The first full week of December was the busiest garden centre trading week of the year, GTN Bestsellers data reveals...
The first full week of December was the busiest garden centre trading week of the year, GTN Bestsellers data reveals.
Sales volumes for the week ending Sunday 9 December were up by 2.1% on the same week of 2011 and up 5.7% on the previous highest sales volume week this year – the week ending 27 May.
After 49 trading weeks, the GTN All Products Volume Sales Index now stands at just half percentage point down YoY compared to 2011 – and up 1.3% against 2010. With the Christmas rush now in full swing there’s every chance that small deficit could be made up before the end of what has been a challenging year.
Bearing in mind that volumes were more than 10% down YoY just before the Jubilee weekend, these figures show just how resilient garden centre trading has been
and how well garden centres have worked to keep attracting customers, despite the weather.
Over the last 20 weeks, trading volume sales as measured by GTN Bestsellers from garden centre Epos data have been up 3.9% on last year, and even 4.3% ahead of the GTN Bestsellers prediction made at the start of August.
Picture caption: Trevor Wenham and Kathleen McDonald, directors of Garden Pride Garden Centre at Ditchling in Suffolk, give Santa’s sleigh a test drive as their grotto season gets into its stride.
Gardens centres through the country are backing up the encouraging GTN Bestsellers data with reports of huge customer activity.
Boyd Douglas-Davies (right), of the Hilltop Group, is just one of many garden centre bosses reporting big increases in sales...
Gardens centres through the country are backing up the encouraging GTN Bestsellers data with reports of huge customer activity.
Boyd Douglas-Davies from the Hillview Group said: “Our Hilltop Garden Centre in Oxfordshire is over 35% up in December and our Studley Garden Centre in Warwickshire is up 22%. At both centres we have increased the size of the Christmas departments and the range of gift products. Hilltop has a real ice rink which is open until 6 January.”
Bob Hewitt from Klondyke Garden Centres added: “Our garden centre sales increased 4% last week over the previous year with our restaurant sales up 10%.”
Bents Garden Centre in Cheshire reported a record number of visitors (9,880) on December 2 and also had their best ever sales week at the end of November.
Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home, commented: “Summer was literally a wash out so it’s great to be able to report such fantastic figures for the Christmas period. It seems as though people are eager to forget about the poor summer months and the glum outlook and are just keen to focus on now and enjoying Christmas as much as possible.”
Martin Stewart, from Stewarts Gardenlands in Dorset, said: “Amazing trading – it shows how vital it has been to build up to Christmas, catering and gift sales. The past 8 weeks have saved the year.”
And Simon Edwards from Golden Acres Garden Centres, who have five sites across the south of England, said: “Our Christmas sales have been up significantly across all our sites and Christmas tree sales have been strong. I put this down to our product ranging and Christmas merchandising which is consistent and matches our market whilst avoiding clashing with competitors either in the industry or outside. I think that the punters are fed up of austerity and are treating themselves to a bit of fun.”
Martin Davies from Raglan Garden Centre, Monmouthshire, pointed out: “Sales of decorations are up 15%, lights and artificial trees up 3% and live tree also up 3%. Houseplants are a real winner for us at this time of year as we give them a better position and as a result sales are up 46%. Our breakfast with Santa events sold out early this year.”
Thge final word was left to Andrew Maxted, HTA Director of Marketing and Communications. He said: “Despite challenging times it seems that consumers are still willing to enjoy the Christmas period and this is mirrored by the recent sales figures that we see in UK garden centres. It has been a tough year for the industry and so this busy festive period provides some welcome relief.”
Fairy lights, baubles and other Christmas decorations have been selling well in garden centres, according to GTN Bestsellers data...
Fairy lights, baubles and other Christmas decorations have been selling well in garden centres, according to GTN Bestsellers data.
The highest re-entry in the Christmas Products chart is Premier Decorations Fairy Lights, Clear 40, jumping to No 17, while Kaemingk Transparent Bauble, 80mm, is the highest new entry at No 19. Kaemingk have also seen their 180 Indoor Twinkle Lights sell well, re-entering the chart at No 20.
