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On-line Christmas Customer Votes pour in - your Garden Centre can join in too!
"The staff were friendly and amusing and stayed in character during our entire visit to see Santa and my kids were in awe at being allowed to stroke and feed real reindeer."
"They made our children's experience magical and heartwarming and also as adults we loved every minute."
"Made my 3 year old and 1 year old laugh and smile. I do have one complaint though, my kids haven't shut up about Santa since we went there haha."
Just some of the wonderful reasons customers have given when voting for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team using the on-line voting system linked from garden centre's social media pages or websites...
"The staff were friendly and amusing and stayed in character during our entire visit to see Santa and my kids were in awe at being allowed to stroke and feed real reindeer."
"They made our children's experience magical and heartwarming and also as adults we loved every minute."
"Made my 3 year old and 1 year old laugh and smile. I do have one complaint though, my kids haven't shut up about Santa since we went there haha."
Just some of the wonderful reasons customers have given when voting for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team using the on-line voting system linked from garden centre's social media pages or websites which runs right up to 4:00pm on Christmas Eve.
Your garden centre team can join in with this voting that will decide The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team in GTN's The Greatest Christmas Awards 2015.
All you need to do is copy and paste this voting link into your website or your social media posts: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/GTN/1cxzwzab1j7
You can add The Greatest Christmas Awards logo too:
greatxmas small.jpg
The closing date for On-line votes is 4:00pm on Christmas Eve.
Please note: To avoid unscrupulous multiple votes the system will only accept one vote per IP address, so please do not use on-line voting in store, the postcards are better for in-stoire voting.
We'd love to know how you use your social media and website to drive your customer voting. Please send us links to your activity and we will report on them in GTN Xtra: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
When all the votes are counted, size of centre and number of staff are taken into account, so there is as much chance of a small centre winning this ultimate Christmas accolade as that of a big centre. If you have any problems downloading any of the files please e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk and we’ll send you them by e-mail straight away.
Good luck!
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Woof woof, it’s me…GTN Newshound here. Just call me Hound. Always prowling around, hardly a sound! Can’t abide those with something to hide. Doing my best on your behalf, naturally (even though, on a selfish note, the odd bone thrown my way by the kennel keeper across the corridor is most welcome, I have to admit).
Can’t say the trail has been too fragrant lately, yet I picked up the faint scent of something tantalizing, mere hours ago, too, and I reckon you might enjoy my sharing it with you. Can’t be sure where it will lead us to yet, but check this out…After I promised to split the next bone with him, my ‘source’ (whose suitably wet/pink[ish] nose is probably as reliable as mine, though I can’t prove it beyond reasonable doubt, you understand) told me to point the old snout in the direction of a certain large target…a kind of rolling stone that defies the accepted laws of physics by gathering moss all the while. Couldn’t work out wye at the time, but the grey cells soon started co-operating with each other, the penny (please, no ‘new pence’ here) dropped and the vale lifted.
The target appears to have branches everywhere (just like my favourite perambulation circuit after the gales the other week-end…walkies with broken twigs troubling the unmentionables is no joke, I can assure you). Anyway, the ‘source’ said I was to watch out for a couple of heavies leaving the target. Shown the door. Jobbos finito. No juniors, these – two high-ups (or half-way-ups at least) within the target’s higher-arky. Unfortunately for me, the doors slammed shut as I approached the target, denying me the opportunity to follow the trail any further. Grrrrrrr.
Still, tail up, I told myself. Keep your nose to the ground or there won’t be any supper tonight. I was settling into a terrific snuffle when an inner voice had me stopping in my tracks. ‘Come on Hound, surely you can see what’s going on here? The target is looking for a new owner…so there’s a bit of streamling going on. Simple as that.’ Mmm, I pondered, how can we be sure? ‘We can’t,’ the voice responded. ‘But if the ‘source’s’ tail was wagging when he told you, you can take his word for it…just make sure you don’t give him half that bone until they’ve issued the press release.’
Then, as I half-turned back towards the target, I spotted a piece of paper emerging from under the closed doors. Curious, as is my nature, I took a closer look. The following words were written on it: “Personnel matters are confidential and as such I'm afraid we don't comment.” Aah…supper secured then. So I turned my attention to the other potential little meal ticket I’ve had my eye on. Word on the street is that the target is busy buying two stores from another group – but which one? I sniffed around them all and got ‘It’s not us’ from all except one…who said: “We don’t comment on rumours,” Just the sort of language the target uses….so I’m drawing my own conclusions. For now, though, woof woof!
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See full results and pictures
Hillier Garden Centres staff and suppliers enjoyed a glitzy night at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on Sunday 29th November with Sunningdale Garden Centre (above) winning the Overall Hillier Garden Centre of the Year Award and Westland Horticulture (below) collecting the Hillier Garden Shop category Supplier of the Year accolade.
