Blue Diamond are celebrating the acquisition of their 21st garden centre this morning following the completion of the purchase of Orchard Park Garden Centre in Gillingham, North Dorset.

MD, Alan Roper, told GTN Xtra this morning that it was an ideal addition to the group; "it is in a very good AB1 customer catchment area in a growing town and there is planning permission in place which will allow us to add 3,500 sq m to take the centre to 5,500 sq m overall.  Orchard Park is a very well located centre.  It has a loyal customer base and we were particularly attracted by the opportunity of developing the centre and moving the business forward.”

Richard Cumming, Managing Director of Orchard Park said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Blue Diamond will be taking over the business. We’ve worked hard with our staff to create a business which is successful at a local and regional level and has lots of potential”.

The garden centre was built in 2004 on a green field site and has developed a strong customer base. It is on an 8 acre site and has an existing planning consent to expand it more than three-fold to create a lifestyle centre.

Gilbert Evans acted on behalf of Orchard Park, Mike Gilbert commenting, “there’s a strong demand for well-run garden centres with potential.  We approached a limited number of parties and received very strong interest.  We’re all delighted with the result.”

Bids from interested parties have started to come in for Homebase/Bunnings as Wesfamers look to exit the UK.

Wesfamers are reported to be offering a large financial package to a new owner to help contend with its huge losses.  That could exceed £100m.

Sky News has reported this morning that Opcapita has tabled an offer for Homebase.  Others are expected to foolow.

See the full Sky News report here

Stressful gardening is now a thing of the past thanks to self-watering planter manufacturer, Lechuza.

Suitable for both beginners and professionals, these clever planters take the guesswork out of watering. Simply fill your Lechuza planter with the included PON, cover with soil and place your plant inside the planter. Then, fill it up with either more soil, PON, or a bit of both. Next, water your plant as normal for a few weeks, allowing the roots to establish. Then, let Lechuza take care of the rest.

The clever sub-irrigation system ensures that your flowers and herbs get as much water as they need, when they need it. All that’s left to do is fill the reservoir through the handy water supply shaft and your plants are taken care of for up to 12 weeks. The included Lechuza-PON also helps perfectly control water supply, improving plant growth by 30%. For a quick check-up, the planters include a visual indicator to show how much water is left, so you know when it’s time for a re-fill.

If you’re wondering about cleaning or moving your plant pots, Lechuza couldn’t have made it any easier with the lightweight material. All planters contain a flexible and clever liner which lifts easily and some are interchangeable. Some even come with integrated rollers for completely hassle-free movement.

Lechuza planters are not only clever but shatterproof, UV-resistant and fashion-conscious. With a wide variety of colours, styles and sizes on offer, Lechuza has the perfect planter for every home, every garden and every planting idea.

If you’re struggling for outdoor space, look no further than the BALCONISSIMA Color. These stylish planters can be attached to balconies and railings using the included brackets, so even the smallest of spaces can look beautiful with Lechuza – that’s urban gardening made easy! For more space-saving ideas, the CASCADA Color is expertly designed so that planters can sit singularly or be conveniently stacked into a tower of up to 3 planters, ideal for an impromptu restyle. The NIDO Cottage is also a great choice without having to compromise on ground space. These hanging baskets are quick to plant and easy to mount and the stainless steel hanger holds your flowers securely. They can also double as a table planter on flat surfaces. All outdoor-friendly Lechuza planters include a drain plug to help release any excess water, so your plants are safe from water logging even during heavy rain.

For those looking to redesign their home or garden, the new YULA Collection boasts modern living. The combination of a table planter, plant bag and watering can harmonises well and adds greenery and sophistication to any space. They’re also the perfect addition to any kitchen, offering an elegant way to plant herbs and vegetables.