The Gisela Graham Diamante Clip On Insect has seen an 100% increase in sales to enter the chart for the first time at No 27 while the Wieste Snowflake Tinsel White/Silver secures No 43 place.
We’re right in the middle of party season so it’s no surprise to see the highest climber being Premier Decorations Deluxe Plush Santa Hat, moving up 22 places to No 26 spot.
History & Heraldry Christmas Money Box holds on to top spot for another week although their Snow Globe Decorations has slipped a place to No 3. Premier Decorations Battery Operated Eva Snowman benefits as it moves up to second position.
See the full GTN Christmas Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
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WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
As garden centres got into the festive spirit and made the most of the increase in consumer spending, The Greatest Christmas Awards judging team settled down to the task of choosing Britain’s best Christmas team...
As garden centres got into the festive spirit and made the most of the increase in consumer spending, The Greatest Christmas Awards judging team settled down to the task of choosing Britain’s best Christmas team.
After thousands of miles and dozens of visits to garden centres across the country, they must now choose the team who will walk off with the top honours at the fabulous awards party in Harrogate on January 13.
Tickets for ‘The Greatest Christmas Party Ever’ are now on sale, so to secure your booking, make a reservation by calling 01733 775700.
During the evening you’ll receive a superb meal in the company of industry friends and colleagues, which will be followed by dancing to a great band. And, of course, all the award winners will receive their prizes.
It promises to be one of the best party nights of the year so make sure you get your tickets for the Greatest Christmas Awards Party at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, on Sunday, January 13...
It promises to be one of the best party nights of the year so make sure you get your tickets for the Greatest Christmas Awards Party at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, on Sunday, January 13.
Having earned the reputation as The Greatest Christmas Party Ever, it will be a too-good-to-miss event. On the night the awards will be announced and given out to the deserved winners.
Before the winners are announced you’ll be able to enjoy a superb three-course meal with wine. Just take a look at the menu on offer:
Starter: Smoked salmon and prawn tian with a cucumber, dill and lime salsa
Main course: Medallions of beef fillet in Madeira sauce, celeriac mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables and green beans
Desert: Warm pear and almond tart with vanilla ice cream
Followed by: Coffee and mints
The Awards Party is a great opportunity to relax with industry friends and colleagues, and then dance to the City Lights band. One of the best bands in the North, City Lights are a six piece line-up guaranteed to keep the party going.
Garden centres throughout the country will be hoping to pick up one or several of the following awards:
The Greatest Christmas ‘Sizzle’
The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team
The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
The Greatest Christmas Display Team
The Greatest Garden Centre Festive Catering Team
The Greatest Christmas Supplier
The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas
To buy tickets to The Greatest Christmas Party Ever click here or call 01733 775700
Next February’s one-day catering conference – now a popular established fixture in the HTA’s events calendar – promises unique insights into the fast-moving world of garden centre catering...
Next February’s one-day catering conference – now a popular established fixture in the HTA’s events calendar – promises unique insights into the fast-moving world of garden centre catering.
Leading consultants and caterers from within and beyond the garden retail industry will offer advice, information and case studies and a trade exhibition running alongside will give delegates the opportunity to network with leading suppliers.
Speakers include:
Steven Whibley, MD of Gails Bakery, who runs an expanding chain of 12 innovative café bakeries in London. Garden centre catering expert Salim Sajid of Blueberry Consulting will interview Steven to highlight tips to benefit garden centre caterers.
Chris Brown, Director, Turpin Smale Catering Consultancy, who will discuss ‘The Wonderful World of Cafes’.
Neville Stein, MD of Ovation Business Consultants, who will deliver an analysis of profitable garden centres and how to improve business performance.
Carl Hadfield, group catering manager, Haskins, who will share experiences of a system that costs dishes, manages supplier pricing, monitors stock control and assists in delivering a sustainable margin.
Alan Roper, MD, Blue Diamond Group, who will highlight how you can create a destination restaurant irrespective of the size of the site.
Jan Matthews, head of catering for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, whose story will inspire anyone working in food and will demonstrate the power of strong leadership and careful management.
The afternoon session will offer delegates a choice of workshops:
From Concept to Completion – facilitated by Mark Harris, proprietor of Harris Restaurant Consultants, with Jack Sharkey, MD, Vision Commercial Kitchens.
