Westland’s sustainable progress highlights significant action taken to date

By Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director, Westland

Westland Horticulture is significantly ahead of our plan in delivering ambitious sustainability targets across our potting soils and composts for 2021. However, we would warn that the toughest days lie ahead for the sector unless some reality is brought to the debate around peat.  If we ignore the challenges and continue down the current track, we could see significant parts of the garden sector retract by as much as 20% and gardening participation return to levels of the early 2000s.

Westland is now using more than 75% of non-peat materials to produce our range of potting soils.  This is significantly ahead of the industry standard and a result of over 18 years continuous investment in research and development into new substrates, and over £38 million investment in infrastructure, sites, and materials.

This positive progress hides a deeper challenge around the pace of change versus the clear lack of suitable alternative materials for use in the horticultural sector.

Not only is access to high quality, local, alternative materials at a critical level, but the development time for any new materials will take between 8 and 10 years - from source, to research, to full manufacture.  It is clear that we need to collaborate with government to overcome this significant shortfall in quality materials and deliver a positive road map which avoids setting unachievable targets, or worse again, simply shifts the environmental challenges elsewhere.  Any short-term thinking will undermine the positive work done by many in the sector over recent years.

Westland is one of the creators of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, an initiative that has brought together industry, NGOs and retail, along with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), to deliver a sustainable future in growing substrates.  This world leading programme assesses all substrates against several environmental benchmarks, ensuring the sector is making the right decisions for today and for the future.  The scheme will challenge all materials and will question substrates that have issues in relation to contamination, water use, ethical and labour conditions, excessive air miles, deforestation or habitat loss.  To avoid any damaging short-term decisions, it is crucial that the growing media sector has time to fully assess current and new materials to allow for a positive and sustainable transition.

The move from a reliance on a single material (peat) to multiple types of soilless mediums in order to germinate the 60 million seed packets sold annually and support all plants and edible production, is technically and operationally a massive undertaking for the industry. Some industry commentators assume that we, as an industry, can simply click our fingers and make another substrate available for gardeners. Clearly, this is not the case, and we must avoid decisions that will see the promotion of poor quality replacement materials that will have a long lasting impact on the gardening sector.

We need to recognise the importance of horticulture to our economy and the essential societal benefits that gardening has on wellbeing, health and biodiversity.  We must harness the increased interest in growing, propagating and planting, and use this momentum to deliver a realistic roadmap to support a steady transition to world leading sustainable substrates that meet the demands of our industry and helps our nation’s gardens to thrive.

Last week saw garden centre volume sales climb even higher to even outsell the peak created last year by the last minute panic before Lockdown #1 was formally announced.  

GTN Bestsellers All Sales index was up by 7% compared the the week before garden centres closed last year, with All Plant Sales soaring to a new March week record high, up 25% on last year.

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and Top 50 Bestsellers charts in the GTN Bestellers printed newsletter this weekend.  Subscribe here

Friday's 10th annual Garden Re-Leaf Day saw FUNdraising events taking place across the country and as this issue GTN Xtra goes to press, monies raised so far exceed £35,000 and are still growing.

Linda Petrons of the Greenfingers Charity told GTN Xtra: "Despite the restrictions of lockdown it has been an incredible Garden Re-Leaf Day this year. An event supported by the industry in a way we could never have imagined. 

"From head shaves to virtual walks, quizzes to minutes mowed, pot sales, skipping, #floralfriday and much more we really cannot thank the industry enough for their inspiration and for digging deep and putting the FUN into FUNdraising!

See our gallery of Garden Re-Leaf Day photos here and watch out for more updates in future issues of GTN Xtra.

Add your photos to our Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 picture gallery by e-mailing trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk 

Mother’s Day week saw garden centre sales peak at the highest level of the year so far and on a par with the last week before lockdown #1 last year. As a result the GTN Bestsellers All Products Index now sits at 3.2% up year on year. That’s an amazing turn around from being 52% down after two weeks of February and all the more impressive considering restaurants are closed and social distancing and stay at home measures are keeping footfall low.

It’s gardening, gardening and more gardening that is beating all records. According to the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, plant sales are now 44% up on last year, Veg-2-Gro lines are 81% up, growing media has soared to 37% up and garden products are now 6% ahead of 2020.

In the past we may have assumed these early season sales will be experienced gardeners getting ahead of the game, but that doesn’t appear to be the case this year. Garden centres are reporting the majority of their current gardening sales are to new customers and that many of their older, keener gardening customers are still to venture out to get growing. Are you experiencing this ‘New Gardener’ boom, and how are you maximinsing on the sales opportunities? Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 10.

• Garden Products Top 50 – up 67%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 95%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 299%
• Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 20%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 10.

• All Plants with Barcode index – up 104%
• All Items with Barcode index – up 72%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Hamac Trading has been a supplier to the garden trade since 1999. The company has four main categories of products which are suitable for all garden centres. Contact Hamac Sales office for the full range of catalogues and price lists... 

1. Garden portfolio

Hamac is the sole European distributor for Aqua Creations, Aqua Flo, Massarelli’s and Garden Creations. The 2021 Garden catalogue contains the full garden portfolio – all these products can be ordered and dispatched on the same delivery.  

Hamac has good stocks of Water Features and Resin Animals available for delivery early April.

Take a tour of the Hamac Garden Showroom by clicking here

2. Display portfolio

Hamac Displays are a separate division of Hamac Trading Company. The company has significantly expanded its display business and is now offering customers a full range of products to make a new display, as well as Props to enhance their own displays. Products include Display Models manufactured in Fiberglass, Metal and Plush materials. The range also includes Animatronics, Artificial Plants & Trees, Cargo Netting, Artificial Grasses and Backdrops. Hamac Displays is your one-stop shop for display. 

Order before 30th April 2021 to benefit from current prices.

Take a tour of the Hamac Displays Showroom by clicking here

3. Hansa Creation

Hamac is the UK & Ireland sole distributor for the full Hansa Creation range of retail, display and animatronic plush animals. Hansa is universally recognised as the world’s most realistic “plush” animal manufacturer.

For more information on becoming a Hansa retail stockist please contact Hamac sales office.

Take a tour of the Hansa Creation Showroom by clicking here

4. Creation Group

Hamac Trading is proud to announce its new partnership with Creation Group. It is now the Exclusive Distributor for Creation Group in the UK and Ireland. Creation Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of Animatronic figures, and has over 55 years of experience in the industry. For further information on Creation Group products, dedicated catalogues, videos and pricing please contact the office direct.  

Many products are stocked in the UK for immediate delivery.

