Garden centre staff throughout the GCA East region are celebrating today after picking up awards during a presentation at Coton Orchard Garden Centre yesterday evening (Wednesday).

The Garden Centre of the Year winners were Perrywood Tiptree (above) in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category, Aylett Nurseries (below) for the Garden Centre (GC) category and Parker’s Garden Centre, for the Local Garden Centre (LGC).

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our East regional awards meeting was joyous. I’d like to thank everyone who attended. It was the last of our summer regional award meetings and it was a wonderful gathering of more than 50 people from our member garden centres in the area.

“We’re very grateful to our fabulous hosts for the evening – the team at Blue Diamond’s Coton Orchard Garden Centre. They gave us all a very warm welcome and provided some great hospitality.

“It was enlightening, during the evening, to hear our Inspector, Phil McCann’s feedback from his visits to this area’s centres. Members can now take his vital insights back to their centres, celebrate any wins, motivate their teams to maintain their current levels, or make any changes needed to attain higher standards next time.”

Phil was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the East area across a 12-week period where he made unannounced visits.

He said: “A great turnout from dedicated and committed GCA members in the East region for the pre-inspection event resulted in a great start to the inspection window.

“Every centre I visited displayed superb retail practice and customer service. Backed up with quality plants and gardening and lifestyle products resulting in the best experiences for customers and myself!

“I know that customer service is so important to the public and GCA garden centres put this to the forefront of their thinking. I witnessed superb customer service in many centres. Plus, I got to sample some great cakes and the coffee was even better! It was a great inspection year, revealing some very high standards.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the East region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

DCG

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond
3. Scotsdales Garden Centre

GC

1. Aylett Nurseries
2. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
3. Meadow Croft Garden Centre

LGC

1. Parker’s Garden Centre (above)
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
3. Rutland Nursery

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre
3. Thurrock Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

• Parker’s Garden Centre

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

DCG

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
3. Bell Plantation

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Aylett Nurseries
3. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond
3. Brigg Garden Centre

GC

1. Aylett Nurseries
2. Sunshine Garden Centre
3. Thurrock Garden Centre

LGC

1. Parker’s Garden Centre
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
3. RHS Hyde Hall

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond
3. Brigg Garden Centre

GC

1. Thetford Garden Centre
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre
3. Thurrock Garden Centre

LGC

1. Rutland Nursery
2. Parker’s Garden Centre
3. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond
3. Scotsdales Garden Centre

GC

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre
3. Sunshine Garden Centre

LGC

1. Parker’s Garden Centre
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
3. British Garden Centres, Enfield

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Brigg Garden Centre
3. Bicester Avenue Garden Centre – Blue Diamond

GC

1. Yarnton Home & Garden
2. Squires Garden Centre, Shepperton
3. Aylett Nurseries

LGC

1. Rutland Nursery
2. Parker’s Garden Centre
3. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Brigg Garden Centre/ Scotsdales Garden Centre – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Bicester Avenue Garden Centre – Blue Diamond

GC

1. Aylett Nurseries
2. Thurrock Garden Centre /Sunshine – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Meadow Croft Garden Centre

LGC

1. Rutland Nursery
2. Parker’s Garden Centre
3. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose):

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond
3. Scotsdales Garden Centre

GC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre
3. Aylett Nurseries

LGC

1. Parker’s Garden Centre
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
3. RHS Hyde Hall

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

1. Bicester Avenue Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
2. Brigg Garden Centre
3. Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell – Blue Diamond

GC

1. Bell Plantation
2. Coton Orchard Garden Centre
3. Yarnton Home & Garden /Pennells Garden Centre, Lincoln – JOINT RUNNERS UP

LGC

1. Parker’s Garden Centre
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford

The Garden Centre Association’s North region members met on Tuesday at Strikes Stokesley Garden Centre for their Area Award presentations.

Destination Garden Centre of the Year, (DGC) was presented to Barton Grange (above), the Garden Centre (GC) award went to Fron Goch Garden Centre (below) and Local Garden Centre (LGC) to Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO said: “Our North area awards meeting was a triumph! Thank you to all our members who joined us for the event and who brought along their teams too. It was wonderful to see everyone. More than 50 people came along to hear what our Inspector Gordon Emslie had to say and to take on board all his feedback, as well as to celebrate the area’s award wins.

“Well done to all those centres who scooped awards this year. We’re indebted to the team at Strikes Stokesley Garden Centre for hosting us and to Gordon for visiting the centres and presenting his findings in such a great way. It was great to see so many people taking notes to report back to their centres too.”

Gordon made unannounced visits to member garden centres in the North area across a 12-week period.

He said: “Yet another season where GCA member garden centres have excelled in their delivery of operational standards and customer service. I have again witnessed some outstanding levels of merchandising consistency, which in my view is not seen in other areas of retailing at present.

“This was demonstrated with 50% of centres visited this year achieving the ‘highly commended’ award for scoring 75% or more. Despite all the economic challenges and inconsistency with the weather, the industry yet again showcases what it does best by setting outstanding standards for customers.

“Every centre should be very proud of what it has achieved. I’d encourage members to embrace the inspection process fully moving forward, then they can look ahead and drive their businesses on in a positive manner.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the North region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

 DCG

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall
3. Cowell’s Garden Centre

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside (above)
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Livingston

 The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity:

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Simpsons Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

• Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Fron Goch Garden Centre
3. Gordale Garden Centre

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Barton Grange Garden Centre

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: 

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall
2. Simpsons Garden Centre
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont

LGC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens

 The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Gordale Garden Centre
3. Barton Grange Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
3. Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre 

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens
2. Thirsk Garden Centre, British Garden Centres, Bolton, Woodworks Garden Centre & Café & RHS Bridgewater – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Creative Gardens Bushmills

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Gordale Garden Centre/Hayes Garden Centre – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Barton Grange Garden Cent

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stokesley
3. Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside/Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield/ Woodworks Garden Centre & Café – JOINT WINNERS

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Simpsons Garden Centre
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall

LGC

1. RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop/Klondyke Garden Centre, Beverley – JOINT WINNERS
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Livingston

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Hayes Garden Centre
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Cowells Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall
3. Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre

LGC

1. RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop/Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside/Klondyke Garden Centre, Weaver Vale – JOINT WINNERS
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Beverley/Harrogate/Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield – JOINT RUNNERS UP

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): 

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Cowell’s Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Livingston
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Weaver Vale

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home/Barton Grange Garden Centre – JOINT WINNERS
2. Tong Garden Centre
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Mortonhall
3. Simpsons Garden Centre

LGC – please note, there are only two garden centres in this category

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Beverley
2. Dunbar Garden Centre

In its July Market Update, the Horticultural Trades Association reports that challenging trading conditions for garden centres continued in June 2024. Despite a general improvement in consumer confidence, ongoing adverse wet weather significantly affected sales in core gardening categories. 

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented: “In June 2024, we saw a 3% decrease in garden centre sales compared to June 2023. The bad weather has been a common theme for 2024. Sunshine hours in June, which are always critical to sales performance, were at just 72% of the levels for June 2023—days which also saw rainfall increase compared to 2023, making for challenging trading in garden categories. There isn’t anything that we can do as the HTA to change the weather, but what we can and are going to do is champion the importance of our sector to the new government to ensure they put in place policies and regulations that will help mitigate the effects of this volatile weather and ask that they review the funding available to SMEs to adapt to our ever-changing climate.

“Sales in core gardening ranges and plants always bear the brunt of poor weather, and we are seeing that after the first six months of the year, sales of bedding plants are down 2% compared with the first six months of 2023, with hardy plants and trees down 7%. Specifically, bedding plants saw an 11% drop in sales in June, while hardy plants and trees experienced a 7% decline. Garden furniture sales were also notably impacted, falling by 38% compared to June 2023, with the summer scent of barbecues significantly absent -5%.

“In contrast, indoor ranges and non-gardening categories continued to perform strongly. Catering sales surged by 16% year-on-year, food and farm shop sales increased by 22%, and wild bird care saw a significant boost, with sales up by 23%.

“Consumer confidence in June 2024 improved for the third consecutive month, reaching -14, the highest score since November 2021. This increase is attributed to a falling inflation rate and a more optimistic view of the country's general economic situation.

"While the adverse weather has undoubtedly impacted our core gardening sales, the robust performance of indoor and non-gardening categories shows that garden centres remain a vital destination for consumers. We are optimistic that the rising consumer confidence and strategic focus on upcoming seasonal ranges will bolster sales in the coming months. With better weather finally being forecast and people keen to spend more time outdoors in their gardens, there is cautious optimism about recovering some of the lost ground. We hope that the July weather improves significantly.” 

For further details on the June 2024 market performance, please refer to our website's full HTA Market Update report available to HTA members.

Promoting bigger, healthier, and happier plants and produce, Organic Superfood liquid feeds has started its debut season well, with gardening retailers reporting positive sales results for the value-added ecofective® range. 

From farm to family

Originating from a UK farm, Organic Superfood feeds are a by-product of anaerobic digestion, a process wherein microorganisms decompose organic matter without oxygen, yielding biogas and digestate. The biogas is exported back to the national grid in the form of sustainable energy, powering over 2000 homes and businesses.  Where the digestate, abundant in nutrients, serves as an outstanding natural fertiliser for our ecofective Organic Superfood liquid feeds. These feeds are also infused with organic seaweed plus natural humic acids (present in traditional farm manure) to make the Organic Superfood formulation, a truly wonderful addition for optimum plant and soil health.

As a result, Organic Superfood provides plants, fruit and veg with everything they need to thrive in a truly organic way. With no nasty ingredients the family friendly range is child and pet safe, wildlife friendly and kinder to the planet. 

The right choice for the planet

ecofective® are proud to develop products that enable gardeners to make the right choice for both their plants and the planet. The new Organic Superfood liquid range is available in an 800ml bottle and a brand new 1.2 litre flexible pouch that uses up to 70% less plastic compared to that of a rigid plastic bottle. The flexible pouch offers significant advantages: it’s more compact and lightweight than a rigid bottle and consumes less energy throughout its lifecycle. This includes reduced energy usage in manufacturing, transportation to production sites, delivery to stores, and users’ homes. Less plastic material used also results in less waste to collect, sort and recycle!

As well as reducing plastic consumption, ecofective® Organic Superfood reduces the reliance on synthetic fertilisers, which can have negative impacts on the environment. As a result, the vegan-friendly feeds are supporting healthier ecosystems creating happy plants and a happy planet! 

Great results, even better value

Originating from the award-winning Organic Superfood powdered feed, Organic Superfood liquid feeds provide gardeners with increased crop yields and bigger brighter blooms, due to its support in root development and during stress conditions such as heat, drought and over watering. 

ecofective® Organic Superfood for All Plants is a concentrate formula that provides healthy vibrant flowers and bumper crops of fruit and vegetables to include peppers and chillies. 

ecofective® Organic Superfood for Tomatoes is also a concentrate solution that encourages the plants to take up nutrients quickly, giving results sooner, for happier, healthier, tastier tomatoes. This formula can also be used on other fruit and veg.

As well as offering highly effective plant feeds, ecofective® Organic Superfood 1.2 litre pouches are supplied as a value-added launch promotion with 50% extra formula (RRP £7.99) providing up to 50 watering cans of feed in total. The 50% extra promotion also features on ecofective® Organic Seaweed, a natural growth stimulant for all plants. The 50% extra deal is highlighted on pack and point of sale options, meaning the special offer can be easily seen by shoppers in store. With impactful weatherproof packaging retailers can ensure vibrant instore presence when merchandised indoors and in outdoor environments.

Join the ecofective® revolution, a brand that is safer for families, good for garden wildlife and kinder to the planet. Speak to the Sipcam Home & Garden team today to find out how you can become a stockist of Organic Superfood Liquid Feeds - enquiries@sipcamhg.co.uk.

Corby + Fellas has announced a new partnership, one of many in the next few months, this time with Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre.

