The uncertainty surrounding Brexit may be causing problems in certain business areas but in garden centres sales are running at an all time high for January. The GTN Bestsellers All Sales Index for last week was 15.2% up on week 3 last year. 

Early Bird offers are being snapped up like never before.  Some of the sales may be gardeners stockpiling in case of a no deal Brexit, but as centres are also reporting early furniture and BBQ sales and plant sales are up 23% so far this year it could just be that people really want to make the most of their gardens during this year of uncertainty.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 3)

• Garden Products – up 24%
• Growing Media – up 50%
• Wild Bird Care – up 33%
• Veg-2-Gro – static 0%
• All Plants index – up 29%
• All Items index – up 15%

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

Spring Fair, which starts at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday, is creating a huge social media buzz around the event at 12 noon today (Wednesday)...

Exhibitors at the show will be Everyone posting the pictured graphic on  their social media platforms with the following caption:

Join me at #SpringFair - February 2019

Garden centres remain at the very heart of sales planning for Forest Garden, the UK’s leading producer of decorative timber structures, wooden fence panels, trellis, outdoor storage and sheds.

“Garden centres remain a key channel where customers can physically see and touch a selection of our extensive range of products, learn about our products from informative Point of Sale Material and pick up a brochure to be introduced to our full range,” says Forest Garden’s sales director, John Gomersall (pictured).

“Adding a decorative structure to your garden can make a real difference and because of the nature of our products, not all customers are happy to buy without seeing them first.  They want to see a range of different styles and examine them so they can really picture them in their own gardens.   Being able to walk round an arch or arbour or hold up a trellis panel is important and the garden centre affords them this opportunity.

“For those customers that choose something from our extended range, they still have the opportunity to order in store, with delivery from Forest typically within 5 days,” says John.

Forest Garden makes in excess of 7,000 deliveries to garden centre customers each year and that is growing. The Forest Garden Field Sales team make around 1,500 visits a year to ensure our customers are looked after and displays look as good as possible. 

Regular merchandising is essential in keeping displays at garden centres fresh and attractive.  Forest has a real focus to drive and develop this in 2019 to increase sales further.

“Decorative lines such as trellis and lattice remain very popular and we continue to support sales at garden centres through innovative stock and display systems,” says Gomersall.   “We have seen an increase in demand for the more difficult to display products such as sheds and garden buildings due to the garden centres promoting our home delivery options. Our innovative brochure display options allow these ranges to be showcased and ultimately ordered by the customer for us to deliver directly. We have over 500 product lines to select from, covering all timber categories and have recently added flexible and easy to shop fencing project solutions to enable retailers to offer even more options to their customers”

He sees the ongoing success being driven by combining these more difficult to handle, traditional products via home delivery with promotional impulse led lines such as edging, grow your own and structures that can be taken home there and then. 

“We have changed our support strategy to cater for this with market leading offers on high volume sales lines that can be bought and taken home in the back of the car,” he adds.

APAC are one of the leading importers and distributors of floristry, party, event décor and horticultural products in the UK, and today our product range covers more than 10,000 product lines sourced from all over the world. 

Our experienced buying team add new items to our range on a regular basis, and we are proud to have our products represented by some of the largest retailers in the UK. 

In addition to supplying large multiples, we are a major supplier to the florist wholesale, party wholesale and wedding trades, as well as supplying garden centres, nurseries and growers.

Following our recent expansion, we are hosting exclusive visits to our showroom in January and February 2019.  We would like to offer our buyers the opportunity to view our latest range of items before they arrive in to stock and we would like to invite you to an exclusive visit to our showroom. 

You won’t catch us at the Spring Fair this year, as we wanted to provide our customers with a more relaxed and personal service.  Our purpose built 120,000 sq ft facility is also located in the Midlands, and we can provide transportation from the Spring Fair if required.

We are also offering exclusive showroom only offers across a number of our ranges.  These offers are only available as part of a visit to our showroom, and you will need to make a booking to be eligible.

Please speak with your Sales Representative to book your visit, and to discuss your travel and accommodation requirements, or contact our sales office directly on +44 (0) 116 230 2555, or email info@apacgroup.com

www.apacuk.com

www.linkedin.com/company/apac-group-ltd

www.twitter.com/apacgroupltd

The freehold of Wyevale Wimborne is to be auctioned in London on February 14th 2019.

Commercial property auctioneers Acuitus have listed the site on their website as being up for auction with a guide price of £1,300,000 - £1,400,000.  

The property, which covers 2.4 acres, comprises a purpose built garden centre of steel frame construction, providing a large internal retail area with soft play area and restaurant, as well as an external retail area for horiticultural products. Concessions, including Fairy Chic Emporium and Pets Corner, are operated within the property, with Maidenhead Aquatics based within a separate building to the eastern corner of the site.

The site lists the current rent as £130,110 per annum and is let to Wyevale Garden Centres Holdings Ltd until 31st August 2030 (no breaks) with RPI linked Rent Review in 2020 and 5 yearly thereafter.

Wyevale Garden Centres listed Wimborne along with all other centres as for sale, Leasehold, with a guide price for the retail business of £200,000.

The auction of the Freehold on behalf of a major fund manager takes place on Valentines Day, 14th February, at The Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG.

Prongcroft Ltd, of Nottingham, a company which brings a fresh approach to garden care and maintenance introduced The Garden Prong at Glee last September.

The Garden Prong features an innovative two-prong system that will revolutionise an approach to gardening.

It is a tool with a unique design which lends itself to aerate soil and actually remove weeds around the base of plants and shrubs without damaging the plant or shrub.

The tool head is made from polished stainless steel to reduce soil adhesion, making it easier to work.

The tool is very lightweight, sturdy and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.

Ideal for all ages and levels of expertise, Prongcroft comes in three sizes – short, medium and long handled – making it perfect for everything from vegetable plots to patio pots.

The company also introduced the Garden Apron, which is easy to wear and can even be worn over everyday clothes.  

Features include:

• durable materials
• padded for comfort
• adjustable straps
• detachable tool/accessory pocket,
• one size to fit all.

The adjustable straps are comfortable to wear and do not cut into the knee, as with traditional knee pads. There is also an integral pocket facility to insert standard kneepad inserts.

Contact

sales@prongcroft.co.uk 

0115 983 0344

www.prongcroft.co.uk

What a great omen for a potentially great gardening year – plant sales up by 25% so far this year!

