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Yes, hound-lovers, after a splendid festive sojourn in front of a shamefully warm hearth, it’s Newshound reporting for New Year duty. At your service…woof woof!
And none too soon, it seems. Just as I was planting a paw outside the door for a welcome (but admittedly a tad nippy) saunter around the garden, than a rasping message on the answerphone suggested I should put the old sniffer to more productive use. “OK,” I intercept, “what you got, boss?”
As per usual, he was calling from some out of the way place with a signal weaker than a cup of HTA tea, so what I actually got was a bit of “z`@!!±¡#¢§§•≠zz” with a touch of “∞5æ…``~~**~~~” and a couple of phizz-pharts. The only intelligible part of the conversation was the final “Keep me posted” (It’s gonna be Second Class, boss, Second Class…).
Nothing for it, then, but to reach for my old faithful ‘go to’ tools for any crisis….my divining rods. Yes, it’s true! Their twitches and turns have bailed me out of any number of tight corners (and on one occasion into a storm water drain when I was trailing a chap called Waters).
To cut a long story short, they lead me to the rail station, where they quiver over ‘Nottingham’ on the timetable and after a couple of changes I end up at Langley Mill half-way to Alfreton in Derbyshire! (Ooookaaay, an unaccompanied hound on a train, without a wallet? That’s another tale…).
Now what? The sticks insist on a 2km trot up the hill towards Heanor where, lo and behold, sits Shipley Garden Centre.
Having convinced their coffee shop people of my honourable intentions, it all comes tumbling out. “It’s top secret for now, but by the week-end everybody will know about it. We’ve been sold!”
Oh,” I say in my best matter-of-fact-bordering-on-boredom tone, “that’s nice (big yawn). Who’s the lucky buyer?”.
“Someone mentioned Hillview,” whispers my unsuspecting informant.
“Ah,” I reply. “The cuddly chaps from Studley.”
“Really?”
“Sure. You’re not leading me up the garden path, are you?”
So there we have it. If I’m wrong, blame the waitress!
PS: the other ‘hot trail’ of the week fizzled out before it had hardly started. Town & Country’s Barry Page said we could safely ignore the rumours that the company was about to sell up because it was stocked up ready for a great season ahead. So sorry boss…we can’t run that juicy headline ‘Glove supplier changes hands’ just yet…
Woof woof my friends! Keep those leads coming.
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Targetfollow acquires Van Hage Peterborough site
Norwich-based commercial property investment, development and management company, Targetfollow, has acquired Peterborough Garden Park, a 91,598 sq ft retail park anchored by Van Hage Garden Centre and let to other retailers including Cotswold Outdoor, Romans, Pavers and The Works...
Norwich-based commercial property investment, development and management company, Targetfollow, has acquired Peterborough Garden Park, a 91,598 sq ft retail park anchored by Van Hage Garden Centre and let to other retailers including Cotswold Outdoor, Romans, Pavers and The Works.
The property sits within an 18.5 acre site providing the opportunity for further development.
Built in 2010, with its distinctive architecture and landscaping, Peterborough Garden Park has won several prestigious awards including the Revo Gold Award for ‘Best Out-of-Town Retail Scheme in the UK’ and the Garden Centre Association’s ‘Best Garden Centre - Midlands’, and is prominently located on Eye roundabout, just off of the A47.
Savills advised the seller through a competitive sales process and Carter Jonas advised Targetfollow on the transaction.
This is a significant addition to Targetfollow’s growing property portfolio. With a dynamic asset management approach, they have achieved success with other assets in attracting new retail offers, developing comprehensive activity and events programs, utilising technology and increasing footfall.
Targetfollow CEO, Corin Thoday said: "We are thrilled to announce our acquisition of Peterborough Garden Park and we look forward to working with current and new retailers to develop the site into a top UK retail, social and leisure destination.
"Our team are working hard on exciting plans and initiatives for the site and we will bring our experience and expertise in the retail sector to Peterborough Garden Park to support the traders and help them continue to flourish.”
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Kelkay appoints Bob Hewitt to Board of Directors
Following his recent retirement form the role of Chief Executive at Klondyke, Bob Hewitt is set to take up a new part time role with Kelkay which he plans to run alongside his Non-Executive Chairman responsibilities at Klondyke...
Following his recent retirement form the role of Chief Executive at Klondyke, Bob Hewitt is set to take up a new part time role with Kelkay which he plans to run alongside his Non-Executive Chairman responsibilities at Klondyke.