The full results were:
- Employee of the Year 2015 - Ruth Rook from Eastbourne Garden Centre - presented by Robert Hillier, Hillier Chairman
- Plant Area of the Year 2015 - Braishfield Garden Centre - presented by Charlotte Hosaka, Hillier Nurseries Account Manager
- Garden Shop of the Year 2015 - Bath Garden Centre - presented by Heather Culpan of Burgon & Ball
- Restaurant of the Year 2015 - Sunningdale Garden Centre Restaurant - presented by Don Flanagan of Elite Foods
- Overall Garden Centre of the Year 2015 - Sunningdale Garden Centre - presented by Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre Director
- Head Office Employee of the Year 2015 - Janet Osman - EPOS Manager - presented by Alan McCammon of Corby & Fellas
- Home Category Supplier of the Year 2015 - BDP Imports t/a Bramblecrest - presented by Yvonne Williams, Hillier Home Category Buyer
- Garden Shop Category Supplier of the Year 2015 - Westland Horticulture - presented by Leanne Quinn, Hillier Garden Shop Category buyer
- Plant Category Supplier of the Year 2015 - Meon Valley Nurseries - presented by Rob Grayson, Hillier Plant Category Buyer
- Contractor of the Year 2015 - Fordingbridge Plc - presented by Jackie Eades of Briers Gloves
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The Greenfingers Charity have more places avaialble for the London Santa Run which takes place on 6th December in Victoria Park.
If you'd like to join in and raise money for Greenfingers, here is a link to the website story which explains more. http://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/its-time-to-register-for-santa-run-2015/
London stone have entered a team of 10, along with Greenfingers Trustees Paul Ormond and Carol Paris.
Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising said: "It would be great to get more people involved to help us reach our overall fundraising target of £5,000 from the event."
If you can't run but still would like to support this great seasonal fundraising initiative go to: https://www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Lioveri1/
or you can sponsor Greenfingers trustee and HTA CEO, Carol Paris and her two spaniels, Max and Murphy who will be running in Santa outfits again at: https://www.justgiving.com/carol-paris1/
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The Board of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture has announced that it will be transferring its membership secretariat services to the Horticultural Trades Association from 15 December 2015. The decision was supported by membership and work has started to transfer services from Capel Manor College and includes membership administration, event management, and communications. Members will be informed by letter of the change and their subscription benefits will continue as normal.
Andrew Gill, President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture said: "The CIH was proud to receive its Royal Charter status in 2014 and has since been focused on developing its capability to represent professional horticulturists. Part of that journey is to continue to modernise the delivery of services to our membership, and the Board believes that a partnership with the HTA will help with the next stage of that journey. We look forward to working with the HTA." HTA Chief Executive Carol Paris told GTN Xtra: "We are delighted that the Chartered Institute of Horticulture have chosen to partner with the HTA to support its provision of services to members. As it is a prestigious Institute representing professional horticulturists we are confident that we can provide the CIH with the support it’s looking for to meet its future aims and achieve its potential to further professionalise the sector." Stephen Dowbiggin, Principal of Capel Manor College said: "The College had been proud to support the CIH and work with them but accepted that there were advantages in now moving the CIH administration to an organisation that was specialist in providing membership services. "Capel Manor College has a strong relationship with the HTA and they sponsor the college and the National Gardening Centre so it is really all staying in the family. "I would like to thank those of my staff who picked up the administration of the CIH when it came to Capel Manor College, I think all agree that they have done an excellent job and we have helped the CIH move into a stronger position." The move to the HTA is progressing smoothly and Capel Manor College is looking forward to collaborating with both the CIH and the HTA on future projects to further enhance access to professional skills training and Certification within the horticulture industry. For further information contact the Chartered Institute of Horticulture - Email: cih@horticulture.org.uk
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Clear messages of strong support at government level for gardening and horticulture were a feature of this week’s 16th annual reception at the House of Commons of the All Party Parliamentary Gardening & Horticulture Group.  In her introduction, the group’s chairman, Baroness Fookes (left), said the interest in horticulture was important not simply as private hobby but for the health of the population, the economy and for ‘greening Britain’.
The principal speaker, Defra Minister of State George Eustice (below), who has a commercial qualification in horticulture and spent a year working at the former Bransford Nurseries, said there was growing evidence of the positive impact that connecting people with nature has on mental health and wellbeing. Action plans at Defra include a 25-year programme that will centre on apprenticeship opportunities and changing perceptions of horticulture as a career choice. He said research and development were also important in an industry that employs about 300k people and generates £2bn a year. Defra was also looking at the issue of ‘natural capital, how we can value our environment better than we have done to date” and at the intrinsic links between health and well-being. The group’s new joint chairman, Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, said visits to RHS shows had confirmed to him that British horticulture was “a world beater” and offered a fantastic career. “I have learned so much about what you can do in this incredibly broad, incredibly sophisticated, highly organized and very well structured system you all have. We try to support you in having a voice in Parliament. You have got very good friends in this place,” he said.  ‘Downton Abbey’ star Jim Carter (below), making his third appearance at the reception as a patron of Greenfingers, paid a stirring tribute to the charity’s work in creating garden at children’s hospice and urged his audience to support next year’s three major fund-raisers – Garden Re-Leaf Day in March, the Old for Gold initiative to convert surplus stock into cash and the Great Flower Power Art Challenge.
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Winter kicks in and drives sales of lighting and houseplant feeds
It’s all change in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 chart this week as winter weather really kicks in. Half of the Top 50 are either new or re-entries as lighting, houseplant feeds and winter garden decoration items increase in sales faster week on week than even products in our Christmas chart...