Menu Magic – facilitated by Neville Stein, with Trish Topliss, head of catering, Garden & Leisure Group, and Paolo Arrigo, director, Franchi Seeds of Italy.
Marketing Matters – facilitated by Doug Stewart, Waring Stewart Associates, who will be joined by an industry panel.
For further information visit www.the-hta.org.uk
Garden Trade News is a conference partner. Updates will appear in GTN Xtra.
Picture caption: From left to right: Steve Whibley, Paolo Arrigo, Alan Roper and Jan Matthews.
Westland Horticulture has confirmed its backing for the second annual Garden Re-Leaf Day by announcing a major competition for participating garden centres worth £6,000.
Westland Horticulture has confirmed its backing for the second annual Garden Re-Leaf Day by announcing a major competition for participating garden centres worth £6,000.
Westland are offering their 50 litre bags of new-for-2013 Gro-Sure All Purpose compost – with a retail value of £6,000 – to the retailer that is judged to have run the most effective Garden Re-Leaf Day campaign in March.
Hundreds of garden centres and suppliers are expected to take part in the next Garden Re-Leaf Day, which takes place on Friday 8th March 2013 as a nationwide initiative to launch the spring gardening season, whilst raising money for charity.
The event is expected to be even bigger than last year, when more than 500 garden retailers and manufacturers took part. As well as centrally coordinated, ready-made event ideas such as the Garden Re-Leaf Day Celebrity Gardening Quiz, there are set to be thousands of locally organised activities around the UK, including in-store events, school growing initiatives, community challenges, garden product promotions, fund-raisers and competitions – all helping to drive sales whilst fundraising.
Garden centres entering the Westland Challenge will be asked to submit a post-Garden Re-Leaf Day overview of their event ideas, execution, publicity campaign, footfall and sales indicators by Wednesday 1st May 2013.
The winning garden centre, announced by the end of May, will receive a delivery of seven pallets of Gro-Sure All Purpose compost – enriched with Gro-Sure Plant Food, and ideal for growing flowers, fruits or vegetables – courtesy of Westland Horticulture.
As in 2012, Garden Re-Leaf Day’s designated charity for 2013 is Greenfingers, which creates magical gardens for children’s hospices nationwide. In 2012 Garden Re-Leaf Day raised an impressive £52,431 for the charity, enabling two, specially designed, family gardens to be built at hospices in Stoke-on-Trent and West Dunbartonshire. Each garden will help up to 300 children and their families every year.
Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director at Westland Horticultureconfirmed: “We were extremely keen to get actively involved in this second Garden Re-Leaf Day initiative.
"We see it as an incredibly important opportunity to get people gardening throughout 2013.Westland works closely with the majority of garden centres across the country, so we wanted to show our support by offeringthis competition.”
Garden Re-Leaf’s founder, Hillview GC’s Chief Executive Boyd Douglas Davies, said: “Garden Re-Leaf Day provides a valuable opportunity to inspire gardeners of all kinds to ‘get gardening’, attract customers early in the season, and raise money for charity.
"We are delighted that Westland is again offering such a major incentive for garden centres to take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day.
"It will undoubtedly help to stimulate some show-stopping, PR-grabbing events; whether it’s to make a difference to old public spaces, stimulate the public's appetite to 'have a go'; or drive customers into store to start their gardening year.”
“We've got garden centres across the country signing up to Garden Re-Leaf every day,” continued Boyd. “I’m sure that everyone that cares about the future of our industry will work together to make it a huge success.”
For details on entering the Garden Re-Leaf Day Westland Challenge, or about Garden Re-Leaf Day itself, contact info@gardenreleaf.co.uk
Garden retailers participating in Garden Re-Leaf Day have the chance to win 50 litre bags of new-for-2013 Gro-Sure All Purpose compost with a retail value of £6,000.
Market leading garden hand tool manufacturer Fiskars has come up with a plan to help retailers maximise the spring cutting season in 2013...
Market leading garden hand tool manufacturer Fiskars has come up with a plan to help retailers maximise the spring cutting season in 2013...
"With our effective display solutions for bestselling PowerGear pruners, loppers and hedge shears, retailers have the opportunity to optimise margins and maximise sales," said a Fiskars spokesperson.
