store, with delivery from Forest typically within 5 days,” says John.

Forest Garden makes in excess of 7,000 deliveries to garden centre customers each year and that is growing. The Forest Garden Field Sales team make around 1,500 visits a year to ensure our customers are looked after and displays look as good as possible. 

Regular merchandising is essential in keeping displays at garden centres fresh and attractive.  Forest has a real focus to drive and develop this in 2019 to increase sales further.

“Decorative lines such as trellis and lattice remain very popular and we continue to support sales at garden centres through innovative stock and display systems,” says Gomersall.   “We have seen an increase in demand for the more difficult to display products such as sheds and garden buildings due to the garden centres promoting our home delivery options. Our innovative brochure display options allow these ranges to be showcased and ultimately ordered by the customer for us to deliver directly. We have over 500 product lines to select from, covering all timber categories and have recently added flexible and easy to shop fencing project solutions to enable retailers to offer even more options to their customers”

He sees the ongoing success being driven by combining these more difficult to handle, traditional products via home delivery with promotional impulse led lines such as edging, grow your own and structures that can be taken home there and then. 

“We have changed our support strategy to cater for this with market leading offers on high volume sales lines that can be bought and taken home in the back of the car,” he adds.

APAC are one of the leading importers and distributors of floristry, party, event décor and horticultural products in the UK, and today our product range covers more than 10,000 product lines sourced from all over the world. 

Our experienced buying team add new items to our range on a regular basis, and we are proud to have our products represented by some of the largest retailers in the UK. 

In addition to supplying large multiples, we are a major supplier to the florist wholesale, party wholesale and wedding trades, as well as supplying garden centres, nurseries and growers.

Following our recent expansion, we are hosting exclusive visits to our showroom in January and February 2019.  We would like to offer our buyers the opportunity to view our latest range of items before they arrive in to stock and we would like to invite you to an exclusive visit to our showroom. 

You won’t catch us at the Spring Fair this year, as we wanted to provide our customers with a more relaxed and personal service.  Our purpose built 120,000 sq ft facility is also located in the Midlands, and we can provide transportation from the Spring Fair if required.

We are also offering exclusive showroom only offers across a number of our ranges.  These offers are only available as part of a visit to our showroom, and you will need to make a booking to be eligible.

Please speak with your Sales Representative to book your visit, and to discuss your travel and accommodation requirements, or contact our sales office directly on +44 (0) 116 230 2555, or email info@apacgroup.com

www.apacuk.com

www.linkedin.com/company/apac-group-ltd

www.twitter.com/apacgroupltd

January gets the garden centre year off to a great start with the GTN Bestsellers All Products Sales index showing sales up 7.4% on last year, setting a new record for January.

Growing Media sales also set a new record for the month and Garden Products got off to a great start, up 17% on last year. 

Plants benefitted from the milder weather to be 9% up on last year and Wild Bird Care got a boost with sales up by 26%.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 4

•           Garden Products Top 50 – down 5%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 8%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 42%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 7%

•           All Plants index – down 18%

•           All Items index – static 0%

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

Whilst we are all still coming to terms with the realisation of Climate Change, are we all adjusting our business models to adapt to those changes; probably not.  As the 2019 season kicks-off, some companies will fare-better than others, but one British company which is determined to stay out in-front is Somerset based Durston Garden Products Ltd.

Traditionally, the buying season in the gardening industry has been between September and Christmas; with deliveries to garden centres normally commencing the following February. However, with the weather being so unpredictable and the seasons constantly changing, it means this is no longer the case.

“Critically, as suppliers and buyers we need to be able to react to whatever the weather throws our way”, says company spokesperson Dan Durston. This means we should at any given time, be able to place an order with the confidence of knowing that such an order WILL be met and more importantly, WILL be delivered on-time.

At Durston Garden Products we take pride in our customer service and can say without hesitation that if ever we are called upon to deliver compost, whatever the time of the year ‘We can and We Will’ deliver on our promise to all our customers, which is, to deliver our products within five days of any order taken, to anywhere within the UK.  We have an extensive collection of top quality peat and loam based composts that are ideal for a variety of gardens and plants and which can be used all-year-round. The collection ranges from the ever popular Multi-Purpose composts, to Seed and Cutting compost, Bulb Fibre, John Innes ranges and much, much more.

So why does Durstons think they can survive where others may fail?

 “All our products are home-produced here in the UK, which gives us an advantage over many of our competitors, something we identify with as our unique-selling-point. On top of this, the quality of our growing media and the value-for-money that it offers is well documented. We are more flexible in our approach to business which many garden centres seem to like. Also, and unlike other well known brands you won’t find Durstons products cheaper in the supermarkets”.