It’s all change in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 chart this week as winter weather really kicks in. Half of the Top 50 are either new or re-entries as lighting, houseplant feeds and winter garden decoration items increase in sales faster week on week than even products in our Christmas chart.
The star items were:
- Gardman Battery Operated Dancing Candle - Medium - is the highest new entry at No 4.
- Gardman Gard”n”Fleece Bags (Assorted Sizes) Green takes the highest re-entry honour, returning to the chart at No 9.
- Smart Solar Metal Duck is the highest climber after jumping 18 places to No 28.
- Smart LED Lattice Lantern Candle, battery operated with timer, retains the top spot.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
- Garden Products - down 3%
- Christmas Products - up 7%
- Growing Media - up 27%
- All Items Index - up 2%
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Wyevale Garden Centres predicts a peak sales of poinsettias on Christmas Eve based on year upon year sales trends.
The start of November marks the beginning of Poinsettia sales with more momentum typically building around the 23 November, culminating in a sales peak around the hours of 1pm – 2pm on Christmas Eve. With an expected 14 per cent increase in sales this year, Wyevale Garden Centres Poinsettias are on track to be the retailer’s best-selling indoor plants this year.
 This year’s statistics also reveal that alternative colours in the traditional seasonal plant are setting a new trend as the White, Pink, Picasso, Marble, and Dark Pink variety, unavailable in most supermarkets, are flying off the shelves at Wyevale Garden Centres. In addition, the last Saturday of December 2014 revealed another huge spike in sales as customers adhered to the tradition of wishing someone good luck and success by buying them a Poinsettia.
Mairi Devlin, Category Manager at Wyevale Garden Centres said: “The rush hour seems to make sense since customers visit family over the Christmas period and a Poinsettia is an ideal gift for friends and family, as well as being a colourful treat for your own home. We usually see a huge peak in sales on the last Saturday of December – suggesting that customers stick to the tradition of buying Poinsettias for loved ones as a way of bringing good luck for the New Year.”
Poinsettias originate from Mexico, but they are best grown in cooler climates. Nurseries in the UK such as Wyevale Garden Centres are equipped to grow Poinsettias that are stronger, so that they last beyond the festive season with minimal need for maintenance. The plants’ coloured bracts (which are often red) are frequently mistaken for flowers, but are actually leaves. The flower is a small yellow part that develops at the very end of the Poinsettias’ lifecycle.
Mairi Devlin from Wyevale Garden Centres adds: “No Christmas home is complete without a Poinsettia, and thanks to our expert horticulturalists’ growing techniques, we provide customers with Poinsettias that are in beautiful and full bloom. We are seeing customers buying less traditional colours, a trend that is evident across all of our Christmas product sales.”
Wyevale Garden Centres are available in a variety of sizes from 10.5cm to 5L with a retail starting price at £2.99.
 Jamie Downes, Wyevale Garden Centres’ Nursery Manager, gives his top tips for looking after your poinsettia:
- Make your poinsettia the last purchase of the day - they don’t like sitting for hours in a cold car
- Ask for your plant to be completely wrapped in paper all the way up to the top of the foliage
- Once home, position it somewhere warm and out of cold draughts
- The biggest mistake people make is moving them between hot and cold temperatures too quickly, so keep its environment constant
- Let the compost dry out between watering - they don’t like sitting in water.
- Feed once a week with houseplant fertiliser
- Trim the plant down by half in June and pot into multi-purpose compost
- From the end of September, make sure it has plenty of natural light - if it’s dark outside though, the plant needs to be in the dark too in order for it to develop its red leaves
Interesting facts
- The vast majority - 80% - of poinsettias sold are red. The rest are pink, white and cream
- Red poinsettias take eight weeks to turn from green to red – their colour starts to turn at the equinox (22 September)
- Woodland’s Nursery grows 30,000 poinsettias in state-of-the-art computer controlled greenhouses, across four acres of land
- They are available in centres until Christmas Eve
- If looked after carefully, they will last until March
- Poinsettias have an optimum total height of 32cm
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Suffolk seedsman Mr Fothergill's marked leading garden writer Peter Seabrook's 80th birthday earlier this month with the gift of a painting of Verbena Seabrook's Lavender by botanical artist Isobel Bartholomew.
The presentation was made to Peter, who has worked in horticulture for more than 60 years, by the company's joint-managing directors David Carey and John Fothergill at a celebration lunch.
"We wanted to mark Peter's outstanding contribution to the world of gardening in a unique way, and felt a painting of the flower he discovered and developed was appropriate," remarked John.
"His enthusiasm, and in particular his commitment to encourage youngsters to grow plants is remarkable."
Peter commented: "I had never thought of commissioning a botanical drawing for my Verbena and the framed painting was an unexpected and most welcome gift. I could not be more pleased with both the thought and action by Mr Fothergill’s staff."
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The Garden Media Guild presented a Lifetime Achievment Award to plantsman, nurseryman and author Adrian Bloomat the guild's 2015 awards ceremony in London on Thursday...
