Despite thieves stealing festive toys and lights from the popular festive display at Brimsmore Gardens, the Yeovil garden centre is still determined to do well in The Greatest Christmas Awards...
Customers of the garden centre were shocked to hear that animated Christmas toys and lights had been stolen in a burglary. Mike Burks, of The Gardens Group, owners of Brimsmore Gardens, said: “Brimsmore Gardens has unfortunately had two break-ins in a very short space of time – both at night and each time the culprits have been caught on CCTV.
"The police are examining the footage and in the meantime we have increased security and will be using a range of methods to try and prevent any further thefts.
"It is a great shame that some of the things stolen are from our award-winning Christmas displays which give so much pleasure to so many people.
"Our customers realise how much hard work goes into these displays every year and they have all been shocked about the thefts – we really appreciate their kind support.
"Fortunately our displays are fully stocked and all looking beautiful again, which is a measure of my team’s commitment to making this a special time of year for the hundreds of people of all ages, who come to see them every year. “We can’t change the nature of people who decide to enter premises illegally, cause damage, make a mess and steal – but we can do everything possible to try and prevent any further break-ins on top of our current security measures and help the police to identify the culprits from the very clear footage we have."
The Brimsmore Gardens displays are back to their best...as these pictures testify!
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Lock-in at Lacock grotto raises cash for families’ charity
Six of Wiltshire’s leading business and community figures, including the High Sheriff, were seized by elves and imprisoned in Santa’s grotto for charity at Lacock’s Whitehall Garden Centre, and forced to raise £250 bail from their contacts to secure their freedom...
Six of Wiltshire’s leading business and community figures, including the High Sheriff, were seized by elves and imprisoned in Santa’s grotto for charity at Lacock’s Whitehall Garden Centre, and forced to raise £250 bail from their contacts to secure their freedom.
Alan MacRae, Wiltshire Council portfolio holder for safeguarding, said: “I really enjoyed it actually. There was a seven-year-old boy Aidan who captured me in the car park and took me to the grotto, where we all had to stay.
“Every time we passed a big fundraising hurdle they would come round with treats, but it was an odd experience; I haven’t ever had to call somebody up before to say I have been captured by Santa and need money to be released.
“A lot of people were asking how much it would cost to keep me in there.
“The money is going to support Wiltshire Families First, which is a wonderful charity. It supports families over a six-month period, which is just that bit of help they need so they don’t have to go into care.”
Shelagh Hillier, fundraiser at Action for Children, said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of the festive fundraisers who took part. Everyone got into the Christmas spirit and helped to raise vital funds that will help make a life-changing difference to the vulnerable children and young people that we work with.”
The appeal has so far raised over £5,000.
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Crowds turned out in force on Tuesday night to see Father Christmas arrive by carnival float at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset...
Santa was transported to the garden centre aboard North Petherton Pentathlon Carnival Club’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ themed tractor float. Norma Moore, General Manager of the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, said: “The evening was absolutely fantastic. The children loved seeing Father Christmas arrive on the ‘Wizard of Oz’ tractor float. It was truly magical. “We’re thrilled Santa has taken time out of his busy schedule to host his Christmas grottos here at the garden centre. “Clevedon Brass Band was also here during the evening to welcome Father Christmas and we gave visitors a free mince pie and a complimentary glass of mulled wine.” Santa’s grotto is now open every Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am until 4pm from now until Sunday, December 22. Children’s Hospice South West is providing Santa with his helpers for the grotto and profits from the grotto will go to the charity. Entry to Father Christmas’ grotto costs £6 per child and includes a present and a small 20cm Christmas tree.
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Very last chance to enter The Greatest Christmas Display Team
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
Christmas is an opportunity to create displays that not only stop people in their tracks but encourage them to spend. We will be looking for the teams in, small, medium, large and group garden centres that are executing the best visual merchandising for Christmas. In particular we’re looking for teams who can show how their display have increased sales and teams who get involved with Christmas displays across the whole centre to make the overall Christmas experience something really special. Nominate your Christmas Display Team now via this link
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Make sure you enter The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team Award right now!