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Further information:  www.lechuza.co.uk | info@lechuza.co.uk | 01268 548 111

This weeks GTN Bestsellers headline EPOS data analysis only includes 2 of the three Bank Holiday weekend trading days and as we reported on Monday, that appeared to be the best of the three.  Last weeks data also compares with the week that had the Bank Holiday Monday in it too, so as with Easter, direct comparisons are not possible.

Star performers from a volume point of view, as the the weather heated up were plants.  As the graph below shows the week was the highest so far this year for plant sales and the increase of 20% year on year for the week puts year to date plant volumes at only 7% behind last year.  A few more weeks at that level and plants will be ahead of last year, but there are some big targets from last year to be beaten along the way.

Garden products continue to lag behind plants with the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 volume sales index still sitting at 15% down year on year.  Growing Media volumes jumped back up again and are now 12% down year to date.

To see the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and the Top 50 Bestsellers charts, subscribe to GTN Bestsellers using this link or email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Phew, what a scorcher!  After four glorious days GTN Xtra reports on prospects for Bank Holiday trading records being broken across the country starting with an update from Dobbies Garden Centres where they say sales sizzled over the Bank Holiday Weekend:  "Following a record-breaking heatwave weekend in April, Dobbies Garden Centres has continued to trade strongly, with the garden centre company seeing its biggest ever May Day Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 05 – Monday 07 May).  BBQ sales were particularly strong, up 229% compared to 2017. Plants and gardening categories also did well, with all three categories delivering their biggest ever weekend in terms of sales.

Graeme Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “The beautiful weather over the bank holiday weekend drove great sales for our plants and gardening ranges. People want to spend time in the garden when the weather picks up, and it’s only natural that they want to have it looking its best.  Barbecuers were clearly out in force over the weekend too. BBQs are great in that there’s one to suit every chef and every budget, from pack-up-and-go models to multi-functional grill and smoker combos.”

Martin Stewart of Stewarts Garden Centres told us on Tuesday morning: “What an amazing weekend. Sales for the 3 centres up 45% on the bank holiday of last year when we were running out of steam.

Yesterday broke all records by a good margin. The teams played a blinder. High stock levels helped a great deal. What is surprising for us when you are so close to some of the best beaches in the country is that such hot weather can drive people away from the Centres. It just shows how much genuine gardening demand there is out there. Although we are still down on last year it’s what things look like at the end of June that matters.”

Simon Bourne at Perrywood: “Well that was pretty awesome! We smashed our all time record today and ended up with a record weekend all round. Plants of all descriptions, compost, plant feeds, parasols, table sets and barbecues were all stand-out categories.  The next target is to have a huge May. I'd like to do 20% more than our previous biggest May, two years ago. We're well on track but it will be quite something if we get there.”

In the Midlands, Planters at Bretby recorded their highest figure yesterday beating last year and Planters Tamworth recorded it's highest ever Spring trading day.  Mark Shaw, Planters Bretby told GTN Xtra; "whilst very busy over the weekend at long last, we haven’t quite achieved the high figures from the corresponding Bank Holiday 2017, especially the Restaurant which possibly suffered due to the very warm weather." And Sarah Faulkener, Planters Tamworth added: “To my knowledge the weekend just gone has been the second best ever ,there is one weekend in December that is more. But for spring its beaten all others.”

In Scotland John Stevenson of Torwood Garden Centre thought they were in some alternative parallel universe from the BBC weather forecasterson Saturday where it stayed overcast and cool all day. "Sales were surprisingly good considering, so that was a plus at end of day. Sunday and Monday the sun shone at last and had the tills ringing with a record ever day on the Bank Holiday Monday. Will still be down on last YTD but things are getting back on track."

And even further North the weather wasn't helping at Brechin Castle Garden Centre.  Yvonne Richie tells us; "Our weather has not been great, Saturday was cold, Sunday was warm and sunny, and the sales reflected this, we have a tropical temperature today of 12 degrees.  It is Scotland, we live in hope of record breaking sales, but not this bank holiday."