Durstons has a reputation for being a truly proud and well established British business which has been around since 1860. It doesn’t export or import anything from overseas, and works tirelessly to ensure that all its work practices are thought through with a conscience.

Land management and recycling are particularly high on Durstons agenda and the company often goes that extra mile to ensure its environmental policies are well and truly met. “I’m a great believer that you reap-what you-sow” continues Dan, “and with the uncertainty of BREXIT still looming and many companies finding themselves in un-chartered waters, here at Durstons nothing has changed, so we can, with confidence move forward into this new year knowing we are well placed for an even better and brighter future.  The World as we know it is changing, the Industry too is changing, but more importantly, Climate Change IS happening, and as long as we all keep that thought in the forefront of our minds as we go about our daily routines and adapt – We CAN and We WILL survive it.

For more information about Durston Garden Products visit them at the GLEE/Spring Fair, stand E20-21-Hall 8 from 3^rd-7^th February, or call the sales team on: 01458 442688.

The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) says all members offering cushions and cushioned outdoor furniture have now earned LOFAssured accreditation, guaranteeing that they meet government fire safety regulations.

Recent research by LOFA revealed eight out of 10 samples tested from from non-LOFA members bought from online and high-street stores failed the tests. The products were withdrawn from sale.

Three years ago LOFA committed to having 100% compliance by the end of 2018.  The process saw members put through an educational audit followed by a full audit of all certification, documentation and traceability to ensure only safe, compliant products are offered to the marketplace.  The rigorous process included product testing conducted by an independent test house.

LOFA will now extend the scheme to retailers to help them to ensure they have performed due diligence in their purchasing processes and are stocking safe, compliant furniture.

The LOFAssured swing tag enablers retailers and consumers to clearly identify fully compliant furniture.

For further information visit the LOFA website or the dedicated LOFAssured site

A new £125 million shopping centre, which will create more than 1,700 jobs and include a new garden centre, could be about to get the go ahead in Lincolnshire.

The plans for the new designer outlet centre for Grantham have been recommended for approval when they come before South Kesteven District Council on Tuesday (February 5).

 If approved, the site surrounding the existing Downtown store will be redeveloped with a raft of new facilities, including a new 220,425 sq ft designer outlet centre.

It would include 107 shops, a new garden centre, a training academy facility and public transport links, which may lead to a train station being built in the future.

To read the full story on the Lincolnshire Live website click here

This year’s late Easter and the need for a distraction from Brexit could bode well for the garden industry, says the HTA.

Martin Simmons, HTA director of operations, said the figures that members reported for last year, with particularly strong growth in December, were encouraging in the approach to an uncertain economic period this Spring. “In the past the garden industry has always shown some resilience to economic uncertainty. With a later Mother’s Day and Easter this year, and therefore the chance of better weather, there’s a possibility that consumers will want a distraction from Brexit, and a spend on garden plants and products represents a relatively low proportion of disposable income that members of the public may be keen to make.”

Garden Centre sales were up by just three percent in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the latest issue of HTA Market Update.

Houseplants continue to increase in popularity with sales up 15% year on year. Christmas categories saw strong growth, with December 2018 sales 9% up on December 2017.

In November, for the first time in two years, average pay growth overtook the inflation rate. In December, inflation continued to fall whilst pay growth remained stable. This is a more positive position for consumers who then have more disposable income to spend on their gardens.

Among the challenges ahead highlighted in the update are continuing concerns over Brexit deals and the UK’s economic situation, with consumers less confident and looking to save more.

The January edition of HTA Market Update is available for members to download from the HTA website. It looks at garden centre sales, overall market performance, trends and the plastics issue in the garden industry.

Ball Colegrave is to re-launch impatiens to the UK plant market industry with a new mildew-resistant strain.

New Impatiens ‘Beacon’™, bred by PanAmerican Seed and distributed in the UK by Ball Colegrave, offers high resistance to Plasmopara obducens, the cause of Impatiens downy mildew, which began to devastate the Busy Lizzie market worldwide 10 years ago.

Impatiens ‘Beacon’ promises season-long performance and brings back fast-filling colour to the garden, without the disease risk. Since the widespread outbreak of impatiens downy mildew, many growers and retailers hesitated to stock this key bedding plant and home gardeners have been mourning the loss of a much loved garden favourite.

Now, through devoted breeding efforts and collaboration that has spanned the globe, PanAmerican Seed has developed ‘Beacon’, a new impatiens that is highly resistant to downy mildew.

“Growers, retailers and home gardeners have been waiting for the chance to bring impatiens back…without the risk”, says Sandy Shepherd, Ball Colegrave MD.

“Plant structure, flowering time and flower size is similar to existing Impatiens series, so ‘Beacon’ is easy to incorporate into production planning”, says Stuart Lowen, Ball Colegrave marketing manager. No special plant culture is required.