Highlights were:

• Primula  and Narcissus sales both increased sales by 24% to stay at No 1 and No 2 bestselling plants of the moment.
• Geum sales re-entered the chart at No 8.
• Oleria, Daisy bushes, are the highest new entry to the GTN Plants Chart, in at No 23.
• All Plants volume sales change: Week on week UP 11.7%. Year to date vs 2018 UP 23.7%, vs  2017 UP  50.8%.

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

Whilst we are all still coming to terms with the realisation of Climate Change, are we all adjusting our business models to adapt to those changes; probably not.  As the 2019 season kicks-off, some companies will fare-better than others, but one British company which is determined to stay out in-front is Somerset based Durston Garden Products Ltd.

Traditionally, the buying season in the gardening industry has been between September and Christmas; with deliveries to garden centres normally commencing the following February. However, with the weather being so unpredictable and the seasons constantly changing, it means this is no longer the case.

“Critically, as suppliers and buyers we need to be able to react to whatever the weather throws our way”, says company spokesperson Dan Durston. This means we should at any given time, be able to place an order with the confidence of knowing that such an order WILL be met and more importantly, WILL be delivered on-time.

At Durston Garden Products we take pride in our customer service and can say without hesitation that if ever we are called upon to deliver compost, whatever the time of the year ‘We can and We Will’ deliver on our promise to all our customers, which is, to deliver our products within five days of any order taken, to anywhere within the UK.  We have an extensive collection of top quality peat and loam based composts that are ideal for a variety of gardens and plants and which can be used all-year-round. The collection ranges from the ever popular Multi-Purpose composts, to Seed and Cutting compost, Bulb Fibre, John Innes ranges and much, much more.

So why does Durstons think they can survive where others may fail?

 “All our products are home-produced here in the UK, which gives us an advantage over many of our competitors, something we identify with as our unique-selling-point. On top of this, the quality of our growing media and the value-for-money that it offers is well documented. We are more flexible in our approach to business which many garden centres seem to like. Also, and unlike other well known brands you won’t find Durstons products cheaper in the supermarkets”.

Durstons has a reputation for being a truly proud and well established British business which has been around since 1860. It doesn’t export or import anything from overseas, and works tirelessly to ensure that all its work practices are thought through with a conscience.

Land management and recycling are particularly high on Durstons agenda and the company often goes that extra mile to ensure its environmental policies are well and truly met. “I’m a great believer that you reap-what you-sow” continues Dan, “and with the uncertainty of BREXIT still looming and many companies finding themselves in un-chartered waters, here at Durstons nothing has changed, so we can, with confidence move forward into this new year knowing we are well placed for an even better and brighter future.  The World as we know it is changing, the Industry too is changing, but more importantly, Climate Change IS happening, and as long as we all keep that thought in the forefront of our minds as we go about our daily routines and adapt – We CAN and We WILL survive it.

For more information about Durston Garden Products visit them at the GLEE/Spring Fair, stand E20-21-Hall 8 from 3^rd-7^th February, or call the sales team on: 01458 442688.

St John's Plant Centre at Clacton, which ran its Christmas Wonderland event in defiance of a local council ban, has closed and is in liquidation.

In November HMRC filed a winding up petition against the company, which is owned by Barnet-registered Floral Garden Group Ltd, which is listed by Companies House as a Retailer of “flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, pet animals and pet food in specialised stores”. Its main director is Anthony Clear. Mark Reynolds at Valentine and Co has been appointed liquidator.

Last September, Tendring District Council served an enforcement notice ordering the centre to stop trading and stop hosting its popular Christmas event. The council had failed in its application to the High Court to shut down the 2017 event because of alleged traffic chaos along its narrow access road.

The garden centre closed after the landowners submitted a planning application to build 210 homes and eight live-work units on the site.

The Winter Wonderland featured a miniature train that took children through a grotto to meet Santa, and brought thousands of visitors to the area every year.

The centre’s dispute with Tendring District Council involved other planning issues; reports suggest the site only had permission to operate as a wholesale outlet selling horticultural and agricultural goods to trade customers.

Garden centres across the UK are being encouraged to take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 22 March and raise vital funds for the Greenfingers Charity, the national charity that creates magical gardens for children’s hospices.

Last year’s event – the gardening industry’s equivalent of Comic Relief – broke records, raising more than £70,000. Since its inception in 2012, Garden Re-Leaf has raised £600,000 for the creation of gardens designed to enhance the lives of children with life-limiting conditions.

Now, retail managers are being urged to get garden centres involved in FUNdraising activities for this year’s Garden Re-Leaf day. Charity events on the day and over the weekend can raise footfall at garden centres while generating funds to enhance the lives of terminally ill children.

Greenfingers’ director of fundraising and communications Linda Petrons said: “We’re issuing a rallying call to every garden centre in the UK to participate in Garden Re-Leaf Day 2019. As a result of previous years’ events, life-limited children and their families have been able to share precious time together in Greenfingers gardens at hospices. It’s easy to sign up and take part in organised activities and we urge the industry to come together and support our mission to design and build beautiful gardens for play, therapy and relaxation.”

For an adrenaline-filled challenge, retailers can hold a Great Garden Re-Leaf 12-hour Plantathon (Charlie Dimmock, right, took part in one last year at Squire's). Garden centres can invite customers and staff to take turns and continuously plant for 12 hours – or nominate one brave person to plant for the duration! It’s a great way of team-building, and plants potted for the Plantathon can be sold, with a percentage of each sale going to the Greenfingers Charity. Gardening workshops can run alongside plantathons, with retailers encouraging customers to buy tickets and brush-up on their gardening know-how.

Retailers could decide to hold a raffle, cake or book sale, or host a car wash in the car park and donate the proceeds. Managers are being encouraged to invite customers to enjoy afternoon tea in garden centre cafes and make a donation from every cup of tea and slice of cake sold.

Carrier bag tax could be donated to the Greenfingers Charity in March, and for retailers who have in-store activity areas such as soft play or crazy golf, 50p could be donated from the cost of every child who visits on Garden Re-Leaf Day. And why not get colleagues into Garden Re-Leaf Day spirits by encouraging staff to wear their best (or worst!) green or floral outfits to work, and asking everyone taking part to make a donation?

An ever-popular fundraising event is the Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk, which gets underway from Wyevale’s World’s End Garden Centre in Buckinghamshire. Garden centre staff of all ages are invited to take part, with the option of a 10-mile walk or, for eager hikers, a more challenging 20-mile route through the Chilterns.