Take a tour of the Creation Group Showroom by clicking here

Contact Hamac Sales Office by calling 028 25 831201, emailing sales@hamactrading.com, or visiting www.hamactrading.com

Following their launch year in 2020, Whistler Grills have made huge strides in the first two months of 2021 and are rapidly becoming a major player in the premium gas barbecue market.

The business has now moved to the next level, supported by a new expanded team, a new warehouse facility and an exciting new range including the Cirencester Modular Kitchen which was launched early 2021.

With this expansion, Whistler have also dramatically improved their customer interface. The recent launch of the brand new website offers customers every conceivable piece of information that they could need for the Whistler range, covering everything from Owners Club, to warranty information, right through to delicious BBQ recipes and top video tips. This new website is the one stop shop for absolutely everything Whistler!

Check it out here: www.whistlergrills.com

Due to the ever increasing Whistler stock requirements, Whistlers warehouse partners have invested in a stunning new warehouse facility for 2021. This modern, bright, clean warehouse is absolutely perfect for storing and dispatching the Whistler range.

Despite the incredible hike in shipping freight costs Whistler Grills is committed to holding their prices for as long as possible. The theory behind this decision is that 2021 will offer Whistler Grills the opportunity to grow its market share if it can maintain availability and hold its prices. 

As we have all witnessed, the start to this year has been unprecedented with sales that no one could have predicted. After a huge amount of persuasion and having very close association with their factory, Whistler Grills have managed to get their factory to commit to around £3.5 million worth of stock for the summer season 2021. 

The business has been working hard to support existing retailers, whilst also trying to broaden distribution across the UK. Whistler Grills have now increased their retail customer portfolio considerably over the past three months and will continue to search for suitable partners. 

2021 is going to be one amazing year for Whistler Grills! 

After 65 years at the helm of one of the UK's most successful garden centre businesses, Eddie Topping has stepped down as Chairman of The Barton Grange Group.

Now in his late eighties, Eddie has decided to retire and has handed over the Chairmanship to his eldest son, Peter Topping, who runs the business with younger brother Guy.

Peter will continue to oversee Barton Grange Landscapes and the company’s various nurseries while Guy will continue in charge of the award-winning garden centre and the Group’s latest venture, leisure venue The Flower Bowl.

“As far as day to day operations are concerned, nothing will really change,” says Peter. “But Dad’s in his late eighties now, so we all agree he’s earned his retirement and deserves to put his feet up!”

A true retail pioneer in Lancashire, Eddie started his own market garden business in 1955, before setting up a landscaping company in 1957 and then opening the region’s first garden centre in 1963 in the grounds of the then Barton Grange Hotel.

While his horticultural businesses went from strength to strength, Eddie became an influential character in the industry, and has been President of the Horticultural Trades Association and Chairman of the Garden Centre Association over the years.

Forever loyal to his Lancashire roots, Eddie has always supported local charities and organisations in the Preston area and, in 2003, he was awarded the MBE for services to charity in Preston.

“Dad’s heart is still in horticulture and he has loved seeing the Garden Centre win multiple awards over the years,” says Peter. “The business would never have been such a success without his vision and drive, and we’ll miss him in the boardroom.”

Eddie is also a past president of Preston North Rotary Club, of which he has been a member for over fifty years, and an Honorary Fellow of Myerscough College.

There were plenty of plants given to Mums as gifts on Mother’s Day. That, and a surge of young veg plant sales, were the drivers behind an almost 10% week on week growth and sales totals that were more than double those for the same week last year.

Highlights of the week were:

• Orchid sales jumped by almost 200% to move up to No 13 in the GTN Plants Chart.
• Young tomato plant sales rushed through the tills to make them the second most popular of all plants last week.
• Anthuriums are proving to be a popular houseplant for gifts. They were the highest re-entry, back in at No 35.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Following updated guidance from the Welsh Government that garden centres may open, Dobbies Garden Centres reopened its Swansea store today (Monday 22 March).

The safety of team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority and social distancing measures are already in place to allow the store to operate safely. 

There are a limited number of customers permitted in the store at one time. A queuing system is in operation outside the store, with two metre markers in place to help maintain social distancing. Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations are available at the entrance.

There are protective screens at tills and customers will be asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible. Team members have been provided with PPE. Rigorous daily hygiene routines will continue throughout the stores. The restaurant and soft play will remain temporarily closed.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We welcome this updated guidance from the Welsh Government, enabling us to reopen our Swansea store. We have followed all social distancing guidelines while our foodhall and pet department were open, and will continue to do so. The safety of our team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority.”

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director of Dobbies, said: “Spring is the time when people want to get back out into their gardens, and with proven health and wellbeing benefits, this is a positive development. The trends for grow you own, edible plants, al fresco dining and family gardening are what we are seeing across the Dobbies’ estate, and with new educational information in our stores, we look forward to helping people have success with their gardens.”

Dobbies Swansea is well-stocked with a comprehensive range of plants including hardy plants, bedding plants, vegetable plants and houseplants. The new Dobbies’ branded Rose collection is also available. New spring and summer seasonal items, including outdoor living, will be landing in store over the coming weeks.

The store will be open 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 to 16.30, Sunday.

For the full list of Dobbies stores visit dobbies.com 

Garden centres businesses in England with multiple sites are being warned that they face a cash cap on business rates relief under the government’s extended discount scheme, announced in the spring Budget.

Most garden centres have been eligible for 100% rates relief under the existing retail discount scheme, extended in the Budget until 30 June. For the remainder of the year (1 July until the end of March 2022), rates relief will be discounted by 66% - but the amount of relief will be capped at £105,000 per business, not per property.

Allen Evans (pictured), partner at retail property consultants Gilbert Evans, says the cap has been causing confusion among garden centre owners who have so far been eligible for full relief across all their sites.

 “The regulations are quite complicated,” he told GTN Extra. “They are geared in favour of small businesses.”

The unwritten assumption is that larger businesses will be better able to withstand the impact. Garden centres with dozens of sites, like Dobbies and British Garden Centres, will be worst hit by the cash cap.

Qualifying garden centres in Scotland and Wales will continue to get relief at 100% until 31March 2022. 

You can check out the government guidance using this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-expanded-retail-discount-2021-to-2022-local-authority-guidance

You can contact Allen Evans on 07540 268866 or by email (aevans@gilbertevans.com)

Jeyes Fluid, the British heritage brand that’s been proudly keeping the nation’s gardens clean for over 140 years, is leaping into the future with its new recyclable plastic bottle and updated formula. The revamped bottle will be kinder to the planet and can be used on more surfaces. It will be available mid-March from £4.49. 