The Garden Centre is based in Rochford, and offers an extensive range of quality plants, seeds, bulbs, providing you with all that you need to make your garden stunning. In addition, Scott’s Kitchen offers an extensive range for breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and Sunday Roasts – and as well as the large restaurant, it is complimented by a beautiful garden for you to enjoy your meal, all brought to your table. Online booking is available and recommended.

Scott’s backyard offers a wonderful range of BBQ’s, furniture, and food, and offers a wide selection of events.

This was the second phase of WinRetail being implemented to the EAF (Essex Animal Feeds) Group, after implementing the system at the groups three pet stores in Essex, earlier this year.

In addition to the Standard WinRetail Core, Corby + Fellas will be providing Scott’s with our powerful CRM+, Customer Experience APP, DigiTickets integration, and Sage 200 interface, as well as the new Restaurant Table Service Application, with Pin on Glass.

Kara Webb, FD, who managed the project with C+F’s Matt Chrisostomou said “The project has been run very well from start to finish. Matt took the time to understand the needs of the business on both projects and to find solutions that worked for us. I can see that WinRetail will help to improve our efficiency and reduce manual data input. We look forward to using the capabilities of the system to improve and grow our businesses”

We look forward to a long-standing partnership with Scott, Kara, and the Scott’s of Southend team.

After the ups and downs of the Euros, Skylark Garden Centre in Cambridgeshire have switched their summer promotions to the upcoming Olympics in Paris with the design of their Maize Maze using the Team GB logo.

That got the GTN Xtra team wondering about other garden centre Olympic related promotions.  Will anybody be bringing back the Little Chef style "Olympic Breakfast"?  

We are sure you've all got better ideas than that.  If you do, send in a photo to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk and we'll publish the ideas over the next few weeks.

Graham Spencer, of Plants for Europe has contacted GTN Xtra to say:  "As an intellectual property agent, I feel I should remind your readers that the International Olympic Committee is very protective of their trademarks. Anyone considering a promotion based around the Olympics should be very careful not to infringe the IOC trademarks, which include the Olympic rings. And they can afford better lawyers than the rest of us.

"But an “Olympic breakfast” would probably be ok!"

That prompted us to investigate the once famous "Olympic Breakfast" and we found a web site called Olympic Breakfast | Little Chef Wiki – Fandom https://littlechef.fandom.com/wiki/Olympic_Breakfast which even lists the ingredients:

"The Olympic Breakfast was, in the chain's later years, Little Chef's largest breakfast. It included:

• Two rashers of back bacon.
  -  A British sausage.
  -  Two griddle fried eggs. 
  -  Mushrooms (the breakfast was originally served with sliced or whole cup mushrooms, but in the late 00s they were replaced with a whole field mushroom)
  -  Sautéed potatoes
  -  A griddled tomato
  -  Baked beans (these weren't included on some occasions)
  -  At one point, a small steak was included
  -  There was also the choice of fried bread or toast on request."

Graham has since looked up the Olympic Trademark and tells us: "it covers class 30, which is most foods (and class 31, which is plants), but the list of goods does not include meals or breakfast – so it may be that Little Chef did not have an agreement.

"But they didn’t use any of the official symbols or logos, as I recall. And that’s what the IOC is really protective of.

"And no black pudding!"

‘A great event all round’ was the verdict from timber garden furniture and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest on SOLEX 2024. The company won Best Small Stand at Solex and Best New Individual Product for the Terraza Kitchen.  

Head of Commercial Development, Simon Davison commented, “If the Individual Product category win wasn’t enough, we’re also thrilled with the best small stand award.  We also saw some great customers old and new to cement our Solex success.”

Zest was unveiling its ‘at one with nature’ outdoor entertaining collection at Solex, which includes the already hugely popular Terraza outdoor kitchen.  The whole range is aimed squarely at the garden leisure category buyer.

Zest’s Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Range offers everything the consumer needs from a kitchen outdoors and blends beautifully into the natural environment – and with an RRP of £999 for the set it has a very attractive price. The units can be purchased individually, or as a set comprising two double units with stainless steel counter tops, plus an open display corner unit. There is also an optional side table.  Category judge, Richard Truscott from Almondsbury Garden Centre said: “Affordable outdoor kitchen that is well built. A lovely addition to any garden. A great upsell and margin opportunity.”

Alongside the rest of the Zest outdoor entertaining range, the Terraza is supported by a fabulous retail marketing package.  Kiln-dried display products are available for in store display, perfect for positioning adjacent to the BBQ, Pizza Oven and alfresco cooking areas.  There is also imagery and video material to support stockists in engaging consumers. 

Zest is promoting the cooking and entertaining collection in national consumer magazines in a Spring and Summer campaign as well as in digital media to build brand awareness and sign post customers to stockists and online retailers.

Simon Davison continued: “‘We are delighted to have won both awards and I would like to say well done to our teams not only for the launch of the outdoor entertaining range and the Terraza but also for the dedication devoted to creating a stand at Solex that is in itself award-winning, and showcases the Zest outdoor entertaining range brilliantly.”

Zest’s new managing director, Andrew Baker added: “The show has been fantastic for Zest, and our success on all fronts has been down to our huge commitment to understanding what todays’ consumers want, designing product accordingly, and then providing garden and leisure retailers with the right marketing support tools to sell successfully, which show feedback demonstrates they are.

“The overarching theme is guilt-free ‘at one with nature’ enjoyment of the outdoor space and the whole collection is made from sustainable slow-grown softwood sourced from PEFC certified (PEFC/16-37-1490) forests.”

Zest sells to garden centres, online retailers, and major UK groups - visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk for more information.

During Net Zero Week, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reflects on the clean energy generated and the total carbon saved during the first year since its solar panel installation.

Since the solar panels were turned on at the HTA, over 45,000 kWh of clean energy has been generated, saving 9.36 tonnes of CO2e – this is the same as powering more than 16 average UK homes for a whole year! (Source: Ofgem)

The HTA has only consumed just over 39,500 kWh, meaning any excess energy has been exported to the national grid for continued use of clean energy. For the past year, 23% of the total energy consumed at the HTA office has been generated through clean energy sources.
 

David Denny, Director of Research and Insights said: “The reduced emissions and savings from our solar panels are a testament to thework of our Green Team, who led the work from initial business case to delivery. We see this as very much a first step on our sustainability journey though, with many more exciting employee and member inspired initiatives still to come that we are incredibly excited about.”
 

Net Zero Week is the UK’s official national awareness week to bring together all stakeholders needed to reach net zero by 2050, and to ensure Britain’s energy is both secure and affordable. The importance of UK environmental horticulture in the pursuit of a net zero future has been recognised and actively supported by the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee Inquiry and the HTA welcomed its wide-ranging report.

At the beginning of the year, the HTA also published The Environmental Horticulture Manifesto which urged the future government to review regulations to ensure proportionality, allowing UK businesses to transition to net zero and deliver on growth targets, whilst being competitive and viable.
 

Many HTA members have taken great strides in sustainability, such as reducing their carbon footprints, eliminating the use of mains water where possible, exploring their options for electric vehicles, and building meaningful change into their business plans.

For example, The Gardens Group have installed solar panels, air source heat pumps and biomass generators to reduce the use of energy from the grid, while harvesting rainwater to reduce reliance on mains water.

HTA members of all sizes are encouraged to take the Sustainability Pledge to show their support for the HTA Sustainability Roadmap. You can read more about Sustainability Reference Sites and various actions our members are taking on the road to net zero on the HTA website.

Mark the 26th June 2025 in your diaries now, as you will not want to miss the Greenfingers Charity’s Floral Ball, a truly special event to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary.

This exclusive event will bring together many friends and special guests of Greenfingers for a glittering celebration of the charity’s achievements, made possible thanks to all those who have supported its work for the last 25 years.  

In this time, Greenfingers has created almost 70 gardens in children’s hospices the length and breadth of the country, gardens that have played a hugely important role in the lives of thousands of life-limited children and their families. From providing vital access to nature and the great outdoors to places of memorial and remembrance, a Greenfingers garden is so much more than grass and plants. It’s the heart of the hospice, a treasure trove of memories and a place where the children can be children.

The venue for this very special occasion is the stunning Coombe Abbey, a 12^th Century historic hotel set in the Warwickshire Countryside.   

Speaking about the event, Greenfingers Chair Elect, Boyd Douglas-Davies, said: “When I think back to the initial launch of the charity it is wonderful to reflect on how much it has achieved. This celebration, and it will be a great celebration, of all the supporters and gardens will also be the perfect launch pad for the next 25 years. I hope to see you there on June 26^th 2025!”

More details about the Greenfingers Floral Ball will be shared over the coming months, including the many ways you can support the event and put your brand in front of guests and in the spotlight.

The Greenfingers team hope you will mark the date in your diary and look forward to you joining them next year.

To learn more about the Greenfingers Charity please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK.  The charity is committed to creating, beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.  To date Greenfingers Charity has created almost 70 inspiring gardens in children’s hospices around the country and has a further waiting list of hospices that need help.

Kent & Stowe is renowned for its high-quality tools that help gardeners achieve extraordinary results. The brand is committed to designing gardening tools that feature exceptional attention to detail to deliver unrivalled performance. 

Innovation based on understanding 

To gain a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour, Kent & Stowe recently commissioned a comprehensive research study in the UK. The findings revealed a significant gap in customer satisfaction and tool usage: 63% of gardeners are frustrated by their current tools, and over 50% of consumers haven’t upgraded their tools in more than five years. This insight highlights the need for innovation and improved user experiences in the garden tool market, and the right education can encourage shoppers to upgrade their tools. 

In response to these insights, Kent & Stowe is gearing up to launch its largest ever communications campaign in 2025 that highlights the SureCut Collection. The collection is designed to make a significant difference in the efficiency, precision, and comfort of gardeners' cutting tasks.

Displays designed for education 

To address the frustration of selecting the right tool and to bring the communications campaign to life in store, Kent & Stowe has developed user-friendly display stands that guide shoppers in choosing the right tool for their needs. The displays educate gardeners on the differences between snips, anvil and bypass secateurs, and loppers, simplifying the decision-making process. Selecting the right secateurs for instance, ensures a clean cut that promotes plant health and growth, minimising stress on plants and reducing the risk of disease. Whereas the wrong tool could crush stems and stunt growth, making it highly important to educate at the point of purchase. 

Extraordinary tools

Kent & Stowe is renowned for its extraordinary tools, and the SureCut All Purpose Extra Power Loppers are designed with performance and comfort in mind.  The loppers have been thoughtfully engineered with the unique Reflex Energy System, which results in maximum comfort with minimum effort. The rubber bumpers are designed to absorb shock and promote a gentle rebound, which significantly reduces the jarring sensation for a comfortable and ergonomic experience that also ensures enhanced durability.  The loppers can effortlessly prune live, green wood and branches up to 35mm, and also feature telescopic handles that provide extended reach. 

The smaller tools in the SureCut collection also feature superior craftsmanship, such as the All Purpose Lite Secateurs, which offer a precise, clean cut every time. The blade is engineered from SK5 carbon steel, so the secateurs will effortlessly slice through green, live wood as well as flowers and shrubs. The die cast aluminium handles feature a BI-material micro hex grip making them supremely comfortable and easy to use. They’re also suitable for everyone, with a central lock for left or right-handed use, as well as an adjustable hand sizer.

Designed in the UK, the SureCut range is the result of two years of in-house design, innovation, and engineering, focused entirely on exceeding the needs of gardeners. Each tool in the SureCut range also has a bolted construction, which means the grips are replaceable, and at the end of the product’s life, the aluminium handles can even be recycled. The range also offers a five-year guarantee, underscoring its quality and durability.

Natalie Searle, Head of Marketing & Communications, Hardware Division, for Kent & Stowe, commented: “Understanding shopper behaviour surrounding tools is helping us to create products that meet consumers' needs while discovering the best way to engage with gardeners. The SureCut collection, which combines traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering, is designed to meet the high standards of both retailers and their customers. By stocking the SureCut range, garden centres can offer top-tier cutting tools that enhance gardening efficiency, precision, and comfort, at an affordable price. With an easy-to-shop display, we are confident that the range will drive customer satisfaction and boost sales, making it a valuable addition to any garden centre’s inventory.”