A donation of a portion of Beacon™ Impatiens global sales will be made to The OI Foundation, a lesser-known charitable organization that sets out to improve the quality of life for those living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease, a genetic bone disorder.

Beacon™ Impatiens will have its UK debut at the 2019 Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase (15 July to 2 August).

There are currently six core colours; Bright Red, Coral, Orange, Salmon, Violet Shades, White and a mix in the series. A limited supply is available now, with full availability in January 2020.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has recruited a new environmental horticulture team, bolstering its climate change related research.

The three appointments to the charity’s 60-strong science team based at RHS Garden Wisley builds on its ‘Gardening in a Changing Climate’ report which showed how gardeners can adapt to changes in the environment through plant choice and garden design.

The team will research and advise on sustainable resource management, soil health and ecosystem services, including how the UK’s 27 million gardeners can contend with weather extremes, air and noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Findings and advice will be shared with industry and the public.

The three new appointments are:

• Mark Gush (below right), Head of Environmental Horticulture, who joins after 21 years at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa where he led a team of hydrologists, hydrogeologists and agricultural water use specialists. At Wisley, he will work with the team to help the public garden more sustainably and tackle specific environmental challenges.
• Janet Manning (below centre), Water Management Specialist: A Cranfield University graduate with a career covering the horticulture and water industries, Janet will look at changing gardener’s behaviour to make better use of water resources and ensure growing success. The position forms part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership funded by the RHS and Innovate UK.
• Marc Redmile-Gordon (below left), Senior Scientist for Soil and Climate Change, joins the RHS as a FACTS-qualified farm advisor with 10 years’ experience in agricultural science at Rothamsted Research. With a focus on soil biology, Marc seeks to develop new practices that will enable gardeners to lessen the impacts of climate change, and garden in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science, Collections and Libraries at the RHS, said: “Global warming and a growing awareness of how green spaces can positively impact on communities stand to make gardens an ever more important resource. I’m delighted to have been able to grow our environmental horticulture team whose work will focus on sharing knowledge and advice to maximise the benefits.”

Based in the historic laboratory building at RHS Garden Wisley, the Science team will move to the UK’s first National Centre for Horticultural Science & Learning being built in the garden in 2020. The new building will include environmental horticulture laboratories to facilitate the work of the team. The charity is currently fundraising for the build.

Spring Fair launched the Power of One movement to the retail sector at the show today (Sunday 3 Feb) in an effort to promote sustainability across the industry.

Initially launched by London’s largest festival of fashion, Pure London, the campaign has now been extended to Spring Fair’s home and gift audience, and seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all. Sustainability has been high on the agenda for both the fashion and retail sectors in recent years, and continues to drive consumer behaviour and purchases.

Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Power of One has been created to encourage small yet powerful steps towards a better future by giving others the power to speak up and to focus on long term changes.

At the show, Spring Fair will encourage and empower exhibitors and visitors to commit to one sustainable personal or business change, whether it’s choosing sustainably-sourced producte, avoiding single-use plastics or recycling used materials.

Leading by example, the show will collect and recycle all unwanted and leftover route planners and guides from the show and reward visitors who share their #PowerOfOne pledges on social media throughout the event, with 1,500 awarded with a MyBento BPA-free drinks bottle, donated by exhibitor Summit International. Just one MyBento bottle can prevent 150 single-use plastic bottles from disposal in landfill or by incineration.

Summit International’s Sales Director, Richard Taylor, said he hoped the donation would help to make visitors and other exhibitors think about their own use of single-use plastics. “With Summit International’s ongoing support for the Marine Conservation Society and commitment to bringing sustainable products to market, our values really align with what Power of One is all about,” he added.

Spring Fair MD Julie Driscoll joined Caryn Franklin MBE, fashion and identity commentator and ambassador for Power of One, for a dedicated speaker session on the growing movement and how retailers are embracing the philosophy.

“You might not think making a small change to become more sustainable really impacts your daily life, but when these actions are combined together, they can revolutionise industries,” Driscoll said. “ By bringing the Power of One movement to Spring Fair, we hope to unite like-minded visitors and exhibitors, and empower them to pledge to make essential changes for a more sustainable future.”

She said 92% of millennials were more likely to buy ethically-produced products. “We therefore want to encourage brands to be completely transparent about their sustainability efforts. In the upcoming years, we pledge to help identify and profile exhibitors with ethical and sustainability credentials, and will seek to collaborate with more ambassadors to raise awareness of this essential movement.”

Spring Fair runs at the NEC Birmingham until Thursday (7 February).