In the North West, Jon Bottomley at Newbank Garden Centres said: “Our best ever day was recorded yesterday at Radcliffe branch. Beaten our best ever day by 20 percent. Thank god!”

Justin Williams at Fron Goch Garden Centre said: “We have just had two record weekends and today is looking good, with good weather coinciding with marketing for the 1st time this year. Looks on track to be a record breaker - but we have a lot to make up after March and April!”

Adam Wigglesworth at Aylett Nurseries was a little more cautious; “I don't think it will be a record but we have been very busy!  We will see what today brings...”

James Evans at Ruxley Manor told GTN Xtra: “Been a busy couple of days so far and so hopefully that will continue today... We certainly need it to!”

Andy Bunker at Alton Garden Centre said we should all wait to see what today brings before shouting about a record; “we’ve had very similar turnover in £ in plants, furniture and BBQ’s with  excellent numbers.  It was a buy it Saturday on all the above and do it on Sunday as quite a drop yesterday around 30%.  It is really relevant to WAIT and see what today brings.  My feeling is it will be bang in middle, not the dizzy heights of Saturday but better than Sunday.

At Brookside in Kent, Simon Shead told us: “The whole week has been record breaking, still got a long way to go but we should get there.”

Sam Bosworth chose the right weekend to open their new centre at Elton Hall to the east of Peterborough: “It’s been non-stop, but great fun.  We opened at Elton on Saturday, plants and gardening only though.  Booked some fantastic weather for opening day, cheaper and more effective than a gardening celebrity!  We are looking to get catering open by Saturday 26th May.  Still lots to do, but signs are good.  Very much a plant centre, and no doubt lots to learn, but hopefully it is what we are good at.  We’ve definitely had a record weekend at Bosworths and it has been mad trying to service that volume of trade.  Over at Elton it is nice and steady and calm but no staff hired here yet, so it is like going back in time for me.”

Colin Dale from Notcutts reports: “Saturday was about 70% over last year's plant sales & Sunday about 50%, so great hopes for today also.  There is a lot of pent up demand for plants & gardening, with furniture & BBQ's also doing very well.”

They are celebrating at Baytree in Spalding: “It has been a fab weekend so far, think we will smash all previous years at this rate,” said Nigel Wallis.  “We have Ben Bartlett doing demos today with Grillstream BBQs, live music through the day and a Baravan!!”

At Scotsdales, Caroline Owen thinks “that our shoppers will be out early on Bank Holiday Monday and may then choose rightly to spend the time in their garden. A record is a possibility.”

James Ducker at Langlands had packed car parks at all centres with bedding flying out.  “I was out helping staff load up lorries to deliver bedding from our nursery at 5am this morning. It’s set to be a record Bank Holiday weekend.”

Haskins MD, Julian Winfield is hoping for some cooler weather. “I expect the weather has been too good for records, everyone goes to the beach for three of our four centres.  Forecast looks good for the next couple weeks and a little cooler.  Saturday sales were very good.”

Further North sales have been high at Klondyke: “Yes it was a good weekend with the bank holiday Monday still to come. The weather further North has been good but not really warm, still good for gardening. We will see how the Monday compares,” reported CEO David Yardley

British Garden Centres, Phillippa Stubbs also told GTN Xtra they were having a very busy weekend “some of our centres have had record days and we are currently on target for a record weekend as our group which is excellent.  Long may this weather continue.  This is bringing us back level at some of the centres so positive.  Now to keep restocking and watering.”

Mike Ryan from, The Cherry Lane group who acquired Davids Nurseries last week said “Trading has been superb so far this weekend, with most of our garden centre's breaking records. If Monday goes the same way, some will have had their best three trading days ever!”

After an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show on Sunday morning, Matthew Bent told us “It’s been two great days, customers are going mad for garden products." then after helping get stock out fro today with the team he added; "we did have a record weekend, it was the biggest ever in the spring season. Amazing weekend, many items we had our best ever day on, BBQs, planned containers as customers get ready for the nice weather."