Founded in 1877, Jeyes Fluid has been trusted by British households for its antibacterial power that’s withstood the test of time. This includes being granted the prestigious Royal Warrant by the British Royal family. From sterilising the trenches in World War I, to reducing the spread of scarlet fever in the 1870s, to now keeping gardens safe through the pandemic, Jeyes Fluid has been passed down throughout ages.    

Moving into the next generation, Jeyes heritage tin bottle has been replaced as part of its commitment to help pave the way for a more sustainable future. It’s also lighter to reduce transport emissions and removes a layer of factory manufacturing and pollution. 

The brown dye from the solution has also been removed to ensure it can be used on all surfaces, including lighter ones, without staining them.The new product mirrors its predecessor in terms of its effectiveness, but now can also tackle limescale and rust, along with bacteria. 

Charlotte Blampied, spokesperson for Jeyes, comments; “As Jeyes Fluid moves into an exciting new era, we look forward to loyal customers enjoying this recyclable bottle, while it stays true to its heritage. Jeyes continues to be a trusted household cleaner by millions globally, a true testament to the quality of the product. We look forward to this continuing for another century, as the product evolves.” 

Jeyes Fluid, eliminates 99.9% of bacteria in garden and outdoor spaces. It effectively cleans a multitude of surfaces, helps to clean drains, limescale and rust on outdoor tables and [chairs, decking areas, plant pots, greenhouses, pathways, driveways, garden sheds and more. 

For further information about Jeyes products, please visit: www.jeyesfluid.co.uk

As part of its sustainability drive, Perrywood Tiptree have worked with CambridgeHOK to install three new Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). These will save an estimated 79 tonnes of CO_² emissions a year, which is the equivalent to the average yearly emissions of 10 people in the UK.

Perrywood is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming as carbon neutral as possible in the future. Tristan Bourne, Operations Director, commented: “Investing in Air Source Heat Pumps will immediately reduce our carbon emissions. We are committed to playing our part in the global fight against climate change, and this was the most effective immediate step we could take.”

Recently, three high power ASHPs were installed on site. These will be up and running shortly and will produce enough heat for the underfloor heating in the main shop, the Coffee Shop & Restaurant and the Garden Shop.

The ASHPs will run off mains electricity, converting every unit of electricity into 3 units of heating, a much more energy-efficient solution than the old oil-fired boiler system. They should not only generate fuel savings, but will offer the same CO₂ savings as planting over 1300 trees*. 

Perrywood takes their responsibility towards caring for the environment very seriously. There are many issues to consider and not all can be tackled at once. They are always prepared to take on the challenge to improve wherever possible. 

For example, sustainable alternatives have been sourced to replace non-recyclable black plastic plant pots and trays. Now all new pots and trays used to grow Perrywood Grown plants in the nursery are made from recycled polypropylene and designed to be kerbside recyclable where possible. In addition, they are reducing the amount of peat used in the nursery. 

Recognising that it is extremely detrimental to the environment to continue using growing media containing peat, for the 3^rd year running Perrywood has increased their range of peat free compost.  All peat-free products are clearly marked to help customers find them easily, and later in the season the shop floor team will be doing more to encourage customers to make the switch. 

More details on what Perrywood are doing for sustainability and the environment can be found on their website. https://www.perrywood.co.uk/perrywoods-environment-credentials/

The Garden Centre Association has teamed up with Planet Mark to help evolve its inspection process as part of its pledge to continue working on environmental challenges this year.

The GCA is enhancing its inspection process, with initial changes in 2021, and will work with its inspectors and Planet Mark to embed environmental factors within the whole process for future years.

Steve Malkin, Planet Mark CEO, said: “Planet Mark is absolutely delighted to be partnering with the GCA, helping their members to measure and report their environmental impacts, allowing them to identify areas for improvement in a structured way.

“Garden Centres contribute so much to their communities, both environmentally and socially, but retailers are aware that there are ways to go further by reducing carbon within their operations. Planet Mark’s aim is to support the GCA with its inspection process, helping members to become more sustainable. We must all work together to embrace sustainability and businesses across all sectors need to do their bit to mitigate climate change. The GCA has recognised that they and their members have a part to play and we’re very much looking forward to supporting them on this.”

Planet Mark empowers businesses to make changes that will shape a more sustainable world.

Iain Wylie (pictured), GCA Chief Executive, explained: “Our members might recognise the name Planet Mark as representatives attended our 2020 conference and spoke to our members about what they could do to be more sustainable in their businesses and as individuals.

“Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of The Eden Project teamed up with Planet Mark CEO and founder, Steve Malkin, in 2012. Together, they created the people-driven sustainability programme for any organisation of any size, in any sector, anywhere in the world.

“Tim was also one of our guest speakers at our 2020 conference and everything he said really resonated with our members, which is why we have joined forces with Planet Mark to ensure sustainability and environmental factors can be measured properly as part of our inspection process.”

In addition to the tie up with Planet Mark, the GCA will be working with and supporting the HTA’s ‘Sustainability Roadmap’.

Discount retail group QD, which owns the QualityDiscounts.com and Cherry Lane Garden Centre brands, is going green with new in-store initiatives to bolster its eco-credentials.

This month, QD Group has launched Value Our Planet, a new campaign which highlights changes the group is making as part of its commitment to caring for the environment. Key green achievements for the group so far include:

• Two tonnes less plastic in its packaging – the same weight as four polar bears
• 855 tonnes of plastic and cardboard from the stores were recycled in 2020 – equivalent to more than four blue whales
• 450,000 plants grown at Cherry Lane’s on-site nurseries
• The company runs on 100% renewable electricity and is now using 30% less electricity 

At the same time, QD Group has launched new initiatives in-store to help customers make greener choices when shopping. These include the introduction of recycling stations at Cherry Lane for customers to bring or take away used plant pots and compost bags, as well as providing free used coffee grounds from the QD and Cherry Lane Cafés which can be mixed into the soil as a natural enricher. Since Christmas, the stores have also been stocking more 100% recyclable wrapping paper, gift tags, bows and bags, all made from sustainable resources.

Nisha Collins, brand and events manager at QD Group, said: “We’ve been using biodegradable carrier bags made from plant-based materials for the past 15 years, but as a business we knew there was so much more we could do to decrease our environmental impact. We’ve looked at everything, from energy use to packaging, and are making changes wherever we can. Even the little things, such as swapping the plastic wrapper on our best-selling kitchen roll for recyclable paper, all add up and we are pleased with the impact we’ve made so far. We’re committed to caring for our planet and want eco-conscious customers to feel comfortable shopping with us. The QD and Cherry Lane brands are well known for having red logos, but now we’re going green!”

