The Bransford Webbs Plant Company’s Digitalis purpurea Apple Blossom has been recognised as Best in Show at the New Plant Awards, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), at this year’s HTA National Plant Show, happening today and tomorrow (19 and 20 June) at the NAEC, Stoneleigh.

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Digitalis purpurea Apple Blossom was awarded top in the herbaceous perennials category. In shades of primrose yellow to apple blossom, with a frilly appearance which attracts bees to the garden, this unique pale pink and purple flowerform has a creamy bud, and throws up multiple flower spikes which impressed the judges.

Emma Allen, RHS head of Horticultural Relations said, “We had amazing fun judging last night and we were spoilt for choice. I really hope you love the New Plant Award winners as much as I do!”

Martin Simmons, HTA Member Engagement Manager said, "This year’s New Plant Awards showcased a spectacular range of innovative and beautiful plants, with numerous stunning entries making the judging process particularly challenging.  We award bronze, silver and gold in each category, and across all categories there were 36 bronze, 20 silver and 16 golds. From the gold entries we choose the best in each category. The compliments and positive feedback from the judges underscore the quality and innovation in this year's entries.”

David Chilvers, Sales & Marketing Director at The Bransford Webbs Plant Company said, "We’re really pleased to have won the New Plant Award here at the HTA National Plant Show this year. Thank you to the HTA and all the judges."

The winners:

Herbaceous Perennials category

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company - Digitalis purpurea Apple Blossom – BEST IN SHOW

Annuals, bedding and container & basket plants

Ball Colegrave - Bidens ferulifolia Bee Happy Double Orange

Flowering Houseplants

Profitplant BV - Cyclamen persicum Illusia

Foliage Houseplants

Javado UK - Aglaonema  Grand  Blossom

Cacti & Succulents

Javado UK - Cotyledon Hybride Elephant Trunk

Trees

Frank P Matthews Ltd. - Prunus Crystal Falls®

Shrubs (including Conifers) & Climbers

Newey Ltd - Lavatera Lilia Twirl ‘HYFIRL’

The new plant area at HTA National Plant Show is bursting with ideas for new plants and the New Plant Awards are a showcase for dozens of new plant introductions. Awards are given to the most innovative and exceptional varieties introduced to the market within the last year.

Now that the weather has warmed up and this year’s stocks of products are selling through, forward thinking garden retailers will be starting to plan for 2025. With that in mind, GTN compiled a directory of supplier showrooms that are “Open for Business” this summer so that buyers can plan showroom road trips.

4 Seasons Outdoor

Preview The World’s finest Garden Furniture Showroom by watching their video:  https://youtu.be/0H1wcnlyMlE. Their trade only showroom is in Reading. Contact Chris@4so.co.uk

Edelman

Come and explore their latest colourful trends and themes in the 7,000m2 showroom, Reeuwijk, Netherlands. Contact david.brett@edelman.eu or ron.allison@edelman.eu 

Floralsilk

Floralsilks’ beautiful trade showroom is spread over 6,500 sq ft where you’ll see ranges from equisite florals and foliage to Christmas in all its glory. Contact sales@floralsilk.co.uk

G Plants

Discover top-selling brands Bee Friends, BEES Gifts, Speedy Seed and Green Ribbon at the G Plants headquarters in Blackburn. Contact sales@gplants.com

H& H Group

Best-selling personalised lines plus much, much more. Appointments for Showroom visits available Monday – Thursday in July. Contact sales@historyheraldry.com

Hamac

Just 30 minutes from Belfast, the Hamac showroom has over 3000 products on display with hidden gems to discover. Contact sales@hamactrading.com

Handy

Make a date for the Handy Dealer/Retailer Open Day at Moulton Grange Country Estate in Northampton on 5^th September. Tickets from: www.handys.co.uk

Hartman

See the Hartman 2025 collection including new cushion technology – Cloud Cushion and 100% recycled cushions during June, by appointment only, at the Hartman HQ in Telford. Call 01952 231231

Innovators International

Enhance your garden furniture ranges with quality stylish pieces from Innovators International.  By appointment only. Contact sales@innovators-international.co.uk

Ivyline

Stoneleigh Park is the location for the Ivyline showroom. Open Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm, Fridays 8am – 3pm and all visitors are treated to a complimentary lunch. Contact sales@ivylinegb.co.uk

Kaemingk

Discover the latest Spring Summer 2025 Trends at their UK Showroom, open from July 1^st 2024. Hall 3 Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth and at Aalten, Netherlands. Contact l.aarnink@kaemingk.com

LifestyleGarden

A showroom on two levels that is packed with responsibly crafted garden furniture also acts as a hub for retail staff training sessions.  Contact sales@lifestylegarden.co.uk

Norfolk Leisure

If you missed the Norfolk Leisure 2025 Season Showcase during May, contact us for a showroom visit at Setchy near Kings Lynn. www.norfolkleisurelifestyle.com

Nova Outdoor Living

The NOVA Experience centre is now open. NOVA is allocating half days and full days for bookings. If you wish to book your visit to the Experience Centre, visit www.novaoutdoorliving.co.uk

Panacea Products

Trade only visitors are welcomed at the Panacea Swindon showroom to see their high quality and exciting new product development. Contact sales@panaceaproducts.co.uk

Pinnacle Agri

Get a full product demo and factory tour of the Glee New Product Award winning Firestorm Heater at New Cross Farm in Herefordshire.  Contact trade@firestormheaters.co.uk

Primeur

See the full award winning Primeur range plus the newly launched Mighty Mats doormat collection in Skipton, North Yorkshire.  Contact sales@primeur.ltd.uk

Sipcam

Find out more about Sipcam, an international leader in crop protection and development of bio-technologies, at their Derby showroom. Contact www.ecofective.uk.com

Smart Garden Peterborough

Visit the Eureka building in Peterborough to see the two floor, 6,000 sq ft Smart showrooms. Smart typically add 400 new products each year, so its well worth a visit. Contact sales@sgpuk.com

Trans-Continental

Throughout July Trans-Continental invites customers to an exclusive showroom visit at its headquarters in Blackpool. Strictly by appointment only, contact sales@transcon.co.uk

Smart Abingdon

Spend the whole day reviewing the entire Smart collection at their Abingdon HQ. 5,000 sq ft of showroom and meeting rooms await trade only visitors. Contact sales@sgpuk.com

STV

A warm welcome awaits you at the STV Showroom where you’ll also meet the people who make the products your customers buy. Contact info@stvuk.com

Tom Chambers

The Tom Chambers Lifestyle showroom opens on June 3^rd. See their collection of garden furniture for 2025. Contact your Tom Chambers agent for a visit appointment.

Westland

Immerse yourselves in all the Westland brands to boost your sales and discover their latest innovations and marketing campaigns.  Contact your Westland sales representative to arrange a showroom visit.

Wildlife World

Wildlife World’s showroom promises to inspire and educate visitors on the importance of coexistence with nature. Contact stephen@wildlifeworld.co.uk to book a visit.

Woodlodge

Discover the extensive range of Woodlodge pots and accessories plus the W Living range of outdoor furniture in the new 20,000 sq ft showroom. Contact showroom@woodlodge.co.uk

See the printed versions of GTN's Summer Showroom Directory below:

There's only two days left for you to add your name to the guest list for the SOLEX Awards Ceremony & Afterparty on Tuesday 9 July. Marking its 16th year, SOLEX Exhibition has curated a night of celebration, networking, and a thrilling football-themed evening to coincide with the highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Full details can be seen here.  And you can add your name to the guest list using this link: SOLEX Awards Ceremony & Afterparty

Plus, the SOLEX Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening is on Wednesday 10th July, incorporating the BBQ Competition, which is set to light up the evening with charm and flavour.

Full details can be seen here.  And you can add your name to that guest list using this link: SOLEX Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening

GTN June/July 2024 – SOLEX Preview.  In this issue: Bring on the plants – GTN talks to Hannah Cook, Welcome to NOVA’s new Experience Centre, A Bridgerton Chelsea Flower Show, More showrooms to visit , Outdoor adventures with Fandango Fire Tools, SOLEX 2024 – GTN’s 26-page show preview, SOLEX show floor plan, Welcome to the SOLEX Afterparty and Awards, Celebrating BBQ Hero’s at SOLEX, Bramblecrest on a mission, News and latest products from SOLEX exhibitors, SOLEX green initiatives, Greenfingers opens new garden, NOVA brand and business model revamp, GIMA golf day, Glee’s 50 Year Hero’s, Chelsea’s plant winners- GTN’s Planteria, Promoting the industry - HTA Viewpoint, Innovation driving retail – GIMA Viewpoint.

The HTA has released its latest Market Update for June, reflecting on the performance of garden centres amidst the UK’s wettest spring since 1986.

The challenging weather conditions, with rainfall reaching 155% of the long-term average and sunshine at only 83% of the seasonal norm, significantly impacted garden centre sales.

However, general sales were buoyed by strong performing catering (+13%) and food and farm shop (+12%) sales, providing customers with extra incentive to visit when the weather is less favourable for gardening.   

HTA Chief Executive Fran Barnes remarked: "Challenging weather conditions once again led to a noticeable decline in garden centre sales for gardening enthusiasts. On the other hand, footfall was still strong with non-garden/gardening categories, particularly in catering and food, performing well, demonstrating the resilience of our sector.  

“Consumer confidence is on the rise, and with improving weather, we expect to see increased gardening activity. The growing consumer optimism and high wage growth position the industry to take advantage of any pent-up demand for gardening products. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the cost pressures facing businesses, particularly rising wage bills and shipping costs. Our focus remains on supporting our members through these challenges and advocating for favourable conditions for the horticulture sector, especially during this critical election period."  