2019 will be the fifth annual Garden Re-Leaf Walk, and those who have taken part in the full 20-mile walk since the outset will mark having completed their 100th mile in aid of Greenfingers as they cross the finishing line.

For those who prefer pedal power to donning a pair of walking boots, the Garden Re-Leaf Day Cycle Challenge is an excellent way to burn off any lingering excesses from the festive season and raise cash for a great cause in the process. The cycle ride also starts and finishes at Wyevale’s World’s End Garden Centre in Buckinghamshire.

The Greenfingers Charity has ambitious plans to raise more than £500,000 this year and hopes that Garden Re-Leaf day will smash the £70,000 record it hit in 2017. The charity has already created 55 gardens at children’s hospices across the UK and plans to build four more in 2019 – at Claire House Children’s Hospice in Wirral, Richard House Children’s Hospice in London, Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in Cornwall and Grace House Hospice in Sunderland.

Last year’s event saw firms including Vitax, Johnsons Lawn Seed, Woodlodge, Elho, Hozelock, Briers, Taylor’s Bulbs, Mr Fothergill’s, Glee, Hornby Whitefoot PR, GIMA, HTA, QVC, Cadix and Kew Green Hotels all take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day.

Poplars Garden Centre, Hillview Stores, Perrywood Garden Centre, Alton Garden Centre, Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Downtown Garden Centre, Whitehall Garden Centre, Haskins Garden Centres and Aylett Nurseries were among many retailers to get involved with fundraising activities.

For more information about Garden Re-Leaf Day 2019, and for details of how to take part, click here https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf.

It’s easy for garden centres to register a 2019 Garden Re-Leaf Day event. Visit https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf/register-a-2019-event to fill in a short online form.

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For more information, interviews or images from Garden Re-Leaf Day please contact:

Linda Petrons by email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or call 01494 674749/07908 221240. 

Kimberley Hornby by email: kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk or call 07851 610573.

Smart Garden has scooped the Garden Centre Association’s prestigious Associate of the Year award, retaining the Haskins-Stewart Cup as favourite supplier to the industry.

The award was presented at the GCA’s annual conference and gala dinner at Luton Hoo last week.

Sales Director Paul Knott said winning the award for the second year running was a real honour. “Last year we said that we would work hard to retain the title and are so proud that all of our efforts have paid off,” he added.

MDF Jonathan Stobart said: “This award is a testament to the hard work from everyone in the Smart Garden team and we’re delighted that our commitment to innovation and customer service has been recognised by the industry.”

Smart will be showing its new Three Kings range at Spring Fair 2019, which starts next Sunday.

Leading garden centre group, Haskins, is celebrating after taking home several prestigious awards at this week’s Garden Centre Association Conference.

The Garden Centre Association represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide, helping members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability. The awards and inspections help drive members' standards across all areas of business including customer service, merchandising, plant quality and marketing.

• Two Haskins centres, Roundstone and Snowhill, were recognised in the top 10 ‘Centres of Excellence’ – Roundstone ranked fifth and Snowhill ninth in the list
• All four Haskins centres were recognised in the top 15 ‘Centres of Excellence’ – Ferndown ranked 11th and West End ranked 14th
• Haskins was awarded the ‘Worrall Cup’ for best marketing campaign for its ‘Big Reindeer Giveaway’
• Haskins scooped first, second and third prize for ‘Best Garden Products Retailer’ category
• Warren Haskins, chairman of the group, was made an honorary member of the Garden Centre Association

Lisa Looker, brand director at Haskins Garden Centres, commented: “We’re thrilled to be recognised across multiple categories for all four of our centres. The awards are testament to the hard work of the teams at each centre. We’re particularly pleased to have been awarded two centres of excellence, with both Roundstone and Snowhill in the top 10 centres, and all four of our centres included in the top 15!”

Taking home the Worral Cup for best marketing initiative, Lisa added: “It was a wonderful surprise to take home the marketing award for our reindeer campaign. During the run up to Christmas we teamed up with a selection of charities and organisations and provided them with a donation of cuddly toy reindeers.

“It was hoped that the reindeers would really make a difference to children who found themselves in the unfortunate position of spending Christmas in hospital. We enjoyed giving back to the community and helping spread festive cheer to those in need.

“We were very pleased that our blogger festive afternoon tea, held in December at our Ferndown centre, also made the final three for the Worral Cup.”

The awards were marked through the Garden Centre Association audit process, across a whole number of scoring categories. These include first impressions, facilities, customer services, inspiring displays, great food, product presentation and innovation, social and environmental ethos, and many more.

The Garden Centre Association Conference awards were presented at a ceremony at Luton Hoo Hotel on Tuesday January 22.

Haskins has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone and Snowhill in West Sussex.

For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk  

The search for the 2019 Westland Rising Stars has been launched.

The programme for the annual campaign was announced at the Garden Centre Association Conference. Entries are now open to find up and coming employees at garden centres who show great potential and would benefit from the opportunity to further their skills and experiences as part of the Rising Stars Program.

Nominations are open now until to Friday February 22nd 2019. These will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will decide on 10 finalists. The finalists will then attend a series of four workshops held by Gordon Emslie GCA inspector, designed to further their

knowledge of the horticultural retail industry.

Finalists will then be tasked with developing a sales event for delivery in store during May 2019, they will receive mentoring for the Westland marketing team for this. Part of the program will include attending the GCA Conference where participants will present their ideas and inspire delegates. This year all presenters will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the 2020 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, giving them the opportunity for networking and

further inspiration to take back to their garden centres.

Jo Wilkinson from Westland commented: “Rising Stars, which is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary, aims to grow and nurture the best talent in the industry. To celebrate the anniversary, we are changing the format. We usually have one overall winner but now, instead, we are celebrating all ten finalists and their achievements. Each year we are overwhelmed by the volume of applications received, and the stories of the people being nominated. We are passionate about supporting the future of the horticultural industry and Rising Stars is just one of the many ways we do this.”

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA said: “This year we are excited to be working with Gordon Emslie, who is dedicated to instilling commercial skills combined with soft skills coaching for success. The continued support from Westland means that this industry leading training program continues to go from strength to strength and with no costs to garden centres for their staff to participate then what are you waiting for – apply today.”

To be eligible, candidates should hold a position up to junior management level, have access to financial data including sales and cost prices, be able to develop a sales or marketing idea for growing an area of the business and, perhaps most importantly, should demonstrate a drive and commitment that they wish to be developed.