The offer is valid from January 1 until March 31 or as long as stocks last.
Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids has been knocked off the top spot in the Garden Products chart by the Scheurich Cover Pot Dark Red...
Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids has been knocked off the top spot in the Garden Products chart by the Scheurich Cover Pot Dark Red, 15cm. It had been holding on to the No 1 position since August but despite losing its coveted place, the Drip Feeder has still seen an increase in sales.
Products closely connected to houseplants are dominating the chart, and as well as clinching top position, the Scheurich Cover Pot Dark Red has also claimed the highest re-entry accolade with the 13cm version. Its Glossy Cream pot has also moved up to No 4, and the company has two other products in the Top 10 – Fuchsia Cover Pot and Vero Rosso.
While the Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids may have slipped a place, the Gardman Orchid Drip Feeders 30ml, pack of 4, have pushed their way back into the chart at No 49.
There is still evidence of people buying general gardening products as Christmas presents. The Fiskars Bypass Lopper is proving popular as it is the highest climber, moving up 26 places to No 11.
Another product making steady progress is the Smart Solar Owl, climbing 11 places to No 14, while the Happy Hens Solar Spotlights is at No 22. The Country Bird design has also sold well, moving up 23 places to No 26.
See the full GTN Garden Products Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.
The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.
Access is by subscription only. For £120.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
Although you are now in full Christmas mode, reaping the benefits of wise product choices made earlier in the year, you are probably also taking note of buying trends and planning ahead for the 2013 festive season.
A not-to-be-missed date for your diary is Harrogate Christmas & Gift (13-16 January 2013) - a fantastic opportunity to see exciting new product launches months before the crowds arrive at trade fairs in the spring.
Harrogate is one of the fastest growing shows in its sector, catering not only for Christmas (with probably the greatest selection of trees, lights and festive decorations in the UK) but novelties and gifts for every occasion from Hallowe’en and Mother's Day right through to furniture, ornaments, flowers and giftware for the home and garden.
In fact, Harrogate Christmas & Gift has seen a steady increase in all gift and homeware ranges, attracting discerning buyers from large department stores, novelty and souvenir shops, traditional gift stores, as well as DIY stores, garden centres, museums, country estates, castles and farm shops. Be sure to join them in 2013!
Glee is the only UK trade show that gives garden retailers the opportunity to buy across all product categories under one roof. Sectors covered include garden care, landscape and garden design, outdoor leisure, nursery and plants, home and gift, retail support, catering and speciality food.
Glee is organised by the i2i Events Group and is held annually at the NEC. Make a note of next year's Glee dates - Monday 16–Wednesday 18 September 2013.
Kaemingk, leading suppliers of festive products to UK garden retailers, open their new showroom in Holland early next month. Special open days on which you can preview their collections for Christmas 2013 will run from 5 to 19 December. Kaemingk are acknowledged trend leaders in their field and will be exhibiting at Harrogate Christmas & Gift in January (stand M02-04)
Premier Decorations are leading designers and importers of Christmas lighting, trees and decorations; garden lighting and outdoor living products; and Hallowe'en products and party decorations. Garden centres voted them Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Their products regularly feature in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Top 50. www.premierdec.com
SOLEX AT THE NEC is LOFA’s summer outdoor and indoor leisure event, now an established fixture in the trade show calendar, bringing together the world’s leading garden and leisure furniture and barbecue brands under one roof. The show moves from Telford to the NEC, Birmingham, next year (8-10 July 2013).
Vision Commercial Kitchens have helped many UK garden centres to launch, enhance or re-fit their catering operations, offering everything from an initial expert consultation to a full installation. They pride themselves on helping garden centres make the right decision for their businesses. The kitchens at the fabulous catering operation at the award-winning Barton Grange Garden Centre at Brock - the Riverside and Willows restaurants - were supplied by Vision.
The sponsors of this category are Snowtime, leading suppliers of Christmas lights, fibre optics, illuminated décor, artificial trees and floral products. In 1995 they pioneered the supply of fibre-optic Christmas trees to the UK market.