For more information, visit www.qualitydiscounts.com or www.cherry-lane.co.uk

Dobbies has announced a programme of exclusive virtual events this Spring, to help gardeners of all ages and abilities take their green spaces to the next level.

Launching on Saturday 27 March and running throughout Spring, the expert sessions will be hosted by Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, live from his own garden. Marcus will provide viewers with engaging tips and tricks, tutorials and live demonstrations across a variety of topics, to help gardeners make the most of their outdoor spaces.

Kicking off the series will be an event on refreshing pots and planters with colourful springtime blooms, with subsequent classes covering topics including developing healthy soil and edible crops, cultivating garden wildlife and maintaining a lush lawn.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly and gain the expertise required to create an Instagrammable garden, no matter its size.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said; “Over the past year, more of us than ever before have discovered a love of gardening and experienced the ways that it enriches our lives and improves our wellbeing.

"Gardening is something we can all enjoy, no matter how large or small our outdoor spaces, and we are delighted to be launching this series of virtual events.

"We hope that they will inspire and help gardeners old and new to learn the skills and techniques they need to take their gardens to the next level.”

Dobbies’ virtual events follow a successful programme of Facebook Live sessions in 2020 and provide a virtual alternative to the regular ‘Grow How’ events previously hosted instore. Further events focused on adding colour to the your garden and roses will be announced soon.

The sessions are free of charge and exclusively available to Dobbies Club members. For those who aren’t yet members of Dobbies Club, membership is free and signing up is quick and simple, giving access to a variety of benefits, special offers and exclusive events. To sign up visit dobbies.com

To sign up for the masterclasses, visit https://www.dobbies.com/content/events.html

Dobbies live event calendar:

• Saturday 27th March – Refresh Your Pots with Spring Colour
• Saturday 10th April – Healthy Soil Grows Better Crops
• Saturday 24th April – Lawns and Wildlife
• More events to be announced soon

Award-winning Wellington boot manufacturer, Leon Boots Co Ltd, has produced a colourful range of garden ankle boots that are light, durable and comfortable.

The company has been successfully supplying the UK market with its EVA ultralight Wellington boot for nearly three years, and is now hoping to take the garden centre sector by storm with its new range.

The range offers a design of boot that is a ‘revolutionary’ alternative to heavy rubber or PVC footwear. 

The boots are manufactured using an EVA polymer in a single injection moulding process that makes them resistant to splitting or cracking.

The new Garden Ankle Boot is ultralight with a removable liner sock, and weighs only 219g in weight. It has an RRP of £29.99.

More information can be found at www.leonbootsco.com and garden centres interested in stocking the range should email  kevin@leonbootsco.com or charlie@leonbootsco.com

Ladies Montana, 2 colours, Ultralight with a removable liner sock – ONLY 247g in weight – RRP £34.99.

The Unisex (EXBL) Explorer, Ultralight with a removable liner sock – ONLY 459g in weight – RRP £44.95.

Kids Froggy, 2 colours, Ultralight with a removable liner sock – RRP £22.95.

Award winning Non-Slip wellington, mainly for the Agri Market.

FREE Pop-Up Display stands to sell in-store for all leading styles.

See a gallery of the Garden Ankle Boot range below...

Azpects Ltd has announced the signing of a new agreement with high street retailer Robert Dyas to offer Azpects’ products on its website.

Azpects is a specialist in developing and manufacturing products for creating and maintaining outdoor hard landscaping and is the creator of EASYJoint, the industry’s leading patio jointing compound. Robert Dyas is a UK hardware retailer that sells a range of housewares, small electrical appliances, gardening products, kitchenwares, DIY, and consumer electronics throughout 92 high street stores, mainly in Greater London and South East England, as well as online.

Robert Dyas will sell Azpects’ best-selling EASYJoint and EASYGrout jointing products, as well as a selection of its EASYCare and EASYSeal products online.

Paul Taylor, Managing Director of Azpects, commented: “Following our decision to branch out into the retail market in 2020, we are delighted to confirm our new relationship with Robert Dyas. Online retail has become increasingly important over the past 12 months, and we are pleased that consumers will be able to purchase our products from a strong high street brand.”

Richard Redman, Category Manager - Outdoor, of www.robertdyas.co.uk commented: “Azpects has a great reputation within the garden and landscaping industry and we are pleased to be able to offer these popular products to our consumers online.”

To find out more about which products Robert Dyas will be selling visit: https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=azpects

Each year Squire’s Garden Centres gives a ‘Made A Difference’ award to one of their employees who has gone over and above the call of duty.

The award this year has gone to Stuart Sullivan, Garden Furniture Department Head at Squire’s in Badshot Lea.

Martin Breddy, Managing Director at Squire’s, explains why Stuart won the award: “A customer telephoned to say that he wanted to replace a product, but said that he was unable to drive to the garden centre for another 2-3 months. The customer later told Stuart that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and because of this the doctors had revoked his driving license.

"On Stuart’s weekend off he arranged with the customer to go to his house, which is a 20-mile drive from the garden centre, and he replaced his product for a new one. This is definitely going over and above for the customer. Stuart thoroughly deserves our ‘Made A Difference’ award for his actions and excellent customer service.”

Stuart received £300 of Squire’s vouchers and an artisan drinks hamper as his prize. 

Leading sustainable plant pot manufacturer, elho, is committed to creating products with nature in mind. They are made using 100% wind energy, are 100% recyclable and are made from 80% recycled plastic. For its newest range, however, elho has gone one step further, using 100% recycled material from the waste streams from the artificial grass production process.

elho believes that waste can be transformed into pure beauty and this belief has been put into action by using the waste from  artificial grass production to create its new, limited edition pure grass pots. Residual waste from the production of artificial grass is collected and repurposed as the raw material to create the pure grass pots.

elho is committed to constantly looking for innovative ways to use waste materials to make the most beautifully designed pots and it used nearly 8,400,000 kilos of recycled plastic last year to produce them; plastic which would otherwise go to waste. As well as sustainability, the standard is also high for functionality and style, as elho’s Dutch designers and international experts introduce new shapes, colours and styles to the range each year. It is their mission to provide the perfect pot for every taste and plant and to make taking care of plants easy and fun.