The new Plant Healthy website launched last week by the HTA provides a self-assessment tool for horticulture businesses and organisations to improve the biosecurity of sourcing systems and advance plant health management practices.

The free tool, unveiled at the association’s sell-out ‘Healthy Plants, Healthy Business’ conference, in association with APHA, is available here.

Based on the recently published Plant Health Management Standard (PHMS) initiative developed by Grown in Britain, the HTA and others, it sets out steps businesses should meet in order to protect the horticultural supply chain and the wider environment from damaging pests and diseases. Although initially developed for the UK market, the standard can be adapted for use internationally.

The tool is a self-assessment questionnaire that enables a business’s current plant health practises to be measured against the PHMS to check they are fulfilling statutory obligations, understand pest and disease threats and are setting out a plant health policy. It is intended to help businesses prepare for independent audits that will be available once the Plant Health Assurance Scheme is launched later this year.

The HTA is working with the Plant Health Biosecurity Steering Committee to set up governance structures and appoint certification bodies. Once successfully audited, businesses will receive an assurance certificate enabling them to demonstrate that robust plant health management practises are integral to their operations.

HTA horticulture manager Alistair Yeomans said: “Threats from exotic pests and diseases present a great threat to our industry and the wider countryside. As such it is essential that organisations work in a coordinated way to reduce the risk of environmental damage from these harmful organisms.”

Grown in Britain CEO Dougal Driver said improvement of biosecurity measures across the ornamental horticulture and forestry sectors was critical to protecting the UK’s forest industries and natural environment. “We believe that the plant health management standard is a fundamental part of increasing biosecurity for all,” he added.

If you didn’t get to ‘Healthy Plants, Healthy Business’, video footage from the event is available for a small charge. Click here to learn more. 

Christmas activities at two Klondyke group garden centres have raised £4000 for charity.

Donations by customers enabled Byrkley Park Garden Centre’s animated singing reindeer and Mortonhall Garden Centre’s miniature village to achieve the total.

The funds have been donated to St Giles Hospice, which is local to Byrkley Park in Rangemore, and the MSA Trust, the Klondyke Group’s charity partner.

The festive village at Mortonhall, Edinburgh, featured more than 100 toy characters taking a ski lift, riding merry-go-rounds and sledging down snowy slopes. The display was created with miniatures from the Lemax range, so people could recreate parts of the village in their own homes.

Pictured: the Byrkley Park team hand over their cheque to representatives from St Giles Hospice.

Matthew Bailey, Mortonhall centre manager, said: “Thank you again to our customers who donated this amazing amount of money to our charity partner. The display has been visited and enjoyed by so many over the few months and we are delighted that we can pass this donation on to the MSA Trust.”

Sipcam’s ecofective® brand poised to grow in 2019 with new additions to the Child & Pet-Safe range

Plus RHS Garden Care line-up is set to take retail market by storm

Sipcam is expanding its product portfolio with new launches under the ecofective® brand designed to expand sales in key categories as demand for natural and environmentally-friendly garden solutions continues to grow.

Following the damage to lawns as a result of last year’s long hot summer, demand for new ecofective Natural Lawn Feed is expected to be high. This concentrated liquid lawn feed is derived from natural ingredients, resulting in a faster uptake of nutrients with rapid results. The formulation, widely used in the professional market, also helps control lawn diseases and moss. A 1.25-litre bottle covers 125 sq.m.

Also new is ecofective Artificial Grass Cleaner, a spray and leave formula to removes grime, grease and dirt from synthetic turf, and protect against algae, fungus and bacteria. With its authentic ‘freshly-cut grass’ fragrance, the product is safe to use around children, pets and beneficial insects, including bees. Available as a 1-litre RTU or 1.5-litre concentrate.

ecofective Water Storing Granules for pots, tubs and hanging baskets are starch-based hydrating granules  that absorb more than 80 times their own weight in water, forming a gel around root systems that releases water precisely where it’s needed, reducing the need for irrigation. Bio-degradable, non-toxic and odourless, they are supplied in a 350g pouch.

New RHS Garden Care range

The introduction of licensed RHS Garden Care products brings the trusted Royal Horticultural Society brand to the garden care market for the 2019 season.

RHS Weedkiller is a glyphosate-free advanced formula for annual and perennial weeds, offering powerful contact action and results in 24 hours. Its advanced acetic acid biodegradable formula can be used on paths, patios and gravel, as well as for targeting weeds between plants and vegetables – without leaving any residual effects. RHS Moss Killer is also based on acetic acid, offering best results against moss and small weeds less than 10cm high.

With the government ban on metaldehyde chemical slug pellets looming, and metaldehyde-based products set to be cleared from store shelves by the end of June, RHS Slug Killer is an organic ferric phosphate-based pelleted bait.  Available in a 600g container.