Report Headlines:  

Sales Performance: Overall garden centre sales and transaction numbers declined by -3% in May. Garden/gardening category sales were particularly hard-hit, showing an -8% decrease, with outdoor plant sales suffering the most. Sales of hardy plants declined by -18% compared to May 2023, and bedding plants, garden tools, and outdoor living items like garden furniture and BBQs also saw significant declines.  

The growth in non-garden/gardening category sales, particularly in catering and food, underscores the strategic value of diversified offerings in weather-dependent industries. The +6 % increase in gifting and wild bird care products from May 2023 further supports this notion.  

Year-to-Date Comparison: Despite May’s setbacks, year-to-end May sales in 2024 are up +4% compared to 2023.  

Consumer Confidence: Consumer confidence rose by 2 points in May as consumers became more optimistic about their personal finances amidst falling inflation (CPIH 3%) and high wage growth (5.8%).  

Challenges and Opportunities: Businesses continue to face cost pressures from rising wage bills and increasing shipping costs. Improved weather conditions are anticipated to stimulate gardening demand, providing a potential boost to garden centre sales in the coming months.  

The full report, including detailed analysis and strategic recommendations, is available to HTA members on the HTA website.

This Sunday (23rd June) six teams from across the garden retail sector will be battling it out to be named the 2024 Greenfingers Dragon Boat champions. But they need your help – calling all cheerleaders, sponsors and raffle prize givers!

Rowing for the title will be teams from Westland, Evergreen, GIMA alongside the YPHA, the AMES Companies, Woodlodge and British Garden Centres, with friends and family set to cheer them on from the sidelines. However, with no limit on those that can offer words of encouragement, the Greenfingers Charity is reminding people that a great day out is on offer for those that wish to attend. Bring the family, bring the dog and don’t forget the picnic!

Sponsorship opportunities
As with any Greenfingers Charity fundraising event there are also several sponsorship opportunities, perfect for those that wish to support the event from afar. From sponsoring the on the day photographs to refreshments, sponsors can ensure that the day goes without a hitch whilst also placing their brand front and centre. Not to mention their amazing contribution to the charity’s fundraising total.

Raffle prizes needed!
Once the 2024 Dragon Boat champions have been crowned there will be plenty of time for the rowers and spectators to kick back and relax, with a raffle enabling many to go home with some top prizes. Always a proven fundraiser the Greenfingers team has issued a rallying call for anyone willing to donate prizes for this special raffle. Prizes can include everything from products to services and experiences.
 
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Greenfingers Charity, said: “We’re consistently impressed by the way our supporters get involved, whether in-person or from afar. The 2024 Dragon Boat Race will be no different, and we sincerely hope that people, teams and businesses will be able to boost the excitement on the day. Whether they’re coming to cheer on the rowers, sponsoring the event or providing something for the raffle, their input will be so gratefully received by us at Greenfingers and by those that spend time in one of our garden spaces.”
 
The Greenfingers Dragon Boat Race - everything you need to know!

Where: Grendon Lakes, Northamptonshire. Set in 150 acres of stunning Northamptonshire countryside, Grendon Lakes features 12 lakes, two of which are devoted to watersports with the remaining 10 making up some of the finest fishing water in the area. The complex is also home to ‘Hostile Fire’ - the Midlands' premier paintball site. The on-site Alpine clubhouse overlooks the main watersports lake and houses a fully licensed bar, café, toilets, showers and changing rooms, making it the perfect location for friends and families to join in the fun on the day. 

How to get involved
Anyone wanting to get involved in the Greenfingers Charity Dragon Boat Race should email Linda Petrons via linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk. directly.

In the meantime, you can follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.

Wyevale Nurseries is unveiling its first collection of trees for retailers at the HTA National Plant Show this week after a 15-year absence from the market (June 19 & 20, 2024).

The Hereford-based leading commercial nursery is launching the range of 10 litre potted trees at the show and will be taking orders for deliveries from August onwards.

Wyevale Nurseries’ Garden Centre Sales Manager, Colin Stanley explains: “We have been asked by many of our retail and garden centre customers about growing trees again for them, so after 15 years, we’ve returned to our retail tree roots with our first crop for the retail market this autumn.

“Retailers and garden centres are seeing an increase in demand for trees from consumers and this is creating a pull for the product. Gardeners are keen to plant trees in their green spaces, where they can, and they are also keen to include fruit trees, so they can embrace Grow Your Own.

“This is a trend our customers say looks set to continue. We’re also seeing garden centres, who currently may not be our clients, coming to us asking for trees, as they are finding it harder to import them from Europe due to increased legislation. Many also want to buy British and there are limited suppliers who can fulfil their needs of British sown and British grown, which we can.

“We’re offering an excellent range of 10L trees including ornamental and fruit trees in a trio of collections featuring many of the very best selling and most popular varieties available. We’ve included something for everyone!

“At the show we’re launching an Ornamental Collection and a Fruit Tree Collection, as well as a mixed Ornamental & Fruit Tree Collection. These are perfect for our customers who have smaller plant areas, as it allows them to offer these top selling varieties, when it may previously have been difficult for them to do so due to order numbers and space.”

Wyevale Nurseries’ Ornamental Collection includes Betula Jacquemontii ‘Snow Queen’, Crataegus ‘Crimson Cloud’, Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ and Sorbus ‘Vilmorinii’. Its Fruit Tree Collection includes the popular Golden Delicious Apple, Morrello Cherry, Victoria Plum and Conference Pear.

Colin adds: “We’re going to be displaying some of the varieties from our collections at the National Plant Show and are very happy to chat to anyone interested in finding out more. We can also take pre-orders at our stand for those that want to get ahead for the autumn season too. Come and see us, we’re in Hall 1 at stand 41/50.”

Wyevale Nurseries supplies 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. 

Industry is taking on responsibility -  spoga+gafa impresses a good 28,000 trade visitors from 113 countries - New formats and further development of contents

spoga+gafa once again confirmed its position as the most important platform for the global garden industry. Around 28,000 trade visitors from 113 countries took part in the world's largest garden and BBQ trade fair from 16 to 18 June. Hence, the trade fair built seamlessly on the success of the previous year.

spoga+gafa succeeded in bringing the entire garden industry together once again. The presence and return of renowned exhibitors from Europe and America underlines the international significance of spoga+gafa as a central industry meeting point. In terms of the number of visitors, the trade fair particularly recorded growth in Germany, where it registered an increase of over eight percent.
"The success of spoga+gafa is proof of the trust and the support of our exhibitors and visitors. Precisely in these challenging times spoga+gafa has proven yet again to be an indispensable and reliable platform for the green industry. The positive response of the international trade visitors, the growth in the number of German visitors, and the high quality of the discussions with our partners, motivates us even more in our efforts to constantly further develop spoga+gafa," commented Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.

spoga+gafa 2024 in figures:
Over 1,800 exhibitors from 66 countries participated at spoga+gafa in 2024. In total, approx. 28,000 visitors from 113 countries came to Cologne. The nations with the highest number of visitors included Germany, which recorded the highest growth, as well as the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the USA and Australia once again.

New value-adding contents 
Together with the green industry, spoga+gafa focused intensely on the top theme "Responsible Gardens": With examples of best practice from the international garden trade, lectures in the Forum Garden Cafe as well as theme-related product presentations, the trade fair offered practical concepts and answers to urgent industry issues.
spoga+gafa demonstrated its further development of the contents of the BBQ segment again in the scope of the new theme worlds "From Budget to Luxury – BBQ for Every Wallet", "cooling world" and "Outdoor Adventure" and thus did justice to its role as the leading trade fair.

Outlook on spoga+gafa 2025
The next edition of spoga+gafa is being staged in June 2025 under the top theme "Design Gardens". Placing the focus on aesthetic and innovative design solutions for private green space as well as a review of past design concepts, spoga+gafa 2025 underlines the high quality and design demands of the garden and BBQ world.

Comments from the industry
"As the industry sponsor we are fully supporting spoga+gafa, which once again this year excelled with its high quality and it was great fun too. For our members it is still an important platform for presenting oneself and engaging in an exchange with colleagues, acquaintances and important industry decision-makers. We thank Koelnmesse for the fantastic collaboration in the run-up to the fair and for the trusting cooperation. We were particularly delighted that several members were honoured this year for taking part at spoga+gafa for up to 60 times.
Anna Hackstein, Managing Director, Industry Garden Association e.V. (IVG). 

"spoga+gafa grows from year to year, our international members know this too and send more and more buyers to this indispensable trade fair. We especially appreciate the good service that Koelnmesse offers our members. The breadth and depth of the offer as well as the innovative and forward-looking solutions turn spoga+gafa into a fixed date in our diary."
John W. Herbert, General Secretary of the European DIY Retail Association and the Global Home Improvement Network (EDRA/GHIN)

Here at VDG, we were able to welcome many participants, members and international guests at our stand. The trade fair offered an excellent platform for inspiration and impulses that could be experienced directly on-site. With its top theme 'Responsible Gardens' spoga+gafa impressively placed the centre of attention on the different levels of responsible behaviour. In the scope of the Specialised Garden Centres special award we were able to attract additional attention to this important topic and raise the awareness of our members for sustainable garden practices." Martina Mensing-Meckelburg, President, German Garden Centre Association e.V. (VDG)

"This year's spoga+gafa took place amid a world of unresolved problems. The customers are only slowly recovering from the energy price shocks and negative news of the past years. And in spite of several weather phenomena that are currently preventing an optimum turnover development in the green segments, our dealers in the markets are picking up some positive vibes: Customers love the garden and the warm first quarter enabled a good start to the year. And the DIY and specialised garden centres also provide products for difficult times. Topics such as resilient plants, irrigation and drainage, smart monitors and many others are becoming increasingly important. But the trade not only needs the appropriate products, it also needs the basic information for a top consultation. Here the exchange between the dealers and the suppliers and service providers at spoga+gafa offers the ideal network platform, which is used and highly estimated by both the visitors and the exhibitors. Conclusion: A must for the industry again this year." Dr. Peter Wüst, Chief Executive Director, BHB – Trade Association for Home Improvement, Construction & Gardening e.V.