These limited-edition pots provide an opportune way to reduce carbon footprints, in a very stylish way. Available in a choice of two large sizes, 40cm and 50cm, the pots have a vibrant, eye-catching green colour, as to be expected thanks to the materials used to make them, and come in the classic pure round shape.

This pot is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, offering a versatile and attractive planter that also helps to create a greener environment too.

To find out more about elho and its products, as well as its commitment to sustainability, please visit https://www.elho.com.

Inside Outside... a New Beginning. How the 5th room is changing the garden centre retailing market in the march 2021 issue of GTN.  Read on-line here.

• Fountasia, Order now for Spring and Christmas.
• Next Generation to lead the way at GCA, interview with Tammy Woodhouse and Will Blake.
• Onduline ‘clay look’ tiles transform a garden centre.
• Inside Outside… A New Beginning for the garden market.
• Watering wisdom and more marketing from Hozelock.
• Empowering Change for a brighter future, LOFA team up with Planet Mark.
• HTA Column, Tales of the unexpected.
• GIMA Column, Somewhere over the rainbow, a ‘New Normal’ exists.

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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has committed to being 100% peat-free by 2025 as it trials alternative responsibly sourced growing media.

Peatlands, from which peat is harvested, are the world’s largest carbon store and provide valuable ecosystems for wildlife. As such, the charity has long championed the use of peat-free growing media among its members and over the next few years will be trialling sphagnum moss from sphagnum farming, anaerobic digestate, forest co-products, and waste materials to achieve peat-free status.

RHS gardens are currently 98% peat-free with the exception of some rare and exotic plants. The RHS also stopped selling peat-based bagged compost in 2019, and from 2025 plants sold in its retail outlets and on display at its shows will be peat-free.

The commercial horticulture industry is required to be peat-free by 2030 but, with an estimated two million cubic metres of peat to be replaced, the RHS is calling for greater government support in helping industry make the transition to responsibly sourced alternatives. This includes:

• Providing capital investment, infrastructure allowances and fiscal incentives to help growing media manufacturers and growers update their equipment, facilities, and processes and increase their production and use of peat alternatives.
• Continued support for the Responsible Sourcing Growing Media Scheme.
• Removing red tape attached to waste products that could be developed by growing media manufacturers as peat alternatives.
• Investing in research and development into the production of alternatives to overcome specialist plant and plug plant production and to address supply chain issues.
• Linking the Tree Strategy to the new Peat Strategy to increase the volume of wood products available as a raw material and peat replacement.

The RHS is also calling on gardeners to go peat-free by:

• Buying peat-free bagged growing media.
• Composting to create home-grown soil improver or putting garden waste in council bins for wider use.
• Sharing peat-free successes, tips and advice with friends and family.

The RHS is surveying its 521,000 members to better understand their awareness of the issue and perceived barriers to becoming peat-free and has published new information on its website on caring for soil and peat alternatives. More information can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/peat.

Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science and Collections at the RHS, said: “Our work reveals that the UK’s 30 million gardeners are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their gardens and as part of that are seeking out sustainable alternatives including peat-free products. However, the challenge for industry in finding a replacement for the two million cubic metres of peat used should not be underestimated and is why government support will be crucial in helping to protect this precious resource and ensure our plots are truly green.”

Rebecca Pow, Environment Minister, said: “This is a welcome and important commitment from the Royal Horticultural Society, and it is tremendous to see such innovative alternatives being trialled. Restoring and protecting peat is vital if we are to have thriving ecosystems and a healthy planet.

“The Government is fully committed to transitioning away from the use of peat and we will be setting out plans to end the use of horticultural peat imminently, as part of a package of measures to restore, protect and manage England’s peatlands.”

In 2019 the RHS Science team appointed its first Soil and Climate Change Senior Scientist with a focus on researching growing media and climate change. RHS Science will move to a new state of the art facility, RHS Hilltop, at RHS Garden Wisley in June 2021 that will help facilitate its research programmes and educational work.

For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk/hilltop.

How are your stocks of garden products? Have you got your top-up orders in yet? With Garden Product Top 50 Bestsellers sales running at double year on year for the past four weeks and reaching totals usually seen in April and May, it may be that customers who get gardening later may miss out if they don’t start growing until Easter.

Highlights of the week were:

• Woodlodge Small Pot Feet increased sales sufficiently to outsell Tomorite and be the No 1 bestselling garden product of the week.
• Garland Professional Gravel Trays, pack of 5, was the highest new chart entry at No 15.
• Growth Technology Houseplant Focus 300ml was the highest chart climber, up 34 places to No 11.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Grow Your Own is turbo charged this year. As young veg plants come into stock, so they are disappearing into trolleys and through tills in record volumes. Last week saw volumes in the GTN Epos data that we normally see during April and May.  

Highlights of the week were:

• Quantil Tomato Moneymaker 8cm was the single bestselling young veg plant of the week, moving 35 places up the chart to No 1.
• Quantil Tomato Alicante 8cm was the highest placed chart re-entry at No 5.
• Quantil Tomato Crokini was the only Top 50 new entry last week, in at No 33.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Growing media sales slowed by 25% week on week but still sat at double the sales for the same week last year. Year to date growing media sales are now 37% up on last year. Phew!

Highlights of the week were:

• Westland’s The Gardener's Multipurpose Compost 50 litres stays at No 1 for the second week.
• Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Pot & Basket Compost 40 litres was the highest chart climber, up 13 places to No 31.
• Melcourt SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose 50 litres is the highest placed re-entry at No 38.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

The virtual AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference on 16 March attracted over 140 delegates online from over 50 countries worldwide, eager to listen to future International Horticultural Expos’ progress reports.

There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the progress of these enormous events, but through adversity came stories of strong leadership, agile planning and the overwhelming spirit of resilience.

International Horticultural Expos showcase beauty and creativity, with a magnificent Expo park attracting many international participants, who build their pavilions lasting up to six months and captivating the imagination of many millions of visitors domestically and internationally. Although Covid-19 is here for the long haul, these open-air events are looking positively to the future. Every International Horticultural Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH, and the period from now until 2027 includes ten AIPH-approved expos.

The conference, on the Hopin platform, began with a progress presentation from Floriade Expo 2022 Almere. There is just one year to go until the opening.  “The landscaping and planting in Almere continue, while the real estate and infrastructure near completion”, reports Chief Operating Officer for the Expo, Mr Sven Stimac. He speaks of the positive response from more than 40 countries confirming diplomatic participation in the 2022 event and more than 50 partnerships from the horticulture sector. Everything is continuing to plan, with a healthy and sensitive focus on Covid-19 prevention measures for the event in the Netherlands. Interest from people is increasing, as Mr Stimac reports more participation online in the Floriade Knowledge Programmes webinars than were initially planned for the physical seminars.