The other winners were: - Practical Book of the Year Mark Diacono, New Kitchen Garden: How to Grow Some of What You Eat No Matter Where You Live
- Reference Book of the Year Claire Austin , Claire Austin’s Book of Perennials
- Inspirational Book of the Year Jane Powers, The Irish Garden
- Garden Publication of the Year Julie Roberts, Gardens Illustrated
- The Dr David Hessayon Garden Columnist of the Year Alys Fowler, Guardian Weekend
- News Story of the Year Marc Rosenberg ‘Feed or weed? Spot the difference’ – Amateur Gardening,
- Journalist of the Year Ambra Edwards, Roy the Rover – English Garden;Lest We Forget – The Garden; Women in Garden Design – Gardens Illustrated
- Practical Journalist of the Year Kay Maguire , Fastest harvests; Time-saving tomatoes; A year of veg from a metre plot – all in BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
- Trade Journalist of the Year Jane Perrone
- Photographer of the Year Jürgen Becker
- Features Photographer of the Year Andrew Montgomery
- Book Photographer of the Year Marianne Majerus, Garden Design: A Book of Ideas
- TV Broadcast of the Year Liz Rumbold, Gardeners’ World 2015 – Ep 21
- Radio Broadcast of the Year Alys Fowler, Jane Perrone & Alice Williams Sow, Grow, Repeat
- Environmental Award Helen Bostock, Plants for Bugs – The Garden
- The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent Award Vicki Cooke, article on Richardjacksongarden.co.uk
- Blog of the Year David Marsden, theanxiousgardener.com
- Website of the Year Richard Jackson, richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk
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Voting is now underway and runs through to 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve to find out which garden centre has The Greatest Christmas Team.
As we head towards the busiest weeks of the year it’s time to ask your customers to vote for you as The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team. All you have to do is download the voting posters and voting postcard artworks from GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards Dropbox folder or these links:
Xmas Awards postcards 2015.pdf
Xmas Awards Poster A1.pdf
Xmas Awards Poster A3.pdf
Xmas Awards Poster A4.pdf
Post Your Votes.pdf
Print them out and get your customers voting. They can post them to our Greatest Christmas Awards office or you can create "Post your Votes" here boxes for votes to be posted in store. You can also ask your customers to vote for you on line this year - see seperate story. The closing date for votes, both on-line and posted in-store is 4:00pm on Christmas Eve, 24th December. If you collect votes in-store, please send them through to us on a regular basis to help with the counting and then make sure you send your final batch of votes off directly after Christmas. The Greatest Christmas Awards are presented in Harrogate on January 10th 2016 so the cut off for final votes to be received and counted in our office is Monday 4th January 2016. Remember to look through all your votes before you post them to us - your staff will love to know all the wonderful things your customers say about you as they vote for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team. When all the votes are counted, size of centre and number of staff are taken into account, so there is as much chance of a small centre winning this ultimate Christmas accolade as that of a big centre. If you have any problems downloading any of the files please e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk and we’ll send you them by e-mail straight away.
Good luck!
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A new category has been added to The Greatest Christmas Awards for 2015. Our team of experts will now also be looking for The Greatest Christmas Pet Sales Team.
Sponsored by Petface, the award will be presented at The Greatest Christmas Party on January 10th in Harrogate to the garden centre pet teams that demonstrate the best
Pet Care Christmas team work and sales ideas.
Feedback so far this season is that Christmas Pet Care is selling extraordinarily well. At Baytree Garden Centre they have already sold out of Pet Advent Calenders and have just placed their third order to re-stock Christmas dog jumpers.
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As part of The Greatest Christmas Awards, garden centres get the chance to vote for the supplier they feel has been their Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year.To make you nomination and vote, please send an e-mail today to: thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk with your name, garden centre name and your job title, telling us who is your Greatest Christmas Supplier of the year, what they do that makes them great and what is the thing they do best. The results of The Greatest Christmas Awards will be announced at The Greatest Christmas Awards Party on Sunday January 10th 2016 in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate. To book your tickets please call The Greatest Christmas Awards on 01733 775700.
Pictured: The current Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year Premier Decorations receiving their award.
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Tickets are now on sale for GTN’s The Greatest Christmas Awards Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations.
Come and join us for the party of the year in Harrogate on Sunday 10th January 2016. A three course meal with reception drinks and wine is followed by the awards presentations and dancing to a live band. Early Bird ticket prices have been held at last year’s levels: £80 plus VAT per person with discounts for bookings of 3 or more tickets.
It’s the ideal opportunity to combine a buying trip to the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show with a great night out in the company of industry friends and Greatest Award winners.
Call The Greatest Awards team on 01733 775700 or e-mail harry.sinclair@tgcmc.co.uk for Early Bird booking today.
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Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends) West Horsley KT24 6AR Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing. We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead. An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards. You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area. You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site. To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
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Your opportunity to join a forward thinking, fast growing business. This is a key “front-line” position, directly connecting and working with the Vivid Arts customer base (and sales-force) to ensure individual customer display and turnover goals are achieved. You will be required to merchandise product and assist in creating customer displays to best display practice guidelines. A creative approach and the ability to “communicate, transfer and implement” successful merchandising initiatives are vital to the role. The ideal candidate will be :- - a highly organised, physically fit individual.