Snowtime have the UK’s broadest and most comprehensive range of high-quality artificial trees. The hottest Christmas product in many years is their range of Thomas Kinkade-designed fibre optic tapestries, which are licensed to Snowtime and were introduced two years ago (example below). Many retailers had sold out by the end of September. There are some cheap copies on the market but it's the signed originals that are selling.
The Arena ice rink installation at Van Hage, Great Amwell in 2011
The Arena Group has a 250-year history supplying specialist infrastructure to live sporting, music and public events. In 2012 clients included The Open, Wimbledon Championships, X Factor, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the event of the year, The London 2012 Olympic Games.
Arena Group provides turnkey solutions to install ice rinks and pop up cafes at Garden Centres, building partnerships with clients to create temporary event environments that are fine-tuned to reflect their aspirations. Visit http://www.arenagroup.com/index.php/products/ice_rinks for further information. Follow Arena on twitter @arena_group.
The future of Hare Hatch Sheeplands garden centre in Twyford, Berks, could be in doubt after it was served with enforcement notices for 15 separate breaches of planning permission...
The future of a busy garden centre in Twyford could be in doubt after it was served with enforcement notices for 15 separate breaches of planning permission.
Hare Hatch Sheeplands bosses have been given 18 months to get their house in order by Wokingham Borough Council.
The council said the long list of unauthorised building work was discovered as it prepared to defend refusing a £2m 'masterplan' to revamp the site in London Road.
The centre had launched an appeal against the decision which was due to be heard by the planning inspectorate last month.
The appeal hearing has now been postponed in light of the action taken by the council. The enforcement notices were served in October.
Garden centre owner Rob Scott said: "Should the enforcement notices be upheld, it would have an extremely serious and detrimental impact on our business."
But he added the centre is co-operating with the council and is confident a 'compromise' can be reached.
WBC said Hare Hatch Sheeplands only has permission for use as a nursery selling plants.
It says the catalogue of unauthorised work includes use of the land for display and sale of conservatories, use of greenhouses as an extension for the cafe and child's play area, use of an events area, parking and storage of vehicles, plant and waste, as well as use of the land as a garden centre.
A council spokeswoman said: "The 18-month time period is longer than usual.
"We have taken into account the difficulties of ceasing use, removing structures, potential difficulty for business, potential loss of employment and time to allow for discussions with the nursery to meet a negotiated solution."
She added: "We are still hopeful that a solution can be found."
The centre's revamp plans, which took more than two years to create, were rejected by the council in December 2011 over concerns about the greenbelt and the centre drawing trade away from Twyford.
The two highest re-entries in the Growing Media chart this week are orchid compost...
The two highest re-entries in the Growing Media chart are orchid compost. Westland Orchid Compost, 10 litres, comes into the chart at No 16, while Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost, 10 litres, takes up No 20 position.
The highest new entry is Cactus Focus Repotting Mix, 2 litres, at No 31 while Levington Multi Purpose with John Innes, 8 litres, and Hydoleca Large enter the chart for the first time at Nos 46 and 47 respectively.
See the full GTN Growing Media Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
Dobbies is set to create 120 jobs in Inverness by opening a new £5 million store after the development was backed by Highland councillors...
Dobbies is set to create 120 jobs in Inverness by opening a new £5 million store after the development was backed by Highland councillors.
The new centre will open for business next year in the former Focus building in Inshes Retail Park, next door to the Tesco supermarket.
The development was welcomed by councillors who hailed the employment opportunities, despite opposition from Inverness Chamber of Commerce and a rival garden centre.
The old Focus store has been empty for more than a year since the DIY company collapsed and Highland Council’s south planning applications committee on Tuesday approved Dobbie’s arrival.
It will see an extension to the empty store built to provide 33 per cent more floor space and a new restaurant opened.
Tesco’s current restaurant will shut and both companies, which have similar tie ups in other parts of the UK, will share one main access for the first time in Scotland.
Polytunnels will be built to sell outdoor plants while smaller units in Tesco, including a barber and watch repair shop, will be moved into the space occupied by its current restaurant.
The family-owned Simpsons Garden Centre, based about a mile away, had opposed the Dobbies store and claimed it would cause road chaos, particularly at the busy Inshes roundabout, because the company had underestimated the amount of traffic which would be created.