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
The accolade for The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team is widely sought after and we expect completion to be as fierce as ever this year. With awards for Grotto Teams in small, mid sized and large garden centres our experts will be visiting your grotto to find out who is creating the greatest Santa experience including marketing, booking system, queue management and, of course, how the children and parents rate the experience delivered by the team.
Nominate your Christmas Grotto Team now via this link
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It's hotting up for The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Award
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
Cooking the Christmas turkey or joint on a barbecue is a hot new trend. We’re looking for the garden centre that has fully embraced the idea in a way that helps to sell more barbecues and food hall produce.
Nominate your Sizzling BBQ Sales Team now via this link
Fancy you've got The Greatest Festive Catering Team? Last chance to enter now!
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
Christmas is a busy time for Garden Centre Catering teams, but which are the most Festive? We're looking for the garden centre teams who go that extra mile to satisfy hungry and thirsty customers and add to the Christmas spirit.
Nominate your Festive Catering Team now via this link
Don't leave your plants team out in the cold. Enter them for The Greatest Festive Planteria Team today!
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
As Christmas gets nearer Planteria teams come into their own with sales of real Christmas trees, holly wreaths and living Christmas gifts. We want to find the Planteria Team that most joins in with the Christmas spirit of a garden centre and makes the most of any opportunities to sell plants at Christmas.
Nominate your Festive Planteria Team now via this link
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Vote on-line for The Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year.
Every year we ask garden centres across the country to vote for their Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year. We count one vote per garden centre and the winners are announced at The Greatest Awards Christmas Party in January. Vote for your Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year now via this link
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The Greatest Christmas Awards, in association with the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show, will take place on the evening of Sunday, January 12, at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, where we will be gathering to honour the Greatest Christmas teams in garden retailing and most importantly....to PARTY!
Included in the night’s festivities is a pre-dinner drinks reception, a three-course meal with wine, the glittering Greatest Christmas Awards presentations, then dancing to a live band.
Reward your team after a rewarding Christmas Season and a busy day at the show...you all deserve it. And with ticket prices starting at £70 - what are you waiting for?
These Early Bird prices are only valid until Tuesday December 3rd 2013. | Number of tickets | Price | Per person ex VAT | | Single | £82 + VAT | £82.00 | | 3 | £234 + VAT | £78.00 | | 5 | £370 + VAT | £74.00 | | Table of 10 | £700 + VAT | £70.00 |
Dress code is smart casual. Book early to avoid disappointment. For sponsorship opportunities at this prestigious event, call Pat Flynn on 01733 775700.
Buy before the December 3, 2013 for your early bird prices using this dropdown menu: These prices include VAT.
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Have you got what it takes to be The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas?
Get your customers voting in The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas Award. Voting is now live until Christmas Eve.
Has your garden centre team got what it takes to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas? Whether you're a small, mid sized or large centre, if you have a loyal, satisfied customer base, and a team that they love, you’re in with a chance of lifting the title...
Has your garden centre team got what it takes to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas? Whether you're a small, mid sized or large centre, if you have a loyal, satisfied customer base, and a team that they love, you’re in with a chance of lifting the title.
The Greatest Christmas Awards were conceived by GTN to reward garden centre teams who pull out all the stops to maximise their festive sales and the award for The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas is awarded to the teams that get the most votes. It's as simple as that. The highest accolade a garden centre team can have to be voted number one by your customers!
Voting starts on Wednesday 20th November and runs right through to Christmas Eve.
All you need to do is download the posters and voting slips from this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/69tcbycwte53c0v/Pf9fHcSJhB
Or click on these images to download
  
(If you have any problems downloading files, please contact trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk )
Now in their fifth year, the awards have become increasingly popular and The Greatest Christmas Party at Harrogate on 12 January 2014 – where the results are announced – has earned a reputation as the best gig in town, as well as a celebration of the industry’s leading role in Christmas retailing.
The Greatest Christmas Awards guarantee that the outstanding teamwork that has made the garden centre Christmas the envy of other retail sectors gets the recognition it deserves.
The awards are open to all garden centres, regardless of size, and you can read about all the categories to enter in this special edition of GTN Xtra.
You can enter any, or all, of categories, and you can also invite your customers to vote for you in The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas Team award.