RHS Bug and Mildew Control will control a wide range of bugs such as aphids, blackfly and red spider mite. Its pesticide-free formulation also tackles powdery mildew and provides foliar nutrients. Ideal for use on flowers, fruit and vegetables, no harvest interval is required and produce can be eaten hours after application. Available as a 1-litre RTU or 500ml concentrate.

RHS Path, Patio and Decking Cleaner offers a solution without using harsh chemicals. No scrubbing is required and the product is safe to use around wildlife, ponds and pets, with a 2.5-litre container covering up to 80sq.m..

Sipcam’s Matthew Jones said: “Our latest introductions contain natural solutions, that are child and pet safe. Clearly represented on the packaging, we believe these new additions will make it even easier for consumers to make considered choices at the point of purchase.”

Haskins Garden Centre has partnered with Copthorne C.E. Junior School to donate houseplants to the school in Crawley.

The school business manager, Mrs. Karen Reynolds, visited Haskins in Snowhill on Friday January 25 to meet with Mark Smith, assistant general manager of the Snowhill garden centre, and to collect a variety of houseplants for the school.

Haskins’ donation will benefit staff members and students at the school, which chose from the following houseplants:

• Areca Palm
• Boston Fern
• Phlebodium Fern
• Spider Plant
• Maranta / Calathea
• Tradescantia
• Bromeliads

Houseplants help to make the air indoors less toxic by purifying the air and eliminating any volatile organic compounds. Studies also show that humans are generally happier when surrounded by a plant. Indoor rooms can be full of airborne pollutants, with carpets, paint and even people harbouring toxins - especially in the winter months, when windows are closed to the cold air outside and central heating is ramped up indoors.

Mark Smith, assistant general manager at Haskins in Snowhill, commented: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Copthorne C.E. Junior School to help raise awareness of the benefits that introducing a green leafy houseplant into a school environment can bring. We teamed up with the school to kick-start the New Year and help boost concentration, improve air quality and reduce stress levels by providing them with complimentary houseplants.”

Mrs. Karen Reynolds, school business manager at Copthorne C.E. Junior School, added: “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Haskins for the extremely kind donation of houseplants. These will be placed in each of the classrooms for the children to enjoy.”

For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk

Johnsons of Whixley, one of the largest commercial nurseries in the UK, has been working with Darwin Escapes to supply plants for its newest lodge and retreat – the Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa.

The new Norfolk complex, which opens in January, will include luxury self-catering lodges, many with their own private hot tub facilities, an on-site restaurant, tropically-heated swimming pool and an on-site spa.

One of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary consultancies, RPS Group Plc, has been advising on a variety of environmental aspects of the project, including the landscaping planning and design, arboriculture and ecology.

The team enlisted North Yorkshire nursery, Johnsons, to provide over £50,000 worth of products to be planted at the new resort, including a variety of ornamental and native plant stock, all container-grown to accommodate the park’s construction programme.

Ellie Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing co-ordinator, said: “It’s great to be involved with another Darwin Escapes project and to be working with RPS again.

“Another Darwin Escapes resort, Keswick Reach, we worked on in 2016 won ‘Best Large Park in Britain’ at the 2017 Hoseasons Annual Awards and it was great to be associated with this. I’m sure Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa will undoubtedly be recognized for its luxury and high standard.”

David Cox, associate landscape architect of RPS Group Plc, added: “We’re really pleased to see yet another Darwin Escapes scheme is coming together well. The quality of plant stock and efficiency of Johnsons has also been second-to-none.”

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Mike Burks, who is the Managing Director of The Gardens Group, was revealed as the GCA’s Chairman Elect for 2020/21 during its annual conference, which took place at Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton.

Mike said: “I am greatly looking forward to my chairmanship and am lucky that the GCA has been in excellent hands with current Chairman, Mike Lind. With the association in such good shape, I can focus much of my time on driving forward with new initiatives and plan to visit many garden centres, attend meetings and work closely with the team to develop GROW, an e-learning tool that is very close to my heart, to make sure our members can get the most out of this valuable system.

“As well as sharing membership success stories, such as those of the recently awarded Fron Goch, Perrywood and The Old Railway Line, who also brought some exciting ideas and standards into the GCA, I’m keen to demonstrate the role that the industry can play in protecting wildlife and the environment, as well as bringing people together through plants and gardening to promote better health and wellbeing.

“We are in an enviable position, in that so many trends and needs of the modern world cross our path, so we need to work together to make the most of these opportunities.”

Mike will take on the role from current Chairman, Mike Lind, in January 2020.

Glee’s dedicated marketing team, responsible for the promotion of the leading garden, outdoor leisure and pet exhibition, has been expanded with the appointment of Grace Reilly.