For more information, and to download an application form, please visit www.gardenhealth.com/rising-stars-2019.

Don’t delay as nominations close on Friday 22nd February 2019.

Following its acquisition of Gardman, Westland has confirmed the company’s promotional partnership with Marie Curie.

Formed in 2016, the partnership enables a percentage of the sale of each participating product to be donated to the charity.

Rachael Dickinson, senior marketing manager at Westland, said: “Marie Curie do fantastic work and we are keen to honour the agreement and help the charity continue its work. The range of products has been very well received, with more than 200,000 sales of the Daffodil Feeder so far. We anticipate that the renewed interest in Gardman following the acquisition will help reinvigorate interest in the products and drive sales.”

The range has returned with new lines for 2019. Merchandising and display units are available, along with discounts for large orders.

Visitors to the Christmas grottos at Squire’s Garden Centres across Surrey, Sussex and Middlesex not only met the man from Lapland but shared the true spirit of Christmas by helping to raise an amazing £19,480.55 in support of local charities.

All 15 Squire’s garden centres participated in the seasonal fundraising campaign. In addition, centres that hosted Santa’s grotto donated a proportion of ticket sales revenue to a chosen local charity. Visitors also donated cash as they made Christmas wishes in the special wishing wells and fountains.

The funds will provide vital support to a diverse mix of local charities, supporting groups and projects needing help in the community, including: Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, The Royal Star & Garter Homes, Woking & Sam Beare Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Samson Centre for MS, and West Horsley & Bookham Riding For the Disabled.

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s, said: “Because each of our garden centres selects its own community-based charity we can ensure that local people are supporting a charity they can see making a vital difference within their own community.”

IPM Essen 2019, which took place last week, announced the winner’s of this year’s plant novelty awards, which attracted 58 entries from 31 exhibitors across eight categories.

A new strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum Granvia Gold from MNP flowers, won in the Bedding and Balcony Plant category. With larger flowers than other varieties, it blooms over a long period and in abundance, while its well-branching growth makes it a useful as a feature plant. Although it needs plenty of water, it is low maintenance on the bench.

Other category winners

• Spring Bloomer: Primula hybrid BELARINA 'Candy Frost' from Kientzler. Winter-hardy, long-lasting, attractive flowers. Adds a particularly high-quality variety to the primrose range. The flowers are bi-coloured, full and do not open completely. Ideal gift for Valentine's Day?
• Flowering Houseplant Euphorbia pulcherrima ‘Christmas Mouse’ from Selecta Klemm. The unusually soft-looking novel leaf shape of this poinsettia is reminiscent of mouse ears. The name is based on Germany’s popular ‘Christmas Mouse’ poem. It should make a good impulse purchase.
• Green Houseplant Blechnum brasiliense 'Copper Crisp' from Cultivaris A trendy ‘jungle’ feel for warm indoor spaces, whether in a terrarium, glass garden or bathroom, but away from direct sun It has red buds and firm, deeply ruched, deep-green fronds.
• Woody Plant  Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Star' from Plantipp BV. A captivating firethorn with extraordinary red berry colour and significantly fewer thorns than usual. 'Red Star' also makes an attractive indoor plant. Blooming in June with a dense berry base that colours in September, it is frost hardy.
• Perennials Sempervivum Chick Charms® 'Gold Nugget' from Plantipp BV (pictured above). A yellow leaf colour with striking red ‘flames’ in winter. Sempervivum is a beginner's plant, is uncomplicated, needs little care and is versatile for the garden, patio or balcony. It needs little water, can be planted in the full sun and is impervious to climate change.
• Tub Plants Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' x Vitex agnus-astus First Editions ® 'Flip Side' from Bailey Nurseries. This ‘monk's pepper’ is popular with pollinators, flowering well into autumn. ‘Flip Side' is easy to cultivate, has good branches and is easy to cut. It makes a great bee pasture in a near-natural garden.
• Jury’s Special Prize Mandevilla Sundaville ® MiMi Yello from MNP flowers. The bright apricot colour makes it clearly stand out. Its compact growth lacks the usual long tendrils for mandevilla but has good branching. A distinctive, elegant eye-catcher with potential as a high-quality gift. Full sun is no problem for this vasriety, which can even tolerate drying out for a short period.

See the gallery for pictures of the other winners.

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Early Bird incentives have proved a big hit with gardeners this January as six core gardening products zoom up the chart to be Week 3 Bestsellers in the GTN Garden Products Chart.

What a great start to the year for garden product sales – up 25% on the first three weeks of last year!

Here are the highlights:

• Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1L + 30% Free returns to the chart at No 1.
• Vitax Q4 Fertiliser 4.5kg zooms back in at No 2.
• Kent & Stowe Traditional Bypass Secateurs are the highest chart climbers, up 30 places.

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

Growing Media sales took a huge leap last week as more Early Bird offers came on to the market. Uptake meant sales were up 50% on the same week last year to reach an all-time record sales volume level for January.

Highlights were:

• Evergreen Garden Care Levington Essential Multi Purpose, 50 litres, climbs 47 places to No 1.
• Westland John Innes Seed Sowing Compost, 10 litres, is the highest new entry of the week.
• Bloomin Amazing Soil Enricher, 70L, a Glee New Product Awards winner, moved up 17 places to No 12.

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

With the Big Garden Birdwatch starting this weekend it’s good to see significant increases in Wild Bird Care purchasers year on year. 

Last week’s GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Wild Bird care volumes were 33% up on the same week in 2018.

Highlights were:

• Gardman’s Poppy Feeder With Stem was the highest re-entry at No 5.
• Tom Chambers Suet Treat & Feeder debuted in the chart at No 18.
• Westland Peckish Natural Balance 12.75kg moved 18 places up the chart to No 18.

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

The Top 5 Bestselling lines are all onion sets and there are 17 onion, shallot or garlic lines in the GTN Top 50.

Highlights were:

• Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron holds onto the No 1 spot.
• Taylors Garlic Marco is the highest climber, up 30 places to No 6.
• Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Pentland Javelin leads the way in spud sales at No 8.

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

Some of the leading exporters in the home enhancement, garden and leisure and pet product sectors are lining up to share their experiences with delegates at The Future for International Trade conference, being organised by leading trade associations, Gardenex, PetQuip and BHETA.

Aiming to inspire current and future exporters, four successful businesses will share their experiences and outline their routes to export success.