"spoga+gafa once again exceeded our expectations and confirmed its position as a must-attend event for the BBQ industry. Considerably more specialised BBQ dealers visited the members of the BIAG than last year. The trade fair offered an impressive variety of new products and technologies, which will shape the future of barbecuing. There were so many highlights and new products that it is difficult to accentuate any of them specifically. Furthermore, the trade fair offered a fantastic setting for live BBQ presentations and cookery courses. Experts showed the visitors the latest BBQ techniques and gave them valuable tips on the best way to use the appliances. These interactive sessions were an absolute hit and significantly contributed towards the success of the event. The innovations presented and the positive feedback of the participants show that the industry is on the right track in satisfying the growing demands of the consumers, while at the same time promoting sustainable practices." Norbert l. Jedrau, Chief Operating Officer BIAG

About spoga+gafa 
spoga+gafa is the biggest garden and BBQ fair in the world. As an international trade fair at the location in Cologne, it sets impulses for the entire garden world. At the leading global trade fair, the green industry talks about the line-ups and trends of the coming season and presents solutions for current and future challenges. The focus of spoga+gafa lies on trends and innovations from the sections garden bbq, garden creation & care, garden living and garden unique. The unique range of offerings turns the trade fair into the place-to-be for the purchasing managers of all trading forms. The Industry Garden Association e.V. (IVG) is the industry sponsor of spoga+gafa. 

For further information see spogagafa.com

Koelnmesse – Global Inspiration for Living, Contract and Public Spaces
Koelnmesse is the world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of Living, Contract and Public Spaces.
Alongside imm cologne and interzum, other event formats hosted at the trade fair hub of Cologne such as ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, FSB and aquanale are among the most internationally renowned and established industry gatherings.
These fairs comprehensively represent the interior and design segment, the furniture and interior construction industries' supplying sections, the kitchen world, all topics for the modern working world, garden lifestyle as well as modern work environments, the garden lifestyle, public spaces, sports and leisure facilities, along with saunas, pools and wellness centres.
To complement the events in Cologne, Koelnmesse is constantly strategically expanding its portfolio in key growth markets around the globe. Its foreign trade fairs include ORGATEC TOKYO in Japan and the events in the interzum brand family: interzum guangzhou in China, interzum bogota in Colombia and interzum forum italy in Italy. Koelnmesse recently added a cooperation between imm cologne and an established design trade fair in Colombia to its portfolio. This event will be hosted under the name La Feria De Diseño Medellín powered by imm cologne.
Further information: https://www.spogagafa.com/trade-fair/spoga-gafa-2024/industry-trade-fairs/

The next events:
ORGATEC - New visions of work, Cologne 22.10. - 25.10.2024
imm cologne - The interior business event, Cologne 12.01. - 16.01.2025
ORGATEC TOKYO - SHIFT DESIGN - The leading international trade fair in Asia for the modern workspaces, Tokyo 03.06. - 05.06.2025

Blue Diamond, British Garden Centres and Hilliers made the most of the marketing and sales opportunities at BBC Gardeners World Live 2024

Blue Diamond sponsored the new Urban Garden section of the NEC show.

British Garden Centres took their exclusive garden furniture range to the show alongside their sponsorship of the main stage.

And Hilliers sponsored the Plants stage in the Flower Pavilion.

See GTN Xtra's gallery of photos from Press Day on Wednesday before the show opened to the public to see which suppliers were also taking advantage of the Birmingham consumer event.  Watch out for more details to follow about Urban Wyrm - worm casts as a soil conditioner and additive for gardeners.

With the launch of its Good Times campaign, a licensing deal with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), a finger on the pulse of innovation, and partnerships with like-minded businesses, Tim Pennell, Bramblecrest’s Head of Sales and Marketing, is certainly on a mission. His aim is to promote Bramblecrest’s extensive garden furniture and outdoor living products and be one of the sectors most recognised brands.

Read the full article in GTN's June/July 2024 SOLEX Preview

HEX Living is thrilled to announce our return to SOLEX 2024

Located at stand 510, our team is prepared to highlight our premium outdoor storage solutions and furniture range. Visitors can expect to see our newest designs that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, perfect for enhancing any outdoor space.

Whether you are looking for robust storage options or contemporary outdoor furniture, HEX Living has something new and exciting for you.

Mark your calendars for SOLEX 2024, and we look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.hexliving.co.uk/

Lakeside Plant Centre in Telford are supporting all gardeners. In the first match the gardeners put out in the first team. Weedol Pathclear, a great striker with amazing form. The game ended Gardeners 1 weeds 0...

#greatpatiosstartatlakeside #greatgardensstartatlakeside

Leading garden centre rejuvenation experts, Fordingbridge, have just completed their third upgrade project for Trowell Garden Centre in Nottingham. The major works, started in January this year, involved transforming two original canopies –installed by Fordingbridge circa 20 years ago – into hard roofing to create a vast new, fully insulated extension to the centre.

The extended area will add a total of 200 m2 to the centre’s popular Digg café and external plant sales area, enabling the garden centre to capitalise on its most popular areas, that brings people into the centre year-round.

The works also involved the addition of a five span trellis canopy adjoining the newly extended café area to enable the centre to create an impressive new showcase area for seasonal planting and furniture right next to its popular café.

Owners of Trowell Garden Centre, David and Barbara Henshaw, said: “This new area has totally transformed the experience we can offer our tens of thousands of visitors and will hopefully bring in even more. As ever, the team at Fordingbridge were super professional and the speed at which the project was completed was really impressive.”

CEO of Fordingbridge commented: “If you’re looking to create new year-round retail and café spaces, upgrading existing canopied areas can be a great, very cost-effective solution. It keeps costs and disruption to a minimum and as Trowells newly enhanced Diggs café proves, the end result can be stunning.”

To discover more about Fordingbridge’s services visit www.fordingbridge.co.uk.

The team at Tong Garden Centre are celebrating after reaching the final of a regional business award. They have been shortlisted in the Community category in the Bradford Means Business Awards.

Tong Garden Centre's Head of People, Culture & Sustainability, Neil Barwise-Carr, said: "Our local community is at the heart of everything we do, from our charity of the year to the Kindness Pot what has supported 95 local initiatives through donations, sponsorship and volunteering. We're proud and delighted to be in the final of this prestigious award."

Sponsored by brsk, the Community award recognises businesses that demonstrate their commitment to the community to deliver positive change.

The team faces competition from Yorkshire Building Society and Sovereign Healthcare and will learn whether they have been successful at a black-tie dinner on July 19th at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, organised in partnership with Bradford Council.

Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres with 11,600m² of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars. It is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group that also owns Tingley Garden Centre and the former Stephen H Smith's Garden Centres in Otley and Harden, Bingley, plus Dean's Garden Centres in York and Scarborough.

Above, left to right: Chantelle Brayson- Tills Assistant , Steph Harrison- Group People and Culture Manager, Shannon Carter- Garden Sundries Manager.

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company eagerly await the National Plant Show next week and are excited to present to you our new look along with a number of exciting new plant introductions for 2025.

The stand will be packed with the amazing colour you have come to expect from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, with a new twist for 2024, as we move to a larger stand. Come along and see for yourselves. You will find us in Hall 2 stand 299/ 300 / 303 / 304 where you are sure of a warm welcome from our sales team.

This show is the perfect opportunity to meet customers, current and new, and highlight the fantastic selection of over twenty new plants and ranges we will have on offer for 2025; from Primula to a new and exclusive Hebe, stunning perennials and gorgeous shrub ranges. Only our new plants at the peak of their performance are entered into the new plant awards and this year, we will be featuring Digitalis ‘Apple Blossom’ and Hebe ‘Lime Pickle’.

“The HTA National Plant Show is a real highlight of the year for the sales team”, commented David Chilvers, Sales and Marketing Director. “This is our opportunity to catch up with customers old and new and shout about what’s new for 2025”.

The award, named in honour of horticulture's super hero Peter Seabrook, in tribute to the years he devoted to promoting new plant varieties both to gardeners and within the horticultural trade, is one of the most prestigious awards in the plant sector. This years winning plant, which is being introduced to the UK market by Herefordshire based Allensmore Nurseries, Hydrangea macrophylla First Editions® Eclipse® has been selected as the top plant entered into the competition by the panel of expert judges.

The award was presented by Fran Barnes, the Chief Executive of the HTA and Roger Seabrook, son of the late Peter Seabrook, in front of an audience in a packed Let’s Talk Plants theatre at the garden show on Friday. There to receive their award were Alice Button the Trials Officer and Production Director Kevin Campbell both of Allensmore Nurseries.

Over 100 plants entered were judged by the panel and are now on show to the public at the event. Over 90,000 visitors to the show, are now being asked in the Visitors Vote for their choice of ‘top of the pots’. GTNXtra will bring you the result of that poll as soon as the votes are counted.