Bob began his garden retail career at Wyevale almost 30 years ago and he has spent the past 10 years at the helm at Klondyke where he has built his reputation as one of the most respected retail professionals in the garden sector. So Antony Harker was delighted when he agreed to join the Board at Kelkay in a non-executive director capacity.
Antony said: “We’ve come a long way since we started Kelkay and we’ve learnt a lot along the way, but of course, we are still a family business. Garden Centres have been at the centre of our strategy and we believe we understand their needs pretty well. To help us further develop our product and services for garden centres, I’m thrilled that Bob has agreed to join us. His experience and insight into the needs of garden centres, large and small, will be so valuable. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Commenting on his appointment Bob said: “I’ve watched this family business develop during my time in the garden industry and Kelkay has become a significant and key supplier over the years. Antony has been a real innovator and he now leads one of the most exciting small businesses in the garden sector. Added to the fact that he is a thoroughly decent bloke with such a hard working team around him, I’m delighted to call him a friend as well as an important business associate.”
Bob took up his appointment at the beginning of January and he is already working with the team on product and category development plans for 2018 as well as looking at the medium to longer term strategic development of the business.
“It’s motivating to be facing a completely new challenge” added Bob, “and in a business where I hope my skills and experience can be put to most effective use.”
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Bents launches new £700,000 colleague facility
Bents Garden & Home has celebrated the start of 2017 with the opening of its new £700,000 colleague facility, making its back of house operations as high quality to its customer facing store...
Bents Garden & Home has celebrated the start of 2017 with the opening of its new £700,000 colleague facility, making its back of house operations as high quality to its customer facing store.
Bents, which remains a family owned and run business, now employs over 300 colleagues whose previous facilities and offices were housed in a number portable cabins. The new facilities are located above the Centre’s £10m phase 2 development and include a combination of new office space and colleague amenities.
Says Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home: “Over the past few years we have invested a lot of time and money, creating the ultimate garden, home and leisure destination for our customers with new departments and dining areas, but now that these have become more established we have been able to focus on our colleagues and work with them to create this fantastic new space.”
A working group was put together in early 2016 with 10 colleagues representing the various Bents teams and who have worked alongside their colleagues in store and Matthew to mould and guide the new development.
Central to the new facilities is the Bents’ Bistro, a brand new dining area with relaxed seating, quiet zones and bar style seating with views over to the distant hills of Rivington and beyond. The Bistro is run by Bents’ in-house chefs who provide a variety of home-made meals including soups, salads, jacket potatoes and a range of breakfast options. The menu is soon to be expanded with further home made options planned for the future.
Investment has also gone in to providing new toilets, lockers, shower rooms as well as extensive new offices which include training facilities, casual meeting areas and hot desks. Small scale meeting pods are in the form of quirky internal sheds and larger meeting rooms have been named after Bents’ original founders Alfred and Margaret Bent with a third named after 95 year old garden centre consultant, Ernest Wertheim who has played a pivotal role in the development of Bents Garden & Home over the past 20 years.
Says Matthew: “We have always had a long term plan in place and our colleague facilities were always an integral part of that plan, creating a bright and modern working environment for our office colleagues and a warm and welcoming destination where everyone can spend their breaks.”
Future plans include the further transformation of the existing Centre, creating a larger contemporary retail space with a 2 storey high glazed atrium and escalators leading up to 3,800 sq m of retail, leisure and educational space.
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Good(s) Factory, part of the Elho Group, has completed the acquisition of Ebertsankey, announced in September, 2016. Good(s)Factory offers a basic range of synthetic pottery that is in line with today's trend for the price-conscious, functionally orientated consumer. The acquisition will help the company to develop its position as European market leader in basic synthetic pottery. “By adding the innovative strength, excellent service and quality of Good(s)Factory to Ebertsankey, the label will become even more important to retailers and consumers,” said the takeover announcement. Netherlands-based Elho Group is a growing family owned company with more than 50 years experience in developing, producing and selling synthetic pottery and related products.
Farplants recruits for key roles
  
As part of their five-year growth plan, leading Sussex-based co- operative Farplants has further strengthened its management team with the recent appointment of three new key members of staff...
As part of their five-year growth plan, leading Sussex-based co- operative Farplants has further strengthened its management team with the recent appointment of three new key members of staff.