Tony Grimshaw OBE, Director of the WHAM group, will explain how BHETA member, What More UK embarked on its ten-year journey into international trade, from first exhibiting at Ambiente in 2009 to its present commitment to increase its export total to 80 countries during 2019, picking up a Queen’s Award for International Trade along the way.  He will also be discussing the importance of the Made In Britain icon to the company’s success.

VegTrug has been a member of Gardenex and BHETA from the very early days of the business and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Denham will share the story of the company’s growth and success and how it has used the association’s events and services to boost sales leads worldwide. It now exports its wide range of iconic V-shaped planters and other innovative grow-your-own products around the world.

Also speaking will be Steve Turner, Export Director of Spear & Jackson.  The iconic British garden and hand tools brand that traces its origins back to 1760, now manufactures and distributes garden tools, metrology equipment, woodworking tools and magnetic equipment.  It has divisions across England, France, China and Australia and Spear & Jackson products are now available literally throughout the world.

Stephen Turner is Managing Director at Group55, a long-standing member of PetQuip. Group55 is a UK-based manufacturer of pet care hygiene products and a world leading private-label manufacturer. Established in 1999, millions of Group55 products have been sold through all channels in over 50 countries.

The day-long conference will take place on March 12th, 2019 at the Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire.  Speakers will deliver presentations on the changes anticipated following Britain’s departure from the European Union, mega trends in global retailing plus the trade association and government export support available to current and future exporters.

Also invited to participate to provide further guidance and in-depth export information and advice will be a wide range of experienced export service providers specialising in transport, logistics, IP, international business law, exhibition organisers, government advisors and many more.

Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip, Amanda Sizer Barrett, says “We expect a strong take-up for this practical and timely event on March 12th, which will deliver the latest intelligence from an array of top-level speakers and export experts to help UK companies in navigating their best routes to secure international sales in the future.”

BHETA Executive Director, Will Jones commented “BHETA is delighted to be working with Gardenex and PetQuip on this joint initiative, which is designed to provide insights, inspiration and practical advice for companies looking to expand overseas.  We anticipate a packed house, given the immense topicality of the subject.”  

Places can be reserved at this important conference by contacting any of the organisers.  Contact Gardenex or PetQuip on 01959 565995; email katie-mai@petquip.com or theresa@gardenex.com; or visit www.gardenex.com.  Contact BHETA  on 0121 237 1130, email nab@bheta.co.uk or visit www.bheta.co.uk

Members of Gardenex, PetQuip, CHA and BHETA can secure a preferential delegate rate of £69 per person at the conference. The event is also open to non-members at £149 per person (both plus VAT).  

Ball Colegrave is offering young commercial bedding plant growers the opportunity for a travel scholarship.

The scholarship, part of the David Colegrave Foundation Scholarship Season, awards up to £1,500 to fund travel to Europe in order to develop knowledge and experience in bedding plant production and marketing.

An employee in the early stages of their career at a commercial bedding plant nursery, or a student studying horticulture with an interest in commercial bedding plants should apply.

Past Ball Colegrave Sponsored Scholarship winner Danny Booth, who won while studying at Myerscough College and working at Lovania, says: “I am extremely grateful to Ball Colegrave for giving me this bursary as it has boosted my career and really improved my knowledge. The key things I can take away from this grant are building key relationships with suppliers of cuttings, cutting trays, pots, compost and machinery as well as, knowledge of a bigger picture within the industry.

“I have learnt a lot about different techniques and methods to save time and money. Using different products and seeing better results. Without a grant like this it would have taken me months, even years, to develop such relationships which will help the success of my propagation, growing and nurture of young cuttings.”

The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) scholarship season is open for all student horticulturists only until next Thursday 31 January There are a number of scholarships available and to enter applicants simply need to complete an application form which they can do online.

More information can be found here www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk

UK online retail sales growth hit an all-time low of just +3.6% year-on-year in December as retailers experienced a tough Christmas trading period to end a challenging second half of the year, according to the Capgemini IMRG eRetail Sales Index.

After online retail defied the downturn on the high street to record +16% growth in the first six months of the year, a series of lacklustre performances contributed to a lowly +8.4% growth for the second half of 2018.

Such was the impact of feel-good events like the Royal Wedding and FIFA World Cup, not to mention the glorious weather, that online retail sales across the whole of 2018 (+11.8%) were in fact still up on the start-of-the-year forecast of 9%.

However, the poor performance across H2 and December in particular, is evidence of low shopper confidence in the current climate. December’s growth rate of +3.6% was by some distance the lowest seen across the whole of 2018, and continued a declining trend – falling below the final quarter (+6.8%), second half (+8.4%) and 12 month (+11.8%) averages respectively.

As a reflection of the continuing uncertainty, Capgemini and IMRG have forecast that online retail growth will fall to +9% YoY in 2019.

Andy Mulcahy, strategy and insight director, IMRG: “The first half of 2018 was actually very strong for online retailers – it resisted and arguably benefitted from the tough climate that impacted trade for store retail. It is only the second half of the year where the suppressed confidence and spend, evident in so many other sectors, has spread to online retail; the macro-economic situation must be exerting pressure here, particularly with Brexit now entering its crunch period in Q1 2019.

Bhavesh Unadkat, principal consultant in retail customer engagement, Capgemini: “A sharp drop in online retail spending in December brings the rollercoaster of a year to a close, with the industry unable to recover performance in the vital festive period following a disappointing November. 

“There is a clear correlation between consumer confidence and consumer spending throughout the year. Conversion rates were actually high in December despite the poor performance, however the lower order value indicates that consumers were tightening the purse strings by taking advantage of promotions rather than purchasing more. This allowed discounters to take the share in the final month of the year. Retailers will need to think carefully on how to manage pricing strategies to protect share of the wallet in potentially quite uncertain times, and the evolution of the peak events will undoubtably be a focus of next year.”

Hillier is pleased to announce a new charity partnership for 2019-20 with national cancer support charity, Maggie’s. Through the partnership, Hillier hopes to raise funds, give direct support to Maggie’s Centres and help bring Maggie’s to the South of England. 

Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, these centres provide free practical, emotional and social support to anyone with any type of cancer – and to their family and friends too. Figures show that by 2020, half of the UK population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, so there is a vital need for these thoughtful, practical spaces.  Maggie’s has 22 centres across the world.

George Hillier, director of property at Hillier, said: “We are proud to be supporting Maggie’s as our charity partner. The work they do at their centres to support all those affected by cancer is so important and we want to help raise awareness as well as funds for them.” 