Pictures at top: Left to right Kevin Campbell, Alice Button, Fran Barnes, Roger Seabrook and event organiser Neil Gow from the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.

Slug Stoppa by ecofective® has come to the rescue as UK gardeners have attempted to get to grips with increasing slug numbers in their gardens during May and June. The recent surge in slugs in the UK can be attributed to the wetter-than-average spring weather. These conditions create an ideal environment for slugs to thrive and reproduce. The ecofective® brand cares about garden wildlife and exists to find greener solutions that are not harmful to the ecosystem. Slugs are a real problem for plants and produce as they eat holes in plant leaves, stems, and flowers.

The best solution

Research by Sipcam Home & Garden has found that gardeners would prefer not to harm slugs and snails. Therefore, control measures are becoming increasingly popular – and ecofective® have the solution with Slug Stoppa. Slug Stoppa is a new eco way to shield edible and non-edible plants from slugs and snails, without hurting them.

Using a brand-new formula, Slug Stoppa is a spray that creates an invisible barrier onto plants. The barrier makes the plant significantly less palatable for slugs and snails, so they move away to feed elsewhere. Slug Stoppa is a pesticide-free child & pet safe ready-to-use spray that also contains nutrients to enhance and promote plant growth. When sprayed onto plants it gives the plant an ability to withstand slugs or snails whilst ensuring they are all unharmed and that natural predators such as hedgehogs, amphibians and birds are safe to feed in the garden. Furthermore, the new formula is also not harmful to pollinators such as butterflies and bees, who conduct such an important job in the garden.

User-friendly and sustainable

Meeting consumer demand perfectly, Slug Stoppa is also a joy to use with the ergonomically designed ‘thumb pump’ trigger. The design of the trigger results in a seamless one-handed spray functionality that can be used when there are the first signs of slug and snail damage in the garden.

Appealing to eco-conscious garden enthusiasts, Slug Stoppa is supplied in the brand-new pouch pack format, which has significantly less plastic content. This new packaging consumes less energy throughout its entire lifecycle and less plastic material used also results in less waste to collect, sort, and recycle. Slug Stoppa’s pouch is up to 55% less plastic than a conventional rigid spray bottle.

In-store impact

The increase in UK slug population, twinned with the demand for more humane solutions has led to a spike in sales of Slug Stoppa.

Nigel Thompson (Head of Sales at Sipcam Home & Garden) said: “We received overwhelmingly positive responses from our customers before launch. They were particularly complimentary regarding the new packaging design and the product's eco credentials. Due to this feedback we made it our priority to bring Slug Stoppa to market as soon as possible. We are so glad we did, now the product is needed more than ever, to help with the recent slug surge. It’s great to see the product helping gardeners and selling well.”

Slug Stoppa’s launch has come at a perfect time for both retailers and gardeners with garden centres also mentioning the high impact packaging as a reason for stand-out sales in recent weeks.

Sipcam Home & Garden are the owners of the ecofective® brand and offer additional instore support to encourage higher sell through rates. This includes the Slug Stoppa three-tiered wooden display stand, which is dressed in Slug Stoppa branding and extra product information to educate shoppers in-store.

Slug Stoppa is the go-to slug solution to help gardeners this season and the right choice for the planet. Speak to the Sipcam Home & Garden team today to find out how you can become a stockist - enquiries@sipcamhg.co.uk.

To mark the launch of its new range of Webb Eco cordless rotary lawnmowers with long-lasting interchangeable advanced 20v Lithium-ion technology, garden equipment manufacturer Webb is delighted to announce it has been presented with 2024 Best Buy status by BBC Gardeners’ World magazine.            
        
Reviewed independently by a team of experts, the Best Buy award is part of BBC Gardeners’ World ‘On Test’ feature. The recent test of lawnmowers involved rating four key areas: set-up, handling, mowing and value for money. 
 
Put to trial with 22 other lawnmowers from well-established brands, BBC Gardeners’ World rated the Webb Eco WEV20X2LM43B4X 40V cordless lawnmower its ‘Best Buy’ of 2024, scoring 4.8/5 for best ease of use. The latest addition to the Webb Eco range was praised for its quiet, comfortable and smooth handling. 
 
Kay Maguire, Reviews Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine said: “Quiet and easy to use, the Webb Eco WEV20X2LM43B4X 40V cordless lawnmower is a durable and sturdy mower with great features, including a long run time of up to 60 minutes.  Featuring three handle heights, the lawnmower is designed to provide a comfortable mowing experience, even over longer and bumpier lawns”.
 
Supplied with two 4Ah 40V Lithium-Ion batteries and a dual charger, the new Webb lawnmower delivers an impressive 40V of cutting power with a 43 cm (17”) wide cut, durable ABS deck and six cutting heights ranging from 25-75mm.  For added ease, grass clippings can be gathered into a large 50-litre easy-fit fabric collection bag, which offers great airflow and ensures fewer trips to the compost heap.
 
Also available from the new range is the Webb Eco WEV20LM33B4 20V 33cm Cordless Rotary Lawnmower, which includes one 4Ah battery and charger.  Suitable for small to medium-sized lawns, this lawnmower features a 33cm cutting width and five adjustable cutting heights ranging from 25mm to 65mm.  Featuring a 35-litre collection box, this lightweight model weighs just 12.7kg for a powerful yet compact solution.
 
To coincide with the launch, Mark Moseley, Handy’s Sales & Marketing Director, comments on this latest achievement: “We’re delighted to have received Best Buy recognition on our latest range of Web Eco cordless lawnmowers.  Receiving this accreditation from such a well-respected title as Gardeners’ World, reinforces the trust that retailers have in choosing to stock our products and gives our customers confidence in their purchasing decisions. To support our latest accreditation, the Best Buy logo will be added to our packaging, and retailers can look forward to receiving stickers to display next to the product in their stores."
 
Designed for optimal performance with a super-fast battery recharge, the new Webb Eco cordless rotary lawnmower range provides an eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternative to traditional petrol options. Quiet to use and cordless in design, the new range offers complete freedom with no power cables to get in the way or hold you up. Furthermore, as all tools within the range have been designed to be used with the same, easily interchangeable 20v battery, valuable savings can be achieved in running costs.
 
To find out more about the Webb Eco cordless lawnmower range and to purchase directly at trade prices, please go to Webb’s trade website  www.Handys.co.uk and become a stockist. 

Hillier Garden Centres is thrilled to announce its return to BBC Gardeners’ World Live for the third year. As part of its continued support for the event, this year Hillier sponsored the Let’s Talk Plants stage in the Floral Marquee and supplying the plants for Adam Frost’s Chef’s Table show garden, following its headline sponsorship of the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair earlier this year.

Returning to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from 13th to 16th June 2024, the event brings a wealth of horticultural knowledge and inspiration to its visitors, with the Hillier team on hand to provide one-to-one expert advice throughout the show.

The leading garden centre retailer and nursery will be supporting renowned garden designer Adam Frost with his spectacular Chef’s Table show garden – a garden that will be overflowing with edibles and pot-to-plate inspiration. The space will boast a stunning display featuring a diverse range of Hillier trees and hundreds of Hillier plants, making it an unmissable highlight of the event.

At the Let’s Talk Plants stage, attendees can look forward to daily talks from Hillier plant specialists as well as other popular gardening personalities, offering valuable insights and tips throughout each day of the show. The Hillier stand will also showcase a vibrant selection of plants designed to inspire visitors with creative ideas for their own gardens.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase a fantastic selection of high-quality, peat-free plants grown at Hillier nurseries in Hampshire. With an extensive variety of plants available, there is something to suit every garden and taste.

BBC Gardeners’ World Live has become a key date in the calendar, packed full of inspiration, garden design ideas, and plenty of shopping opportunities. As well as this, live entertainment and advice from professionals ensure visitors have a fantastic day out.

Hillier Garden Centres invites all gardening enthusiasts to join them at BBC Gardeners’ World Live to explore, learn, and be inspired by its wonderful plants and knowledgeable experts.

For further information, please visit www.hillier.co.uk.

BBQ enthusiasts are in for a treat at FoodFest, with The Big BBQ Cookout Stage hosted by Napoleon Grills at this year’s CarFest presented by bp pulse, taking place from the 23rd-25th August at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire - the perfect activity for anyone already excited about the upcoming National BBQ Week (3rd - 9th June).

Get ready for a BBQ masterclass like no other, as the festival returns to serve up a feast of grilled delights, complete with live BBQ demonstrations, insider tips from renowned experts, the secret to mastering the perfect BBQ char, and much more. 

The stage is once again hosted by Napoleon Grills, a brand synonymous with all things BBQ, and recognised globally as premium manufacturers of barbecue grills and experts in gas, infrared and charcoal grilling. This year, they are not just bringing the char, but are also offering guests a look at their varied product range, exclusive discounts on-site on grills, cooking accessories, and just about anything you need to turn into a distinguished pitmaster.

Hosted by masters of the grill and 'Hang Fire BBQ’ Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn, otherwise known as the ‘First Ladies of Cue’, will be showcasing brand new BBQ recipes made exclusively with Napoleon Grills, demonstrated live for the first time to CarFest audiences. The Big BBQ Cookout offers guests the opportunity to learn how to whip up delicious BBQ dishes that the whole family can enjoy over the summer, and stars a fiery line-up of grill masters.

This year’s BBQ line-up is hotter than ever with a host of some of the most established TV chefs including Angela Hartnett, Michael Caines, Atul Kochhar, Omar Allibhoy, Cyrus Todiwala, Glynn Purnell and Lisa Goodwin Allen standing comfortably alongside an exciting, fire-ready brigade of young stars. 