Final word for today goes to James Debbage of Green Pastures in Norwich who was re-stocking until 9:30pm last night: “I literally just finished replenishing the basket plant displays ready for the morning. Not enough hours in the day at the moment! (I swear I’m even working in my sleep right now!).  Our weekend got off to a fantastic start on Saturday until there was an accident a mile up the road and the police closed the main route to us from Norwich which really put the dampers on the afternoon! Please can we have a level playing field? However, Sunday was a record day for the garden centre and the restaurant was full throughout the day, from breakfast right through to afternoon tea."

James then added on Monday evening: “Having narrowly broken our daily sales record yesterday, we totally smashed it today! Hardly any big ticket sales, just a LOT of plants!"

If you'd like to update us with your trading performance over the Bank Holiday weekend please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Thanks to Blue Diamond for the images, they well ad truly joined in with World Naked Gardening Day on Saturday and their social media was very busy as were we expect the centres...

Blue Diamond joined in the spirit of World Naked Gardening Day on Saturday as some of their brave staff undressed for the occasion in many of the group's plant areas. Pictures of those taking part were then posted on the company's social media platforms...

The garden centre group also invited its customers to join in the fun.

On its Facebook page it urged customers to get in touch with their exploits.

"Send us your images of you in your garden at Home and you could win a £100 gift voucher to spend at your local Blue Diamond centre.

"PM us your message or if you are feeling your naturist side of you coming out, share them in the comments in this post!"

Below is a gallery of some of the pictures posted on the Blue Diamond Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bluediamondgardencentres/

We have a vacancy for Deputy Centre / Plantarea Manager at Scotland Nurseries Garden Store that we are looking to fill.

Scotland Nurseries Garden Store is a rapidly growing store in the Hillview Garden Centres group. With a 300 year heritage as a plant grower and seller it continues to punch above its weight when it comes to horticulture. From its location on the hills above Matlock it dominates the Derbyshire horticulture scene in more ways than one!

We're looking for an experienced plants/horticulture retailer to join the team at Scotlands. As well as driving the plants and gardening departments you'll also be deputy GC Manager, working closely with the store manager to ensure all budgets are achieved and the business goes from strength to strength.

Send your cv and an inspiring cover letter to boyd.ddavies@hillview-group.com

GTN Xtra has learned that the Home & Garden group of garden centres is to be split up as a buyer for the whole business hasn’t been forthcoming. It’s understood that at least a couple of the centres will be taken back by former operators...

The sale of the garden centres is being handled by Quinton Edwards, and Simon Quinton Smith told GTN Xtra today: “Terms have been agreed with all but one of the nine garden centres in the group and now we’re just waiting for the paperwork to be signed.”

The beleaguered Home & Garden Group went into administration in March and a team from Mazars was appointed administrators.

Prospective buyers were set a deadline of Monday, April 23, to submit their offers and it’s understood the administrators would like to draw a line under the whole process by May 13.

If a buyer isn’t found for the one remaining garden centre by then it faces closure.

The Home & Garden Group consists of the following centres:

• Rutland Garden Centre, Oakham
• Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Bedfordshire
• Willington Home and Garden
• Ise Garden Centre, Kettering
• Stansted Park Garden Centre, Rowlands Castle
• David's Nurseries, Worcester
• Shopwhyke Garden Centre, Chichester
• Plowmans Garden Centre, Bournemouth
• Floralands Garden Centre, Nottingham

GTN Xtra tried to contact Mazars for a comment and are still waiting for a reply.

After the Beast from the East, parts 1 and 2 that decimated trading in March, all that April could deliver was an average month for garden centre sales volumes.

GTN Bestsellers EPOS data analysis shows that volumes for the month were ahead of volumes in 2012, 2013 and 2016, but didn't get anywhere near the highs of 2011 or 2017 which owners and managers would have been hoping for to make up the March shortfall.