Andy Ward has rejoined Farplants as Key Account Manager. He brings a wealth of horticultural experience on board, having previously managed a variety of customers and a very wide range of stock. As customers’ requirements evolve to become more specific, he is well qualified to expand Farplants’ future business.
Adam Rigarlsford joins Farplants as Account Technologist. He has a wide experience and a solid technical background from similar roles in fresh food production. His knowledge of year-round supply to leading retail chains will strengthen Farplants’ commitment to further improving quality, service and product range.
Alice Craven joins Farplants’ Added Value team as Product Designer. This is a newly created role to develop additional product ranges through the year to augment their highly successful and es- tablished Christmas offer. Alice has previous product development and marketing experience from the food industry along with graphic design skills.
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The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have arranged an inspirational study tour to the Netherlands from 8 – 10 February 2017.
As well as an exclusive tour of the Dutch design company Elho head office, which will include presentations from their operations team and in house trend specialists, the tour will include visits to some creative garden centres, alongside the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 6th Edition, including the event’s gala dinner.
The Garden Retail Experience 2017 (TREx) takes place on 9 and 10 February and aims to show visitors how to connect with the consumer emotionally and influence their shopping behaviour. The sixth edition of the Garden Retail Experience is a unique event for international garden retailers with a programme aimed to inform, inspire, entertain and network.
The study tour group will also attend The Auction in Aalsmeer, with a behind the scenes look at the workings of the famous clock from former buyer Paul Moors, Garden Centre Fresh and a guided tour from FloraHolland giving an overview of the whole process.
HTA Event co-ordinator Alexa Stilwell comments “The trip promises to be an exciting and educational experience and our retailers are really looking forward to being inspired and bringing home lots or ideas and concepts to try in their own stores.”
The tour will begin on Wednesday 8 February returning on Friday 10 February and the package will include accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as food throughout. Costs for the full 3 days are £395 + VAT. If you are interested in joining the tour or want to find out more, contact events@hta.org.uk
More information about the Garden Retail Experience can be found here http://www.gardenretailexperience.com/?Taal=EN
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Victorian style palm house plan for Fermoys
Plans to demolish and rebuild Fermoys Garden Centre in the style of Victorian Palm Houses have been proposed. The Blue Diamond Group have submitted plans to Teignbridge Council to redevelop the garden centre in Ipplepen
Plans to demolish and rebuild Fermoys Garden Centre in the style of Victorian Palm Houses have been proposed.
The Blue Diamond Group have submitted plans to Teignbridge Council to redevelop the garden centre in Ipplepen.
The planning application says the existing garden centre has grown to its current shape and size over the past 40 years and the transformation of the site would see the current store be 25 per cent bigger and would have improved layout for customers and a new car and coach parking area.
Initial figures suggest 30 new jobs could be created.
Outline permission has previously been granted for the demolition and the rebuild, but now, information about the details for the layout, the scale, landscaping and appearance of the new site have been revealed.
The garden centre will be relocated within the existing site and the current centre will remain open while the building of the new centre is constructed.
A design and access statement says: “We envisage bringing back the more traditional image of glasshouses.
“The covered plant area will be strategically located in the heart of the garden centre layout, with the other areas wrapped around it. The presence of this nursery style structure is felt throughout the whole building.
“The style of the exterior is based on the architecture of the Victorian Palm Houses found in the Botanical Gardens of the 19th Century. More specifically, the Temperate Palm House of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, built by Robert Matheson in 1862.
“This provided the archetype for the two notable elements in the garden centre layout, the entrance foyer and the restaurant. These two elements are characterised by their domes in double glazing, with sandstone effect arches and framed glazing to reflect the Victorian model. These elements are, more or less, continued throughout the other elevations of the garden centre.
“The replacement garden centre is located further from the road in order to increase the amount of car parking on site so as not to discourage customers from visiting due to a shortage of spaces.
“The building is made up of some key elements – the entrance hall, main retail area, restaurant and a covered external sales area. The layout of the building reflects the requirements of these elements.
“The restaurant is located on the sunny south west of the building, offering views through the internal and external plants sales and also down the valley towards Ipplepen.
“Given that the proposal is for redevelopment of an existing garden centre, the proposal is in accordance with the planning policy.
“The new garden centre and farm shop will help to provide and sustain rural jobs, it will continue to provide a community focused retail use and will be within newly developed premises which will be designed to minimise carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency.
“Since the granting of outline planning permission, the challenge has been to promote a scheme that allow the existing Garden Centre to trade in an efficient and viable manner while promoting a new build garden centre.