Grace joins the team as Senior Marketing Executive, and will help to develop Glee’s presence across both print and online media, as well as working with Glee’s content and sales team to enhance the exhibition’s offering for suppliers and retailers in both the UK and across the globe.

Previous to this new role, Grace spent three years working as part of the wider ‘client service team’, acting as the first point of contact for buyers and exhibitors within the ITE UK portfolio.

A self-confessed candle addict, Grace is particularly excited to see what Glee’s Home, Gift and Clothing exhibitors will be showcasing at the September show.

Talking about Grace’s appointment, Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “Grace is a great addition to the team. Her previous exposure to Glee, its brands and the wider market means she can hit the ground running. She will be an integral part of growing Glee’s offering, and will certainly become a well-known face as she continues to meet with buyers and manufacturers over the coming months.”

Grace added: “I’m pleased to be able to confirm my new role. Glee is a fabulous show, and one that I have always loved visiting. I look forward to joining the rest of the team on the road, and to helping grow Glee’s brand awareness.”

It’s been the best start to the year for Garden products since 2015 with the GTN Bestsellers garden products Chart showing January sales volumes up by 17% on last year and up by 43% on 2017. 

Garden lighting provided the bulk of the sales last week with five out of the top 7 lines overall.

• Smart Gardens Solar Daffodils climbed four places to be the No 1 Bestselling line of the week.
• Gardman’s Coach Light with Shepherds Hook Twin Pack was the highest chart climber moving up 26 places to No 12.
• Growth Technology Orchid Focus Drip Feeders 38ml were the highest chart re-entry, back in at No 16.

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

Veg-2-Gro has benefitted from the mild weather in January, closing the month up 6% on last year. Onion sets provided the volume sales with Red Baron the most popular variety.

• Six litre containers of Herbs from Pepperpot Herbs are the highest new entry of the week, in at No 6.
• Taylors Seed Potatoes Pink Fir Apple 2.5kg leads the way in seed potatoe sales up 26 places to No 10.
• Thompson & Morgan Beetroot Boltardy is the highest placed seed variety moving up 12 places to No 7.

Wild Biurd Care footnote

Wild Bird care has had a super start to the year with January Top 50 sales up 26% on last year.  However sales are still behind 2017 levels for the month, down 11%,.

• Gardman Insect No Net Fat Snax 6 Pack climb four places to No 3.
• Gardman Sunflower Hearts 12.75kg are the highest chart climber, up 36 places to No 8.
• Gardman Squirrel Proof Seed Feeder is the highest re-entry of the week, back in at No 21.

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

Early Bird January growing media sales drove total Top 50 sales volumes to 2.5% up on last year and set a new record level for January. 

The two big Early Bird lines in the GTN Top 50, Westland Jacks Magic 60 litres and Evergreen Garden Care Levington Essential Multi Purpose 50 litres accounted for 76% of the total Top 50 January sales volume.

• Growth Technology Cactus Focus Repotting Mix, 2 litres, moved up 2 places to reach No 5 in the Growing Media Bestsellers list.
• Westland John Innes Seed Sowing Compost (Pouch), 10 litres, was the highest chart climber up 28 places to No 21.
• Evergreen Garden Care Levington John Innes No1, 25 litres, was the highest re-entry of the week, back in at No 23.

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

Despite a colder end to the month, plant sales have started the year well with sales volumes up 9% on last year and 44% up on January 2017.

Throughout the month Primula sales have dominated in the GTN Bestsellers Plants Chart, accounting for 39% of the January Top 50 volumes and 23% of All Plant Sales.

• Saintpaulia sales benefitted from the cold weather climbing 23 places to No 13 as customers sought indoor colour.
• Of outside plants for colour, Sarcococca was the highest re-entry in at No 15.
• Myosotis, Forget-me-not, saw a big rise in sales to re-enter at No 34.

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

The HTA is to move its Nursery Supply Show into the same hall as the National Plant Show, which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year.

The full spectrum of plants plus equipment, materials and growing media suppliers will now be available under one roof in Hall 1 at Stoneleigh Park (18-19 June).

In the show’s ten-year history, more than 40 companies have exhibited at every event. The list includes headline partner, Hortipak and growers Allensmore, Bransford Webb, Darby, Frank P Matthews, Hillier, Golden Grove, Johnsons of Whixley, Kernock Park Plants, Kilworth Conifers, Lowaters, Pentland, Pickmere and Wyevale Nurseries.