- preferably living on the East / South side of Manchester, ideally within 5 miles of the M60
- conscientious with the natural drive to maintain high standards in their daily work.
- computer literate
- willing and able to occasionally work away from home involving overnight stays
- proficient driver with a clean driving licence
Closing date for applications is Sunday 29th November. Interviews will take place locally in December. Initially, please submit a covering email and your CV to Paul McGuire : paul.mcguire@vividarts.co.uk
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We are a major importer / distributor of outdoor leisure furniture based in Oldbury, West Midlands. Our customers include large department store groups, garden centre groups and national food retailers.We have an immediate vacancy for an experienced Key Account Professional to manage a portfolio of 8 – 10 national accounts. The job will involve some overseas travel, mainly to S. E. Asia and attendance at our Oldbury head office for 2 – 3 days each week. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing and developing business with major retail accounts, preferably with Outdoor Living / Gardening products. Consideration will also be given to anybody currently working in a field sales position selling Outdoor / Conservatory furniture. The successful candidate can expect a substantial basic salary, bonus scheme and fully maintained company car. Initially, please email your cv, in complete confidence, to john.chester@a-mir.co.uk
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Bedding Department Head - Full Time including alternate weekends Twickenham TW2 5PA Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing. We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift. A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards. You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Twickenham Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area. You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.
To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
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Plantarea Horticultural Manager (ref:DS7779) Location: Berkshire
Salary: £18,000 - £24,000
Date: 10 Nov
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent 
Our client is a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales. They are proud of their heritage in the gardening industry and each and every one of their garden centres has its own identity and for this reason each of the garden centres is separately branded and the staff and customers are loyal to their centre.
They currently employ more than 5,000 people and some of their longest serving employees have been with the Group for more than 40 years. They offer their employees great opportunities to progress and are keen to meet great retailers and plants people who are looking for the next step in their career.
Customer service is of prime importance to everyone who works for them and they believe that better customer service is achieved by education. They have one of the best staff training scheme in the industry. It is based on practical training with experienced staff together with their own in-house E-Learning system which covers every part of the business.
Currently they are seeking an outstanding plants person / horticultural manager to manage their Plantarea.
The role
As Horticultural / Plantarea Manager you will take responsibility for one of the largest departments within the centre. As Horticulture / Plantarea Manager you will look after the day to day merchandising and maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating the team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre.
The candidate
For this role we are seeking a leader with superb retail experience to head this busy department. The plantarea is the focus point of any garden centre and your standards for customer service, merchandising and the little details that make a department special will make you stand out. Plant knowledge is essential but we are open minded about the level of academic qualification. Experience within a garden centre is desirable as is supervisory skills.
Apply here
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Contracts Manager Leeds Area (ref:DS7802) Location: West Yorkshire
Salary: £28,000 - £35,000
Date: 10 Nov
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is a leading Grounds Maintenance Company based in East Anglia who carry out a wide range of commercial contracts throughout the UK. They are currently seeking to recruit a Grounds Maintenance Contracts Manager for the North to oversee commercial contracts throughout this Region.
The role
Responsibilities will include
- Overseeing the implementation of contracts to strict deadlines and budgets
- Assisting in development and bidding for new works
- Liaison with clients
- Implementation and management of health & safety and quality procedures
- Supervision of Teams
- Maintaining contract files
- Reporting to the Regional Manager and Operations Director
The candidate
The ideal candidate will currently be employed in a similar role or be seeking to take their next step into a more senior management role.
The successful candidate should hold a relevant horticultural or landscape qualification
A full driving license is essential.
They should also have significant experience in managing commercial contacts and be able to give superb customer service to clients.
Ideal candidate should be based in the Leeds, Bradford or Manchester Area.
Salary range: £28-32,000 - dependent on experience
Apply here
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Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends) Stanmore HA7 3JF Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing. We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. Stanmore is a thriving site in a busy suburb of North London, winner of GCA category awards, also featuring a large Pets & Aquatics department and cafe. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards. You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Stanmore Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area. You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.
To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
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Garden Centre Sundries Shop Manager (ref:DS7775)
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £20,000 - £24,000
Date: 10 Nov
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales. They are proud of their heritage in the gardening industry and each and every one of their garden centres has its own identity and for this reason each of the garden centres is separately branded and the staff and customers are loyal to their centre.
They currently employ more than 5,000 people and some of their longest serving employees have been with the Group for more than 40 years. They offer their employees great opportunities to progress and are keen to meet great retailers and plants people who are looking for the next step in their career.
Customer service is of prime importance to everyone who works for them and they believe that better customer service is achieved by education. They have one of the best staff training scheme in the industry. It is based on practical training with experienced staff together with their own in-house E-Learning system which covers every part of the business.
Currently they are seeking an outstanding garden sundries retail manager to manage their Shop area
The role
As Garden Sundries Retail Manager you will be part of an exciting chapter and you will join a cutting edge Garden Sundries Department. The ideal candidate will have a background in garden centre retail with excellent garden sundries product knowledge from seeds to clothing. They will manage seasonal changes and have the ability to present and merchandise their department to the highest standard.
The candidate
Team leadership skills are essential as is the ability to communicate well with customers delivering excellent standards of customer care. Working in a busy retail team environment means you will have to have a hands-on approach to all duties within this department.