“The layout and scale of the new garden centre responds to and respects the site constraints, but now delivers a new garden centre of high quality design that can be implemented while the existing garden centre continues to trade, which is a matter of paramount importance to Blue Diamond and indeed the local economy."
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The Greatest Christmas Awards were announced at a special party night in Harrogate on Sunday. All the winners received their accolades during the event organised by Garden Trade News and Garden Radio at the Majestic Hotel in the town.
In this special edition of GTN Xtra we're publishing all the winners and finalists, plus the first pictures from an event that's been dubbed 'The Greatest Christmas Party Ever'.
"Our Greatest Awards are all about celebrating excellence in garden centre teamwork," said Trevor Pfeiffer, managing director of The Garden Communications and Media Company, publishers of Garden Trade News.
"The Greatest Christmas Awards prove once again that garden centre employees truly do work together to get the best results for their garden centre – they are thinking of Christmas 24/7.
"They’re planning for Christmas – including the events, displays, grottos and food happens all year round, across all departments.
"At Christmas, garden centres make their Christmas retailing wishes come true and from what we’ve seen are the envy of all high street operators. This event applauds that vision, dedication and of course, teamwork."
Trevor presented the awards alongside Carol Paris, chief executive of the HTA.
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Brookside struck gold in The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas category, as voted for purely by garden centre customers.
The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team 2016
Regional winners: - Home Counties Winner: Waresley Park Garden Centre
- North Winner: Birkacre Garden Centre
- Scotland Winner: Merryhatton Garden Centre
- Wales and West Winner: Pughs Radyr Garden Centre
Bronze: Bosworths Garden Centre Silver: Summerhill Garden Centre Gold: Brookside Garden Centre
The Greatest Christmas Judgers Special Award went to Haskins Garden Centres.
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The Greatest Christmas Display award was strongly contested again this year with four garden centres picking up main awards – Silverbirch and Walkers Nurseries (small garden centres), Castle Gardens (mid-sized), Barton Grange (large) and Fryers Garden Centre - Blue Diamond (group).
The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2016 – Small and Mid Sized Garden Centres Small Centre Finalists: - Fair Gardens Plant Centre
- Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre
- Hillview - Burford House
- Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
- Kirktown
- LBS Garden Centre Colne
- Munros
- Scotsdales Fordham
- Seven Oaks Garden Centre
- Silverbirch
- Snowdonia
- Southwood
- Walkers Nurseries
Mid-sized Centre Finalists: - Burleydam
- Castle Gardens
- Creative Gardens Donaghadee
- Fairways
- Fron Goch
- Glendoick
- Jacksons Boutique
- Sunshine
- The Old Railway Line
- Timmermans
- Waresley Park
Bronze Small Centre: Scotsdales Fordham Silver Small Centre: Hillview Burford House Gold Small Centre: Silverbirch Garden Centre Gold Small Centre: Walkers Nurseries
Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Fron Goch Garden Centre Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre Silver Mid-sized Centre: Burleydam Garden Centre Silver Mid-sized Centre: Sunshine Garden Centre Gold Mid-sized Centre: Castle Gardens The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2016 – Large and Group Garden Centres Large Garden Centre Finalists: - Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange
- Bents
- Chessington
- Hayes Garden World
- Hillside Garden Centre
- Perrywood
- Planters - Tamworth
- Raemoir
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Van Hage Great Amwell
- Van Hage Peterborough
- Whitehall Lacock
- Woodbank Nurseries and Garden Centre
Group Garden Centre Finalists: - Blue Diamond - Fryers
- Blue Diamond - Grosvenor
- Blue Diamond - Le Friquet
- Blue Diamond - Redfields
- Blue Diamond - Trentham
- Brigg - BGCG
- Haskins Roundstone
- Haskins Snowhill
- Haskins West End
- Hornsea - BGCG
- Notcutts Woodford Park
- Squires Badshot Lea
- Strikes Garforth Leeds
- Strikes Lady Green
Bronze Large Centre: Whitehall Lacock Garden Centre Bronze Large Centre: Perrywood Garden Centre Bronze Large Centre: Woodbank Garden Centre Silver Large Centre: Bents Garden & Home Gold Large Centre: Barton Grange Garden Centre  Bronze Group Centre: Squires Badshot Lea Silver Group Centre: Brigg Garden Centre - British Garden Centres Gold Group Centre: Fryers Garden Centre - Blue Diamond
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Greatest Christmas Sizzle, awarded to acknowledge the efforts of garden centres selling barbecues to customers for cooking their Christmas turkey, was won by Hayes Garden World.