The chamber of commerce also voiced similar concerns after performing a U-turn when chief executive Stewart Nicol originally welcomed the jobs to be created.
Several councillors questioned why a financial contribution towards road improvements was not sought from Dobbies.
But senior council roads official John Danby said he was comfortable with the new development. “The traffic movement of a garden centre at peak times tends to be mid-afternoon, not necessarily the same time as the commuter peaks in am and pm,” he said.
Pet health care specialist Bob Martin, who successfully launched FleaClear in March, has also seen sales of its Spot On products double in garden centres and pet shops over the past year...
It has been an exciting year for Bob Martin, having successfully launched FleaClear in March. Bob Martin has since seen sales of its Spot On products double* since 2011 in garden centres and pet retailers.
The marketing support for the FleaClear brand has been significant. In May, Bob Martin returned to TV for the first time in 25 years with an advertising campaign promoting the FleaClear launch, having an immediate and positive impact on sales.
This was followed in September by a six-figure sponsorship deal of ITV1s prime time show ‘For the Love of Dogs’, a fly on the wall documentary at Battersea Dogs Home, to support the second flea season and promote Bob Martin’s new product FleaClear.
The primetime show 'For the Love of Dogs' put Battersea Dogs and Cats Home centre stage, and was presented by pet lover and national treasure Paul O'Grady. The show has proved a massive hit with over 5m viewers per episode reaching over a third of the UK population which has helped drive awareness and sales of FleaClear. The show has also been nominated for a National Television Award in the Factual Entertainment category.
Bob Martin made a considerable investment in bringing FleaClear to market, the products active ingredient fiprinol is the same active ingredient as market leader Frontline, but is available at a fraction of the price, as little as £4.50 for a single treatment. FleaClear is so accessible to pet owners as garden centres do not require a qualified member of staff to sell the product.
Savi Madan, Managing Director at Bob Martin, commented: "We are very pleased with the success of FleaClear. We have seen a change in consumer purchasing habits as the garden centre spot on category has grown significantly and FleaClear has been driving this growth.”
2013 is set to be an even bigger year for Bob Martin as they plan to launch further NPD into the pet healthcare sector and support launches with significant marketing spend.
Somerset based compost manufacturer, Durston Garden Products Ltd, has Ruth Green as National Sales Manager...
Somerset based compost manufacturer, Durston Garden Products Ltd, has Ruth Green as National Sales Manager.
With over 15 years experience in sales management, including roles at Bradman Lake and Agriframes/Fieldfare, Ruth brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the role and is looking forward to a new challenge with Durstons.
“I am very experienced in the horticultural, retail and garden centre industry” says Ruth, “and the focus and commitment required to maintain the existing high level of customer service already associated with Durstons.
"The company has the manufacturing infrastructure to allow committed business growth, and I am thrilled about the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, I look forward to developing new sales opportunities, for what is already a well established and respected brand of growing media and compost”.
To find out more about stocking the full range of compost and growing media available from Durstons visit www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or call 01458 442688.
A baby reindeer which escaped from a Lancashire garden centre was found grazing on the shore nearby...
A baby reindeer which escaped from a Lancashire garden centre was found grazing on the shore nearby.
The reindeer was one of three which arrived at Bay View Garden Centre in Mill Lane, Bolton-le-Sands on Thursday.
A member of staff arrived to work just after 8am to find it had got out of its pen and was in the car park.
Garden centre workers tried to shepherd it back but it escaped to the beach, about 600m away, before it was persuaded to return to the pen.
A spokeswoman for the garden centre said it had been grazing on grass near the shore and had come to no harm during its jaunt.
Stubbings Nursery in Maidenhead was cordoned off for over an hour on Thursday by the fire service following an oil spillage from a 11,000 volt transformer...
Stubbings Nursery in Maidenhead was cordoned off for over an hour on Thursday by the fire service following an oil spillage from a 11,000 volt transformer.
Alarms were raised at about 1.30pm at Stubbings Estate in Henley Road after the wall mounted transformer caught fire.
Oil dripping from the 11,000 volt transformer onto cars worried the firefighters who set up a 20m cordon to keep the public away.
Southern Electric staff arrived soon after and took over from the firefighters who left by 3pm.