If you are passionate about Garden Sundries and would enjoy sharing this enthusiasm with our client's customers, we would love to hear from you.
Apply here
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Allensmore Nurseries has announced the appointment of Andrew Henry who has joined the company in the newly created role of General Manager. In his new role, Andrew will be responsible for leading the further development and implementation of operational efficiencies and best practices across all areas of Production, Quality Control, Dispatch and Delivery. Andrew moves to Allensmore from Farplants where he was a director and ran two of their production sites. Mark Taylor, MD, Allensmore Nurseries Ltd., said, “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the Allensmore team. He not only brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the company but also valuable experience in plant production and despatch processes, all of which is vital to support our recent capacity expansion and to ensure we at Allensmore continue to provide our customers with the finest, most innovative products, supported by the highest levels of service.”
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The growth of Christmas in garden centres came under the scrutiny of BBC Radio 4’s ‘You & Yours’ programme on Friday (27 Feb). The presenter, Geoff Bird, took a light-hearted look at festive displays in two north-west garden centres, quizzing Sally Cornelisson at Burleydam GC on Merseyside about fibre-optic pink gerberas and illuminated gingerbread families, and hearing Guy Topping of Barton Grange GC near Preston reveal Santa Claus’s predilection for cruising on the Lancaster Canal. The item centred on the GCA’s Christmas competition, the results of which will be announced at the association’s annual conference in January. Asked by Bird if plants were being forgotten in the rush to buy baubles, GCA standards inspector Andy Campbell said live Christmas trees remained popular at a time of year when there was less gardening activity. Cornelisson said Christmas now accounted for 20% of turnover. Before they started developing the Christmas offer, the centre used to have to lay people off because there were no customers coming through the door. Guy Topping told Bird Christmas was now the busiest time of year, with sales representing 15% of annual turnover. “Gardening isn’t selling at this time of year so we have lot of spare capacity to create these wonderful displays,” he said. “It’s like something from a film,” said Bird.
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Titchmarsh evening raises £3,000 for soldiers' charity
A special Evening with Alan Titchmarsh event was held in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) The Soldiers’ Charity and was sponsored by The Gardens Group, with additional support from Gillingham-based Orchard Park..
With gardening-themed hymn parodies, potted poetry and amusing anecdotes, gardener, broadcaster and novelist, Alan Titchmarsh, had the audience enthralled at The Crown Hotel in Blandford.
The special Evening with Alan Titchmarsh event was in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) The Soldiers’ Charity and was sponsored by The Gardens Group, with additional support from Gillingham-based Orchard Park.
In the true spirit of the event, the two garden centre businesses joined forces to help raise a total of £3,000 for the charity, which was set up in 1944 to support serving soldiers, veterans and their families.
Pictured: L-R Richard East, chairman of Dorset ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Sue Hardy and Richard Cumming, directors of Orchard Park, Alan Titchmarsh and Louise and Mike Burks, managing directors of The Gardens Group.
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Christmas is on schedule to be a record breaker with sales in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Top 50 up 7% last week year on year to make our volume sales index up 3.4% year on year.
Notable chart movers this week are Christmas sweets, robin decorations and magic snow – even though we’ve had a cold snap people are having to use imitations rather than have the real stuff!
Some of the star performers this week include:
- Swift Robin Decoration on a clip is the highest climber, moving up 25 places to No 4.
- The highest re-entry is Teleview Marketing Magic Snow at No 23.
- The highest new entry is Premier Tree Decorations Colpour Your Own Characters at No 25.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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There’s much more growing going on, even in November
Even though it’s the middle of November, growing activity is running way ahead of normal for the time of year. GTN Bestsellers Growing Media products Top 50 sales volumes were up 27% on that same week last year and 26% up on 2013 levels...
Even though it’s the middle of November, growing activity is running way ahead of normal for the time of year. GTN Bestsellers Growing Media products Top 50 sales volumes were up 27% on that same week last year and 26% up on 2013 levels.
That means our year to date volume index is up nearly 6%, more good news for gardening activity levels of interest for next year!
Star performers this week include:
- Arthur Bowers John Innes No 3 (25 litres) is the highest climber, moving up 23 places to No 21.
- Westland Gro-Sure Peat Free All Purpose Compost with 4 month feed (50 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 30
- Another product returning to the Top 50 is Shamrock Irish Moss Peat (75 litres).
- There’s no change at the top where Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes (56 litres) is the bestselling item.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Hosts of choirs will raise their voices in a tuneful charity event to raise funds in support of Worcestershire hospices.
Visitors are being encouraged to come along and enjoy the festive sounds and sights of Christmas at the free event at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold on Thursday, 3rd December.
The choir-a-thon takes place between 3pm and 7.15pm. Children’s and adult choirs will sing for 30 minutes in the award-winning garden centre during the Webbs’ Festive Food Fayre.
Webbs has pledged £1,000 to be split between the firm’s five chosen hospice charities in exchange for choirs to sing for customers.
The first choir to raise their voices will be from The Elms School in Malvern, followed by pupils from the Downs School, Colwall; the St Richard’s Singers who are volunteers and staff from the Worcester hospice; the Artrix Choir, Bromsgrove and rounding off with the Little Witley Community choir.