The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team 2016
Finalists: - Colleta and Tyson
- Fairways
- Gordale
- Haskins West End
- Hayes Garden World
- Hillmount Garden Centre
- Langlands Leeds
- Mere Park Garden Centre
- Sunshine
- The Old Railway Line
Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre Bronze: Hillmount Garden Centre Bronze: Gordale Garden Centre Silver: Fairways Garden Centre Gold: Hayes Garden World
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Creative Gardens Donaghadee and Aylett Nurseries picked up gold awards in The Greatest Festive Plants Team category.
The Greatest Festive Plants Team 2016 Finalists: - Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange
- Bents
- Blue Diamond - Trentham
- Burston
- Castle Gardens
- Cowells
- Creative Gardens Donaghadee
- Fron Goch
- Haskins Roundstone
- Haskins West End
- Hayes Garden World
- Hornsea - BGCG
- Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
- Mains of Drum
- Munros
- Owl Lane
- Perrywood
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Snowdonia
- Sunshine
- Walkers Nurseries
- Webbs
- Woodbank Nurseries and Garden Centre
Small and Mid-sized centres Bronze: Fron Goch Garden Centre Bronze: Walkers Nurseries Bronze: Snowdonia Nurseries Silver: Cowells Garden Centre Gold: Creative Gardens Donaghadee  Large centres Bronze: Bents Garden & Home Bronze: Perrywood Garden Centre Silver: Barton Grange Garden Centre Silver: Burston Garden Centre Gold: Aylett Nurseries
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Mains of Drum and Barton Grange were winners of The Greatest Festive Catering Team with Munros Nurseries Garden Centre picking up the silver award.The Greatest Festive Catering Team 2016 Finalists: - Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange
- Blue Diamond - Redfields
- Burleydam
- Chessington
- Haskins Roundstone
- Haskins West End
- Hillmount Garden Centre
- Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Room
- Mains of Drum
- Munros
- Perrywood
- Planters - Tamworth
- Rosebank
- Ruxley Manor
- Scotsdales Fordham
- Waresley Park
- Whitehall Lacock
Bronze: Burleydam Garden Centre Silver: Munros Nurseries Garden Centre Gold: Mains of Drum Garden Centre Gold: Barton Grange Garden Centre
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There was strong competition in The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team category with Brookside, Pughs Radyr and Chessington picking up the gold award. The Greatest Grotto Team 2016 Finalists: - Arcadia - BGCG
- Baytree
- Brigg - BGCG
- Brookside Garden Centre
- Chaplins
- Chessington
- Codsall & Wergs
- Fair Gardens Plant Centre
- Frensham Garden Centre
- Frosts Woburn Sands
- Gouldings
- Hayes Garden World
- Hetland
- Hillmount Garden Centre
- Hillside Garden Centre
- Hornsea - BGCG
- Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
- Kershaws
- Notcutts Woodford Park
- Perrywood
- Pughs Radyr
- Pughs Wenvoe
- Ruxley Manor
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Silica Lodge Garden Centre
- Squires Badshot Lea
- Sturmer Nurseries Garden Centre
- Sunshine
- Whitehall Lacock
- Woodbank Nurseries and Garden Centre
Small and Mid-sized centres Bronze: Codsall & Wergs Garden Centre Bronze: Silica Lodge Garden Centre Silver: Gouldings Garden Centre Gold: Brookside Garden Centre, Kent Gold: Pughs Radyr Garden Centre 
Large centres Bronze: Brigg Garden Centre Bronze: Whitehall Lacock Silver: Squires Badshot Lea Gold: Chessington Garden Centre
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It was a hotly contested affair in The Greatest Christmas Supplier category - voted for by retailers – and the final outcome was very close but Premier Decorations just pipped Kaemingk to the gold award.
The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2016 Finalists: Bronze: Noma Silver: Kaemingk Gold: Premier Decorations
Gold in The Greatest Pet Christmas Team category has been won by Bents Garden & Home.
The Greatest Pet Christmas Team 2016
Finalists: - Bents
- Blue Diamond - Le Friquet
- Codsall & Wergs
- Haskins West End
- Planters - Tamworth
- Squires Badshot Lea
- The Old Railway Line
Bronze: Le Friquet Garden Centre Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre Silver: Planters Tamworth Gold: Bents Garden & Home
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A number of Santa Special Awards were presented to garden centres whose teams had shown great enterprise at Christmas.