The SureCut Collection not only addresses the frustrations revealed by the research but also sets a new standard for gardening tools, ensuring that every gardener can achieve extraordinary results with ease and comfort.

Contact your local sales representative to start stocking the Kent & Stowe SureCut range. In common with all Westland products, Kent & Stowe can be ordered 24/7 via Westland Live, and frequent top-ups are easy as part of a Westland weekly delivery.

Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset took first place in The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity at the Midlands, Wales and West GCA Awards.

As well as coming second in the Garden Centre of the Year award in the Garden Centre Category, Castle Gardens won The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability. This accolade is reflective of the efforts across all three of its garden centres, which include Brimsmore Gardens and Poundbury Gardens.

The houseplant department at Castle Gardens was also recognised as it took first place in the Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer in the Garden Centre Category and its furniture department came third place in the Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer in the Garden Centre Category.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains: “The Gardens Group did extraordinarily well at this year’s GCA awards with a total of seven awards being received across all three of our centres. We have an incredibly proactive, passionate and skilled team, who continue to innovate and make our garden centres a welcoming place for all, while considering our impact on the environment. Recognition like this is a real testament to their hard work and dedication and we will continue to evolve and innovate to help spread the word that gardening is a force for good when it comes to people and planet.”

Further awards came for The Gardens Group’s plantaria bedding and hardy plants at all three of its garden centres, as Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil came first in the Ruxley Rose competition and Poundbury Gardens came second in the Local Garden Centre category while Castle Gardens in Sherborne came first in the Garden Centre Category. All three garden centres will go through a second round of judging in September to determine the overall winners in the region.

Over the course of 12 weeks, GCA judge, Colin Farquhar made a number of unannounced visits to garden centres across the Midlands, Wales and West, before the final awards were announced at a presentation held at Melbicks Garden Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 July. This was the first year that the awards covered the Midlands, Wales and West and the first time the awards were split into three categories, Local Garden Centre, Garden Centre and Destination Garden Centre.

For more information about the GCA awards visit gca.org.uk.

As the seasons roll around, Taylors Bulbs are busy preparing for a busy Autumn season and at the same time, launching their new Spring 2025 catalogue incorporating summer flowering bulbs and grow your own products such as seed potatoes, onion sets and associated products.

One of the highlights of Taylor’s Spring 2025 ranges is their re-vamped added value range. Ian Clark, National Accounts/Marketing Manager says “We are really pleased to be launching lots of new products for Spring 2025. Nearly half of our added value range is new for 2025 so it’s great for our sales team to be going out to see customers with lots of new products up their sleeves! All our added value products are again peat free and have been for the last 5 years; in fact, all products Taylors pack are peat free.”

Other notable new products for 2025 include Taylors Grow Your Own Garden Greats – this range comprises collections of Grow Your Own vegetables and includes 2 Seed Potato Collections plus Rhubarb and Asparagus collections. All in all, there are over 60 new products and varieties in the new Spring 2025 catalogue. Speak to your account manager for further details.

www.taylors-bulbs.com

Email: sales@taylors-bulbs.com

Tel. 01406 422266

Poundbury Gardens in Poundbury, Dorset has won Garden Centre of the Year at the Midlands, Wales and West Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards.

Coming first place in the Local Garden Centre Category for the Wales and West Region, the garden centre, which is part of The Gardens Group, was commended for its environmental and sustainability credentials as well as creating a welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience for customers.

The houseplant department at Poundbury Gardens was also recognised, as it took first place for the Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer in the Local Garden Centre Category, while its Giftware section scooped second place in the Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer, as well as The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer.

Jon Nash, manager of Poundbury Gardens, explains: “This is a fantastic achievement for our garden centre and is a testament to the team’s skill, enthusiasm and hard work across all departments. Working in a sustainable way and engaging with the local community is at the heart of everything we do at Poundbury Gardens and across The Gardens Group, so to be recognised on a regional level is truly special.”

Further awards came for The Gardens Group’s plantaria bedding and hardy plants at all three of its garden centres, as Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil came first in the Ruxley Rose competition and Poundbury Gardens came second in the Local Garden Centre category, while Castle Gardens in Sherborne came first in the Garden Centre Category. All three garden centres will go through to a second round of judging in September to determine the overall winners in the region.

Over the course of 12 weeks, GCA judge, Colin Farquhar made a number of unannounced visits to garden centres across the Midlands, Wales and West, before the final awards were announced at a presentation held at Melbicks Garden Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 July. This was the first year that the awards covered the Midlands, Wales and West and the first time the awards were split into three categories, Local Garden Centre, Garden Centre and Destination Garden Centre.

Don’t miss out on your last chance to secure a free ticket for Handy LIVE 2024, where British garden machinery company Handy will be showcasing its extensive product ranges and highlighting its support for dealers.  Held at the prestigious Moulton Grange Country Estate in Northamptonshire on Thursday 5th September, tickets are limited to this popular event – only a few tickets remaining! 

Handy LIVE 2024 combines the latest expo on Handy’s garden machinery with a full day’s entertainment, whilst also providing guests with exclusive on-the-day offers and bespoke point-of-sale opportunities to help dealers/retailers maximise earning potential. 

Handy’s brands - Webb, The Handy, Greenworks and AVA – will be on display and available for guests to get hands on with.  This will include cordless, petrol, electric and hand powered lawnmowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, pole saws, chainsaws, blowers & vacuums, tillers, trolleys, spreaders, log splitters, pressure washers and more.  In an exclusive preview, the new Webb Eco 20V Cordless Battery range will also be launched on the day.   

Supported by gardening expert, Adam Woolcott in his latest You Tube video, which shares an insight into why dealers, retailers and buyers in the garden and DIY sectors should attend this prestigious trade event, live demonstrations from Adam and Tommy Cross (TV presenter) will be available throughout the day.  Plus, guests will have the chance to engage in a variety of entertaining outdoor activities, including air rifle shooting and axe throwing, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Moulton Grange Country Estate.  A selection of breakfast options, a buffet lunch and refreshing beverages will also be available to guests on the day. 

Mark Moseley, Handy’s Sales & Marketing Director, comments: “This event gives us a perfect and exciting opportunity to showcase our fantastic product range and highlight the extensive support and service we have in place to help dealers to get the most out of our products.” 

Tickets to this event are going fast. To register for free tickets to Handy LIVE 2024, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/handy-live-dealer-event-tickets-893685767187 or www.handys.co.uk

spoga+gafa is reacting to the industry's wishes and is changing its schedule. From 2025 onwards, the trade fair will no longer start on a Sunday, but will in future begin on Tuesday and end on Thursday. The dates for 2024 will be 24 to 26 June 2025 in Cologne. 

The majority of the national and international exhibitors as well as those visitor groups and associations approached asked for the schedule to be changed and as such for the Sunday to be excluded as the arrival or trade fair day. Starting on the Tuesday allows the participants to prepare themselves more readily for the trade fair and optimise their arrival.  

"We have taken the feedback of our exhibitors and visitors seriously and decided to alter the schedule to further improve the trade fair experience and the trade fair success of all parties involved," said Sebastian Rosito, Vice President Trade Fair of Koelnmesse. 

The 2024 edition of spoga+gafa that ended just recently once again confirmed its position as the most important platform for the global garden industry. A good 28,000 trade visitors from 113 countries took part in the world's biggest garden and BBQ trade fair from 16 to 18 June 2024. Hence, the trade fair built seamlessly on the success of the previous year. 

On altering its schedule spoga+gafa remains true to its claim to be the central platform for the global garden and BBQ industry and on making this change is demonstrating its flexibility and customer orientation. 

Blue Diamond Garden Centres are exhibiting at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park where they have three stands, two in the Floral Marquee, one of which is in collaboration with the National Trust (Stand FM 57), an exhibit showcasing their own brand, Fryer’s Roses, (Stand FM 33) and a display garden in the RHS Partner Garden area of the show.

Stand FM 33- Fryer’s Roses 

Blue Diamond Garden Centres will showcase a new and exclusive rose at the show, rosa ‘Believe in Yourself’ launched this year on behalf of its charity partner, the Stroke Association.

Rosa ‘Believe in Yourself’ is a new and exclusive rose, bred by Rosen Tantau. This is a compact shrub rose, to a height of approximately 50-80cms in height when fully grown, with open pollinator-friendly, highly fragrant blooms and is purple/pink in colour.

Rosa ‘Believe in Yourself’

The Blue Diamond Group of Garden Centres of which Fryer’s Roses is a part of, will donate £1 from every Believe in Yourself rose sold through their garden centres and through Fryer’s online or by phone, to the Stroke Association (a charity registered in England and Wales (no 211015) and Scotland (no SC037789), operating as a charity across the UK.

Over 88,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, but surviving is just the start of a long and traumatic recovery journey. The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families.

The charity provides tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year, funds vital scientific research, and campaigns to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. The Stroke Association is here to help survivors and their families find the strength and support they need to find their way back to life.

Saul Heselden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Stroke Association, said: “Mums, dads, grandparents, young people, even children − anyone can have a stroke, and its impact on lives at any age is traumatic. Every experience of stroke is different, and each journey of recovery is unique. We believe no survivor should have to face life after stroke without stroke support.

“Right now, the Stroke Association can only reach one-third of the survivors who most need support. We want to reach all those in need of our support, but we can only do this with the generosity of our donors and supporters like Blue Diamond Garden Centres. We’re incredibly grateful they have chosen to launch the beautiful rosa ‘Believe in Yourself’ to support the Stroke Association and raise vital funds for people affected by stroke.”

To find out more about this rose and other charities Blue Diamond Garden Centres supports please visit bluediamond.gg/charity-roses

Where to buy the roses from:

The new rose will be available to buy from Stand FM 33 in the Floral Marquee at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, and online* at www.fryersroses.co.uk, whilst stocks last. Bare root roses can also be pre-ordered online for November onwards delivery*.

*Delivery charges may apply.

Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford is once again this year providing plants for some of the ‘Long Border’ designs at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Flower Show at Tatton Park (July 17-21, 2024).

The four sponsored designs have been put together by final year Landscape Architect students from the University of Gloucestershire to meet the RHS challenge of ‘Make a Statement’. 

Wyevale Nurseries’ Amenity Sales Executive, Alan Young explains: “The Long Border offers an exciting opportunity for designers, gardeners and horticultural students to showcase their creativity, inspire visitors and potentially earn a prestigious RHS medal too.

“We invited some of the students whose designs we’re sponsoring this year to come in recently to select the plants they need and we’re now looking forward to seeing them in place at Tatton next week.

“It’s thrilling to be involved once again with the 2024 University of Gloucestershire Landscape Architect final year students and to help supply the plants they need for their wonderful designs.”

The four Wyevale Nurseries sponsored borders are ‘Authenticity’ by Cara Gaffney, Kaci Purnell and Katie Bishop, ‘Growth Begins with Reflection’ by Victoria Bettany, Eloise Wood and Sophie Wiseman, ‘Temporal Bloom Odyssey’ by Bayley Blyther, Ashley Woollaston and Jessica Richardson and ‘Nectar Nook’ by Megan Chopp, Phoebe Hunt and Ayomide Palmer.

Alan adds: “The students who visited us had a great time picking out their plants and I was particularly pleased to see that they were using some of my personal favourites including Digitalis ‘Lucas’ for the ‘Authenticity’ border and Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ for the ‘Growth Begins with Reflection’ design.

“Cara says her favourite plant for the ‘Authenticity’ border is Carex ‘Evergreen’, while Eloise selected Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’ and Victoria chose Potentilla ‘Double Punch’ from their ‘Growth Begins with Reflection’ design. Some great varieties and their designs look amazing. We’re now looking forward to what the judges have to say too. All that’s left for me to do is, on behalf of us all here at Wyevale Nurseries, wish the students the very best of luck.”

‘Authenticity’ is themed around self-expression and human interconnectedness and includes an array of plants from the robust to the refined, each chosen for their distinctive characteristics. Central to the border is an interwoven willow ring, representative of the unity and strength found in both diversity and living as one’s authentic self.