Hillier hopes to support Maggie’s over the next two years both through fundraising and by offering expertise and time to directly support the centres. Maggie’s is building a new centre in Southampton in 2019, located in close proximity to a number of Hillier Garden Centres. Hillier hope to support this new location by raising awareness of the great work they do, helping bring Maggie’s to the south.

Gemma McKnight, centre fundraising manager at Maggie’s, added: “We are delighted and proud to have been chosen as Hillier's charity partner. Maggie’s is a charity solely reliant on donations to support and grow our network of centres. Money raised from this partnership will help us move one step closer to bringing a Maggie’s to the South and to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.”

The charity partnership with Maggie’s follows a successful two-year partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust. Hillier raised £19,299 for the charity through activities in 2017-18, including donation points in all 12 Hillier Garden Centres, personal events undertaken by staff (walks and skydiving) and by creating charitable offers in Hillier Restaurants. Hillier hopes to continue to engage staff and customers in support of Maggie’s.

Haskins Garden Centre has partnered with Mansbridge Primary School to donate houseplants to the school in Swaythling.

The school business manager of Mansbridge Primary School, Elaine Brewerton, and the family inclusion support officer, Marie Moody, visited Haskins in West End on Tuesday January 22 to meet with James Varney, assistant general manager of the West End garden centre, and to collect a variety of houseplants for the school.

Haskins’ donation will benefit staff members and students at the school, which chose from the following houseplants:

• Areca Palm
• Boston Fern
• Phlebodium Fern
• Spider Plant
• Maranta / Calathea
• Tradescantia
• Bromeliads

Mansbridge Primary School opted to position their chosen houseplants in each of the school’s classrooms, offices and school reception.

Houseplants help to make the air in the home less toxic by purifying the air and eliminating any volatile organic compounds. Studies also show that humans are generally happier when surrounded by a plant. Homes can be full of airborne pollutants, with carpets, paint and even people harbouring toxins - especially in the winter months, when windows are closed to the cold air outside and central heating is ramped up indoors.

James Varney, assistant general manager at Haskins in West End, commented: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Mansbridge Primary School to help raise awareness of the benefits that introducing a green leafy houseplant into a school environment can bring. We teamed up with the school to kick-start the New Year and help boost concentration, improve air quality and reduce stress levels by providing them with complimentary houseplants.”

Elaine Brewerton, school business manager at Mansbridge Primary School, added: “As well as looking good and brightening up the school, houseplants benefit our health by trapping and capturing pollutants, and helping us to breathe more easily. Having plants in our classrooms will give the children the opportunity to help look after them and watch them grow as well as being something nice to look at.”

Haskins is located in Mansbridge Road, Gaters Hill, West End, SO18 3HW. For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk   

Destination Garden Centre of the Year: Bents Garden & Home

Garden Centre of the Year: The Old Railway Line

Garden Centres of Excellence:
1. Bents Garden & Home

2. Barton Grange

3. Perrywood

4. Poplars

5. Haskins, Roundstone

6. Ayletts

7. Stewarts, Christchurch

8. Burston

9. Haskins, Snowhill
10. The Old Railway Line

The Worrall Cup: Haskins Big Reindeer Giveaway

Catering Rising Stars Winner: Louise Spinks, Ruxley Manor

Associate of the Year, The Haskins Stewart Cup: Smart Garden Products

The Pansies won the Greenfingers Challenge Cup and the Greenfingers Challenge raised £6,500 for Greenfingers.

The Awards were presented by ex England rugby player, Phil Vickery MBE.

See our gallery of photos from the gala evening below

A special African Safari themed party night at the Garden Centre Association conference saw delegates dressed in all types of fancy dress.

The winners of the Best Fancy Dress Award, kindly provided by Woodlodge were David and Madeline Eaton from The Solar Centres as amazing (and slightly intimidating) hyenas.

The other three finalists were: The Barton Grange Giraffes, The Fron Goch Flamingos and The Millbrook Monkeys.

Cowell’s Garden Centre (above) and Perrywood Garden Centre (below) were celebrating after winning Ruxley Rose Awards at the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference in Luton. They were among a celebrated array of centres picking up major awards at the event...

The awards were presented to the member garden centres during a ceremony at Luton Hoo Hotel.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Once again the dedication and hard work of our member garden centres has shone through and they are running to the very highest of standards in the industry. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of them as they are extremely deserving of their awards.”

The GCA represents nearly 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.

The full list of winners announced on Monday, January 21 were:

• Christmas Competition (Garden Centre category) sponsored by Gisela Graham – Castle Gardens
• Christmas Competition (Destination Garden Centre category) sponsored by Gisela Graham – Barton Grange Garden Centre
• Environment and Community Award – Garden Wise – Dumfries 
• Ruxley Rose (Garden Centre category) – Cowell’s Garden Centre
• Ruxley Rose (Destination Garden Centre category) – Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries
• Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Creativity and Innovation – Bents Garden & Home
• Customer Service Award – Best Customer Service – Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries
• The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (Garden Centre category) – Bridgford Garden Centre
• The Indoor Lifestyle Award – Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer (Destination Garden Centre category) – Bents Garden and Home
• The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Garden Centre category) – Bridgford Garden Centre
• The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Destination Garden Centre category) – Haskins Garden Centre - Ferndown
• Dick Allen Award (Most Improved Garden Centre) – RHS Rosemoor Plant Centre and Shop
• The ifse Award for Catering Excellence – Best Garden Centre Restaurant (Garden Centre Category) – Fron Goch Garden Centre
• The ifse Award for Catering Excellence – Best Garden Centre Restaurant (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Poplars Garden Centre
• Weber Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Garden Centre Category) – Bridgford Garden Centre
• Weber Outdoor Living Award – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Destination Garden Centre Category) – Poplars Garden Centre and Barton Grange Garden Centre

Gallery of winners below...

Those clever folk a Woodlodge really pulled out the stops to create an afternoon and evening of "real" indoor 'Orse Racin' at Luton Hoo, the venue for this years GCA Conference.

Almost 100 garden centre and supplier delegates arrived at conference on Sunday to take part in the ninth Annual Greenfingers Challenge.

See our photo gallery below to see the results of the wooden horses, with jockeys, as they were reeled in by their winders.  As the evening progressed the Stewards had to intervene with more and more cases of attempted cheating and inevitable crashes caused by too much...