- ACW Garden Centre
- Arcadia – British Garden Centres
- Baytree Garden Centre
- Birkacre Garden Centre
- Grosvenor - Blue Diamond
- Redfields - Blue Diamond
- Trentham - Blue Diamond
- Burford Garden Company
- Burston Garden Centre
- Chaplins Plymouth
- Colleta and Tyson
- Conkers Garden Centre
- Fair Gardens Plant Centre
- Frensham Garden Centre
- Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre
- Frosts Woburn Sands
- Glendoick Garden Centre
- Gordale Garden & Home Centre
- Haskins Roundstone
- Haskins Snowhill
- Haskins West End
- Hetland Garden Centre
- Hillside Garden Centre
- Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre
- Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Room
- Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
- Kershaw’s Garden Centre
- Kirktown Garden Centre
- Langlands Leeds
- Langlands Sheffield
- Langlands Shiptonthorpe
- LBS Garden Centre Colne
- Mere Park Garden Centre
- Notcutts Woodford Park
- Owl Lane Garden Centre
- Pughs Garden Centre Wenvoe
- Raemoir Garden Centre
- Rosebank Garden Centre
- Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Scotsdales Cambridge
- Seven Oaks Garden Centre
- Simpsons Garden Centre
- Southwood Garden Centre
- Hornsea – British Garden Centres
- Strikes Garforth Leeds
- Strikes Lady Green
- Sturmer Nurseries Garden Centre
- Summerseat Garden Centre
- The Old Railway Line
- Timmermans Garden Centre
- Van Hage Great Amwell
- Van Hage Peterborough
- Waresley Park Garden Centre
- Webbs of Wychbold
- Averys Garden Centre
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Finalists and invited guests gathered at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate for The Greatest Awards Party.Music was provided by Func on the Rocks. Here are some snapshots of the party-goers taken during the big event.
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Plantarea Staff / East Sussex (ref:DS8982)
Location: East Sussex
Salary: Competitive
Date: 12 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
This Plant focused independent garden centre are looking for horticulturally trained staff of all levels from management to assistant level for their East Sussex based Centre. With the busy season on its way they are looking for passionate and trained individuals who are keen to work in a friendly independent centre that prides itself of its superb customer service.
The successful candidate will have a real eye for customer service and take huge pride for their work, with a real, can-do, enthusiastic attitude.
- A willingness to learn to develop is key.
- They are looking for some who is not afraid to get involved and create a great customer experience.
- Assisting in managing the daily operations, enabling everyone to inspire, educate and equip customers.
- To be part of a team that drive performance maximising commercial potential.
- To be part of a team that promotes staff ownership & accountability to create a positive & enjoyable working environment.
- Experience and formal training in the Horticultural industry is preferable, with an excellent knowledge of plants and retail sales.
To apply for this role click here
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Sundries Department Head (ref:DS8975)
Location: Derby
Salary: Excellent
Date: 12 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is a progressive and dynamic group of garden centres, based country wide.They are seeking to add to their dynamic team a Sundries Department Head for their Derby based garden centre.
The Role
As a Department Head, you will be responsible for running the department and managing a team, and experience of this within a retail environment is essential. You can make a real difference from day one as you will be involved in driving sales, creating stunning and inspirational visual displays, managing stock levels, and motivating and developing your team.
You will gain a real sense of ownership over your department as you drive sales and profitability by maximising space productivity, replenishment, and merchandising. The customer is the focus of everything we do, so you will ensure that they always receive an exceptional level of service.
The Candidate
The IDEAL person will possess:
- A proven background in retail preferably with product knowledge of growing sundries, garden chemicals, seed, tools etc.
- To be the ideal candidate you will have experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment at a management or supervisory level.
- You will be a great communicator with an ability to inspire your team.
- You will have a great eye for detail with a creative edge to ensure high retail standards are consistently maintained in terms of product placement and presentation.
To apply for this role click here
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Senior Contracts Manager / Operations Manager Landscaping (ref:DS8962)
Location: South East England
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Date: 12 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Due to expansion an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced soft landscaping Senior Contracts Manager/ Operations Manager to oversee 6 Contracts Managers and 6 admin staff dealing with sites across London and the South East completing landscaping schemes for a wide variety of clients, including company headquarters, new schools and academies, business and retails parks, superstores and industrial estates, as well as ecologically sensitive areas.