Considering the time it takes to prepare a high-quality A1 International Horticultural Exhibition and the difficulties in continuing preparations during the pandemic last year, it was agreed that Expo Doha Qatar moved from 2021 to 2023. In the progress report given by Mr Mohammed Ali Alkhoori, Secretary General of the Expo, he showed that the timeline’s shift has not put a dent in its ambitious event and legacy plans for the 179-day event theme Green Desert Better Environment.

The plans for the World Horticultural Exhibition Yokahama 2027 are “blossoming” in their early stages. Mr Soga Koji, Director-General of Kamiseya Development and World Horticulture Exhibition, and his team are working in partnership with the government to develop a master plan for the event. The venue area is nearly 100 hectares of landscape and takes inspiration from satoyama’s cultivation philosophy - derived from the Japanese words for the village (sato) and mountain (yama). The central theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness, with four sub-themes aiming to generate new values based on horticulture and to pass on a growing legacy.

It was very clear from the presentations that the coronavirus pandemic has made progress very difficult, “but not impossible,” asserts Mrs Lan Zhou, Vice Director, Yangzhou Municipal Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. 

Expo 2021 Yanhgzou opens in China in just a few weeks, on 8 April 2021 and continues until 8 October 2021. Mrs Lan Zhou stresses, “We have overcome many obstacles. Many people have been working very hard. We have managed to make the unimaginable happen.”

She continues: “When we made our application, we expected four million visitors would come [domestic and international] however international travel is still under strict regulation. We do hope in the latter half of our event, people can come to visit. The Department of Medical Health has worked out all the policies in place for population control and disease prevention.”

Being large in scale,  AIPH International Horticultural Expos naturally draw investment into new parks and infrastructure, which become permanent additions to the city and improves residents’ quality of life. The progress report given by Expo 2021 Hatay perfectly demonstrates this action. There are two sites, Antakya and Iskenderun, on either side of a mountain, and these areas will show the rich horticultural production of the area. The organiser,Mr Hakan Arslan, explains how the transport between sites will be free and working 18 hours a day, during the event and the infrastructure will be a legacy afterwards.

Mr Harun Guzel gave many examples of how they are stimulating the horticultural industry and the Turkish landscape in Kahramanmaraş for Expo 2023 and working with and for the local people’s benefit.

Sustainability is an integral element of AIPH International Horticultural Expos and part of our philosophy. Suncheonman International Garden Expo has a grand ambition in 2023 to realise an exhibition where the entire city becomes a garden city in Korea.

Reports from our newest approvals from 30 September 2020 have been working hard on preparation. International Horticulture Exhibition Chengu 2024 has been improving the infrastructure around its Expo Park. And the organisers of Expo Izmir 2026 predict its Expo park will attract a significant number of tourists and expect 4.7million visitors.

Euroflora has had to postpone the 12th Edition in Genoa from 23 April to 8 May 2022.  The organisers are planning a one-day event in September 2021 dedicated to the promotion of worldwide horticulture.

Recordings of the presentations are available to watch online at www.aiph.org/event/the-expo-conference. 

British Garden Centres arrive in Harrogate with their 58th garden centre, due to open in April, and are looking to fill 40 new jobs.

Last week, British Garden Centres (BGC) said they are delighted to announce the location of their 58^th garden centre.

The garden centre, most recently known as Grass Roots and before that Cascades Garden Centre is just outside Harrogate on the Ripon Road. The centre has been closed for over a year but, in true BGC style, the team are working at full speed to have the centre reopened in early April.

Founder, Charles Stubbs said “I’m delighted we can bring the unique BGC offer to the Harrogate area and look forward to meeting our new customers. I’m excited by the prospect of re-opening the garden centre and we are going to pull out all the stops and open in April with our full gardening range.”

“The first thing we need to do is recruit a team, we’ll be welcoming 40 people to the family in the next few weeks,” commented Charles. “Due to lockdown restrictions we won’t reopen the restaurant until the summer but I expect that will lead to a further recruitment of 15+ colleagues.”

Tasked with getting the new centre up and running is Charles daughter, Amy Stubbs. Until recently Amy has been running one of BGCs flagship centres, Brigg Garden Centre in North Lincolnshire.

Harrogate Garden Centre is just 7 miles from Harrogate on the Ripon Road at Bishop Monkton, Harrogate HG3 3QD

British Garden Centres was started over 30 years ago by brothers, Charles & Robert Stubbs, in Woodthorpe, Lincolnshire. Over the years BGC has grown from its heartland to the business it is now with 58 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.

The business is still very much family led with the second generation already playing an active part. Alongside the family, 2,500 colleagues helping to grow the UKs largest family owned garden centre group.

For further details regarding the centre and the wide range of part and full-time vacancies go to www.britishgardencentres.com

As pupils returned to school this week under the governments ‘Roadmap’, Pershore High School in Worcestershire has also seen some unwanted visitors arrive.

The Pershore School horticultural unit, gives school students the opportunity to learn some of the skills of horticulture and gardening techniques, was broken into overnight. They could now do with your help to help replace items of equipment stolen.

Anne Watson, the teacher running the unit said: “It is heartbreaking for us all especially the students – they are having a tough enough time at the moment as it is, without this sort of thing happening."

Items stolen include:

• 5 pairs of Kent and Stowe secateurs
• 1 pair Kent and Stowe left handed secateurs
• 5 Spear and Jackson hand forks
• 5 Darlac hand trowels
• 1 Wilkinson Sword folding pruning saw
• 4 pairs of Town & Country gardening gloves
• I Kent and Stowe digging spade
• Our Stanley tool box which had all sorts of bits in there, screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, spanner set, wire cutters and that sort of thing.

"The value of things taken, probably barely comes to £200, but to us as a unit, which has to be entirely self funding, it is a big blow. We are hoping that some suppliers of gardening equipment can help us out with replacing the stolen tools.  

This year especially, we have lost so much opportunity for the students to raise money by producing plants and cut flowers for sale to staff and parents as well as growing produce for the school kitchens because of the lockdowns. We are just fortunate  the one shed, which has all our Wolf Multi-change tools, donated to us by E.P. Barrus last year and used by our wheelchair bound students,  was left untouched.”

Anne continued: “It is a setback for us, especially at this time of year when we are working hard to catch up with the students and Covid regulations mean we are trying to limit the number of students who use each tool to reduce the risk of infection. We have been very lucky in the past to have so much support from garden product manufacturers and local garden centres with even things like compost and packets of seeds, along with much of our equipment donated."