As ever the Greenfingers event created plenty of fun and most importantly raised funds for the Greenfingers Charity in it's 20th year.  We'll find out who wins the Greenfingers Challenge Cup, either Cabbages (suppliers) or Pansies (garden centres) on Tuesday night during the GCA Annual Dinner.

Huge thanks to Ian, Richard and Abbie from Woodlodge for a great evening.  Tally Ho!

With Wyevale Garden Centres CEO and trading director leaving at the end of the month, a big question mark inevitably hangs over the prospect of Wyevale Garden Centres existing as a group by the end of this year.

CEO Roger Mclaughlan told GTN back in June that he was hopeful a buyer would want to keep a group of around 60-70 centres trading as Wyevale Garden Centres, with his key point being that they would all be of a similar size and therefore simpler to run.

His imminent departure, along with trading director Paul Emslie, either means Justin King, who switches from non-executive director to an executive role, and Anthony Jones, who has been promoted from CFO to CEO, have a completely different view of the future or that a purchaser for 60-70 similar sized centres cannot be found and that the rest of the group will now be sold off piece-meal over the coming months, like the 40 sold to date. Some believe that King’s role on the board could be a temporary arrangement to speed up the next phase, whatever that might involve.

Rumours abound that another deal involving five centres will be announced imminently and several other garden centre operators have hinted that Christies, Terra Firma’s ‘auctioneers’, have been back in touch with them.

However, visitors to the Wyevale suppliers trade show this week were reporting a positive, even excited, mood in the WGC camp, with suggestions that the company has plans for the group, as distinct from further sell-offs.

So far everyone we’ve talked to who has purchased a garden centre from Wyevale has told us that sales have increased, footfall has grown, customers and staff are amazed by the price drops on plants and products when moving from Wyevale pricing to independent pricing. Some have added staff, increasing local employment; most importantly, employees inherited from Wyevale are really passionate about what they do and are delighted to be working with their new owners.

At Harrogate Christmas & Gift this week, GTN posed the question to several new owners of previously Wyevale centres: where is all this sales growth coming from?  Whose market share are you stealing? Unanimously, they replied that it is just having the stock there, at the right price plus good merchandising in pleasant surroundings, that is driving sales. This must be at the expense, during the pre-Christmas season, of the high street and other retailers.

But as we move into the spring gardening season, will these revitalised ex-Wyevale centres start taking sales from other retailers of garden products, including garden centres, DIY stores, country stores and the like?

We’ve tried largely to avoid speculation in GTN Xtra about how the Wyevale “Sale of the Century” will end up – but this latest move is full of intrigue.  Chelsea Flower Show 2019 is only five months away.  May we expect an announcement from Terra Firma boss Guy Hands then that the disposal of Wyevale has finally been completed?

Wokingham Borough Council has been refused permission to appeal by Lady Justice Hallett DBE, Vice President of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, against a ruling made at Reading Crown Court last year related to a prosecution action sought by the council.

Lady Justice Hallett also removed the reporting restriction that had been applied for by Wokingham Borough Council At the Crown Court in Reading in 2018, Hare Hatch Sheeplands plant nursery had claimed an "abuse of process" by the Council when it charged Sheeplands owner Rob Scott, and 10 others including six concession owners on the site, with the criminal offence of being in breach of an enforcement notice. 

Hare Hatch Sheeplands claimed that the Council was unfair in taking the decision to prosecute and that it was a "misuse" of the court process, particularly as full compliance had been achieved. 

At the Crown Court hearing Her Honour Judge Morris agreed with Hare Hatch Sheeplands, stating that owner Rob Scott had been "induced" by certain Wokingham Borough Councillors and Council officials to withdraw his appeal against the enforcement notice and added that this had the effect of denying him the opportunity to have the matter tested in the appropriate planning forum. 

Thereafter, she said, the Council "sought to gain advantage of this situation by prosecuting Mr. Scott for the alleged transgression of the enforcement notice, without him having recourse to the appeal process." 

Concluding her Judgement Her Honour Judge Morris had said: "The fact [Wokingham Borough Council] have chosen to do so under these circumstances, coupled with the clear, and in my view, inappropriate consideration of seeking to reclaim costs through the application of proceeds of crime, is unjust and unfair and so offends the court's sense of justice that it must stay the proceedings in respect of these defendants to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system."  

Following this Judgement Wokingham Borough Council applied for permission from the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice to challenge Her Honour Judge Morris' Judgement.  

However, a two-day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London last week ended with Lady Justice Hallett saying that the original judgement at Reading was "without fault and totally acceptable."

She refused to give the Council permission to appeal and confirmed that all defendants had been acquitted, meaning that criminal charges against Mr. Scott and the other individuals are now at an end. 

In her hour long summing up Lady Justice Hallett said the Council's decision to prosecute Mr. Scott "was flawed."

Her decision was supported by The Rt Hon Lord Justice Lindblom and The Rt Hon Mrs. Justice Carr, who also presided over the Court of Appeal proceedings. 

Following yesterday's hearing in the Count of Appeal, Mr Scott said that he would like to thank both Lady Justice Hallett and Her Honour Judge Morris for taking the time to prepare comprehensive and exonerating judgements.  

While Mr Scott is clearly delighted that the Judgements have been given in his favour, his desire is to work with Wokingham Borough Council to ensure the sustainable future of the nursery and associated services and facilities on the Hare Hatch Sheeplands Nursery site, that will both benefit the community and support the local plan for Ruscombe and Twyford. 

Mr Scott said that he would take every opportunity to open a dialogue with Wokingham Borough Council to further this objective.

Whilst plant sales soared when the gardening season eventually got going last year, garden product sales didn’t follow in the same way. The sales volumes of the GTN Bestsellers Garden products Top 50 for the whole year sees a 19% drop year on year.

Some of that drop could be linked to the fire at Gardman, who only have three lines in our Top 50 for 2018 against 10 of the Top 50 in 2017.

Winners in the overall garden products chart for 2018 are pots.  Woodlodge Heritage Pots Stackable 27cm soared into the Top 50 at No 9, Elho’s Corsica Single Easy Hanger entered at No 18 and Woodlodge Small Pot Feet saw an 11% increase in sales to move up to No 3.

At the top of the chart, Tomorite and Fito Orchid Drip feeders swapped the No 1 and No 2 positions. Both dropped sales volumes in 2018 but Tomorite dropped less to be No 1.