The Role
The successful Senior Contracts Manager/Operations Manager will take responsibility for the management of the Contracts Managers and their teams of Landscapers who carry out contracts of between £700k and £900k a month, ensuring that a consistently high level of client satisfaction is delivered and maintained.
The successful candidate will possess a flexible, methodical and conscientious approach and strong managerial skills. Reporting to the Director, this is an important position within the company as they are growing and focusing on customer service and working with larger contractors to ensure they are the first choice of landscapers for all their projects.
Full driving license and current CSCS card are essential.
Responsibility for the management of the Contracts Managers and their Admin team centred around Watford and Enfield, but covering sites throughout London, the South and South East, as far as Milton Keynes and Bristol. Based from their Borehamwood yard they are ideally looking for someone based with the M25
The Candidate
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualities:
- Dealing with contract negotiations with clients.
- Writing method statements and risk assessments.
- Finding workable solutions to problems as they arise.
- Experience within the soft landscaping industry as a Senior Contracts Manager.
- Experience in overseeing/managing 5/6 Contracts Managers.
- Excellent organisation skills and a fine eye for detail.
- Be numerate with good report writing skills.
- The ability to impart instructions clearly and lead and motivate your team.
- Be a good problem solver.
- Able to prioritise and manage time efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Have a flexible and methodical and conscientious approach.
Salary: Circa £45,000.00 depending on skills and experience, plus bonus
Benefits will include company car/ fuel card/ laptop/ mobile phone/ expenses paid
Required: CSCS card and Driving Licence
To apply for this role click here
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Head of Catering / Warwickshire (ref:DS8940)
Location: Warwickshire
Salary: Excellent
Date: 12 Jan
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join a thriving independent business and shape the future of their food offering in a great environment and location. This independent Warwickshire based Garden Centre is a relatively new build and has ongoing investment that has seen the turnover grow by more than 60% in the last 4 years and has become a great destination centre.
The Role
Currently the business has circa 160 covers split into two adjoining locations a café setting and a restaurant setting. There is also an ice cream/pottery barn (with 20 covers) that would fall under the leadership of this role.
The café is currently outperforming, the restaurant, based on 2015 turnover and are now considering how best to move forward.
Therefore, the person we are looking for must be able to carry out the following key aspects of this new role:
- Visionary leadership - ability to see the next stages of development, map them out and plan how these are executed over time. For example, the food offering has reached phase two in its plan so what might phase three look like?
- Personality Profile - the ability to work with the owners and sit alongside the more senior leadership of the business day to day. Also, the ability to work, motivate and create a great team spirit amongst and with the café/restaurant staff. Giving clear leadership whilst playing your part in the team and the wider team in the business. The business has a great mix of family feel with a professional dynamic environment.
- Commerciality - the ability to analyse current performance and situations and then look at creative ways of moving the business forward. The feeling is that the food offer could grow by 25% in the shorter term how do we do that? Beyond that there is a further 50% growth so what does that next phase look like and how do they get there? The business also recognises that the food sales as a % of the overall site could become a larger part of the sales mix so creating a plan to execute this is vital.
The Candidate
Personal skill set - the business would consider various backgrounds and garden centre experience is not essential. As a real example a member of the team came from a background in marketing and is now running front of house. Candidates with a food, food service, retail type background will be considered.
We are looking for someone who will fit the culture and ethos of this dynamic family business.
The business is open as to what background the person comes from but they must possess the skills, personality profile and the ability to perform the key aspects of this role. Ideally food retailing and or catering will have been part of their career but they will look outside of these areas as well.
To apply for this role click here
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with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox. The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.
Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
Pictures from the Greatest Christmas Gold-winning teams
Garden centre teams excelled with their Christmas displays and grottos in 2015. Below we reveal galleries from the gold-winning teams...
Aylett Nurseries
Aylett Nurseries won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Plants Team (Large Centres) category...
Aylett Nurseries won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Plants Team (Large Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Aylett displays...
Creative Gardens Donaghadee
Creative Gardens Donaghadee won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Plants Team (Small and Midsized Centres) category.
Creative Gardens Donaghadee won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Plants Team (Small and Midsized Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Creative Gardens displays...
Hayes Garden World
Hayes Garden World won gold in the Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team category...
Hayes Garden World won gold in the Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Hayes displays...