‘Growth Begins with Reflection’ is inspired by the work of the artist Frida Kahlo, this thought-provoking border explores the effects that the pressures of social media have on our mental health. The space is split into two sections: expression and repression.

The ‘Temporal Bloom Odyssey’ border offers a captivating journey through the narrative of time and change with key features representing the past, present, and future. Vibrant blooms and abstract textures are key to this design.

Meanwhile, ‘Nectar Nook’ emphasises how a small space can make a significant impact. The design integrates pollinator-supporting elements like shelters, burrow sites and Fragaria (wild strawberry) for nourishment. The selection of plants – particularly those in the ultraviolet colour spectrum, like Eremurus robustus (giant desert candle), alliums and lupins – is intended to attract pollinators, complemented by visual interest.

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park takes place from July 17-21, 2024. For full details and descriptions of all the borders, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park/news/2024/long-borders-tatton

Wyevale Nurseries’ product selection is envied across the industry and its talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

Teams at garden centres across the Garden Centre Association’s South East area are celebrating after scooping awards during a presentation evening yesterday at Haskins Garden Centre Snowhill.

Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Ruxley Manor (above), the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Ransoms Garden Centre and Local Garden Centre (LGC) to Millbrook Garden Company (below), Staplehurst.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks said: “Our South East area awards meeting was a great success and I’d like to thank everyone who came out for the evening. It was fantastic to see 118 attendees all actively engaged in the presentations and taking down lots of notes to share with the rest of their teams afterwards.

“I’d like to congratulate all our very worthy winners and say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone at Haskins Snowhill for being such wonderful hosts and to our Inspector Alyson Haywood for visiting the centres and presenting her inspection findings in such an engaging way.”

Alyson made unannounced visits to 59 member garden centres in the South East area across a 12-week period.

She said: “It was a pleasure to judge the South East region for the GCA inspections. After the great turnout at our pre-inspection meeting, I was excited to visit all the member centres.

“Although the ‘normal’ weather for the season did not make much of an appearance whilst I was on my travels in the South East, or indeed anywhere else in the country at the time, I’m pleased to say the staff at each garden centre were all very upbeat.

“The centres were looking good with some great examples of creativity and innovation and some super plant ranges too. I thoroughly enjoyed all my visits this year.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the South-East region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

DCG

1. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
2. Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
3. Garsons Garden Centre,Titchfield

GC

1. Ransoms Garden Centre
2. Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
3. Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend

LGC

1. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst
2. Coolings Wych Cross
3. Squires Garden Centre, Reigate

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity:

1. Ransoms Garden Centre
2. Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
3. Squires Garden Centre, Woking

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

• Squires Garden Centre, Hersham

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst
2. Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
3. Squires Garden Centre, Milford

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
2. Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend
3. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer:

DGC

1. Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
2. Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown
3. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

GC

1. Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend
2. Hillier Garden Centre, Newbury
3. Squires Garden Centre, Hersham

LGC

1. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst
2. Squires Garden Centre, Reigate
3. Coolings Wych Cross

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: 

DGC

1. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
2. Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill
3. Chessington Garden Centre

GC

1. Ransoms Garden Centre
2. Hillier Garden Centre, Three Legged Cross
3. Hillier Garden Centre, Aldermaston

LGC

1. Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth
2. Squires Garden Centre, Crawley
3. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
2. Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
3. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

GC

1. Ransoms Garden Centre
2. Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
3. Hillier Garden Centre, Newbury

LGC

1. Squires Garden Centre, Reigate
2. Squires Garden Centre, Crawley
3. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
2. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
3. RHS Wisley

GC

1. Squires Garden Centre, Woking
2. Squires Garden Centre, Wokingham
3. Ransoms Garden Centre

LGC

1. Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth
2. Squires Garden Centre, Reigate
3. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer

DGC

• Squires Garden Centre, Badshot Lea/Haskins Garden Centre Snowhill – JOINT WINNERS
• RHS Wisley/Newbridge Nurseries – JOINT WINNERS
• Ruxley Manor Garden Centre/ Stewarts Garden Centre, Christchurch – JOINT WINNERS

GC

• Ransoms Garden Centre
• Coolings Nurseries 
• Squires Garden Centre, Hersham/Hilliers Garden Centre, Newbury – JOINT WINNER 

LGC 

• Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth
• Coolings Garden Centre (Lifestyle)
• Squires Garden Centre, Reigate/Coolings Wych Cross/ Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst – JOINT WINNERS

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose):

DGC

1. RHS Wisley
2. Newbridge Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
3. Haskins Garden Centre, Snowhill

GC

1. Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
2. Squires Garden Centre, Woking
3. Coolings Nurseries

LGC

1. Thompson’s Welling and Thompson’s Newchurch – JOINT WINNERS
2. Coolings Wych Cross
3. Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

• Garsons Garden Centre, Esher
• Garsons Garden Centre, Titchfield
• Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

GC

• Hillier Garden Centre, Aldermaston, Hillier Garden Centre, Newbury/Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend – JOINT WINNERS
• Squires Garden Centre, Frensham  
• Blackbrooks Garden Centre/Hillier Garden Centre, Weyhill – JOINT WINNERS

LGC

• Coolings Garden Centre (Lifestyle) – only centre in this category.

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

The three-day SOLEX exhibition held at the NEC Birmingham this week has been hailed as a huge success as the organisers announce that next year’s event will take place on 8-10 July 2025.

LOFA chairman Steve Millington said: “I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has attended visitor wise and exhibitors. 

“The show has been tremendous in every single way. From the actual days of the show to the after-party and barbecue events on the Tuesday and Wednesday it has been an absolute amazing success. 

“See you next year, 8-10 July 2025, back here at the NEC.”

Meanwhile LOFA's General Manager and SOLEX Event Director Gina Hinde revealed she had been overwhelmed with the response from exhibitors and visitors to the show.

Gina said: “All the stands look amazing, and everyone has pulled out all the stops this year. I think this is the best-looking SOLEX we have ever had!

“We've had the highest attendance, and more people pre-registered this year than in the past. All the big names in retail have been here and we've seen lots of buyers from independent garden centres. 

“All the feedback I've had from exhibitors has been very positive. They report a constant stream of visitors, and orders have been taken. 

“Our inaugural awards night was a great success. Everyone had a great time, catching up and talking amongst themselves in a relaxed atmosphere. I've set the bar pretty high for next year!”

The YPHA’s Launch Success Challenge is finally underway with the first masterclasses having taken place in The Netherlands at the start of the month.

Delegates were hosted by the programme’s supporters Floramedia and Beekenkamp Plants B.V. across two days with a jam-packed itinerary organised by YPHA founder Natalie Boynton to make sure that no question remained unanswered.

Floramedia who are celebrating their 100^th anniversary this month specialise in the horticulture supply chain from seed to retail and create communications that deliver the passion and love put into growing plants in the best possible way.

At Floramedia, the process of creating plant labels from design to finished product was observed, highlighting the detail, passion and hard work involved. A presentation by the MDs from both the UK and NL on branding and packaging development provided valuable insights that will be useful during the group stages of the challenge. The visit included a tour of Floramedia’s photography studio where various techniques for photographing plants for marketing and social media were demonstrated and then tested by the delegates.

Since 1951, Beekenkamp Plants B.V. has been at the forefront of innovation in breeding plants, with an annual production of 2 billion young plants per year and a specialist of the garden classic Begonia, where better place for LSC delegates to learn all about the plant being launched into the market next year than with the breeder themself.

Day 2 at Beekekamp Plants B.V. delegates were able to get a glimpse of the plant they will be launching next year. Beekenkamp also opened their doors to the YPHA for a personalised tour which showed all of processes from breeding to new plant. Hygiene is paramount within the fortress of glasshouses, requiring delegates to don overalls, hairnets and shoe coverings so as not to contaminate the many plants within.

The Launch Success Challenge sees 10 YPHA delegates divided into two groups Apprentice-style to launch a product from conception to market. In this instance they will be launching Begonia 4684, bred by Beekenkamp plants and grown at Happy Plants. The plant will be introduced to the market at Gardeners World Live 2025 and stocked by British Garden Centres.

On Monday, 15^th July, the candidates will reconvene in London, the central hub of where all important decisions are made in most businesses. The teams will be announced and from then on, the real challenge begins where we see whose salesmanship, negotiation, requisitioning, strategy, leadership, teamwork and organisation will land them the prize of having their name chosen for the launch of Begonia 4684.

London’s focus will be on marketing with two leading people within this sector, Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) and Jane Lawler who will run back-to-back masterclasses on identity and commerciality, which will be fundamental knowledge in marketing any product into the industry.

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundations' Smart Garden Products Student Scholarship scheme, now in its second year of operation, is so much more than just the financial support it gives to the winning students studying horticulture.

In addition to the money students receive to support their studies, the scholarship winners also have the opportunity to join the SGP Student Development Study Tour.

This intensive, two-day tour, packs in ‘behind the scenes’ visits to a variety of horticultural businesses who open their doors to the students. This year’s visits to give students experience of the complexities of business were:

• Smart Garden Products – students saw the supply chain and logistic challenges of seasonal products with details of NPD, trading right through to purchasing patterns of retailers of the ever increasing range of Smart Gardens product range, including Christmas.
• Taylors Bulbs – understanding the journey of a bulb right from harvesting in the fields to the packet ready for despatch to garden centre retailers, with all the stages of sourcing, growing, quality control and marketing.
• Bridge Farm Group – one of the largest growers producing plants primarily for the supermarket sector in state of the art purpose built facilities where programming and cost reduction are the key elements of the business. Delegates were also allowed an exclusive tour of the secure Bridge Farm Bioscience facilities where R&D on the extraction of essential oils and other elements from plants are being undertaken for pharmaceutical purposes
• Baytree Garden Centre – seeing retail horticulture and the diversity of product offering through the seasonality of product, while also the essential addition of concessions, on site catering and attractions such as the Owl Centre.
• Springfield Horticultural Society – Springfield Festival Gardens - the challenges faced by the team running an ornamental garden, open to the public, where funding and resources is always a challenge, greater than the weather ever is!

The tour culminated with the visit to the Eureka Building, Smart Gardens purpose built facility in Peterborough, where Category Manager, Adam Bowler, and Operations Support Manager Caroline Dewhirst explained to students their role in the business and how the importance of efficiency in all aspects of the business is a key part of their success in building the various brands they have and in driving volume sales for their customers.

Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director of Smart Garden and Sales Director James Parr also made presentation to students on details of the businesses success and future plans.

Jess Johnson, who has just completed her studies and is now Planteria Manager at Perrywood Sudbury said: “we have had a fascinating couple of days exploring behind the scenes of different horticultural businesses with such a warm welcome into the friendliest industry.”

Ross Dyke, who is studying for his BSc Sustainable Horticulture and Agri-Tech degree at Pershore College while working as a Crop Technician at Bonterre CIC near Holt Worcestershire said: “We have learnt so much, but the last few days have taught me that I am in the greatest industry in the world.”

A fuller report of the tour and the work of the Foundation and the supporting businesses will be published in the next edition of Garden Trade News, in the mean time have a look through our exclusive photo tour below:

The New Business Pavilion at Autumn Fair, the UK’s largest seasonal showcase for Home, Gift & Fashion, will brim with the next generation of makers and creators offering them the chance to be retail’s next bestsellers.

The Pavilion aims to create a spirited new business community designed to support the growth in start-ups that face the challenges of being small or single person-led businesses with limited resources. Entry-level packages will enable businesses to show at both Autumn Fair 24 and Spring Fair 25 helping put their products on the retail map and reach thousands of buyers from the UK and around the world.

According to Retail Insight Network, while mass-market players continue to dominate the UK retail industry, research by Geek Retreat shows that 15% of Brits have set up their own business in the past ten years, and of these, 44% have done so since 2020. Retail was the most popular sector for start-ups, with 19% of the 1060 surveyed UK consumers owning an independent business.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Spring & Autumn Fair says, “Despite challenges, the retail sector, including gift, home, and fashion segments, continues to see the entry of new businesses. Startups states that the roaring 20s are here with a new era of fast growth and optimism for UK startups. These pioneering businesses are sparking change across every sector, they have boundless entrepreneurial spirit, and we want to support their path forward.