Best performing general plant food of the year was Scotts, now Evergreen Garden Care, Miracle-Gro Slow Release Plant Food 1kg Plus 30% Free with a 40% sales increase to move up to No 5.

Premier Decorations had the bestselling garden lighting product of the year. Their Coloured Led Pull Light & Bulb increased sales by 18% to move up from No 10 to No 4.

What do you think will be the Garden Product Bestsellers of 2019? Will it be the year of garden decoration or will there be a resurgence of plant foods and pest controls?  For sure garden lighting, which has already got off to a flying start, will be among the front runners.  And will Gardman, now owned by Westland, get back to its pre-fire and sale position?

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

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 2016 as well as 2017 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.

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 Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.

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.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

The popular licensed café bar at Squire’s West Horsley centre has a stylish new look, décor and furniture following an extensive refurbishment.

The bar offers a wide selection of freshly prepared food, including hot and cold meals, a salad bar, filled baguettes and cakes, plus teas, coffees, cold drinks and wine.

The newly built pavilion with retractable roof and climate control is also available for event hire for up to 30 people.

Squire’s Sarah Squire says regulars love the new look. “We know that our customers have a very keen eye for colour in their gardens so we wanted the Café Bar to reflect that. In fact, they’re so keen that they even spotted that the colourful flower pattern on the cushions features perennial favourites hydrangea, iris and lobelia!”

From limited edition beer, craft sodas, and vegan ice-creams to easy-to-serve cheeseboards, fishless fillets, premium coffee, gin alternatives and eco-packaging, an enticing range of launches is promised at next month’s Casual Dining trade show.

McCain Foodservice, Lamb Weston Meijer, JJ Foodservice, Panasonic UK, Hellmann’s, Lutosa, Quorn Foodservice, Raynors, Fentimans, Big Drop Brewing, Freedom Brewery, Dalston’s, Menu Guru, Craftis and Ascentia FSE are just some of the brands set to showcase their newest offerings at the multi-award-winning show (27-28 February, London ExCeL).

With 220 leading suppliers lined up to present a host of new food and drink products, catering equipment and business services, it’s an essential visit for casual dining industry professionals.

First look at what’s new

Panasonic UK (stand E51) is previewing its new range of commercial rice cookers than safely hold rice hot for up to four hours.

MONIN (F51) is previewing its new range of reduced sugar flavoured syrups, including Sugar Strawberry, Pink Grapefruit and Passion Fruit, for creating a range of refreshing aromatic sodas, lemonades, cocktails, teas and smoothies.

Eurilait (G107) is sampling its new range of Al Fresco summer hot-eating vegetarian cheeses designed for the grill or griddle, and all BBQ occasions, as an alternative to any regular burger or sausage.  The cheese 'steaks' and 'sausages' are available in plain or chilli varieties.

Hellmann’s (E57) is sampling its new vegan mayonnaise made with soybean oil, promising the creamy taste of mayo but without eggs, cholesterol or genetically-engineered ingredients.

Fentimans (C67) is previewing a new botanically-brewed Apple and Blackberry drink, combining two quintessentially British fruits to create a fresh and fruity taste.

Slingsby Gin (K40) is previewing its new gooseberry gin crafted using world-famous Harrogate aquifer water, pure single grain spirit and locally sourced botanicals synonymous with the restorative nature of Harrogate. Not to mention Yorkshire gooseberries….

Rude Health (A25) is previewing its organic turmeric latte, a dairy-free drink combining turmeric for colour, ginger and cinnamon for zing, black pepper and rice. It's naturally-frothable and easy for baristas .

Lutosa (H57) is launching Cajun Wedges and Black Pepper & Salt Wedges, coated with a flavoured gluten-free batter for a spicy taste and warmth retention.

Quorn Foodservice (D57) has two new products in its Vegan Fishless range: Battered Fishless Fillets with a Salt and Vinegar Batter and Breaded Fishless Fillets with a Lemon Pepper Breadcrumb.

LUXLO Spirits (AS3 in the Artisan Spirits Lounge) is launching LUXLO For Gin Lovers, a 20% gin-alternative that is juniper led with nine carefully selected botanicals including classic gin heroes such as coriander seeds, angelica root, liquorice, orris root, orange and lemon peel. It contains only 28 calories per 25ml serving and half a unit of alcohol.

Yee Kwan Ice Cream (A45) is debuting its range of vegan ice creams, created with a creamy coconut base in authentic flavours including Chocolate Miso, Matcha, Salted Caramel and Mango. 

Ascentia FSE (G71) is showcasing its new compact countertop Gara pizza oven that produces an authentic Neapolitan style pizza in as little as 60 seconds.  It features a 3cm thick stone cooking deck and good insulation.

Moving Mountains Foods (J20) is hosting the first UK demonstration of its recently re-launched Moving Mountains Burger, a plant-based burger competing in taste, texture and satisfaction with a regular beef burger.

Trail (K91) is presenting its recently launched operations app that serves up a daily list of tasks to guide teams step-by-step, from opening checks and food safety to cashing up. It’s designed to be integrated with Epos, rotas and other systems to become the central operational hub for the organisation.

Nelson Catering Equipment (stand G50) is presenting its new Advantage Plus warewasher range, developed to offer the best in energy and water efficiency. The range includes machines to meet a variety of requirements and budgets.

Pizza Equipment (F100) is showcasing its new Sigma Sprizza cold pizza spreaders, featuring a patented micro-rolling system that prepares the dough, with crust, in the same way as the hands of an expert.

To register for a free trade ticket, please visit the website 

Combe Garden Centre near Honiton, which opened in December, is seeking planning permission for an 82-seater restaurant.

It has submitted an application to East Devon District Council for change of use permission to allow a ‘comfortable and stylish’ eatery to be added.

Centre manager James Trevett said he was waiting to hear back from the planning department but had been exploring design and layout ideas.

“It’s not a forgone conclusion that we will in fact get the change of use permission but we have everything crossed right now,” he said. If a decision is made by mid-February as expected, the extension could be be open by the end of April.

“We’d like the restaurant to stand out from the crowds, a comfortable stylish space with a local and fresh feel to the food. We have so much great local produce available to us in the area and we really want to tap into this,” he told the Midweek Herald online.

The garden centre build was plagued by lengthy delays after a section of a Bronze Age settlement dating back more than 3,000 years was unearthed.

The centre, at Gittisham, is owned by the family-run Combe Estate, which covers 5000 acres of woodland and farmland.