The school is one of only a few mainstream schools in the country to have its own dedicated horticultural unit where students can experience some of the skills of horticulture and gardening. Four years ago the school achieved the status of “Approved Centre for Royal Horticultural Society Qualifications”. This means that students can gain a recognised horticultural grade through the RHS assessment process which helps them into employment or further education.

Neil Gow, who many of us from the garden retail industry know, volunteers at the school as a horticultural trainer and assessor added: “Students who have gained some experience with us have gone on to further qualifications at specialist colleges and got work locally in garden centres and private or National Trust gardens. We have just heard this week that another of our students has gained a place at Pershore College of Horticulture to start his course this autumn.”

If you can help out with the supply of items, contact Neil Gow via ngow@pershore.worcs.sch.uk  or the school direct:

    The Horticultural Unit, Pershore High School, Station Road, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 2BX

    T: 01386 552471 W: http://www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk/  E: office@pershore.worcs.sch.uk

Britons could soon be paying up to 50% more for their garden sheds due to a global shortage of timber.

Warm winters, an increase in home renovations and the impact of COVID19 have seen prices soar in recent months.

Now experts at leading shed manufacturer Kybotech are warning prices will rocket as summer approaches and customers could be left waiting months for their outdoor building.

They’ve vowed to lock prices on their sheds and garden buildings for now but warn an industry wide hike will eventually have an impact.

They say a combination of warmer winters, increased demand from China, inflation rates, a rise in home renovations and the impact of the COVID19 pandemic across the world have all played a part in the price hike.

And they believe smaller suppliers will be unfairly hit as they do not have the buying power of the bigger garden building manufacturers.

Warm winters in Scandinavian countries, like Sweden, have led to less trees being felled with muddy terrain being impossible for heavy vehicles to navigate.

Home renovations and DIY projects have gone up over the last year with locked down Britons stuck at home and there has been a huge increase in demand from China.

Kybotech, owner of BillyOh.com, has seen sales of Log Cabins increase by 142% over the last 12 months with an increased demand for outdoor living, working and storage space.

Kybotech founder, Charles Walton said: “We’re now in the second year of timber shortages and the impact is beginning to be felt. We’ve had two consecutive warm winters which has meant considerably less timber being felled and resulting in a massive global shortage. Other factors have come into play too which have compounded the problem.

“Combined they have the potential to push up timber prices by as much as 50% and at some point a proportion of that cost will be passed on to the consumer.

“It won’t just be businesses like ours which will feel the impact of the shortage. Construction companies and small builders will struggle to get the softwood they need to peg out buildings. It will be felt across many sectors.”

Walton continued: “We are committed to keeping our prices low for our customers, but the industry-wide price rise will directly impact our garden buildings. At some point and as the shortage worsens, we will be left with little choice but to increase our prices.

“It’s impossible to put a date on when customers should expect that, but our advice is to buy while prices are still low. Everything from our playhouses to our log cabins will inevitably be hit with a new price tag over the next few months.

“For now, we have the capability and resources to keep our prices as they are and we’re committed to doing that for as long as we can.”

The Horticultural Trades Association’s Market Update report for March shows nationally sales of garden/gardening categories were 69% up in February 2021 compared to the same month of last year, helping to mitigate the impacts of closed catering outlets.

Average Transaction Values were up 79% on February 2020 as consumers started to prepare for the warmer spring months and the new rules permitting garden socialisation at end of March.  

Importantly, three-quarters of British adults now state they feel confident visiting a garden centre, the highest level recorded since September 2020.  

This month’s report also discusses consumers’ post-lockdown intentions and concerns. Encouragingly 18% of British adults expect to do more gardening once lockdown restrictions are eased, while eating out in cafes and restaurants are what consumers are looking forward to most.  

However, it is important for garden centres to continue to promote their safe trading environments as keen gardeners are more likely than the average British adult to feel concerned about other members of the public following COVID guidelines and venues having appropriate measures in place (TGI survey, Kantar Media January 2021). 

HTA Market Update is available free for members to download from the HTA website, by logging in and visiting the Market Update page here: https://bit.ly/3cbGBXZ  

In recent months Keukenhof has prepared everything to be able to open the famous spring park. Keukenhof has been in talks with various government bodies for quite some time and is convinced the park can be safely opened to visitors. The Netherlands are still however under lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and Keukenhof’s 2021 set up was modified to this end.

Unfortunately, on 10 March 2021, Keukenhof was informed that no permission would be given to open to the public on 20 March despite the measures implemented. This year, Keukenhof was set to only open as a park where people can take walks and enjoy the tulips in the open air. All the buildings were to stay closed, only limited numbers of visitors would be admitted, tickets could only be ordered in advance online for specific timeslots and mechanical turnstiles had been installed so visitors could enter the park without coming into physical contact with others.

Bart Siemerink, director: “It’s enormously disappointing to everyone involved at Keukenhof that we once again cannot open this year. According to the Covid-19 rules it would be perfectly safe to take a walk around Keukenhof. Last year, we were surprised by Covid-19 and couldn’t open the park. This year, we are fully prepared for Covid-19 and it is hard to understand that people can walk around any park in the Netherlands, except Keukenhof”.

The park measures some 32 hectares (50 soccer fields) and has 15 km of footpaths. This would allow Keukenhof to provide a nice day out in the open air, in a safe, controlled environment.

Keukenhof spent a year on preparations. Alongside the disappointment that the park cannot open on 20 March 2021, this also has major financial consequences for Keukenhof and for many of the companies involved as suppliers or from the horticultural or tourist industries.

Keukenhof is the international horticultural showcase. Keukenhof in conjunction with 700 bulb and flower companies organises what amounts to the Netherlands’ calling card. The 72nd Keukenhof season is scheduled to run until 9 May. In 2019 some 1.5 million people visited Keukenhof, of whom 20% from the Netherlands (300,000) and 80% from abroad.

As soon as it is possible to open again, Keukenhof will do so. The park is already starting to bloom wonderfully and is ready and waiting for visitors.

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

Here's a sneak preview of the photo tour submitted by Squires at Badshot Lea as part of their entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020.

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 so get snapping and enter your garden centre team today!

Full details are here.

Here's a sneak preview of Perrywoods photo tour entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020, including the vital ingredient for all entries, team photos. See the gallery of photos below.  Apologies for the wrong photos being included in yesterdays edition.

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards so get snapping and enter today.  Full details can be found here.