It is hoped generous customers will also make donations to the hospices – St Richard’s, Primrose, Acorns, Kemp and Mary Stevens – to boost the £1,000 donation from Webbs.
Webbs Chairman Ed Webb said: “We are delighted that so many choirs wished to share their wonderful voices with our customers. We support our chosen hospice charities throughout the year but look forward to giving them this extra donation at Christmas when they work so hard to make it a special time for patients and their families.”
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The Westland Lawn Academy has added extra spaces to its training sessions due to unprecedented demand from the garden centre industry. At Glee, Westland announced a 5 date tour of the UK and Ireland offering FREE lawncare training sessions, starting in Peterborough on January 14 and ending in Dublin on February 24.
The academy will follow the consumer journey all the way from product education to problem solving and merchandising guidance. It aims to help participants speak confidently to shoppers and offer clear and accurate lawn guidance and solutions.
Training sessions will be held in the following locations: Peterborough – 14 January, 2016 – Westland Merchandising Centre Taunton –21 January, 2016 – Monkton Elm Garden Centre Preston – 28 January, 2016 – Barton Grange Garden Centre – THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL Edinburgh – 16 February, 2016 – St Johnston Football Club, Perth Dublin – 24 February, 2016 – Carton House Hotel
Daniela Constantine, Brand Manager for lawncare at Westland said: “We’re delighted by the response, as this goes to show just how much this type of training is wanted by the industry. “We believe that business partnership and garden centre staff are key to lawncare participation. The right customer engagement can really affect your turnover at the point of sale.” Sign up online at http://trade.gardenhealth.com/ or email lawnacademy@westlandhorticulture.com. Closing date for entries is Monday 30 November.
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 Town & Country has appointed Andrea Litchfield to the position of marketing executive.
Andrea brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked within a marketing and communications environment for the past eight years, most recently as digital marketing manager for a specialist travel company, as well as previous journalistic roles across national print and local broadcast media. At Town & Country she will have responsibilities across a range of marketing roles that will cover the day to day operation of the website, including updating products and graphical changes, as well as sourcing content for the blog and newsletters; new product development; creating eye-catching marketing and sales support material – advertisements, POS, packaging and exhibition graphics - as well as continuing the development of the company’s social media presence. Comments Andrea: “With the recent revitalisation of the brand that Town & Country has undertaken it is a very exciting time to be joining the company. I am looking forward to building on the success of the rebranding exercise and developing further opportunities for one of the industry’s most respected names.” Barry Page, Town & Country chief executive says: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure someone as experienced and talented as Andrea for this important role. With her grounding in marketing disciplines, her flair for design and eye for detail, she is just the person we need to take our invigorated brand presence into the wider retail arena.”
For further information contact Town & Country on 01530 830990 or email info@townandco.com. See the full range of products at www.townandco.com.
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Gardman supports Healthy Profits Roadshow
Gardman is among a raft of leading industry suppliers supporting a series of one-day training events organised by former Garden Centre Association inspector Liz Hutson...
Gardman is among a raft of leading industry suppliers supporting a series of one-day training events organised by former Garden Centre Association inspector Liz Hutson.The ‘Grow Your Own Profits’ roadshow sessions, running over February and March next year, are designed to help garden centres maximize sales of bulbs, seeds, plants, garden sundries, irrigation and bird care. A key aim is to increase footfall and average spend, particularly in core gardening, via as many channels as possible. Topics will include: - Why sales of core garden products and many plants fail to reach their full potential, despite customer demand
- How to target customers of all ages and abilities, using internal and external means
- Training for appropriate plant and product groups with quick and easy references to rapidly increase staff knowledge and enthusiasm
- Thinking outside the box
- Making the most of all resources and opportunities
- Implementing a sustainable and realistic strategy
The courses are intended for planteria and sundries staff, owners, managers and marketing employees. Delegates will take away a comprehensive set of training materials. Liz Hutson says core garden products remain something of a mystery to many customers. “While many other departments may be peaking in terms of potential, there is still a long way to go in order to make the most of the sales opportunities in core gardening in most centres” She adds: “Improving product knowledge and increasing staff motivation and confidence will have a marked impact on the bottom line and if this is combined with better internal and external communication with the consumer, it can only enhance sales further and help centres make the most of every square metre of selling space.” Gardman’s Director of Business Development, Lolly Lee, said: “As leading suppliers of core gardening and bird care products, Gardman had no hesitation in offering its support for Liz’s initiative. Good product knowledge helps staff to engage with customers and improve the retail experience, and we believe garden centres will find this a great way to up their game.” Dates and venues: - Maidstone – 16 February (Marriott Tudor Park)
- Guildford – 18 February (Barnett Hill Hotel & Conference Centre)
- Cambridge – 23 February (Menzies Hotel)
- Birmingham – 25 February (Holiday Inn)
- Chester – 29 February (Carden Park Hotel)
- Perth – 2 March (Murrayshall House Hotel)
Prices start at £70 plus VAT per delegate (depending on numbers) for early bird booking. Lunch, refreshments and all course materials are included. Garden centres may book via a special HTA mailing, direct through Liz Hutson (01531 631592, liz.hutson@ledburybband.co.uk) or online at www.bookwhen.com/growprofits
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Wyevale Nurseries plans for the future
Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford has this month collected more than a tonne of acorns from some renowned mature oak trees in the area so they can be planted for future generations to enjoy...
Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford has this month collected more than a tonne of acorns from some renowned mature oak trees in the area so they can be planted for future generations to enjoy.
Wyevale Nurseries has collected the nuts from Dymock, where mature oaks planted more than 100 years ago are much sought after as a seed source, and will be growing them on in the spring for people to re-plant.
Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford, said: “So far we have collected more than a tonne of acorns ready for storage overwinter and then spring sowing. The young trees will be ready for planting from autumn 2016 onwards.
“By collecting our own seeds, we are able to register their provenance, which is vitally important to the conservation of British varieties. Provenance certification is often requested on landscaping schemes for sound ecological reasons – sourcing native plants to fit in with native flora.
“Not only are we preserving traditional British trees but also providing landscapers and garden designers with local provenance trees which have not travelled hundreds of miles, will digest CO2 as well as roosting hundreds of mini bugs. These trees will enhance tomorrow’s world.”
Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.
Adam added: “We also had an excellent harvest of native seeds including Quercus, which are now tucked away in the cold store for stratification. When we get them out in the spring they should be primed ready for rapid germination.”
Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1930 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.
The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.
The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.
For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200, visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk, follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WyevaleNurs or log on to www.facebook.com/WyevaleNurs.
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 Will Burberry, Gardenscapes, has been announced as ‘Best in the UK’ in landscaping gardening after winning gold at the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) WorldSkills UK final.
Mark Chapelhow, Wildroof Landscapes took silver, and Noel Taggart, CAFRE, took bronze.
The APL WorldSkills final took place last week from 19-21 November at the NEC in Birmingham. Over the four days, one of which being a training/prep day, the competitors had 16 hours to build a garden designed by head judge and technical lead Jody Lidgard.
Will spoke to us about how he felt after winning gold and said, “Words can’t describe how I’m feeling, I’m completely overwhelmed by it all. It was a really good competition this year as everyone was really equal in standards. I’m really pleased to have qualified for the chance to go to Abu Dhabi in 2017, I didn’t think I would at all.” Talking about the WorldSkills competitions, Will said, “Loads more people should be put forward for it. It’s been a really good experience right from the start.”
Speaking to Mark after he won his silver medal, he said, “I’m really pleased for Will, really happy with the result. It’s been a great experience and definitely has great value and brings the coverage and promotion needed for the industry.”
Having competed in knock out stages in May at Reaseheath College, Nantwich and Greenmount Campus, Northern Ireland, and the semi-finals at RHS Tatton Park Flower show in July, the final five had proven their skills to the judges to be in the running for the title of ‘Best in the UK’ at the Skills Show.
During the final they were marked on elements such as block paving, recessed drain covers, wood work (which included decking and fencing), planting, health and safety and the overall appearance throughout the three days. A new element was included this year which tested the competitor’s knowledge to name ten of the plants that were included in the gardens.
Overall, this year’s finalists included Will Burberry from Gardenscapes, Mark Chapelhow from Wildroof Landscapes, Christopher Shore from Reaseheath College, and Noel Taggart and Aaron Quin from CAFRE. Adam Ferguson also joined the competition, but was competing purely for a place on the international squad in Abu Dhabi in 2017.
Judges for the competition included: garden designer Jody Lidgard, who has run his own landscaping firm for over 18 years, 2011 WorldSkillsUK Silver medal winner, Simon Abbott and APL National Business Manager, Phil Tremayne. Colin McKnight, 2015 UK Training Manager for the International WorldSkills competition also dropped by to check out how the competitors were getting on.
Matt Beesley, Beesleys Landscapes, and Jonathan Gill, CAFRE, popped by during the final to show their support to the competitors. Matt and Jonathan were in the UK Squad this year for the Landscape Gardening competition, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and came home with silver medals.
The APL would like to thank sponsors Makita UK for supplying all of the tools and equipment for the competitors, Marshalls for all the paving and supplies, J A Jones for all the plants that were used within the gardens, Jewsons and British Sugar Topsoil for their support for the show.
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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.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 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 Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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.
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Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post 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.
Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Garden centre strikes gold with new coffee shop and restaurant
Strikes Garden Centre at Stokesley, North Yorkshire, has transformed its catering offering with the new Topiary Coffee Shop and Restaurant, which is three times the size of its former café. It’s part of the centre’s extensive redevelopment programme...
Strikes Garden Centre at Stokesley, North Yorkshire, has transformed its catering offering with the new Topiary Coffee Shop and Restaurant, which is three times the size of its former café. It’s part of the centre’s extensive redevelopment programme.“It has undergone a vast transformation,” said staff member Lauren Beeforth. “It is now three times the size it was before and is on a new site.” The Topiary Coffee Shop and Restaurant has plenty of things of tantalise every tastebud. It serves everything from a lazy breakfast to an indulgent afternoon tea, and home baking to daily specials. Food on the menu includes a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, steak ciabatta, homemade quiche and baked potatoes. Lauren said: “It looks great - we have had a great reaction so far from our regulars and new customers.”
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