Bents Garden & Home won gold in the Greatest Christmas Pet Team category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Bents displays...
Brookside GC Kent
Brookside Garden Centre Kent won golds in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team and the Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team categories...
Brookside Garden Centre Kent won golds in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team and the Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team categories
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Brookside grotto...
Pughs Radyr GC
Pughs Radyr Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team (Small and Midsized) category...
Pughs Radyr Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team (Small and Midsized) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Pughs grotto...
Chessington GC
Chessington Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team (Large) category.
Chessington Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Grotto Team (Large) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Chessington grotto...
Mains of Drum GC
Mains of Drum Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Catering Team category...
Mains of Drum Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Festive Catering Team category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Mains of Drum restaurant...
Barton Grange GC
Barton Grange won golds in the Greatest Christmas Festive Catering Team and the Greatest Christmas Display Team categories...
Barton Grange won golds in the Greatest Christmas Festive Catering Team and the Greatest Christmas Display Team categories.
Below is a gallery of the winning Barton Grange catering and displays...
Silverbirch GC
Silverbirch Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Small Centres) category...
Silverbirch Garden Centre won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Small Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Silverbirch displays...
Walkers Nurseries
Walkers Nurseries won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Small Centres) category...
Walkers Nurseries won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Small Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Walkers displays...
Castle Gardens
Castle Gardens won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Midsized Centres) category...
Castle Gardens won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Midsized Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Castle Gardens displays...
Fryers GC - Blue Diamond
Fryers Garden Centre - Blue Diamond won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Group Centres) category...
Fryers Garden Centre - Blue Diamond won gold in the Greatest Christmas Display Team (Group Centres) category.
Below is a gallery of images from the winning Fryers displays...
The Greatest Christmas Awards were organised by the team from Garden Trade News and Garden Radio.
From left to right: Mandy Davies, Rebbecca Dean, Alan Burdon, Trevor Pfeiffer, Neil Pope and Harry Sinclair.
Guests at The Greatest Christmas Awards party dug deep and raised a staggering £1,575 for the Greenfingers charity.
The raffle prizes were as follows:
- CADAC Kettle Chef BBQ
- Hamper from Kaemigk
- Betty's Hamper from Norfolk Leisure and National Tree Company
- Firepit from Bonningtons
- Year's subscription to GTN Bestsellers
- Trip to Garden Retail Experience Show in Holland
- Bottle of champagne
- Polar Bear from Vivid Arts
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Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips. The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period. Access is by subscription only. For £195.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers. Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.
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Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £195.00.
GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.
Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.
For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.
Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Premium foods are the future, predicts supplier
Fine foods distributor Cotswold Fayre predicts that the convenience sector will continue to premiumise its offering in 2017. Over the past 12 months the company says it has seen sales of products in the sector increase by more than 40%...
Fine foods distributor Cotswold Fayre predicts that the convenience sector will continue to premiumise its offering in 2017. Over the past 12 months the company says it has seen sales of products in the sector increase by more than 40%. With the market constantly evolving to meet the demanding and changing needs of modern consumer lifestyles, the opportunity for stores to capitalise on sales by diversifying and offering premium, quality products is ever increasing. Research conducted with convenience retailers revealed that over the next year 45% of convenience retailers will seek to increase premium brand listings, with nearly two thirds (60%) seeking out local products and nearly a quarter (23%) predicting an increase in artisan products.* Paul Hargreaves, chief executive at Cotswold Fayre says: “Over the past two years, our convenience orders have doubled in volume. The way we shop is changing, gone are the days of the weekly ‘big shop’. This represents a real opportunity for convenience and forecourt retailers to capitalise on the ‘top-up shops’, by offering new and different products”. Cotswold Fayre has revealed its top performing categories for convenience in 2016 were snacks, soft drinks, meal solutions and home-baking products. The company also doubled its chilled range in response to opportunities in the market. For c-stores, chilled and fresh fruit and vegetables accounts for a quarter (23.8%) of sales**. Hargreaves continues: “Consumers are seeking out new products and brands from their local stores – and importantly, they are happy to spend more on quality produce. In order to stay relevant, stores must continue to diversify and react to consumer demand for premium, speciality products.” Cotswold Fayre recently introduced 35 new suppliers and more than 250 new products to its range –across the chilled and ambient. * Research was carried out by him! in April 2016, telephone interviews with 100 retailers ** The Local Shop Report 2016 – a report by the Association of Convenience Stores
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