All is not lost however.  GTN Bestsellers prediction, based on sales matching the highest totals for each of the next 9 weeks we could get to plus 2% by the end of June.  

So the weather forecast for the next 10 days is all important and the Met Office have just published their forecast for the next 10 days which says that Monday may be the warmest Bank Holiday Monday on record.  See for yourself here:

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

The Norwich-based QD Group, which currently owns 11 Cherry Lane garden centres, has bought David’s Nurseries in Worcester from the beleaguered Home & Garden Group, which went into administration in March.

GTN Xtra learned that the deal was completed this morning and that an official announcement will be made later this week, along with details of sales of the other garden centres in the Home & Garden Group.

QD have been active recently in growing their Cherry Lanes portfolio of garden centres, having bought The Barn Garden and Aquatic Centre in Peterborough in January.

The Barn by Cherry Lane Garden Centres in Peterborough has been undergoing major works, which started when Cherry Lane acquired the store in January. The garden centre has been fully refurbished and extended to offer even more great value garden, aquatic and home products and a new look 120 seater Coffee Barn restaurant.

Located on Gunthorpe Road, Paston, Cherry Lane is now bigger both inside and out to offer an even greater variety of fantastic value plants, aquatics, outdoor living products, garden furniture and homewares. Brand new Scallywags Value Pet and Archie’s Grocery stores have been created, along with the introduction of a clothing department featuring big brands at great value prices. New cookware and indoor furniture areas have also been made, while the wild bird area has been doubled in size. The much-loved Coffee Barn restaurant has also been fully refurbished to create a 120-seater restaurant with a full menu of delicious freshly prepared food, including all the existing favourites.

Helen Foster, Commercial Director of Cherry Lane, said: “We’ve made some big changes to The Barn over the past three months to make the garden centre even better for our customers. The transformation is now complete and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to show them our new indoor and outdoor sales areas, not to mention hundreds of great value products across our gardening and new seasonal ranges.”

Cheryl Reeve, store manager at The Barn, added: “The Barn is so much more than just a garden centre. With our extensive and varied departments, not to mention the Coffee Barn, we’re very family friendly and a great shopping destination for a day out. We’d like to thank all our customers for their patience while the work has been carried out and hope to see them in our new look store very soon.”

To read more about the Home & Gardens Group of garden centres being split up click here

Wesfarmers, the Australian owner of Homebase, has asked prospective buyers of the ailing business to submit initial offers today as it sought a fast-track exit from its disastrous foray into the UK retail sector, according to Sky News reports.

Sky News has stated that sources close to the seller say it is assembling a large financial package to hand to any new owner to help contend with its huge losses.

The value of the dowry has not been finalised, but one insider said it could easily exceed £100m.

Homebase, which is part of Wesfarmers' Bunnings UK and Ireland division, is expected to lose approximately £190m in this financial year on revenues of roughly £1bn, according to the source.

Sky News has also revealed that Alvarez & Marsal, the restructuring specialist, has been drafted in to advise Wesfarmers on alternatives to a sale, including a mechanism that would see it closing scores of Homebase outlets.

Wesfarmers began approaching potential buyers of the DIY chain several weeks ago, just two years after completing a £340m takeover.

Investment bankers at Lazard are handling the sale discussions, with turnaround investors such as Endless and Hilco reportedly interested in a takeover.

Homebase employed nearly 12,000 people in Britain across an estate of almost 250 stores at the end of last year.

The move to unwind Wesfarmers takeover of the UK's second-biggest DIY chain comes less than three months before the Sydney-listed company has said it will update investors on the results of its strategic review.

Homebase was intended to be a launchpad from which the Australian retailer would take on B&Q in a battle for supremacy in the DIY market.

However, Wesfarmers' strategy has backfired spectacularly in the last 18 months‎, forcing it to write off more than £500m after it ditched some of Homebase's most popular business lines.

The full Sky News report can be viewed by clicking here

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 newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2015 as well as 2016 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

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