You can download the Public Voting Pack materials in digital PDF format.
We’ll also be asking every participating garden centre to nominate their Christmas Supplier of the Year.
Pictured above: Alison Shead from Brookside gave The Greatest Christmas Awards the thumbs up after their gold triumph in the 2012 event.
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Stax Trade Centres
Garden Sales Representative - North East THE PACKAGE - Competitive salary
- Bonus
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Fully expensed company car
- Contributory pension scheme
- Staff discount
Leading DIY and Gardening wholesaler Stax Trade Centres are continuing to expand their delivered service to garden centres across the UK. An opportunity now exists for an experienced Sales Representative to cover the North East region. You will have proven sales experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the gardening sector and garden products, ideally through dealing with garden centres. You will be self-motivated, able to demonstrate commercial acumen, well organised with good interpersonal skills and live ideally within the North East region. Please write or email with full details to: Steve Holmes
Stax Trade Centres
Howley Park Road East
Morley
Leeds
LS27 0SW Or email steve.holmes@staxplc.co.uk www.staxtradecentres.co.uk
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Notcutts Garden Centres are recruiting a Buyer for Pets and Wild Birds following the departure of James Jackson, who is leaving to join Gardman.
After two years of helping Notcutts to re-invigorate its wild bird and pet range James is leaving to join one of company's core suppliers, Gardman.
"This is an exciting opportunity for him as the Category Head for Pet and Wild Bird and will allow him to both explore new opportunities as well as work closer to home," said Notcutts Commercial Director Mark Wootton.
"For us it is good to have one of our former team within the supply base as they know what is needed to make a difference to both our customers and ourselves as a retailer.
"James takes up his position at the end of December and in the meantime we are actively seeking a replacement who can move us to the next stage.
"We are flexible about the location in order to find the right person. Anyone interested should e-mail woottonm@notcutts.co.uk."
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Garden Centre Manager - Hilltop GC, Oxfordshire
Following promotion of the current manager to a group role we’re now looking for an enthusiastic, experienced person to run Hilltop Garden Centre.
The successful candidate will have retail management experience (preferably from a gc), be a confident leader and team player, be able to think like an owner and understand that customer care is the most important part of any retail business.
You must be able to think on your feet and communicate effectively with the team both at the centre and in the wider group. An understanding of budgeting, resource planning and forecasting are important.
Our centres are run like independents but benefit from the back room support of group resources. Performance bonus and shares in the group are part of the excellent package available.
Send your CV and introductory letter to Boyd J Douglas-Davies, boyd.ddavies@hillview-group.com
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Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips. The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.
Every week we give sales volume comparisons with 2011 as well as 2012 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period. Access is by subscription only. For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here
or e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers. Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.
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 Christmas comes but once a year, so you need to make the most of Christmas sales opportunities. GTN Bestsellers is the answer. Every week from now until Christmas we compile and publish the Top 50 Bestsellers Christmas chart from garden centre Epos data, giving the best and most up to date garden centre trading information on the market.
If you’d have been a subscriber last year you’ll have known that History and Heraldry Moneyboxes were the No.1 best selling product for the christmas season and which products from Premier Decorations and Kaemingk graced the Top 50 volume sales charts week by week.
Plus, you’ll have benefitted from the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart and our Tip of the week – a gem of a sales idea every week derived from 5 years of GTN Bestsellers charts. Christmas is cioming fast, so you need to act now. Buy a subscription to GTN Bestsellers right now. For just £145.00, you get a printed GTN Bestsellers chart posted to you each week, full access to the GTN Bestsellers charts and the GTN Archive on-line and your own copy of Garden Trade News in the post each issue. And there’s more!! If you take out a GTN Bestsellers subscription before the end of November, we’ll send you, as a bonus, all of the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Charts for 2012 so you'll have the best view of how trends have changed and be most prepared when it comes to buying for Christmas 2014.
So, what are you waiting for? To get your subscription to GTN Bestsellers up and running, simply subscribe online here
or contact us by phone on 01733 775700 or by e-mail: karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk GTN Bestsellers – Garden Centre Bestsellers, Guaranteed!
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