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-to-Gro Bestsellers chart for last 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 £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

Nottinghamshire Police have become the first police force in the country to appoint a dedicated specialist dog theft lead. 

The move comes as a survey launched by Nottinghamshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPPC) Emma Foody in response to growing cases of dog theft across the country during the pandemic reveals that dog owners are increasingly fearful over their pets’ safety.

In response, Ms Foody has outlined a three-point plan to tackle dog theft in the county and beyond.  It comprises:

• The appointment of a dedicated Chief Inspector as dog theft lead in Nottinghamshire Police with Ms Foody urging voters in other areas to call on their Police and Crime Commissioners to do the same as they decide how to cast their votes in May.
• A renewed focus on safety advice for owners, with new video guidance from Nottinghamshire Police’s Dog Section advising owners how to keep their pet safe.
• A ‘Canine Coalition’ to tackle the issue, with dog welfare organisations working together to tackle the scourge of theft and demand Government action on tougher sentences.  Guide Dogs for the Blind have already pledged their support.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Foody, said: “I’m delighted that Nottinghamshire has become the first force in the country to appoint a dog theft lead.  There is growing alarm - both locally and nationally - over the threat of dog theft. This has been fuelled by a number of distressing incidents which have eroded public confidence.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support of Guide Dogs for the Blind in helping us highlight how serious this issue is, and I’m keen to work with other organisations to do whatever we can to prevent dog theft in the future and disrupt the lucrative market that has emerged during the national lockdowns.  

“As a dog owner myself, I know just how worrying this issue is, and I’m determined to fight for tougher penalties for those involved in this despicable crime.” 

Tim Stafford, Director of Canine Affairs at Guide Dogs, said: “Stealing a dog is not the same as stealing someone’s television, despite the law seeing it this way. The theft of a dog is much more like the loss of a loved family member. What’s more, blind and visually impaired people rely on their guide dogs for their independence and wellbeing. A huge investment of love, time and money over many years has gone into creating each of our incredible guide dog partnerships. 

“This year, for the first time, we have been informed of a couple of incidents when someone has attempted to take a guide dog from its owner. While such incidents are very rare in relation to how many guide dog partnerships our charity supports, we are concerned about how fearful our guide dog owners are of being a potential target at the moment. The law needs to change to stop dog theft from being a low-risk, high-reward crime, and better reflect how people value their dogs.” 

Craig Guildford, Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable, said: “Firstly, it’s important to reassure local residents that we have not seen a significant spike in dog theft in Nottinghamshire.  However, we obviously want to keep it that way, and give our dog owners confidence that we are taking the matter seriously. That’s why I felt it was important to have a senior officer to lead on this. 

“Firstly we want to prevent dogs being stolen in the first place, with the heartbreaking stress and trauma this causes the owners, and will be working hard to spread those messages. 

“Secondly I want to send a clear message to those who seek to carry out this cold-hearted crime that it will not be tolerated, it is taken very seriously and we will come after you.”

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has announced the launch of its ground-breaking new Prescription Diet Derm Complete food – the world’s first and only nutritional solution that is clinically proven to tackle both food and environmental sensitivities in dogs. 

With 40% of vet visits by dogs due to skin issues, the new product has been developed following four years of research and three clinical trials in an effort to tackle the growing problem. Up to now, dietetic foods have been created specifically for either adverse food reactions (AFR) or environmental sensitivities. Hill’s Derm Complete is formulated with optimal levels of key nutrients to help strengthen the skin's natural barrier against environmental allergens, helping pet parents to manage both types of sensitivities, no matter the trigger.

Adverse food reactions and environmental sensitives are a big issue for our furry friends. Not only do they cause excessive itching, but affected dogs can also suffer from a lack of sleep, and painful scratching. There are many causes of skin complaints in dogs – most of which are quite common. Fleas & insects, grass, pollen and seeds can all contribute to environmental sensitivities, while chicken, beef and dairy are the most popular food allergens. The irritation caused can have a significant impact on a dog’s quality of life and can also be hugely upsetting and expensive for dog owners. 

“Being a pet parent to a dog with skin sensitivities is extremely challenging and stressful. It’s distressing to see your best friend in discomfort, when all you want to do is give them a happy, healthy life,” said Michael Unsworth, Hill’s Vet Affairs Manager, UK & Republic of Ireland. “Our new Prescription Diet Derm Complete is truly a ground-breaking product; the result of years of trials and clinical studies that has seen visible skin healing in dogs with adverse food reactions in as little as 21 days² and not a single dog showing signs of recurrence after using the product.

“We’re really excited that we’re able to introduce this innovative, life-changing product to the market, to the benefit of dogs and dog-owners everywhere.”

Six out of 10 of the UK’s most popular breeds are prone to skin issues*, and include: 

• Labrador retrievers 
• Cocker spaniels 
• Jack Russell Terriers 
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers 
• Cockapoos 
• French Bulldogs 

Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete is currently available via all leading veterinary practices. For more information on common causes and products to help, please visit https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/pd-canine-derm-complete-dry.

Supreme Petfoods is relaunching Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand in new eco packaging, in line with strong consumer trends and more environmentally friendly shopping habits.

The new pouch pack uses 85% less packaging than before and is 100% recyclable. It also takes up 96% less space for transportation, while also helping retailers generate more margin from available shelf space.

Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand is an absolute essential for chinchillas that need to clean their very dense coat daily using dry sand. Small pets like hamsters, gerbils and degus also enjoy using bathing sand as a treat, two or three times a week.  The product needs to be very soft and fine in order not to damage delicate skins, naturally absorb excess oils and ensure the even distribution of natural lubricants on the hair itself.

Supreme Marketing Manager Claire Hamblion says recent data shows that consumers are increasingly prepared to pay a premium for ‘green’ products.

“We introduced the new eco-friendly pack because it was the right thing to do and also because it increases the appeal of bathing sand to owners of small pets.

"It’s a piece of new product development that we’ve been able to initiate without adding cost, while increasing appeal.

"Our typical purchaser is a young adult, probably millennial, often a multi-pet owner and highly engaged in decision making around their pet purchases.

"We want to make sure we tick all their boxes for them and in turn, it makes it much easier for retailers to recommend our brands.”

The 1 kg pack is the same size as before but thanks to its more uniform shape and smaller footprint, it’s now even easier to stock and stack on shelf. Just 2.5 cm of sand in an open tray is enough for a weekly clean up and the sand should be replaced completely once a week. Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand has a RRP of £3.99 and is available from all good pet product wholesalers.