At just 17, Aston Prideaux has already been an apprentice under two Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge. Exploring cuisine of the Balkans and beyond, Macedonian chef Irina Janakievska brings her stunning style of cooking exclusively to The Big BBQ Cookout, showcasing an array of dishes which channel a long line of amazing women in her family with a talent for beautiful food.

Adding a kick of Texas flavour to proceedings, Big Nath brings his award winning unique brand of live fire cooking to the stage. Great British Menu winner and Michelin star chef Nathan Davies will be sharing his love of foraged produce cooked simply over fire to The Big BBQ Cookout Stage.

Finally, Tunde Suyaman - the creative mind behind the eponymous Suyaman brings his Nigerian heritage to the grill, serving up West African flavours, introducing guests to the rich culinary heritage of Nigeria.

Also joining the line-up are two culinary powerhouses, Omar Allibhoy and James Sharp. Omar, the talented Spanish chef and author who continues to create a buzz within the UK food scene, brings a dash of Mediterranean flair to the festivities, as he brings to life his best-selling cookbooks and critically acclaimed restaurant. Meanwhile, James' eclectic culinary journey has seen him go from the Alps to Michelin-starred restaurants, via MasterChef: The Professionals’ in 2023, infusing the BBQ scene with a touch of fine dining. He will be showcasing this skill at FoodFest by cooking his infamous hash browns over the flames much to the crowd’s delight. 

Beyond the food, CarFest also boasts a star-studded music line-up, sure to get everyone from parents to kids queuing to get on the dancefloor. Guests can rock and roll like never before, as the stage will be set on fire with the legendary talents of former Verve lead singer Richard Ashcroft; lead singer of Scissor Sisters Jake Shears; and guitar virtuoso Johnny Marr of The Smiths. The star-studded line-up also includes X Factor icon Olly Murs; Eurovision heavyweight Sam Ryder; queen of British soul Beverley Knight; pop rock legends Scouting for Girls; reggae pop fusion pioneers UB40 ft Ali Campbell and many more. 

Building on the triumph of last year, CarFest presented by bp pulse, which was founded by Virgin Radio breakfast presenter Chris Evans, returns for its 13th year, bringing back its now firmly established and loved seven magical festivals: AdventureFest, FoodFest, KidsFest, RetroFest, SpaFest, StarFest and, of course, CarFest, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Since its inception in 2012, CarFest’s core mission has been to raise funds for UK children's charities. In 2024, the festival will be supporting BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, My Black Dog, Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Epilepsy, and local Hampshire-based charity Naomi House & Jacksplace. 

Tickets are currently on sale at www.carfest.org.

Golfing prowess met with generous hearts at the 2024 GIMA Charity Golf Day, which was held at Belton Woods Hotel & Golf Course in Grantham on June 6th, to raise significant funds for Greenfingers Charity.

The green buzzed with friendly competition as 22 teams of garden industry suppliers and retailers battled it out for the coveted GIMA Golf trophy, now a successful and popular event.

Having conquered the course, golfers enjoyed a well-deserved barbecue on the hotel's terrace. The day culminated in a prize-giving ceremony and a charity auction, with all proceeds generously donated to Greenfingers which will help them create even more beautiful and therapeutic gardens at children's hospices across the country.

The all-important results!

Hex Living emerged victorious at the 2024 GIMA Golf Day, claiming the title with a score of 86 points. Smart Garden and the Zest team displayed impressive skills, finishing neck-and-neck in second place with 85 points each. While the GIMA team may have received the "Wooden Spoon" award for their 56 points, the spirit of friendly competition reigned supreme.

GIMA Golf 2024 Winners Hex Living

The golf day wouldn't have been the same without some friendly competition with a fantastic group of golfers from Gardena, Woodlodge, Glee, Ivyline, Pure Print, Henry Bell, Rocketgro, Swift, Treadstone, Graf UK, Grassgains, Vitax, Evergreen, Centurion, Sunshine and Polhill Garden Centres, Premier Decorations, Ames and Charles Bentley.

Beat the pro

In a thrilling "Beat the Pro" challenge on Hole 11, Andy MacMillan, Chris Francis, Alwyn Williams, Liam Barrett, Neil Blake, John Styles, Ben Walton, Tom Lay, Josh Novell, Spencer Goodall, Jon Hotson, and Dan McAlpin emerged victorious! By donating to the cause and placing their balls closer to the pin than the resident professional, they secured bragging rights and helped raise even more money for Greenfingers Charity.

In addition to the “Beat the Pro” competition, Chris Francis claimed victory on Nearest the Pin on the 4th hole, David Stagg on the 8th, Nigel Blow on the 13th, and Jonathan Stobart on the 15th. Jonny Hotson secured the longest drive award on the 18th hole.

Sponsors included Durston Garden Products, Smart Garden, Imprint, Premier Decorations, Elho, Ninja, Meadow View Stone, Primeur & Hornby George PR, Vitax, Swift Cloud, Decco, and Maze.

The fun didn't stop on the course with a raffle and auction taking place in the evening. Donations and all the fantastic prizes for the raffle and auction came from GIMA, Grassgains, Belton Woods, Greenfingers, Shark Ninja, Evergreen, Premier Decorations, Smart Garden, Fallen Fruits, Rollins Bulldog Tools, Hex Living, Elho, Burgon & Ball, Gardena, Woodlodge, and Capi – a big thank you for their amazing contributions.

GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall said: “The Golf Day is a highlight every year, and it's always amazing to see everyone having fun competing and raising money for Greenfingers. The teamwork on the course was great followed by the raffle and auction in the evening, and most importantly, we raised a lot of money for a fantastic cause. We're incredibly grateful to all the sponsors, participants, and generous donors who made this event a success.”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity added: “From all of us at Greenfingers Charity, a heartfelt thank you to GIMA for another incredible event! The members’ generosity throughout the day – from the golf course to the auction – means the world to us, and even more importantly, to the hundreds of children and families we support.”

For further information please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk

See the full GIMA Golf Day Photo gallery using this link: GIMA Charity Golf Day 2024

Pollinators are the ‘unsung heroes’ of the garden, responsible for providing humans with one of every three food mouthfuls, producing natural resources, and sustaining ecosystems. Inspired by this week’s World Bee Day, Haskins is encouraging gardeners to embrace bumblebees and other pollinators by creating thriving outside spaces.

Haskins Garden Centres’ in-house plant expert, Alasdair Urquhart says, “Bees are a crucial ally for gardeners, helping to maintain vital food systems and pollinating crops, fruit, and vegetables.

“You can take simple and cost-effective steps to support pollinators while also creating abundant plots.”

Alasdair suggests four simple ways to encourage pollinators and add a splash of colour.

Idea #1: Add some colour, and welcome pollinators to your garden

Alasdair advises, “Colourful flowers are brilliant for attracting pollinators and brightening up gardens.

“Bees’ vision is more sensitive to the ultra-violet spectrum, so flowers with a yellow, purple, violet, or blue hue are great options. Distribute flowers of these colours in the garden to attract bumblebees and create a vibrant outdoor space.

“Plants with compound and composite flowers are pollinator friendly, for example those that are daisy-shaped or thistle-like. These are composed by lots of smaller flowers called florets that create an overall head and contain more nectar per plant than the average blossom.”

Idea #2: A different flavour for pollinators

Alasdair says, “Herbs are beneficial for pollinators and double up as the ideal accompaniment for a summer meal. Sage, Mint, and Thyme are great forage plants for bees, and all add delicious flavour to dinners.

“Aromatic plants are excellent for bees, providing them with protein-dense pollen and energy-rich nectar to feed the young and sustain their colonies.

“You can also use herbs as natural pest deterrents. Organic pesticides allow gardeners to stop depending on chemical pest control methods, minimising the risk of damaging delicate ecosystems.”

Idea #3: Plant out seed mixes to support pollination

Alasdair says, “Encourage pollinating insects by planting a nectar bar with wildflower seed mixes and Borage. These create long-lasting wildlife habitats that support biodiversity in the garden.

"When using seed mixes, remove any weeds or large stones before digging over the soil and levelling out the plot. Mix the seeds in their packet before sprinkling in a criss-cross pattern to achieve an even coverage. Once firmed down, gently water seeds to kick-start healthy growth.

“As the flowers bloom they will offer an attractive area for bees and allow pollinators to thrive in your garden.”

Idea #4: Create nesting habitats for solitary bees

Alasdair says, “Solitary bees do not live in colonies, instead building individual nests and working alone. Urbanisation, intensive agriculture, and pesticides are sadly threatening solitary bees’ natural habitats. As they are one of the most prolific pollinating insects and generally more docile than bumblebees, you should consider creating nesting habitats for them nearby.

“Create a bug hotel for solitary bees by drilling small holes in logs and wood blocks or tie together pieces of bamboo cane. Place the bug hotel on the side of a fence or shed in a southerly area, as solitary pollinators benefit from the extra warmth during colder months.”

More ideas for supporting pollinators

Gardeners who want to support bees can head to their nearest Haskins Garden Centre for expert advice. More top tips are available at: www.haskins.co.uk/bee-friendly-plants

GTN May 2024 - Summer Showroom Directory - In this issue: AMES Tools – the success story so far, One to watch – GTN visits the new Rutland Nursery, Altico celebrates 3 years, Getting wise with wool - gardening products made from sheep’s wool, On your marks – GTN’s guide to this summer’s shows, SOLEX – outdoor living at its best, Summer Showroom Directory – GTN’s guide to supplier showrooms open for business this summer, STV on the road, Creativity with Floralsilk, Smart’s showroom visit, Planteria Vox-Pops from: Gates, Newquay, Cooks, Bosworths, Coblands, Carpenters, Highfields, Pughs, Barton Grange, Cowells, Perrywood, Munros and Fron Goch, Hoping for sunshine – HTA Column, What’s driving future gardening? – GIMA Column.