The New Plant Awards at the heart of the show have attracted more than 1,000 entries; winners of the judges’ award over the years include:

• 2010 - Begonia 'Glowing Embers' from Allensmore Nurseries 
• 2011 - Dianthus ‘Memories’ from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company
• 2012 - Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ from Tully Nurseries
• 2013 - Clematis 'Beautiful Bride' by New Leaf Plants 
• 2014 - Trollius ‘Dancing Flame’ by Darby Nursery Stock and Fairweather’s Nursery 
  
• 2015 – Salvia ‘Love & Wishes’ from Darby Nursery Stock & Kernock Park Plants
• 2016 - Salvia ‘Blue Marvel’ from Darby Nursery Stock
• 2017 - Malus sieboldii ‘Aros’ from Frank P Matthews
• 2018 - Laburnum anagyroides ‘Yellow Rocket’ from Frank P Matthews

The show provides a showcase for display and merchandising ideas and features a Best Retail Concept award. A new product awards for non-plants to highlight innovation is being added this year.

Visitor registration will be open from mid-February. Click here for further details  or here to email the HTA events team.

Leading tool firm Draper Tools is proud to be celebrating 100 years in business this year. Established in 1919 by Bert Draper, the business is still family owned and run today by the fourth generation of the Draper family.

At 100 years old, the company remains as committed to growth and innovation as ever, having recently made a number of investments as a business, as well as several improvements at its head office facility.

Draper Tools has a well-established reputation for supplying a wide range of hand and power tools for both professional trades and serious enthusiasts. To date, its range includes over 11,000 products lines. While the company’s offering has changed and expanded, it’s dedication to quality and customer service has remained a constant priority.

Chairman of Draper Tools, John Draper, commented: “We are proud to have reached this important milestone in our company history and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us get here. Although we have grown a lot over the last century, we still like to think of ourselves as a no-nonsense, customer-focused tool supplier. Quality and reliability are still very much at the heart of the business and this will continue as we progress and grow into 2019 and beyond.”

Plans are afoot for a year-long celebration of the company’s 100-year anniversary in 2019, with exclusive promotions, competitions, charity fundraising and a staff party all in the pipeline. Each month there will be special edition centenary products launched at great prices. Keep an eye out for these fantastic deals on top products including trolley jacks, pressure washers, socket sets, spanner sets and more.

To further mark the occasion, Draper Tools has teamed up with Care for Veterans, a very special charity, which also celebrates its centenary in 2019. Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 to care for those soldiers returning from World War I with life-changing disabilities. For 100 years, they have been providing long term nursing care, rehabilitation, respite and award-winning end of life care to disabled ex-Servicemen and women from the RAF, Army, Royal Navy and auxiliary services. Draper Tools will be dedicating 2019 to supporting and raising funds for Care for Veterans in honour of both organisations’ centenary year.

Keep up with all the latest news, special promotions and product launches from Draper Tools online at www.drapertools.com.

Horticultural industry charity Perennial says it aims to mark its 180th anniversary by reaching more people with its tailored one-to-one support services than ever before.

An attendance of more than 160 the recent Party for Perennial, now in its fifth year, demonstrates strong cross-sector support for the charity, with many businesses and individuals already signed up to take part in fundraising events and partnership activities this year.

This year’s campaign will include a number of new challenge events, including the Marathon Month (see below and click here for further details)  https://perennial.org.uk/events/perennials-marathon-month/, a virtual event that will take place in June.

Peter Newman, Perennial’s Chief Executive said: “We talk regularly to our supporters and the people who know about Perennial but our challenge this year is to reach the people who are struggling but don’t know that Perennial is here and ready to help. Our Party for Perennial brings people together from across the wider industry giving us the opportunity to thank them for their support, as well as making new connections and talking to more people about what we do. We have 180 years’ experience of helping people in horticulture and we are in a strong position to continue to grow and increase the help we offer.”

Anita Bates, Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising comments: “We know that by forging deep-rooted partnerships with horticulture businesses we can continue to help the people who need us most. These partnerships help us spread the word about how we help and allow us to raise funds to continue our work. We have a busy 2019 lined up with fundraising challenge events, gardens at flower shows, our growing Perennial Fellowship and other new initiatives for businesses to get involved in our work. And our message is simple, the more support we receive, the more people we can help.”

Perennial is challenging people to take part in its Marathon Month during June, where people can run or walk a marathon in their own time with the target of raising £180 in sponsorship. The marathon can be done either in one go or gradually over the course of the month. Participants track their distance via an exercise app and there is a leader board for the more competitive. 

Following the success of Perennial’s first overseas challenge event last year, three fund-raising trips are available this year – trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu; climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or cycling from Ho Chi Minh to Angkor Wat.

Closer to home, those with a head for heights can abseil down the ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower in the Olympic Park in April and there are spaces available for fundraisers to enter the Great North Run, the UK’s biggest half marathon.