“The reaction to the launch of the New Business Pavilion has been inspiring. We are very excited to be able to showcase so many brilliant small businesses and help them put their products in front of key, purchase-ready buyers from leading stores like Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Tesco, Dunelm as well as thousands of independent retailers. We do still have a few spaces left in the Pavilion so please get in touch if you would like to join this flourishing new community.”

Visitors to the New Business Pavilion at Autumn Fair, taking place on the 1st – 4th September at the NEC Birmingham, will discover everything from handcrafted cushions and candles to lampshades and wearable art.

Flourish Home Interiors, the brainchild of Jemma Jones and Joanna Rayner, is a vibrant new homeware business set to make a grand entrance at Autumn Fair, showcasing its collections of stunning handcrafted velvet art lampshades, velvet art cushions, art canvas prints, and art tea towels to add pops of colour to neutral rooms.

The unique handcrafted statement pieces are handcrafted to order in the UK, reflecting a commitment to supporting local craftsmanship and sustainable practices. London-based artisans create the velvet cushions, velvet lampshades and tea towels, and the canvas prints are made in Bishops Stortford. The original designs are rooted in a profound love for nature, aiming to inspire those who bring them into their homes. Joanna Rayner says, “We are thrilled to be part of Autumn Fair 2024 and can't wait to introduce you to our amazing products. Visit our stand to experience firsthand the beauty and craftsmanship of Flourish Home Interiors. Discover how Jemma's incredible talent can transform everyday items into extraordinary pieces of art. Prepare to be inspired by the vibrant colours and textures of Jemma's work and meet the team behind this exciting new venture. Whether you're looking to add a unique touch to your home or find the perfect gift, Flourish Home Interiors offers something special for everyone.”

For deliciously natural goodness for your skin with freshly baked skincare and home fragrance treats in sustainable 100% recyclable packaging look out for Skyn Bakery. Ingredients are 100% plant based, using only cruelty free, vegan and natural ingredients for all of products.

Skyn Bakery is a small family run business located in Ormskirk, a small town in the North West of England, created by Clare Blasbery. All of the natural handmade skincare and home fragrance products are manufactured by hand in their small studio space.

Men Cave Scents also joins the line-up with its growing collection of candles, wax melts, diffusers and toiletries. Made from an even higher quality wax than soy wax, to ensure their footprint is as small as possible. Soy crops are a leading cause of deforestation so by switching to rapeseed and coconut, their candles are more sustainable.

Grass & Air is an outerwear and swimwear brand bringing fun playwear that makes it easy for kids to get outdoors for adventures, whatever the weather. From cool, reflective designs to help children be seen in the dark, to colour-changing prints that reveal a fun design when it rains, kids will be happy to get out and play, whatever the weather. Each collection evokes a feeling or an emotion that connects to contemporary outdoor living.

Hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland, is Coalesce Wearable Art. A fashion brand that specialises in wearable art tattoo clothing, Coalesce wearable art is known for its unique blend of fashion and art. The brand’s visionary designer, Bridgene Graham, is all about breaking boundaries and challenging the status quo. She believes that art should be part of our everyday lives, and she strives to create clothing that serves as a canvas for creativity and expression. Her designs are not just wearables but pieces of art that you can sport on your body.

Jen Winnet Art joins the Pavilion with her collection of artworks, gifts and stationery featuring her illustrations of animals and nature. Jen is a self-taught watercolour Eco-artist based in the heart of the beautiful Cotswold countryside and she takes inspiration from the world around her to create colourful, endearing illustrations of animals and nature. Passionate about the environment, all products are produced in an eco-friendly way – using only sustainable and environmentally friendly sources where possible and all orders are packaged in either recyclable or compostable packaging.

For sustainable and creative notebooks, look out for Meraki Notebooks. Their bespoke wooden covers look great and are also completely reusable. With Meraki, you buy once and use your notebook over and over again, reducing waste and making a statement about your commitment to the environment. The notebooks feature 160 pages of premium Swiss-bound, lay-flat paper, and when you run out of space simply replace the paper book block with a fresh one.

The packages are offered across all sectors including The Summerhouse, a curated home for the most beautiful, style-led and on-trend interior accessories and gifts; as well as Home Living & Décor; Gift; Beauty & Wellbeing; Greetings Cards, Stationery & Wrapping; Kids, Toys & Play; Everyday; and within Moda, Clothing & Footwear; Fashion Accessories; and Jewellery & Watch.

Autumn Fair's distinctive product sectors are where best-sellers are discovered. There’s a place for every business and every product type at the inspirational show. From an exceptional show experience to curated product collections, Autumn Fair prioritises every step of the buying journey.

To find out more and to apply for the New Business Pavilion, visit https://www.autumnfair.com/new-business-pavilion.

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced a partnership with Crane Garden Buildings, a UK leading supplier of high-quality garden buildings, to produce the RHS Garden Building Collection by Crane Garden Buildings, a range of leisure buildings, offices, outbuildings and garages.

The range will feature insulated and uninsulated, modular, contemporary garden buildings, with apex or pent roof structures, all made with FSC-certified, PEFC or TR-compliant woods.

The first functional prototypes are planned for the fall, with the first building in the range – a studio – coming to market in March 2025 when demand for garden buildings is high.

Further launches include two more studios and a garage in a barn-style design. The launch of the entire range will be completed by spring 2026. All the buildings will highlight RHS branding on a nameplate or badge.

The high-end collection, aimed at discerning homeowners and gardeners, is expected to meet a wide range of needs, from offices and gyms to summerhouses, garages and more. The highly contemporary look and feel of the buildings will take its inspiration from some of the latest developments in the architecture industry – and from the RHS itself.

Crane Garden Buildings, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, has enjoyed a long association with the RHS, having showcased its range of handmade garden buildings over many years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and it will include design elements inspired by RHS buildings loved by millions of visitors to the RHS gardens. These will include RHS Hilltop – the home of gardening science, the U.K.’s first dedicated horticultural scientific centre of excellence, located at RHS Garden Wisley – and visitor centres at RHS Garden Bridgewater, RHS Garden Hyde Hall and RHS Garden Rosemoor.

This range will initially be offered through Crane Garden Building’s established distribution channels. The company operates a national network of 14 show centres, which is planned to grow further in the next two years. The range will also be sold via the company’s website.

Following the initial launch, Crane Garden Building will promote the range to its garden centre and department store partners with a focus on physical retail, which will allow potential customers to see for themselves the quality of the products and their construction.

All RHS/Crane Garden Buildings will be delivered to customers and installed by Crane’s installation teams.

“As a proudly Norfolk-based, family-run business, and a well-regarded producer of high-quality garden buildings, we are thrilled to be working with the UK’s favourite gardening charity and gaining inspiration from its wonderful visitor centres in many of the country’s great gardens,” says Peter Mortin - Crane Garden Buildings. 

“We’re sure this partnership will surprise and delight customers and retail partners alike.”

“Experience, expertise and reputation are important when choosing a partner in the garden buildings business, and Crane has high ratings in all three,” says Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS. 

“Its range of designs, high building standards and outstanding customer service are equally impressive. We are delighted to be working with Crane on this distinctive and highly desirable garden-building collection.”

Emmeline Yourston and Samantha Oleksy, from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, have both been awarded six packer places at this year’s IPPS conference taking place in Guildford, Surrey. The six packer award is open to anyone who is ‘relatively new’ to working in commercial horticulture or currently studying to enter the industry. Both Emmeline and Samantha submitted very good applications and overcame strong competition from both UK and Europe, earning them both well-deserved places at this year’s conference.

The conference takes place from Wednesday 9^th to Friday 11^th October 2024, with the theme ‘Growing a Greener Future’ and will comprise of talks covering a range of topics and an excellent itinerary of visits, including Hillier’s Nursery and RHS Wisley Gardens.

“Attending the IPPS conference is a fantastic opportunity to meet and mix with leading growers from across Europe”, commented Karl O’Neill, Technical Production Director at Bransford Webbs and IPPS Committee Member. “From my personal experience as an IPPS member for 20 years, it has always delivered on this and has helped my career massively, plus I have made some excellent friends along the way”.

If you would like more information about the conference please visit https://eur.ipps.org/ or contact Clare King, conference organiser, clare.king@provendernurseries.co.uk

The team at Otley Garden Centre has provided subsidised plants to support the renovation of three areas of Leeds Children's Charity's Lineham Farm in Eccup.

Leeds University student, Aaron Cook approached Otley Garden Centre for support when he and fellow university students wanted to renovate the garden at Lineham Farm in memory of a friend who passed away last year.

The group were financing the project through fundraising and had previously raised £5,000 for Leeds Children's Charity by completing the National Three Peaks and running the Leeds Half Marathon.

"I chose the charity due to its innovative ways of providing children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds with opportunities and experiences everyone should have," said Mr Cook.

"It means a huge amount to be able to contribute to such a fantastic charitable effort in Leeds; as students from the University of Leeds, we think it's important to contribute in a positive and meaningful way to the Leeds community. We wanted to do a big community project to mark our final year and we are grateful to Andy Bradley and the team at Otley Garden Centre for helping us to achieve our goal."

A team of 20 renovated the garden, which included a bench, some landscaping, and over 150 plants, including Hydrangeas, Salvias, Anemones, and Hollyhocks, provided by Otley Garden Centre.

"With Otley Garden Centre's support, we have managed to get a lot more plants and supplies than expected, which will definitely help with all the different areas we want to re-plant throughout the grounds," added Mr Cook.

"The team at Leeds Children's Charity works with some of the city's most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, with the aim of improving their physical and mental health. We're a community-focused business and are proud and delighted to be able to support this project," said Otley Garden Centre Manager Andy Bradley.

Leeds Children's Charity has always provided respite breaks for disadvantaged children, and since the merger with Lineham Farm in 2020, they are able to do so in a best-in-class outdoor educational complex set in a beautiful 120-acre countryside setting.

Otley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family, which comprises Tong, Tingley and Bingley Garden Centres plus Dean's in York and Scarborough.

On a mission to arm retailers (and consumers!) with everything they need to transform and truly personalise their garden spaces, Deco-Pak has taken steps to improve its popular Chelsea Horticultural range to provide even more solutions for gardeners.

This first-class range, featuring sands, gravels and growing media, is designed to give consumers confidence to select the right tools for whichever gardening or landscaping job they are currently undertaking. With concise on-pack information, including clear usage examples and ‘professional tips’, plus a handy window to see the product in the bag, the Chelsea Horticultural range makes it easier than ever for shoppers to grab exactly what they need.

New look packaging

Breaking away from traditional packaging associated with these types of products, Deco-Pak has opted for classic and rustic style with a muted classic colour palette and beautiful, water colour-esque imagery. What’s more, all bags are made from 50% post-consumer waste plastic, making them a more environmentally responsible option.

For the 2024/2025 season, Deco-Pak is offering both large bags (available in pallets ranging from 55 – 77 bags per pallet) and handy grab bags. The latter benefits from a dedicated point of sale unit that can be co-located alongside landscaping and growing media essentials, within the plant area or next to pots and planters for increased impulse sales. Stocked with up to 42 handy bags, and boasting internal storage space for additional stock, this dynamic display puts the brand front and centre and drives the aspirational elements of shopping psychology.

Craig Hall, Managing Director at Deco-Pak said: “Traditionally, these types of products have hidden away in the shadows but, with our Chelsea range, we are reinventing their future. Through carefully considered design, a new way of styling, and effective merchandising solutions, we’re bringing these products to the fore. In doing so, retailers can benefit from increased consumer confidence, which will drive up the average basket spend.”

The Deco-Pak Chelsea Horticultural

Gardens big or small can be helped to bloom using the Deco-Pak Chelsea Horticultural range.

Available in large bags are horticultural essentials, such as Coarse Grit, Pea Gravel, Potting Grit and Sharp Sand. Growing media includes Top Soil, Multi-Purpose Compost and Woodland Bark. 

Handy Bags see an extension to the core range, with Coarse Grit, Sharp Sand and Pea Gravel present. Potting Grit takes the shape of Alpine Potting Grit, whilst the wider offering is made up of Horticultural gravels in Alpine Gold, Alpine White and Cotswold Cream, plus Horticultural Clay Pebbles, Sea Shells and Alpine Slate.

Find out more

To find out more about Deco-Pak’s leading lineup of garden products that include decorative paving, aggregates, growing media, water features and bird boxes can all be viewed on the company’s website, visit www.deco-pak for more information.

In light of the significant challenges UK garden lawns have faced since the start of 2024, Johnsons Lawn Seed urges retailers to order its popular Quick Lawn with Accelerator mix to meet the growing demand for effective and rapid lawn care solutions.

The beginning of this year has seen intense and persistent rainfall, leading to soggy lawns across the country, particularly in areas with clay-based soils. These conditions have resulted in widespread damage to garden grass, promoting the growth of moss, algae, and other unwanted weeds.

However, as this period of excessive rainfall gives way to the drier conditions of summer, lawns will require more than just a standard seed mix to recover. As the country’s weather finally warms up and homeowners prepare for the summer holidays, there is a significant pent-up demand among gardeners eager to get outside and rejuvenate their gardens and are seizing the opportunity to care for their lawns. The desire to refresh garden spaces is stronger than ever, and retailers can support this resurgence with Quick Lawn, designed to help lawns recover quickly and thrive.

Quick Lawn: The ultimate solution for summer revival

To meet the urgent needs of homeowners, Johnsons Lawn Seed Quick Lawn addresses the key demands of modern gardeners after the wet winter and spring. The advanced formula delivers rapid germination and fast lawn establishment while significantly reducing water requirements. Quick Lawn needs only a third of the water typically required for lawn establishment, making it ideal for both new lawns and overseeding projects.

Key Benefits

Rapid germination: Quick Lawn promises 38% more grass within the first seven days compared to non-coated seed, thanks to its unique Accelerator treatment. Accelerator attracts beneficial bacteria in the soil to the grassroots to further the establishment, breaking down organic matter, releasing essential nutrients, and creating the ideal conditions for seed germination.

This rapid growth ensures that lawns can be quickly restored to their former glory, providing immediate satisfaction to homeowners.

Fast establishment: The wetting agent in the seed coating speeds up water absorption, leading to a strong, thick lawn even in wet or cold conditions. Fine-leaved Dwarf perennial Ryegrass, Strong Creeping Red Fescue, and  Slender Creeping Red Fescue create a well-balanced blend that has a deep root system, excels in shaded areas and is tolerant of drought, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings and elements.  A best seller for garden centres, Quick Lawn is a reliable choice for homeowners facing the increasingly unpredictable UK weather.

Reduced watering: The advanced technology in Quick Lawn reduces the amount of water needed, aligning with consumer demands for more sustainable gardening solutions. This is also particularly beneficial during periods of dry weather, helping homeowners maintain lush lawns without excessive water use.

Guy Jenkins, Consumer Manager at Johnsons Lawn Seed said: “We encourage retailers to meet the urgent needs of gardeners this summer facing the current lawn care crisis due to the slow and wet start to the year. With its proven performance and advanced seed technology, Quick Lawn addresses immediate lawn repair needs and will rejuvenate customer gardens over the holidays”

Quick Lawn with Accelerator-treated seed is available in 210gm, 425gm, 1.275kg, and 4.25kg cartons, also in 10kg or 20kg bags.

Find out more

If you want to start stocking Quick Lawn, then please call your local sales agent or visit the website http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

On a visit organised by the Horticultural Trades Association, diplomats from a range of European embassies based in London were welcomed at Provender Nurseries in Kent. This visit was significant as it provided the attachés with a unique opportunity to witness the operations of a leading UK grower, Provender Nurseries, first-hand. 

The visit included representatives from the EU delegation to the UK, Belgian, Dutch, Spanish, French, and Hungarian embassies.  

The purpose of the visit was to see a UK grower first-hand and share insights into how the industry works with European suppliers, working on cross-border trade challenges and the transition to peat-free, a significant step towards sustainable horticulture that the UK industry is actively pursuing. 

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs, HTA, commented: “UK environmental horticulture has long-established European supply chains and business relationships. Importing £753 million of plants and plant products, having strong supply chains, and being aware of the pressure and challenges they face are critical. We were pleased to welcome representatives from a range of countries and to provide them with an introduction to the scope and value of our sector, as well as updates on border policy impacts and our transition to peat-free.”

“The HTA has been clear that we hope to see even more collaboration with European partners to smooth trade with an ambition that we achieve an SPS or plant health agreement with our nearest trading partners in the future. We are keen to engage with all interested stakeholders to discuss the sector's importance, how it works and can contribute to green growth and environmental and net-zero ambitions.” 

Richard McKenna, Managing Director, Provender Nurseries, said: "We were delighted to welcome embassy representatives to see Provender Nurseries and our newly completed control point. This visit underscores the vital role our nurseries play in the horticultural supply chain and our commitment to fostering strong international relationships and sustainable practices." 

In its very first year on the garden show circuit, Suffolk based brand, She Grows Veg, has scored a hat trick of awards that champion the brand’s dedication to horticultural excellence.

The heirloom seed company, founded by Lucy Hutchings and Kate Cotterill, produced a beautiful, opulent and inspirational presentation featuring signature heirloom varieties of vegetables in a rainbow of colours, presented in a modern twist on Renaissance paintings. 

The fledgling firm first made a name for itself in its debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, exhibiting its ‘Edimental’ veg exhibit for the very first time amongst fabulous floral displays and leaders in cutting-edge garden design and won the RHS gold medal for its display that promoted the beauty of vegetables.

Despite being new to the scene, and having only launched in November 2023, She Grows Veg has now further made its mark amongst leaders in the gardening world with a second RHS Gold Medal awarded at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this week, as well as the ‘New Design’ award for its innovative exhibit. 

The judging panel is hand-selected by the RHS based on their experience and area of knowledge, including horticulturalists, garden designers, landscape architects, contractors, head gardeners, journalists and lecturers. Floral exhibits are graded using the RHS Floral Criteria across three sections; Plants, Overall Impression and Endeavour. 

Kate explains, “The RHS medal is considered a hallmark in horticultural excellence and to have been celebrated for our exhibit is a huge accolade for She Grows Veg. We are extremely proud to have achieved full marks for our exhibit and to be taking away two gold medals in our first year at RHS, as well as the ‘New Design’ award. The positive feedback from the judges has been invaluable and we are excited to build on this in future years.”

Adds Lucy, “Our mission for our exhibit was to encourage more people to grow their own food and to show vegetables in a way they haven’t been seen before at a flower show. We have been blown away with the warm welcome we have received from visitors and other exhibitors, and taking three awards away is the icing on the cake,” 

Visitors to the She Grows Veg exhibit particularly enjoyed the chance to step into the frame and become part of the art with She Grows Veggies vegetable adorned selfie frame, providing the perfect backdrop to create a memento of the day.“Being a part of these two amazing events has also been a great opportunity to speak to keen gardeners and plant-lovers about our heirloom seeds and how to grow them.”

For more information on She Grows Veg visit www.shegrowsveg.com

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BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, in association with English Heritage, returns to Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex from Friday 30 August - Sunday 1 September, with exciting new highlights.

Whether you’re a complete gardening beginner, an experienced expert or are just looking for a great day out in beautiful surroundings, there really is something for everyone. At the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Stage, this year’s special guests are Adam Frost (Friday), Joe Swift (Saturday) and, new to the Autumn Fair, Rachel de Thame (Sunday). The BBC Gardeners’ World presenters will join the editors of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine for some seasonal gardening chat to help visitors with ‘what to do now’. Throughout the Fair, horticulturalist and presenter, David Hurrion, will be talking plants with experts from Stage sponsor, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as the English Heritage gardens team.Over at the new Get Growing Stage, TV chef Marcus Bean, who is a fresh face at the Fair this year, will be hosting a daily line-up of expert growers and foodies, all sharing tips on how to make the most of the autumn months. Joining Marcus on stage will be a number of new experts, including easy garden upcycling tips with Adam Kirtland (View From The Potting Bench), and Helen Cross (Scottish gardening and food writer and broadcaster). Making a welcome return include the hugely popular Sussex-based fungi specialists, the Caley Brothers, community grower Cara Thompson (Make It Flourish), urban smallholder Sara Ward (Hen Corner), and Cambridgeshire dahlia grower, Kim O’Brien.Want to get hands-on with horticulture and take new skills and knowledge home? The Autumn Fair offers some exciting new bug hotel making workshops led by Adam Kirtland. Plus, newly pre-bookable workshops mean that visitors can look forward to creating an autumn garden bouquet and getting hands on in a practical sweet pea ‘sow-along’. The Caley Brother’s sell-out growing your own oyster mushroom workshops also return.Packed with inspiration and ideas to take home, the Autumn Fair features stunning garden inspiration in the Showcase Gardens, Beautiful Borders, and a plethora of plants from specialist nurseries and growers. New for 2024, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine expert and horticulturalist David Hurrion, will present this year’s headline Showcase Garden, designed to help visitors get practical ideas and solutions for their gardens. Val Cristman will return with a fresh new Water Mill garden and the APL Landscaping Skills Competition returns with new, inspirational, gardens too, as two member companies of the Association of Professional Landscapers go head-to-head against the clock. Each talented team will showcase their skills under pressure as they create a competition standard show garden in just 16.5 hours, all under the critical eye of the competition’s professional judges. The Association of Professional Landscapers will also be hosting a Landscaping and Design Clinic, offering visitors expert garden design advice.The Beautiful Borders are the Autumn Fair’s mini show gardens, all brimming with creative inspiration for small spaces. This year’s theme is ‘Share My Space’ and the designs reflect different interpretations of that theme. The Shared Ecologies Border by Peter Buchanan and Libby Bettney from English Heritage’s Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme at Audley End House and Gardens brings plant, animal, and human communities together. Emma Atkinson’s Finding Your ‘Pink’ Border is an oasis for new mums navigating early motherhood, inspired by flamingos whose pink colouring fades after giving birth but returns as the chick matures. In Feasting Amongst Nature’s Aria, Michele Brunnberg sets an intimate dining experience amongst bird and butterfly friendly features and planting.Sam Cortis and Becca Heard’s Occupation! Border celebrates the power of people coming together to establish a community garden. Sam Wheeler’s The Artist’s Studio Garden is a creative space for making art inspired by plants and nature, while Terry Gilmour’s (The Cockney Gardener) Fancy A Cuppa celebrates the wellbeing benefits of a cup of herbal tea after gardening. Zoe Defoe’s Talk In Space also explores the mental health and therapeutic benefits of sharing space and conversation, surrounded by nature.Visitors can dive into Audley End House and Gardens’ history with the Plant Experts, Lucy Chamberlain, Saul Walker and the English Heritage gardens team, who will be hosting guided tours of the organic Kitchen Garden (bookable). Visitors can also join drop-in tours on the day, including a guided tour lead by ‘Capability Brown’ as he shares his visionary plans for the local landscape as he saw it in the 1760s, and Mr. Vert, who shares insight into the daily routine of a Victorian kitchen head gardener (no extra charge, drop-in). For an extra special experience, visitors can upgrade their ticket to enjoy the exclusive, limited, VIP Extra package which includes a couple of glasses of fizz and hot refreshments, VIP Lounge, sweet treats and a goodie bag. Plus, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Subscribers benefit from the Subscriber Club Lounge, featuring daily talks by the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editors with special guests and from Lounge sponsor, The Woodland Trust.Garden shopping is a major highlight at the Autumn Fair. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with more than thirty specialist plant nurseries and growers to browse and buy from, and over 30 high-quality retailers selling garden accessories, décor, tools, equipment and furniture. The Plant Crèche will make plant shopping easy, thanks to volunteers from English Heritage. Donations very welcome.Delicious food and drinks are never far away, with the Good Food Market to enjoy, sponsored by Lexus. Artisan producers will have a wide range of treats to taste, try and take home, and there are street food options, an alfresco bar and live bandstand entertainment.Tickets for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair include full access to Audley End’s grand mansion with its great hall, state rooms, dressing rooms, servants’ wing, stables and chapel, plus the organic walled Kitchen Garden, grounds, gardens, parklands and children’s play area. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.Rachel Poletti-Gadd, Portfolio Director - Gardening Division at Immediate Live, organisers of the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, said: “Autumn at Audley End House and Gardens is a wonderful time of year, and we can’t wait to be back. This year’s exciting new highlights and visitors’ favourite features are going to make it a really special event. From hardy growers to have-a-go first-timers, it’s impossible not to find inspiration for your home garden or growing space, and we’re pretty sure you’ll find a new plant or two to take home too!”Louise Ellis, Head Gardener at Audley End, said: “The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair is a really special event for our team and we like to get stuck in! We get to share our beautiful grounds and gardens with thousands of keen garden fans and visitors, our trainees will be showcasing their wonderful Shared Ecologies Border, and we’ll be on hand to answer any questions. It’s going to be a great weekend!” Advance adult prices for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair start from £16.50 (concessions £15.50), or £13.50 for English Heritage adult members (£12 concessions). Find out more and book tickets at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.

There are less than two weeks left to enter the six categories in the 2024 HTA Grower of the Year Awards as the deadline for entries approaches.

The HTA Grower of the Year awards will showcase the very best in UK horticulture and recognise and celebrate best practices in sustainable production. Retailers, landscapers and garden designers can show their appreciation of nurseries by nominating them, or growers can put themselves or individual staff members forward as being amongst the best.

HTA Horticulture Manager Pippa Greenwood said: “Following a hugely successful National Plant Show last month, now is the perfect time to nominate your top growers and staff members for Grower of the Year 2024, or as a grower, you can enter your own business or individual staff member. Our industry is filled with innovative growers who produce high-quality plants and provide a world-class service. So why not celebrate these amazing growers by making a one or more nominations for The HTA Grower of the Year Awards 2024?

"The process is simple and not time-consuming, and winners will be invited to our Annual Conference and dinner in September. Winners are also eligible for entry into the International Grower of the Year Awards, in recent years several of our winners have gone on to win further accolades internationally too.”

There are six categories in 2024 which are:

• Plant Producer (inc Annuals, Herbaceous Perennials, Houseplants, Trees and Conifers, Shrubs and Climbers, Bulbs & Cut Flowers. Young and/or finished plants.)
• Life Beyond Peat
• Inspirational Business
• Blooming Marvelous Employer
• Young Grower under 35
• Staff Member

For more information on entering the awards and the entry criteria, please visit the Grower of the Year Awards page at  https://hta.org.uk/goty

If you need any help or have any questions about entering the awards, don’t hesitate to contact events@hta.org.uk

Entries must be received by Tuesday 23 July 2024, and award winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 September 2024 at Horticulture, The Conference.

The National Garden Gifting Scheme brand is being refreshed to remain competitive within the gift card market. To align with recognised gift card terminology, and following the discontinuation of paper vouchers in December 2023, the scheme is changing its name to the National Garden Gift Card.

The new gift cards will soon be available through the online store. During the transition, both the old and new brands will be in circulation for a brief period as existing stock is phased out. This approach supports our commitment to sustainability by minimising waste.

Jon Dixon, HTA Director of Gifting Sales said “The main aim of the scheme continues to be attracting consumers into the horticulture sector and growing the over 2 million consumer transactions in garden centres each year. The HTA is focusing on numerous exciting initiatives to ensure the scheme meets the expectations of both members and consumers, maintaining its competitiveness with other leading gift card schemes in the UK.”

The new cards are in production and will be available in garden centres soon.

Images of the gift cards are available via this link: https://hta.canto.global/b/GCVGI

The Horticultural Trades Association is building on its expanded political engagement programme with a new push to reach out to key new ministers to showcase and engage on issues critical to its members.

From borders and trade to environmental regulation, the sector is directly impacted by or directly impacts a range of policy areas. The HTA has written to all key ministers for environmental horticulture to seek early engagement and their support. 

Many HTA members from across the UK have been writing to and hosting visits of their local constituency MPs and parliamentary candidates in recent months. This outreach has proved fruitful in fostering new relationships, local media coverage, and action on specific issues, such as the cross-border movement of plants. The HTA has refreshed its member resources following the election to support this outreach, including template letters, to help make it as easy as possible for busy businesses to have that engagement with their newly or re-elected MPs. Members can access these here.

Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive, commented: “The HTA and its members have met with many parliamentarians in recent months. Following the general election, this is an important time to renew existing relationships as well as build new ones.  Reaching out to new ministers and encouraging our members to host visits of their local MPs and any political party helps to firmly establish a strong understanding of the importance of our sector and its value to the UK.

“We set our key policy ambitions in our environmental horticulture manifesto published earlier this year; whilst all are still relevant, some will take months or years to realise. What we can do today, and seek to support our members to do, is to write to local MPs and welcome them into their businesses and the industry at an early stage and build those all-important political relationships at a local as well as national level.  Our mission is to support our members to flourish, and we, in turn, as a sector, can help government and policymakers achieve key goals, whether green growth or environmental, health and economic ambitions.” 

Yorkshire Garden Centres have announced that they are to join the Tillington Group.  The Bradford based business took over Tong Garden Centre in 2015 and now operate six centres across Yorkshire from the base at Tong.

Mark Farnsworth, Managing Director of Yorkshire Garden Centres, said: ‘This is a very exciting opportunity for our business, although we have very mixed emotions as we are very sorry to be leaving the Prosper Group. We are very grateful to everyone in the Prosper Group who has made us so welcome over the last year and we wish them all the very best for the future.  However, we have been a long time admirer of the Tillington Group and when the opportunity arose to join, it was an opportunity that we could not turn down. The Tillington Group is extremely well established and we felt that, at this stage, they would be better placed to offer us the support that we need to continue to profitably grow our business.  We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with and learning from all the Tillington members.'

Caroline Owen, Tillington Chair and Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres commented: ‘We really are looking forward to Mark and his team joining us. We feel that their business is very well aligned with our existing members and we know that this hasn't been an easy decision for them. However, we are extremely confident that they will greatly benefit from being part of Tillington and that the group will also benefit from having them on board. This really is an exciting chapter for the group.'

Yorkshire Garden Centres will officially join the Tillington Group on the 30^th September 2024.

Prosper, a leading buying group committed to supporting enterprise and growth within our industry, announces the departure of Yorkshire Garden Centres GC, effective 30 September 2024. 

Terry Head, Retail Director of Stewarts and Chairman of Prosper, stated: "YGC has been a supportive contributor of the group, and their dedication and efforts have enhanced our collective success. We are appreciative of their commitment and the positive impact they have had during their time with us, and we wish them much success in the future.

"Prosper will continue to work closely with our valued suppliers, ensuring that our collaborative efforts remain strong and fruitful for all. We are also excited about the prospect of potentially strengthening our group with new members who align with Prosper's values.”

Prospers current members are Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Cowells, Chessington Garden Centre, Knights Garden Centres, Perrywood Garden Centres, Stewarts and St.Peters.  

Terry added: “ I am very pleased to announce that Simon Bourne, Director of Perrywood, has accepted a new role within Prosper, as  Vice Chairman. We are confident that the introduction of the Vice Chairman position will enable us to better serve our members and achieve our long-term goals." 

Staff at garden centres across the Garden Centre Association’s Midlands, Wales & West region are celebrating after scooping awards during a presentation yesterday afternoon and evening at Melbicks Garden Centre yesterday (Tuesday).

Garden Centre of the Year winners were Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth (above) in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category, Old Railway Line Garden Centre (below), Garden Centre (GC) category, and Poundbury Gardens, Local Garden Centre (LGC).

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our Midlands, Wales & West regional awards meeting was a wonderful event and I’d like to thank all those who attended. It was the first event of this type for this new region, which we created earlier this year by consolidating our previous six areas into four. It’s also the first time our new LGC category has been used for awards.

“A big ‘thank you’ goes to our fantastic hosts for the evening – the team at Blue Diamond’s Melbicks Garden Centre at Coleshill, Birmingham. They provided a wonderful welcome and fabulous hospitality.

“During the event, it was great to hear our Inspector, Colin Farquhar’s feedback from his visits to this area’s centres. Members can now take this essential information back with them to their teams, celebrate and give out the praise due and make any changes needed as well.”

Colin was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the Midlands, Wales & West area across a 12-week period where he made unannounced visits.

He said: “This year’s inspections identified centres significantly improving their environmental and sustainability scores, increasing the availability of local sourced products, highlighting recycling opportunities and promoting sustainable gardening. This was brilliant to see and this attitude needs now to be reinforced in 2025 so we continue as an industry to make a difference. 

“It was great to see centres investing for the future by improving existing departments, as well as adding extra space and new features.

“People make the difference in garden centres. This is both the workforce and the customers. It was pleasing on my visits to see both groups interacting and creating an environment in which people genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. While some shopping can be seen as a chore, garden centre shopping should be viewed as entertainment and one in which all participants want to be there. I was so heartened on my visits to see this in action.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the Midlands, Wales & West region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

DCG

1. Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
2. Gates Garden Centre
3. Webbs of Wychbold

GC

1. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
2. Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby

LGC

1. Poundbury Gardens (above) – The Gardens Group
2. Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe

 The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity:

1. Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group
2. Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
3. Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

• Pyle Garden Centre

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
2. Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
3. Pugh’s Radyr

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group
2. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
3. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: 

DGC

1. Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
2. Gates Garden Centre
3. Blue Diamond Cadbury Garden Centre

GC

1. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
2. Pugh’s Radyr
3. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby

LGC

1. Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe
2. Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Smith’s Garden Centre, Baginton

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

DGC

1. East Bridgford Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
2. Gates Garden Centre
3. Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock 

GC

1. Byrkley Park Garden Centre – Klondyke
2. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
3. Pacific Nurseries 

LGC

1. Smith’s Garden Centre, Baginton & Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe – JOINT WINNERS
2. Raglan Garden Centre
3. Orchard Park Garden Centre – Blue Diamond 

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Gates Garden Centre
2. East Bridgford Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
3. Planters Garden Centre, Tamwort

GC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne
2. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby
3. Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group

LGC

1. Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe
2. Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Orchard Park Garden Centre – Blue Diamond

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. East Bridgford Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
2. Melbicks Garden Centre – Blue Diamond
3. Gates Garden Centre

GC

1. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby
2. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
3. Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne 

LGC

1. Raglan Garden Centre
2. Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer:

DGC

• East Bridgford Garden Centre – Blue Diamond

GC

• Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group

LGC

• Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): 

DGC

1. Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
2. Gates Garden Centre
3. Sanders Garden World – Blue Diamond

GC

1. Castle Gardens – The Gardens Group
2. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
3. Planters Garden Centre, Bretby

LGC

1. Brimsmore Gardens – The Gardens Group
2. Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group
3. Smith’s Garden Centre, Baginton

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

• Gates Garden Centre

GC

• Old Railway Line Garden Centre

LGC

• Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information visit www.gca.org.uk.

The great and good of the horticultural industry gathered last week at Ball Colegrave to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Scholarships being awarded to students by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.

Foundation Patron Alan Titchmarsh along with Geoff Colegrave, Marjorie Glasgow BEM, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, and Peter Seabrooks son Roger planted a tree alongside the tree planted 30 years ago in memory of David Colegrave.

Students who are currently studying with the benefit of support from the foundation joined past students at the celebration which took place in the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase ahead of its official opening this week.

See GTN Xtra's photo gallery from the celebrations and a sneak preview of the Ball Summer Showcase below

The garden retail industry's most anticipated event, Glee, is poised to mark a monumental milestone as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this September (10th – 12th, NEC Birmingham).  However, this year, Glee not only celebrates half a century at the pinnacle of garden retail but also ushers in a new era with its return to a September dateline, based on comprehensive industry feedback.

Glee's Evolution: A response to industry needs

Glee has long been a beacon for the garden retail sector, fostering growth and innovation. This year's shift to a September date is a direct response to extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, ranging from independent retailers to large-scale suppliers. The feedback highlighted the need for a timing that aligns more closely with the industry's evolving buying cycles and seasonal preparations. In a year where the season started later than ever the move has been celebrated across the board, as it means the key trade show is ideally positioned as the season draws to a close, and thoughts turn to the year ahead.

Matthew Mein, Glee's Event Director, emphasised the importance of staying in tune with the industry's pulse. "Our industry is constantly evolving, and Glee plays a crucial role in shaping the future of garden retail. By engaging with our community and understanding their needs, we can ensure that Glee continues to support our stakeholders effectively by providing a platform for growth, celebrating innovation and bringing the market together when it is needed most.

“This year, in particular, the new September dateline is more valuable than ever, as the season has taken longer than usual to start. With Glee running in autumn, buyers will be armed with a more in-depth knowledge of their needs for the 2025 season, primed to place orders and seek the innovation that will differentiate and enhance their offering in the year ahead.”

Innovative features and unmissable experiences

Glee 2024 promises to be an exceptional event, featuring eight carefully curated product sectors that showcase the best in garden care, outdoor entertaining, landscaping, and more. As always, the exhibition will also highlight the latest trends and innovations, providing a platform for an expected 400 brands, from well-known names to rising stars. The exhibitor list will be heaving with new brands, with almost 180 earmarked to make their debut at Glee 2024, with many of them exhibiting exclusively at the show. With so much newness under one roof, garden buyers have the perfect excuse to make a beeline for the Glee once the doors open on 10th September!

Key features of Glee 2024 include:

• New Product Showcase: Discover groundbreaking products that set the stage for future trends. Find it in it in a new home within the central hub, located between Halls 8 and 9.
• Talent Store: Launched in 2023, this design and inspiration hub discovers emerging talents and creative solutions in garden retail. Make sure you visit this dedicated area to vote for the fresh new talent within product merchandising.
• The Stage: Look out for a complete programme of content, all of which is designed to tackle burning issues and open the floor to the wider industry to discuss how the garden retail sector is set for future growth.
• Fire, Grill & Chill: This dynamic area is dedicated to outdoor entertaining, complete with live demonstrations and interactive experiences. A central hub for networking, this is the place to grab tasty, freshly cooked food whilst experiencing some of the outdoor cooking products on offer from exhibitors across the show.
• Green Heart: Celebrating plants and the central role they play in garden retail, this area will be thriving with a variety of plant displays and talks. Newly located within the main body fo the show in Hall 10, Green Heart will also benefit from a new café area and will be home to Future Plants, an exciting display of the latest and most innovative plant breeding from UK and international growers.

Join the celebrations

As the industry buzz for Glee’s latest development takes hold, Matthew Mein added: “We are now better placed than ever to invest in the show’s future. Whether it’s tackling those topics that are effecting change, building a platform for growth or providing a voice for the industry, we have a renewed long-term vision for Glee and look forward to bringing to market new content to support the continued advancement of garden retail.”

Be part of Glee 2024

Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-time visitor, Glee 2024 offers endless opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of the garden retail community’s most significant event of the year. Register today and join the industry in celebrating 50 years of excellence in garden retail at the NEC Birmingham.

To find out more please visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

"On Tuesday I was invited to run at the Ball Trail Grounds near Oxford to completed my daily 5km, where we also celebrated The Colegrave Seabrook Fountain 30th Anniversary, ‘Supporting Students in horticulture..’ 

"Huge thanks to Neil Gow, Jeff Colegrave & Stuart Lowen for making me fell so welcome and for a great event, where I got to meet one of my Gardening idols Alan Titchmarsh.

"As well as feeling fitter, but the endorphins (feel-good chemicals) that give me a rush and makes me look forward to the next days run even when I have had lack of sleep and travelling with work!!

"We need your support to keep building these magical gardens for the Children’s Hospices and I have 6 months left now to reach the £20,000 and make a difference to help Greenfingers Charity..

"Thank you to Bents Garden & Home and Primeur for sponsoring the July month and I looked forward to running with the Bents Family on 23rd July (though they are all athletes, so I need to up my game!!"

www.justgiving.com/page/kate-ebbens-1701443565987

Grimsby Garden Centre has an opening for a Garden Centre Business Manager which offers a rewarding career opportunity that combines retail management with making a difference in the local community.

As Grimsby Garden Centre is owned by Navigo, the leading mental health provider in North East Lincolnshire, this is an exciting and unique opportunity to play an important role in developing an independent garden centre with a heart, combining commercial interests with support for mental health services.

The Business Manager will be responsible for the strategic, tactical, and operational planning and management of the Grimsby Garden Centre trading arm, working with the overall Commercial Manager to determine key actions and timescales.

The role holder will be a team player, recognising that our staff are the businesses greatest asset, working together to maintain and develop the business.

Grimsby Garden Centre Business Manager

Closing date: 26 July 2024

Salary: £32,000 a year

Working pattern: Full time

Job location: Grimsby Garden Centre, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire

Main duties of the job

As an employee of Nurtrio, the Business Manager will maintain the ethos and culture of the Navigo group, acting as role model for staff and representing Grimsby Garden Centre in a positive manner inside and outside of the organisation:

• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills enabling them to articulate plans and ideas clearly and effectively to all levels within and outside the organisation.
• Have the analytical skills to deal with complex information from numerous data sources and systems (currently including paper based) internally and externally to monitor and manage the performance of Grimsby Garden Centre and their customers experience, highlighting issues and risks to support decision making.
• Be comfortable working independently and demonstrate the ability to effectively plan and organise resources to ensure smooth operation of the team.
• Have the confidence to prioritise conflicting demands and support the staff team to maintain good working practices.

About us

We are Navigo. We look after North East Lincolnshire mental health and well-being. We are an award-winning social enterprise that provides mental health services to the NHS and beyond.

The whole basis of our work is to deliver services that we would be happy for our own family to use.

We offer a range of mental health services, including acute and community facilities as well as specialist support such as outstanding older adults inpatient services, rehabilitation and recovery community mental health and an outstanding specialist eating disorder facility.

Ranked as one of the top UK companies to work for, we featured in the Best Companies top 100 large company list and were named sixth best health and social care company 2023.

As a social enterprise, we do things a little bit differently and have also developed income-generating commercially viable businesses that provide training, education and employment opportunities including Grimsby Garden Centre and two cafes.

Working at Navigo is not like working anywhere else. Lots of places say that, but we really mean it.

We like to work with forward-thinking people who want to make a difference.

Come join us!

Job responsibilities

The Business Manager will:

• Be the designated signatory for the Grimsby Garden Centre budget, and will manage income and expenditure with integrity.
• Research and identify new business opportunities including new markets, growth areas and trends, including sourcing goods and working with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of seasonal stock.
• Lead on customer experience, ensuring high quality merchandise is available and displays are appropriately planned, managed and maintained in line with seasonal demand, working with the Communications and Marketing team to implement and create in-store displays and offering accurate and timely information and guidance to staff.
• Have the responsibility for the management of the contractual relationship between Grimsby Garden Centre and their suppliers and customers.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with internal staff and external suppliers, ensuring that any agreed actions/objectives are delivered within agreed timescales.
• Be responsible for line management of staff resources within the team, including supervision and performance reviews, and the management of any disciplinary, performance, attendance, or grievance matters.

Click on the link below to read the full job description

https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B9816-336

The team from GTN were present at SOLEX throughout the three days of the show to produce live daily issues of SOLEX SUN. Click on the links below for all the editions of SOLEX SUN.

SOLEX SUN PREVIEW EDITION

http://solexsun.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/1cjw5rcmlcn

SOLEX SUN BUILD-UP LIVE

http://solexsun.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/1w63s1x7rd8

SOLEX SUN DAY ONE LIVE

http://solexsun.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/1fa4in8sqvg

SOLEX SUN DAY TWO LIVE

http://solexsun.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/bsih7dzgvi2

SOLEX SUN DAY THREE LIVE

http://solexsun.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/ihw8j9ajylh

Zest, Hex Living, Supremo, Eco Fuego, Pit Boss and 4 Seasons Outdoor were the winners in the SOLEX 2024 Awards, presented by Dion Dublin this evening at the NEC.

The honours were announced at the SOLEX Awards Ceremony & Afterparty – a night of celebration, networking, and a thrilling football-themed evening to coincide with the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Ex-England footballer Dion Dublin shared insights and predictions before the semi-final match between Spain and France.

The award winners were

Best Small Stand

Zest Outdoor Living

Judged by Sarah Bowers, Thrive Charity

Judge’s comment: “Excellent, well laid out, well staged with right amount of information.”

Best Medium Stand

Hex Living

Judged by Linda Petrons, Greenfingers Charity

Judge’s comment: “The colour palette runs through the stand, right down to the orange geums in the lovely planters. I can envisage the furniture in stores and also in the garden.”

Best Large Stand 

Supremo

Judged by Phil Swainston, The Perennial Charity

Judge’s comment: “Great branding, brilliant product display and point of sale.”

Best Eco-Friendly Product

Eco Fuego – El Campo Firepit

Judged by James Shorey, Planetmark

Judge’s comment: “Very clued up on the impact. By design, a simple product that reduces impact on the environment and waste.”

Best Individual Product

Zest Outdoor Living – Terrazzo Outdoor Kitchen

Judged by Richard Truscott, Almondsbury Garden Centre

Judge’s comment: “Affordable outdoor kitchen that is well built. A lovely addition to any garden. A great upsell and margin opportunity.”

Best BBQ Product

Pit Boss – Titan Wood Fired Pellet Grill

Judged by Scott McCabe, BGC Group

Judge’s comment: “A very well built 8-in-1 grill/smoker/sear/bake/bbq/grill/roast/char-grill. A good bit of kit for the money.”

Best Furniture Product 

4 Seasons Outdoor Sardinia Corner Chaise Sofa

Judged by Sharon McNair, Tong Garden Centre

Judge’s comment: “Beautiful product, excellent service from 4 seasons.”

See gallery of the winning stands, winning products and from the Atferparty below...

Team Kadai beat off stiff competition from teams from Charbroil, Outback, Grillstream and Delavita in the SOLEX BBQ Magazine Chicken Euros challenge.

Judged by comperes David Domoney, Ian from BBQ Magazine and last years winner Emma Quick of Charlies Ovens, the teams had 30 minutes to prepare a chicken meal themed after one of the countries taking part in the Euros.

Sandwiched between the end of the show at 5:30 p and the start of tonights match in Germany, the judges could not seperate the efforts of Kadai - (England) and Charbroil (Portugal), leaving the final decision to the crowd who cheered loudest for Team Kadai giving England their first win of the evening.

See our photos from the evening here.

SOLEX exhibitors celebrated the 16th edition of SOLEX at a football-themed evening, which coincided with the UEFA Euro semi-final between Spain and France.

During the evening former England footballer Dion Dublin shared insights and predictions before the semi-final match, which Spain on to win 2-1.

Below is a gallery of pictures from the evening.

The Loving Outdoor Living Zone proved to be a popular destination at SOLEX. Our photographer Paul Webb captured some of the action.

See gallery below...

The award winners at SOLEX 2024 were celebrating their success on the second day of the show.

Our photographer Paul Webb captured the winning teams on their stands.

Zest Outdoor Living won Best Small Stand and Best Individual Product with their Terrazzo Outdoor Kitchen.

Hex Living won Best Medium Stand.

Supremo won Best Large Stand.                               

Eco Fuego with their El Campo Firepit Best Eco-Friendly Product.

Pit Boss and their Titan Wood Fired Pellet Grill took the honours in the Best BBQ Product category.

The Best Furniture Product went to 4 Seasons Outdoor’s Sardinia Corner Chaise Sofa.

Greenfingers Charity and Perennial were presented with cheques for £7,500 each from LOFA during SOLEX.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications of Greenfingers, received the donation from Zest’s Alwyn Williams, a LOFA council member.

Phil Swainston, Corporate Partnership Manager of Perennial, received his cheque from Luke Hopkins, Senior Sales Manager Europe at Ascalon and LOFA council member.