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In readiness for the launch of their Spring Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Collections, Trans-Continental Group have announced that they have increased their Sales Team with four new additional team members.

Lee Kennerley (Sales Director) said “As part of our long term growth strategy, we have strengthened our Sales Team even further with four fantastic new additions; Alec Routledge, Gordon McLaughlin, Jake Flower and Matt Heskett. This move will put us in the best position possible to execute the next phase of our plan; giving us better coverage, whilst offering our loyal customers an improved customer experience. This couldn’t be better timing for Transcon, as we are ready to launch our Spring Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Collections at our Open Showroom event next month.”

Alec Routledge with a wealth of experience within the Garden Industry joins Transcon to manage accounts in the Southwest of England. Alec has worked with various recognisable brands such as Elho, Growth Technology, UK fire pits and Tildenet to name a few.

Gordon McLaughlin  joins Transcon to assist Ross McFarlane managing accounts across Scotland. Gordon has several years’ experience within the Home & Gift and redtail industry, working with the likes of Shearer Candles, Aaran Sense of Scotland and House of Fraser.

Jake Flower has a proven track record of regional account management and customer service. Previously working with the likes of MIM’s Pottery and Errington Reay, Jake joins the Transcon team to manage accounts across South Wales, Southern Counties and the South East.

Matt Heskett joins the Transcon team having previous experience of selling  both Outdoor Living & Christmas for Mercer Agencies. With additional experience of working with the likes of Tipperary and Culinary Concepts, Matt is well placed to service accounts in the Garden Centre industry and will manage accounts across East Anglia.

www.transcon.co.uk

The Bransford Webbs Plant Company are exceptionally proud to unveil a stunning new company logo, launching today (Wednesday 19^th June) at The National Plant Show at Stoneleigh Park.

An evolution of the original logo introduced almost twenty years ago; the heritage shades of purple and green have been developed from the original colours used in their logo, with a more contemporary feel to the icon. The logo has also been further developed to allow flexibility and ease of use across all platforms.  

Nearly twelve months in planning and design, working alongside Design in the Shires, a local award-winning website design and marketing agency based in Malvern, the logo will be rolled out with immediate effect across all elements of the nursery.

“We are extremely pleased to launch our new logo”, commented Christine Burton, Joint Managing Director. “The team have worked very hard to ensure it continues to closely represent both the values and history of our nursery, as well as the top-quality plants that we are very proud to grow”.

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the formation of a new committee and a working group to enhance its member engagement on important challenges and create new opportunities. This announcement comes in the week of the biggest-ever National Plant Show. 

The new committee, the HTA Retail Committee, will include permanent representation from the Garden Centre Association (GCA), building on increasing collaboration between the two associations. This partnership aims to establish representation and a strong voice for horticultural retailers, promoting collaborative work and efficiency between the two organisations. It builds on the growing need to support garden retailers on areas such as sustainability, crime, plants in the retail environment, and regulatory changes. Additionally, it will help inform the development of services for members such as the National Garden Gift Card scheme.  

The committee will contribute to the HTA’s lobbying and representation activities and will work with the HTA to represent the retail sector to the media, policymakers, and parliamentarians. This role creates an important opportunity for retailers to influence the industry's direction and ensure their voices and needs are heard. Furthermore, the committee will support member engagement, ensuring that retailer members are supported in making use of the services and business support available to them through the HTA.  

The HTA is also forming a Plant Cultivation Products working group, covering fertilisers, plant protection products, growing media, and bio-stimulants. The working group will be working with the HTA to assess how the HTA’s role in these vital areas could develop to benefit members, for instance around regulation, knowledge transfer through the supply chain, R&D, and sustainability. The group will work closely with the HTA to identify potential areas of work for the association, including opportunities for collaboration with other organisations in this space.

Part of the work of the group will be to put forward recommendations for a new HTA committee to sustain representation, collaboration and input from members and other stakeholder organisations in this area. This group, and others, such as the Growing Media Task Force, will take forward some of the critical issues that had been in the scope of the HTA’s Growing Media Association (GMA) group, with a new, refreshed, and refocused approach. 

HTA Chief Executive, Fran Barnes, commented: "Following consultation with members, I am pleased to announce our new retailer committee and the Plant Cultivation Products working group to reflect the demand for closer engagement on critical business issues and more opportunities to network and collaborate. The HTA’s representation and engagement work has been strengthened in recent years, and these developments in our committees further reinforce this, supporting the HTA and its members to cultivate a more sustainable future. Strengthening our focus on retail and plant cultivation is a significant development in ensuring that the diverse voices within these sectors are heard and represented. With ongoing regulatory challenges and the need for more support to adapt, these committees will be an important forum to advance our work. Our collaboration with the GCA will also enhance our ability to address key issues and drive positive change across the industry."  

Peter Burks at the GCA added: “We’re looking forward to being part of the HTA’s new retail committee. In recent years, GCA and HTA have collaborated on areas such as lobbying and sustainability, and we’re looking forward to further joint working on issues that affect retailers and businesses in the wider industry. Like the HTA, we believe that the committee will benefit from the experiences and perspectives of as diverse a range of people as possible and encourage anyone with a contribution to make to get in touch with the HTA.”

Nominations for the Retail Committee are open to HTA-member businesses primarily engaged in retailing garden products. The committee will meet at least three times a year, both in person and virtually. The HTA encourages diverse nominations and inclusive representation. You can nominate yourself or a colleague by completing the online application form on the HTA website, where the terms of reference of the new committee are available. 

To submit a nomination: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HTAretailcommittee, or contact gandc@hta.org.uk with any questions on the role.

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will hear from a trio of sustainability experts during a free webinar this month (June 2024).

The GCA is hosting the online event on June 26 from 3-4.30pm and it will cover water conservation and how to navigate environmental policies and initiatives in what is potentially a ‘green minefield’.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “All members and associate members are welcome to attend this free online event, which promises to be highly informative and very useful. We’ll be focusing on a few elements related to sustainability and we’ll have a detailed discussion with the help of our three knowledgeable expert guest speakers. 

“Sam Aharchi from Great British Water and Dr Nicholas Cryer from the RHS will cover water conservation, use and procurement, our third speaker Ben Duckworth from Greenarc will discuss ‘navigating the green minefield’, and how to work through the issues related to becoming more sustainable as a business.

“We hear from a lot of our members who are concerned about getting it right with their environmental plans and activities, and we’re hoping Ben can give us all some guidance on this. Garden centres are keen to develop meaningful policies that really benefit the environment and that aren’t a ‘green wash’. Our webinar is a good place to hear from experts and to start meaningful discussions. We’d love to see you all there!”

The webinar will be chaired by Tammy Woodhouse from Millbrook Garden Centres and takes place on Wednesday, June 26 from 3-4.30pm.

It is hoped there will also be an opportunity for attendees to impart their stories and ideas as well and to ask questions too. 

Peter adds: “If there is time at the end, members can share with each other any general experiences they may have had or anything they have recently learnt. The expectation is that the webinar will last for no more than 90 minutes. Please email laura@gca.org.uk if you would like to attend, so that we can send you the invitation link.”

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 details, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

RHS licenses SOCKSHOP to develop a range of socks for all seasons – in and out of doors

Continuing the successful extension of its licensing programme into multiple new categories with carefully chosen partners, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that UK market leader SOCKSHOP has been licensed to produce the first-ever RHS range of socks.

The range will combine the RHS name and unmatched design assets with four of the brands and associated technology that have made SOCKSHOP a byword for excellence in its field: Heat Holders, BlueGuard, Gentle Grip and Printed Bamboo.

Heat Holders, the world’s warmest thermal sock, can be worn in casual shoes or just around the home. RHS Heat Holders will be available as thermal Wellington and boot socks. There will also be a range of jacquard-patterned RHS Heat Holders.

RHS BlueGuard is based on SOCKSHOP’s Ultimate Durable Sock technology. The highly robust long and short BlueGuard Wellington and boot socks will be ideal for all lovers of gardening, but particularly for the serious gardener who likes to be out and about all day.

RHS Gentle Grip is an adaptation of one of SOCKSHOP’s most popular products, bringing the unique SOCKSHOP  Non-Binding HoneyComb Top to a range that offers customers day-long comfort and style without restriction or compression marks.

Finally, there’s RHS SOCKSHOP Printed Bamboo, which makes expert use of a recently developed technology – the ability to print good quality images onto bamboo socks – and some wonderful design assets from the RHS.

In fact across the entire range a number of different design options are planned to cater for different tastes and mirror different seasons, all inspired by artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art.

Aimed at the adult market, and perfect for everyday wear or as gifts, the SOCKSHOP range of RHS socks will be at retail from 1 November 2024 at the SOCKSHOP flagship online store at www.sockshop.co.uk. The socks will also be available in physical retail from the many concessions around the UK that stock SOCKSHOP products.

SOCKSHOP is a long-established group and iconic UK brand devoted to socks with three generations of experience in manufacturing, distributing and retailing socks and accessories. Launched in 1983, it quickly took the UK high street by storm. Today it distributes its brands and products all around the world – from the UK and Europe to North America and Australia.