To sign up for any fundraising activities, visit the website www.perennial.org.uk 

Corokia virgata ‘Maori Green’ & ‘Maori Silver’, submitted by Netherlands growers Addenda was awarded the Show Your Colours Award at the recent  2019 IPM Essen plant show.

Both the visitors' jury and a professional jury said the plant was attractive, trendy and beautifully labelled.

Second place went to 'Wonder Tree' fruit trees, submitted by Fruithof, another Dutch grower. Hydrangea macrophylla x H. scandens 'French Bolero', submitted by van Vegepolys from France finished in third place.

The January 2019 issue of HTA Market Update, published this week, reports that Garden Centre sales were up 3% across the whole year of 2018 compared to 2017. 

Houseplants continue to increase in popularity with sales of this category up by 15% year on year. Christmas categories saw strong growth in 2018 with December 2018 sales 9% up on December 2017.

In November, for the first time in 2 years, average pay growth overtook the inflation rate. In December, we saw inflation continue to fall whilst pay growth remained stable. This is a more positive position for consumers who then have more disposable income to spend on their gardens.

However, challenges do lie ahead. Concerns over Brexit deals and the UK’s economic situation remain, with consumers less confident and looking to save more than last year.

Martin Simmons, HTA Director of Operations comments “The figures that our members are reporting for last year, and particularly the strong growth in December, are encouraging as we move through an uncertain economic period this Spring season. In the past the garden industry has always shown some resilience to economic uncertainty. With a later Mother’s Day and Easter this year, and therefore the chance of better weather, there’s a possibility that consumers will want a distraction from Brexit, and a spend on garden plants and products represents a relatively low proportion of disposable income that members of the public may be keen to make.”

The January edition of HTA Market Update is now available for members to download from the HTA website, by logging in and then going to the Market Information pages at https://hta.org.uk/learn-develop/market-information/-market-update.html This issue looks at garden centre sales, overall market performance and contains a section on trends and a topical feature about the plastics problem in the garden industry.

The freehold of Wyevale Wimborne is to be auctioned in London on February 14th 2019.

Commercial property auctioneers Acuitus have listed the site on their website as being up for auction with a guide price of £1,300,000 - £1,400,000.  

The property, which covers 2.4 acres, comprises a purpose built garden centre of steel frame construction, providing a large internal retail area with soft play area and restaurant, as well as an external retail area for horiticultural products. Concessions, including Fairy Chic Emporium and Pets Corner, are operated within the property, with Maidenhead Aquatics based within a separate building to the eastern corner of the site.

The site lists the current rent as £130,110 per annum and is let to Wyevale Garden Centres Holdings Ltd until 31st August 2030 (no breaks) with RPI linked Rent Review in 2020 and 5 yearly thereafter.

Wyevale Garden Centres listed Wimborne along with all other centres as for sale, Leasehold, with a guide price for the retail business of £200,000.

The auction of the Freehold on behalf of a major fund manager takes place on Valentines Day, 14th February, at The Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG.

St John's Plant Centre at Clacton, which ran its Christmas Wonderland event in defiance of a local council ban, has closed and is in liquidation.

In November HMRC filed a winding up petition against the company, which is owned by Barnet-registered Floral Garden Group Ltd, which is listed by Companies House as a Retailer of “flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, pet animals and pet food in specialised stores”. Its main director is Anthony Clear. Mark Reynolds at Valentine and Co has been appointed liquidator.

Last September, Tendring District Council served an enforcement notice ordering the centre to stop trading and stop hosting its popular Christmas event. The council had failed in its application to the High Court to shut down the 2017 event because of alleged traffic chaos along its narrow access road.

The garden centre closed after the landowners submitted a planning application to build 210 homes and eight live-work units on the site.

The Winter Wonderland featured a miniature train that took children through a grotto to meet Santa, and brought thousands of visitors to the area every year.

The centre’s dispute with Tendring District Council involved other planning issues; reports suggest the site only had permission to operate as a wholesale outlet selling horticultural and agricultural goods to trade customers.

Smart Garden has scooped the Garden Centre Association’s prestigious Associate of the Year award, retaining the Haskins-Stewart Cup as favourite supplier to the industry.

The award was presented at the GCA’s annual conference and gala dinner at Luton Hoo last week.

Sales Director Paul Knott said winning the award for the second year running was a real honour. “Last year we said that we would work hard to retain the title and are so proud that all of our efforts have paid off,” he added.

MDF Jonathan Stobart said: “This award is a testament to the hard work from everyone in the Smart Garden team and we’re delighted that our commitment to innovation and customer service has been recognised by the industry.”

Smart will be showing its new Three Kings range at Spring Fair 2019, which starts next Sunday.

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 2016 as well as 2017 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

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

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

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here

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

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

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

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