Shane Doughty, Director, SOCKSHOP, says: “We like to say that for us socks are never just socks. They keep you warm, cool and comfortable but they also help you look good. And we could hardly find a better partner to demonstrate this philosophy than the RHS. These socks are perfect for gardeners and lovers of indoor and outdoor comfort but, with the help of some glorious RHS artwork, also ideal for gift-givers and lovers of stylish design. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the RHS on this wonderful range.”

Cathy Snow, RHS Licensing Manager, adds: “As a market leader in its field, with a reputation for both comfort and creativity, SOCKSHOP is a perfect partner for our first-ever foray into socks. Its comprehensive knowledge, expertise and supply channels, as well as an extensive UK and global customer base, are ideal for a range of RHS socks that brilliantly combines usefulness with elegant and exciting designs.”

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has reflected on the political party manifestos released this week, focusing on key themes relevant to environmental horticulture. While the HTA has identified several opportunities for our sector, some areas require more advocacy for recognition and support. The HTA urges its members to keep environmental horticulture high on the political agenda when engaging with prospective parliamentary candidates and welcoming future MPs in July.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, shared the following insights: "Although there are no specific commitments to horticulture strategies in the main parties' manifestos, they do recognise the value of green spaces. Initiatives such as increasing tree planting, woodland creation, urban greening, and improving access to green spaces are emphasised. With ongoing house building, there's an opportunity for our sector to design, deliver, and maintain the accompanying gardens and green spaces, potentially leading to more gardeners and boosting the industry. We hope this will be considered in new planning to help mitigate climate change.

“One of the sector's key challenges is trade and plant health agreements. While the manifestos acknowledge this, most fail to emphasise the importance of a specific plant health agreement or SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement with the EU, which is a crucial ask in our Environmental Horticulture Manifesto. This issue significantly impacts our members and our ability to trade with the EU. We will continue engaging with Westminster to highlight the need for government support for a thriving Environmental Horticulture sector.

“All parties recognise the private sector's role and the importance of SMEs, the sector's lifeblood. They must support SMEs facing increased cost pressures and challenges like access to labour. References to the need for greater access to procurement opportunities for SMEs is a welcome inclusion, as is reforming the apprenticeship levy and business rates, which we have repeatedly requested.

“Whilst we welcome some of the commitments that will help support our sector, these manifestos also highlight the urgent need for our members to invite prospective candidates and subsequent MPs to their sites to help them understand the importance of environmental horticulture to the UK environment and economy. The future government must recognise environmental horticulture’s value as a policy solution and priority, taking up the House of Lords Horticulture Committee Inquiry's recommendations, ensuring proportionate regulation for SMEs, and addressing border trade concerns to allow tree and plant growers to import vital plant products without existing uncertainties and burdens. Our sector has significant growth potential, contributing to a stronger economy, diverse flora production to mitigate climate change, flooding, and air pollution, greening urban areas, increasing mental and physical health benefits, and offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities.

“Our Environmental Horticulture Manifesto outlines ten key priorities for a future UK Government, underscoring the significance of green spaces, plant health, and sustainable practices. With the right support and policies, the UK horticultural sector can become a global leader in sustainable practices and deliver green growth, ensuring future generations benefit from the original green industry.” 

The HTA's full member briefing on manifestos can be found here: hta.org.uk/policy/member-briefings.

The HTA manifesto for environmental horticulture can be found here: hta.org.uk/manifesto.

Julie Lill from Leeds has received a £100 garden centre gift voucher after winning a free prize draw to celebrate the launch of the Green Card loyalty scheme at Yorkshire Garden Centres sites across West and North Yorkshire.

"I signed up for a Green Card as I use the cafe at Tingley Garden Centre a lot. Every week, I bring in a group of people with learning difficulties and the Green Card app is a great way to collect points on my purchases and use them to get money off and exclusive member offers," said Mrs. Lill.

The Green Card loyalty initiative was the brainchild of Yorkshire Garden Centres' Head of Marketing, Jo Dales: "The Green Card is Yorkshire Garden Centre's loyalty programme and gives members access to more at our garden centres, restaurants, our Hearty's Food Hall and play centres, including Grass Hoppers.

"Green Card is free to join and has many member benefits, including monthly discounts in-store, points on purchases, seasonal offers plus occasional treats, early access to events and rewarding our members with the best value. Over 27,000 people have signed up to Green Card since we launched, and we're delighted that Mrs. Lill is such a worthy winner. We look forward to welcoming her back to Tingley Garden Centre soon."

Tingley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres Group that also includes Tong, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres plus Dean's of York and Scarborough.

Above: L - R Daniel Moore Tingley Centre Manager, Julie Lill, James Tolson Assistant Manager

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed Jeremy Costello to complete the Membership team as the new Member Engagement Manager for the South East. He moves to the HTA directly from member The Farplants Group, having been in their marketing, sales and distribution wing. Jeremy also volunteers for the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) committee as their Strategy Manager, helping unite people under 35 in horticulture and making the industry appeal to a younger demographic. Jeremy’s experience has allowed him to build strong connections throughout the horticulture sector, which he will continue to work on as the HTA pushes towards its growth goals and strengthens membership.
 

Jeremy said: "I am incredibly proud to support HTA members in the South East region. As someone who has grown up on the South Coast, I am excited to work with members in the wider area and do our wonderful industry justice. I look forward to introducing myself over the coming months." 
 

Phoebe Scott also joins the HTA this week as Senior Media Officer. Her previous roles include PR and digital for the Entertainment Retailers Association, and she has additional qualifications in floristry and work-based horticulture.

HTA Chief Executive, Fran Barnes, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Jeremy to the HTA and to our member engagement team.  Jeremy’s experience and passion for horticulture makes him an excellent addition which I’m sure will be appreciated by HTA members.  With the expertise and enthusiasm that both Jeremy and Phoebe bring, along with other recent appointments in the past 18 months, we have significantly strengthened our member engagement, our lobbying, support and advocacy for the industry and the profile of environmental horticulture for the benefit of all our members."

On the facebook page of Oldhams oldest garden centre is posted:

We wanted to share some news -

After an amazing 52 years we are advertising the garden centre for sale - although we expect to be here a while yet!

Richard Calder,76, company chairman said: “We have loved running the centre and getting to know so many loyal customers however we don’t have another, younger, generation of the family wanting to take it on so it’s inevitable that we offer the business for sale. We are advertising it as a ‘going concern’ and hope very much to find a buyer who will continue and develop the business and ensure that our wonderful team of staff stay here. We’re advised that this won’t be a quick process, so we’ll be around for quite a while yet, I’m sure.”

We will be running the business as normal until such time as a new owner takes over."

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to market the popular Daisy Nook Garden Centre in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, as the current owners look to retire after more than 50 years in business.

Set opposite Daisy Nook country park, the garden centre occupies almost five acres and has been owned by the Calder family for over half a century. The site has grown considerably since it was first opened in 1972 and now sells a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, goods and clothing. The site also features a 98 cover café with an outdoor terrace overlooking river.

The sale is being handled by Andrew Birnie, Director – Retail & Leisure at Christie & Co. He comments, “We’re delighted to have been instructed to sell Daisy Nook Garden Centre on behalf of the Calder family, who have built a fantastic garden centre business over the past 50 plus years. With an enviable location next to Daisy Nook Country Park and space to extend and add concessions, this sale represents a fantastic opportunity, and we look forward to finding a suitable owner to take the business forward.”

A search of the Christie & Co website reveals 27 Garden Centre business opportunities currently for sale.

After over 35 years of trading on their site near Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, owners Adrian and Sally Cornelissen have sold Burleydam Garden Centre to their near Neighbours  Carr Farm Garden Centre, located further up the Wirral peninsula.

Sally & Adrian started their horticultural careers at the company’s site in Gateacre, Liverpool, following the death of Sally’s father, Gerry Williams, in 1986.  They have now decided to retire, hence the sale of their company, E H Williams Garden Centres & Nurseries.

Burleydam Garden Centre was bought by the couple in 1989 as a small retail nursery and expanded gradually before a major re-development in 2005, project- managed by Peter Jennins MBE, director of the subsidiary company E H Williams Environment Ltd, which played a major part in the conception and construction of the Liverpool Garden Festival.

Both Sally & Adrian have been staunch supporters of the horticultural industry, sitting on various HTA and GCA committees. Adrian is the current Area Representative for the HTA in the North West.

Although admitting that they will miss the cut and thrust of a busy garden centre, neither will miss opening the curtains on a Bank Holiday weekend to see what the weather is like!

The Carr Farm family will bring a new energy to the business and have many ideas to expand the offer at Burleydam. They will work alongside Colin Pascoe, who has been with the company for 34 years, and the existing management team.

Sally & Adrian wish Dave, Sue, Karen, Tomas and Catherine all the very best and thank the wonderful Burleydam team for their support and friendship over the years.

The Carr Farm family have said "Carr Farm Garden Centre are delighted to announce that Burleydam Garden Centre is to become part of our family business. Burleydam will be trading as normal, with all the familiar faces and the same trading name.

"The two garden centres together will create the buying capacity for better deals in store for all our customers. We feel Burleydam will be a great acquisition, as we are both family run businesses and will retain the friendly atmosphere.

"The Carr Farm family would like to thank Adrian, Sally, Colin and all the team at Burleydam for helping to make this happen. We would also like to wish Adrian and Sally a happy and healthy retirement."

Quinton Edwards acted for the vendors in the sale.

Blue Diamond's Report and accounts for year ended 31st December 2023 shows sales increased by £51m to £311m with profit before tax increasing by £3m to £24m.

Simon Burke, Blue Diamond Chairman states: "Having reported in January that we saw good trading in the second half of the year, I am pleased to confirm that for 2023 we achieved a profit before tax of £24.2m, an increase of 16% on 2022. Our sales were £310.6m versus £259.3m last year, a total increase of 20% and a like-for-like increase of 9%.

"This marks an important milestone for Blue Diamond, because we have now become the UK’s largest garden centre business by sales. Apart from the prestige associated with being the market leader, this brings benefits in terms of buying power and also the ability to form significant national partnerships such as that with the National Trust."

The report also includes comparison of Blue Diamond trading performance compared to data provided by the Garden Centre Association (GCA)

Managing Director, Alan Roper says "The figures are quite an endorsement of how strong Blue Diamond is in generating like-for-like sales growth. Our growth over the past 4 years is treble that of the GCA. The one department that is behind the industry is garden furniture, but we have worked on this and expect this year’s performance to be the beginning of clawing back lost ground.

"Core garden centre sales were up 3.7% against the prior year, which although modest in comparison with the industry that is still normalising after the post-pandemic sales boom, is nearly a 6% positive variance. You can see in the table consumer demand for gardening and garden furniture products is yet to return to normal levels. 

"Inflation moderated significantly in 2023 (as predicted in last year’s report), meaning that volumes were only 1% lower than sales. Our average spend last year was £32.44, which is over £5 higher than the industry average (GCA) and is testament to our high standards of customer service and product choice.

The average number of employees during the year was 4,188, up by 513 on 2022.  This is made up of 138 management staff and 4,050 retail staff.

Alan Roper explains: "Last year saw a 10% rise in the minimum wage (which was repeated in April of this year). I took the decision to maintain the hourly rate gap against the minimum wage for the many employees who are paid above the minimum wage (to maintain fairness and support staff retention) and therefore this was a significant cost increase, which has impacted our bottom line. Staff costs rose by 6.3% which was an additional increase of 3.7% against the previous norm before the pandemic, which had seen annual increases of approximately 2.6%. This equated to inflation driving our wage costs up by an additional £2.3m. The true impact was £1.9m thanks to greater efficiencies in staff costs, which increased by 0.7% of turnover, from 25.4% to 26.1%.

"Garden centre staff costs as a percentage of turnover rose by 0.4% from 16.8% to 17.2%. Restaurant staff costs driven by inflation remained higher at 41.9% of turnover than the previous norm of 38.5% in 2019, but decreased against the 42.9% recorded in 2022. Restaurants typically have a higher proportion of hourly paid staff, which means the higher minimum wage has a greater impact on staff costs. Group operational staff costs fell slightly to 3.1% of turnover from 3.2% in 2022."

On the Blue Diamond relationship with the national Trust, which culminated in winning the Peoples Choice Award for the Octavia Hill Garden at Chelsea Flower Show, Alan reports: "We are also working on a collection of plants inspired by this garden, which will be sold through our centres. Blue Diamond will also launch a new and exclusive rose at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Rosa 'National Trust Beauty' in celebration of Octavia and the Garden at Chelsea. We exhibited at six RHS shows in 2023.

"I will end by thanking all my colleagues for another excellent and progressive year as we cement ourselves as not only the largest garden group in the UK, but also the most profitable and successful in UK history."

Read the full Blue Diamond Report and Accounts 2023 here

The team from Hex Living, Mark Clews, Rupert King, Neal Lafford and Nick Moss, scored the most points to win the 2024 GIMA Charity Golf Day at Belton Woods in Lincolnshire.

85 golfers from across the industry took part last week, raising £000's for the Greenfingers Charity through sponsorships, playing fees, raffles, an auction and other donations.  The full amount raised will be announced at the GIMA Awards dinner in November.

GIMA GOLF DAY 2024 FULL RESULTS

1    Hex Living             86

2    Smart Garden 2    85

3    Zest                      85
4    Gardena               82
5    Woodlodge 2        82
6    Glee/Ivyline          82
7    Woodlodge 1        82
8    Pure Print             82
9    Henry Bell            79
10    Rocketgro/Swift/Treadstone    79
11    Graf UK             77
12    Grassgains       77
13    Vitax                 77
14    Evergreen 1     77
15    Centurion         75
16    Sunshine/Polhill    75
17    Premier decs    74
18    Ames                73
19    Smart Garden 1    71
20    Charles Bentley    60
21    Evergreen 2    59

22    GIMA               56

Nearest The Pin at the 4th             Chris Francis

Nearest the Pin at the 8th              David Stagg

Nearest the Pin at the 15th            Jonathan Stobart

Nearest the Pin in 2 at the 13th     Nigel Blow

Longest Drive at the 18th              Jonny Hotson

Beat The Pro at the 11th    Andy MacMillan, Chris Francis, Alwyn Williams, Liam Barrett, Neil Blake, John Styles, Ben Walton, Tom Lay, Josh Novell, Spencer Goodall, Jon Hotson, Dan McAlpine.

The event was excellently organised by the GIMA team of Vicky Nuttall, Angie Lloyd and Kate Ebbens with the golf managed by Andy Bestwick and Mark Butler and charity drinks stations provided by Meadow View Stone, Primeur and Hornby Whitefoot PR.

See the gallery of photos from the day below.  Photos by Paul Webb and Trevor Pfeiffer.

Garden furniture wholesalers NOVA won’t be found at trade shows this year and they have a very good reason for not attending.

NOVA has boldly stated they will not be exhibiting at any trade shows this year, even after a successful showcase at the Wellness Expo last year. This is due to the outdoor living experts launching the NOVA Experience Centre.

The Experience Centre opened on June 3^rd and is already fully booked for June and July, with August and September slots filling fast. But this incredible popularity is only part of the reason NOVA doesn’t plan to exhibit anywhere else this year.

“We’ve been keeping our furniture collections tightly under wraps,” explained NOVA’s Sales Director, Ian Read. “We don’t feel that pictures truly encapsulate the scale or the feel of our showroom, so we haven’t wanted to share pictures. We want people to walk in and feel that impact head-on, not having already pre-analysed everything online. This has created an air of mystery and much anticipation amongst our customers.”

Ian adds, “It’s been amazing to witness customers experiencing the showroom for the first time. We are so proud of what we’ve achieved at the Experience Centre and getting to see people’s overwhelmingly positive responses has been so rewarding.”

NOVA has carefully teased their collections, only showing certain products online, and not issuing brochures. With no planned trade shows this year, that means the only way to see the new range, which includes over 40 new collections and over 150 new products, is to visit the NOVA Experience Centre. This has helped to create an even bigger buzz around the industry event.

Plus, having separated their collection from retailer White Stores, you won’t find their range by visiting that site. “We’ve separated our range completely from that which we supply White Stores, giving our customers much more freedom to dictate their own margins,” explained Ian.

When talking about the launch of the 44,000 sq. ft. showroom in Cambridge, Ian mentioned, “Our customers have been calling for us to open a trade showroom for years.”

“We encourage retailers and garden centres to book a visit with us,” added Ian. “We want to spend time with our customers, new and existing, and for them to see what we’ve been working so hard on in person. We believe it’s the only way to truly experience the quality of the range.”

NOVA is allocating half days and full days for bookings and confidently says less time will not be enough to see the collection and meet with the team.

If you wish to book your visit to the Experience Centre, visit www.novaoutdoorliving.co.uk

SOLEX Exhibition, the premier event that gathers the best and brightest of the outdoor leisure industry, has announced an Awards Ceremony & Afterparty to kick off the excitement of the summer event on the Tuesday 9 July. Marking its 16th year, SOLEX Exhibition has curated a night of celebration, networking, and a thrilling football-themed evening to coincide with the highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals.

With a captivating football-themed setting, the stage will be set with tv screens and hot food, as industry players gather, attendees can look forward to not only the prestigious SOLEX Awards but also to the electric atmosphere as the evening blends business recognition with the shared love for the beautiful game.

Adding to the excitement, former Ex - England footballer Dion Dublin will be joining us for the event to share insights and predictions ahead of the semi-final clash, (which we hope will feature England) as well as taking part in a Q&A session. The evening begins with a Welcome Drink and Hot Buffet, leading into the hotly awaited match on the big screen. The SOLEX Awards will be presented by Dion at half time. The afterparty, will be a chance to mingle outside the usual professional environment and promises to be as thrilling as the game itself.

The evening won't just be about football. We will have delicious food and drink, exciting entertainment, and a chance to unwind and socialize with exhibitors and visitors. So even if you're not a fan of the beautiful game, we've got you covered.

Don't miss out! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW

Ready your grills, sharpen your knives, and stoke the fires! SOLEX Exhibition 2024 is about to welcome back the crowd-pleasing, taste-bud-teasing Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening incorporating our BBQ Competition, which is set to light up the evening with charm and flavour.

Scheduled for Wednesday 10 July, the evening now in its second year, is the event that celebrates not only the mastery of the grill but the communal joy of al fresco dining.

Attendees eagerly anticipate the BBQ showdown, where teams of both exhibitors and visitors will vie for the prestigious BBQ Trophy. The stakes are high.  Each team aims to impress the judges, including industry experts with a signature dish.

Competition is set to heat up under the open skies outside Hall 5, be it under a radiant sun or cheering each other on beneath the shelter of gazebos, all competitors and spectators are poised to make beautiful bites of every challenge.

The essence of the evening is more than just the BBQ prize it embodies the thrill of the grill and the unifying spirit of good food shared.

Don't miss out! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW