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Turnaround in fortunes for Tong Garden Centre is complete with GCA membership
The once ailing Tong Garden Centre, which was taken over by businessmen Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson a year ago, has been accepted as a member of the Garden Centre Association...
Photograph: Mark Farnsworth (left) celebrates Tong's GCA membership with Andy Campbell (GCA auditor) ; Julian Winfield (GCA chairman), Iain Wylie (GCA chief executive) and Martin Cowell (GCA regional chairman).
The once ailing Tong Garden Centre, which was taken over by businessmen Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson a year ago, has been accepted as a member of the Garden Centre Association.
"To be awarded membership of the GCA is a real credit to the team at Tong who have worked tirelessly over the last year to breathe new life into what was an ailing business," said MarknFarnsworth.
As new GCA members, Tong Garden Centre welcomed the opportunity to host the 2016 awards for the North East and North West which applauded regional winners for excellence in categories including giftware and catering, customer service and plants.
Over 70 members attended and enjoyed a tour of the newly refurbished garden centre in Tong, with an opportunity to meet the new team and understand the vision for this ambitious business.
Tong Garden Centre is one of Yorkshire's biggest garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.
Photograph (from left to right): Mark Farnsworth, Andy Campbell (GCA auditor) ; Julian Winfield (GCA chairman), Iain Wylie (GCA chief executive) and Martin Cowell (GCA regional chairman).
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Eureka moment for Bestsellers at the GIMAs
It was a Eureka moment for GTN Bestsellers last week at the GIMAs as Smart Garden’s Eureka Solar Light Bulb won the Sword of Excellence. The product first entered the Garden Products Chart in week ending March 6 and since then has been in the top 3 for 19 weeks, including seven weeks at No 1...
The winning team from Smart Garden Products with the GIMA Sword of Excellence.
It was a Eureka moment for GTN Bestsellers last week at the GIMAs as Smart Garden’s Eureka Solar Light Bulb won the Sword of Excellence.
The Solar Light Bulb, launched at Glee last year, first entered the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart in week ending March 6 and since then has been in the top 3 for 19 weeks, including seven weeks at No 1.
No wonder the innovative product won at the GIMAs – it has outsold the perennial bestseller Tomorite by 24% this year and with sales still at No 1 levels as we move through the summer months it’s on target to be our overall Garden Products Bestseller of the Year.
See the August issue of Garden Trade News for all the GIMA results and pictures.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
- Garden Products - down 6%
- Veg-2-Gro - down 8%
- Growing Media - down 9%
- All Items Index - down 4%
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Pictured: The winning team from Smart Garden Products with the GIMA Sword of Excellence.
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Michael Cole announces retirement from Notcutts after 38 years
Michael Cole has announced his retirement from Notcutts Garden Centres after 38 years with the company. During this time Michael worked his way through the ranks from Planteria Assistant going on to fulfil a variety of roles including Garden Centre Manager, Regional Manager, Managing Director and more recently Business Development and Retail Property Director...
 Michael Cole has announced his retirement from Notcutts Garden Centres after 38 years with the company. During this time Michael worked his way through the ranks from Planteria Assistant going on to fulfil a variety of roles including Garden Centre Manager, Regional Manager, Managing Director and more recently Business Development and Retail Property Director.
Cole, who has overseen the development of award winning new style Notcutts garden centres in Tunbridge Wells and Nottingham (Wheatcroft) will finish in his role as Business Development and Property Director in January 2017. Until then, he will maintain full responsibility for the leadership of this important part of Notcutts. He is currently directing refurbishment projects at the company’s Norwich and Staines garden centres.
After stepping down early next year, Cole is expected to maintain his connection with Notcutts in a part time advisory role.
“I have had a wonderful association with Notcutts spanning almost four decades,” said Cole.
“I have been proud to have been involved in so many chapters of Notcutts history. Having had an eye towards retirement in recent years, I have finally decided that the time is right to spend more time with my partner Fiona doing all those things we have put off for so long.
"At the top of the list is our own project garden – something that fills me with great excitement” He added, “it’s rare that you can get the best of both worlds when you announce your retirement but I can now look forward to pursuing new interests whilst also being given the opportunity to retain my links with Notcutts as I have been invited to stay on in a part time advisory role. The company has exciting forward plans and I’d be delighted to still contribute to these in a new capacity."
Commenting on this announcement, Notcutts CEO, Nick Burrows said: “Michael has been a massive contributor to many chapters of Notcutts illustrious history. His personality is well known throughout the company and indeed the horticultural sector. Boundless energy, huge enthusiasm, wonderful leadership and unmatched garden sector expertise are all part of Michael’s make up. He has been a true ambassador for Notcutts during his career and we are sure this will continue after he moves into semi-retirement.”
Caroline Notcutt, who has watched Michael Cole’s emergence as an industry pioneer, added: “I wish to place on record my considerable thanks to Michael for all that he has done for Notcutts. A true gentleman, a wonderful servant to the company and a friend to so many of us.”
Notcutts will be looking to recruit a replacement for Michael Cole over the coming months to lead a programme of redevelopments and refurbishments across the company over the next five years.
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Stock Eden - profit from accessories
Over 90 greenhouse retailers have taken up the Eden challenge and are now profiting from the Eden Zero Threshold™ range, the first design breakthrough in aluminium greenhouses for more than 25 years...
Over 90 greenhouse retailers have taken up the Eden challenge and are now profiting from the Eden Zero Threshold™ range, the first design breakthrough in aluminium greenhouses for more than 25 years.
Now there is the chance to add to the success of the four-strong range with a purpose designed collection of accessories. These work equally well with the Birdlip, Burford, Blockley and Bourton models, all of which feature the Eden Zero Threshold™ Sliding Door System, which guarantees gardeners ‘no trip’ access - particularly helpful for wheelchair users and for anyone using a wheelbarrow or trolley.
 A range of aluminium shelving and staging designed to fit perfectly in every size of all the four models is available in aluminium, green or black to match the greenhouses perfectly.
The sturdy design uses cantilever bracing to attach directly to the greenhouse frame and the slat design features a ribbed finish to help water drainage from pots and trays.
The new ventilation accessories include solar powered automatic roof vent openers and a six blade louvre vent. This fits perfectly in the side of any of the four Zero Threshold™ greenhouses and again is available in matching colours.
The water butt system comprises a 100L water butt, made from recycled materials and available in grey and black. It includes a black water butt stand and a hosepipe compatible tap.
Also in the range is a gutter connecting kit, which is designed to offer an easy solution to joining both gutters to a single water butt. It uses 40mm push fit connectors and the greenhouse down pipes to join to the centrally located water but. Additional fittings are available separately to allow an end user to create a custom water harvesting set up.
Interested retailers should contact their Eden Halls representative or call the company on 01242 676625 or email mail@eden-greenhouses.com.
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Rising Stars participants reach crucial stage in programme
 
Participants in this year’s Garden Centre Association Rising Stars 2016 programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, took part in masterclasses at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset and Bents Garden and Home in Cheshire.
Participants in this year’s Garden Centre Association Rising Stars 2016 programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, took part in masterclasses at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset (above) and Bents Garden and Home in Cheshire (below).
During both days they gave PowerPoint presentations to each other showing the results of their recent merchandising projects.
Ian Boardman, Director of IBBIS (UK) Limited, who facilitated the two-day-long events, said: “Some impressive results were demonstrated with sales and profits up 116% in one case and 150% in another on the products they focused on. The highest sales growth – using the principles covered in a previous workshop – was a fantastic 900% uplift in sales of hanging basket cones. For many of them it was the first time they had presented to a group and they all did very well.
“The workshop at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre coincided with a fantastic fundraising day the garden centre was hosting for Barnardo’s. So while building displays to showcase what they had learnt, delegates were boogying to a live jazz band and shimmying on their way to find props for displays. The centre was buzzing with customers too – who kept buying from their displays as they built them!
“All of this was going on under the watchful eye of a previous Rising Stars’ winner – Will Michieli. Will won in 2013 and is a team member at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.”
While at Bents in Cheshire, the Rising Star’s visit coincided with the launch of its summer sale – with customers flocking in to pick up bargains.
Now that the Rising Stars have completed their spring projects and attended two workshops, a shortlist of the best 10 candidates will be selected for further challenges, leading up to the top five presenting at the GCA Conference in St Andrews in January.
Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture, said: “This is the time of year when the competition really starts. The Rising Stars programme is a pleasure to sponsor as the standard is always high and this year is no exception. We will watch and wait to see who steps up in the final stages and is ultimately crowned Rising Star of the Year!”
Candidates’ work has been assessed throughout the year to review the various elements on which the finalists have received training. The best performers will be invited to the 2017 GCA conference where they will showcase some of their work to the audience and talk about the difference it has made. A final winner will then be voted for by conference attendees.
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “Our Rising Stars programme, which is sponsored by Westland Horticulture, has been a huge success during the past seven years and once again we’re delighted with the standard of participants who all seem highly motivated.”
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Gardman Wild Bird Care, the UK’s leading garden products and wild bird care supplier, is joining forces with The Royal British Legion to help raise £200,000 for serving members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces and their families through the launch of a new poppy design bird feeder and two charity wild bird feed blends.
The Peterborough-based company will become an official corporate partner of the charity in a year-long partnership from 1 August 2016.
Gardman will launch a new The Royal British Legion branded Poppy Bird Feeder alongside two sizes of the charity branded premium Wild Bird Seed Blend which will retail at available in stores from September.
The Poppy Bird Feeder will retail at £6.99 with the Wild Bird Seed Blend retailing at £4.99 and £14.99 for 1.8kg and 12.55kg respective sizes. Gardman will donate 50p for every sale of its Poppy Bird Feeder, 50p for each pack of 1.8kg bird feed and £1.50 per pack of its 12.55kg charity Wild Bird Seed Blend to The Royal British Legion.
 The Gardman Poppy Bird Feeder is a stunning garden ornament that can be used all year round, bringing style and colour to any garden display or outdoor space. The practical, yet elegant cast iron feeder is decoratively painted to look like a colourful, red poppy and is mounted on a strong metal stake for secure, easy positioning in flower borders, lawns or large pots on balconies or terraces – a perfect way for homeowners to show their support for The Royal British Legion.
Gardman’s supporting The Royal British Legion charity premium Wild Bird Seed Blend is ideal for introductory bird feeders – it is suitable for all year round feeding and includes carefully sourced ingredients in conjunction with leading ornithologists and nutritionists to provide universal appeal to a variety of different birds.
Gavin White, Head of Brands at Gardman, said: “We’re so proud to be partnering with The Royal British Legion and hope we can make a real difference to the Armed Forces community and their families. More than half of adults in the UK feed birds in their garden and many want to create a supportive garden habitat for them.
"The poppy is an iconic symbol in relation to our Armed Forces and because we share a core customer demographic with The Royal British Legion, we expect our beautiful bird feeder and accompanying premium feed to prove very popular.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to not only increase sales and engagement for the Gardman wild bird care brand by bringing in new customers that have an affinity with the charity, but more importantly we will be helping to improve the lives of our Service people, as well as ensuring our wild birds are well fed and cared for.”
Louise Ajdukiewicz, Head of Corporate Partnerships at The Royal British Legion, says: “We are excited to be partnering with Gardman this year through the sale of Poppy Bird Feeders and Wild Bird Seed Blend. They are fantastic products and we are grateful to Gardman and its customers for their support. The money raised through these will enable The Royal British Legion to continue its work providing vital care and support to members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.”
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Kelkay see impressive growth of stepping stones sales
Stepping stone sales from leading supplier Kelkay have increased by over 150% during the first half of 2016 and with over 30 different sizes and colours available in a range of designs to suit most garden styles, Kelkay are well placed to exploit this growing trend...
Stepping stone sales from leading supplier Kelkay have increased by over 150% during the first half of 2016 and with over 30 different sizes and colours available in a range of designs to suit most garden styles, Kelkay are well placed to exploit this growing trend.
Sales Director Richard Pyrah says “we know from experience that consumers are seeking easy ways to add hard landscaping features to their gardens, but they are cautious of tackling major projects. Adding stepping stones across grassed areas or through borders is a really easy DIY project that even the least experienced gardener can tackle. And it’s really quick and effective.”
This season the most popular selling designs are those based around natural materials like coiled rope or ancient oak plank sections but constructed on a concrete base they’re robust and hard wearing. The most popular designs are available in pallet quantities and feature in Kelkay’s successful multi-buy promotions which build average transaction values and make it easy for consumers to buy in to a project deal quantity.
 “Laid the recommended 45cm from centre to centre, the stepping stones we’ve sold this season would reach from London to Birmingham. At this rate, we’ll be in Edinburgh by Christmas!”
Kelkay will be announcing their 2017 new product development plans and a host of other exciting developments designed to drive the hard landscape category at GLEE NEC Birmingham (Hall 19 B10 – C21) 12-14 September 2016.
To find out more about Kelkay’s range of decorative aggregates and their other successful garden landscaping brands, go to www.kelkay.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call 01405 869333.
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Exciting British pavilion planned for spoga+gafa
The latest designs in a wide range of products will be displayed by 22 British garden and leisure suppliers in the British exhibitor pavilion organised by Gardenex at spoga+gafa 2016. The international exhibition takes place from September 4-6...
The latest designs in solar lighting, indoor and outdoor LED lighting, wildlife-friendly items, hand tools for adults and children, propagation items, pest control products, garden furniture covers, bicycle storage buildings, food waste digesters and a host of garden care items are just some of the many new and innovative products being displayed by 22 British garden and leisure product suppliers in the British exhibitor pavilion at spoga+gafa 2016. The international exhibition takes place from September 4-6...
The British group has been organised by the Gardenex export federation. Also featured within the pavilion is a British Innovation and Business Zone, that features more new and innovative UK products.
 The British exhibitors are as follows: ALM Manufacturing (Hall 6, Stand D50) supplies a wide range of consumable parts for garden power machinery, including trimmer spools and line and plastic blades that are suitable for almost every electric grass trimmer on the market. The company is introducing new, bright consumer-friendly packaging at spoga+gafa. Bonningtons (Hall 9, Stand 36a) is exhibiting itsoutdoor decorative items and lighting products, including a new range of ‘Dusk till Dawn’ indoor and outdoor lighting in stylish, contemporary designs. Britain:home of gardening - Innovation Zone (Hall 9 , Stand C36) features mini product samples and/or brochures of new, innovative and first time products or services offered to overseas buyers by UK suppliers. The zone will be manned by Gardenex personnel and its appointed representatives and is located adjacent to the Gardenex industry information stand. Available from both the zone and the Gardenex information stand will be the 2016-2017 edition of the Gardenex Directory of British Garden & Leisure Products, in which buyers can find details of UK suppliers and their product ranges. Catwatch (Hall 9, Stand D34) is extending its range of UK manufactured animal deterrents with the addition of an indoor mouse deterrent that offers an effective alternative to poisons and traps. Gardenex (Hall 9, Stand C34) is The Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers Ltd, the export trade association that brings together UK suppliers and international buyers. The association has organised a group of British exhibitors at spoga+gafa for around 40 years. Gardenex provides a free supplier and product sourcing service for international buyers, and its sister division, PetQuip, offers similar export services in the petcare product sector. The information stand will be manned by the Federation’s multi-lingual team of industry experts who are happy to help with any buyer enquiries. Free refreshments are also available on the stand. Garland Products/Worth Gardening (Hall 9, Stand C30)is launching over 100 new products, comprising ranges of premium propagation, patio gardening, garden trays, self-watering, composters, barbecue and garden covers, fleece, tarpaulins, Christmas tree stands and also a winter range of products. Great Green Systems Ltd (Hall 9, Stand E37) produces hot composters and food waste digesters, and is marketing its ‘Green Cone and ‘Green Johanna’ food waste digesters in Germany for the first time. GPlants Ltd (Hall 9, Stand C33) is showing its ranges of seeds, bulbs, grass seed, garden ornaments and gifts. New at the show is a ‘Bee Friends™ with Nature’ complete wildlife-friendly range of seeds, bulbs and wildlife habitats. Greenman Garden Tools (Hall 9, Stand D33) is adding an extra-long handled trowel and weed fork, an Old Poachers spade that is ideal for transplanting, as well as new children’s tools to its existing range of high quality garden tools. Harrod Horticultural (Hall 9, Stand D30)is a leading supplier of arches, obelisks, supports, crop cages and raised beds. New products include decorative wall trellis panels, indoor log store solutions, raised beds and hoop systems. Haws Watering Cans (Hall 9, Stand 32)is showcasing new merchandising for its popular indoor watering cans and a new copper sprayer. The company is renowned the world over for its metal and plastic watering cans and other quality gifts. Home to Garden Ltd (Hall 9, Stand E31) is adding mercury globe indoor/outdoor LED lights to its wide range of traditional European home and garden decor, in addition to LED solar windmills that create patterns as they spin. Hum Flowerpots (Hall 9, Stand D36) producescolourful outdoor planters in plastic, and will be exhibiting beautiful new outdoor plant pots in botanical, geometric and fish designs. Irrigatia – Solar Automatic Watering (Hall 9, Stand D31) is showing its weather-responsive solar automatic watering and vertical growing systems. The growing systems feature a vertical picture garden. Regular irrigation and feeding is the ideal way to achieve the best results from garden plants, whether they are in pots, baskets, the vegetable plot, raised beds or greenhouse. Kent & Stowe (Hall 9, Stand E33) is exhibiting itstraditional hand-crafted garden tools, including a new 40 per cent lighter stainless steel garden tool range that is ideal for gardeners who prefer a lighter, more compact and manoeuvrable tool. PlantWorks Ltd (Hall 9, Stand D34a) is showing its mycorrhizal and biological plant growth product range that is produced and distributed by the company. New livery English packaging and updated German format for Rootgrow 360g is being launched at the show. Popadome (Hall 9, Stand D37) is exhibiting itsnet protection for garden fruit and vegetables for the second year running at spoga+gafa. New this year is a larger Popadome (2mx2m) net tent system with cloche, fleece and insect netting accessories. Porous Pipe (Hall 9, Stand E35) is exhibiting itsporous irrigation hose and watering kits for easy watering of gardens, borders, landscaped areas, municipal grounds, parks, hotel grounds and many more applications. Smart Garden (Hall 9, Stand D25) is launching anew range of solar decorative products and solar lights for the garden. Straight (Hall 9, Stand D32) is displaying itsrainwater collection barrels and butts, garden composters, and supporting accessories. There is also a multi-piece water butt stand that helps reduce shipping volume for web/net traders. STV Pest Control (Hall 6, Stand B32)is adding fresh- baited mouse and rat traps to its range of pest control products for home and garden use. The new traps are pre-loaded with the company’s fresh and tasty attractant to maximise the catch. The STV products are supplied to garden and hardware retailers. Tildenet Gardenware/Haxnicks (Hall 9, Stand B32) is showing a comprehensive range of covers, sundries and gardening products, including a new ‘Master’ range of garden furniture covers that is available in both green and black colours. The range of covers is targeted at the price conscious customer. Trimetals Ltd (Hall 6, Stand A43)is adding a new version of its bicycle storage unit to the company’s quality metal garden storage buildings. The ingenious design incorporates a robust front ramp that can be lowered quickly into position to allow easy access to stored bicycles. The unit is ideal for use with electric bikes, and its generous height and width dimensions allow the product to accommodate most types of mountain or racing bike. It can also be used for storing lawnmowers, barbecues, garden tools and furniture. VegTrug Limited (Hall 9, Stand D35) is the manufacturer of the original, iconic raised-bed planter. New at the show is a Liberty VegTrug, which is a modular concept that is extendable and has a corner table. Also new are three designs of wooden planters with a patented base. For further information on the British exhibitors or Gardenex, the trade association that works on behalf of British companies to help them increase sales worldwide, telephone: +44 (0) 44 1959 565995, email info@gardenex.com or visit www.gardenex.com
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A series of new YouTube videos from Peckish are the perfect tool for educating staff and customers on how to feed wild birds.
The three videos released by the bird food manufacturer will help retailers educate their staff, offering important guidance and knowledge to consumers on how best to look after the birds in their garden to ensure they stay healthy:
Top tips for feeding wild birds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvHsLZXW7iA
Why should we feed wild birds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVhBvSdxxSU
Choosing and caring for your bird feeders and tables
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLOZqL7174
Starring celebrity zoo and wildlife vet, Matt Brash, the videos are just a few minutes long each, but provide consumers and retailers with essential bitesize advice on how to care for wild birds.
 Matt explains how vulnerable birds can be to seasonal food shortages and what we can do to protect them. The videos give quick easy tips, so viewers can be sure they are doing everything they can to help bring more birds to their garden.
Wendy French, Senior Marketing Manager for Peckish said: “We created these short videos that are interesting and informative because we want garden enthusiasts to have all the information they need to get more healthy and happy birds in their garden.”
Discover the videos on the Peckish YouTube channel, or via the Peckish website www.peckishbirdfood.com
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Assistant Merchandising Planner (ref:DS8527)
Location: Middlesex
Salary: £23,000 - £28,000
Date: 21 Jul
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
This leading garden centre chain are seeking an Assistant Merchandising Planner to join their Category Management and Merchandising team.
The purpose of the job is to get the right stock for a specified category at the right place at the right time thereby implementing the forward plan and enabling the Garden Centres to provide an enticing product selection for customers whilst meeting commercial ambitions.
The Role
Key Responsibilities:
- Stock management - Orders the correct quantity of stock to arrive at the right place at the right time so as to provide an enticing product selection for customers.
- Investigation and reporting - Monitors stock availability and investigates and responds to variances against plan making recommendations for action so as to make sure that stock forecasts are met.
- Continual improvement - Identifies areas for improvements and recommends new ways of working within the team so as to enable the team to continually improve on their performance and efficiencies.
- Team collaboration - Collaborates with trading colleagues making sure that the product lines are ordered and are available at the right time thereby making sure that forward plans are fully implemented.
- Supplier management - Orders agreed levels of stock with suppliers so that future stock requirements are achievable and are delivered at the right time and at the right place.
- Market understanding - Scans the market place and understands the current and emerging buying habits within the gardening and leisure industries so as to understand the products that customers value the most.
The Candidate
The ideal candidate:
- Thinks beyond their job and considers how to balance and trade off sales, stock and profit. Has a drive for results and is aware of delivery targets.
- Ideally they would like to see people with a background in fresh or Short Life Products who understand the need for expediency and are used to working in fast paced commercial environments.
To apply for this role click here
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Plantarea Manager (ref:DS8515)
Location: West Sussex
Salary: £18,000 - £22,000
Date: 21 Jul
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client one of the fastest growing new Garden Centre Groups in the UK. This young and exciting brand are seeking a Plantarea Manager to join one of their new outlets in Chichester and provide support to the Centre Manager.
The Centre delivers a great retail experience, and has a wide product range to include plants, house plants sundries, and furniture (to name a few). Your centre will be competing against other centres across the country, and working closely with your manager, you will help drive your centre to become the top performer.
The Role
Key expectations are:
- Briefing staff daily on the key tasks and ensuring their knowledge is updated around each seasons product lines.
- Ensuring excellent customer service across the teams.
- Coordinating stock ordering and ensuring POS and merchandising is optimised.
- Deal with day to day cashing up and petty cash.
- Manage staff rotas, one to ones and development.
The Candidate
To apply for this role, you must have worked within a retail environment and hold some line management experience. You will be leading the Planteria team so horticultural knowledge is essential. You will also need to be flexible to work alternate weekends and additional key weekends.
Benefits of joining this fast growing brand include an opportunity to learn and develop, with the established 'Retail Academy'. As well as career development opportunities as the group continue to expand.
To apply for this role click here
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Plantarea Manager (ref:DS8516)
Location: Dorset
Salary: £18,000 - £22,000
Date: 21 Jul
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client one of the fastest growing new Garden Centre Groups in the UK. This young and exciting brand are seeking Plantarea Manager to join one of their new outlets in Bournemouth and provide support to the Centre Manager.
The Centre delivers a great retail experience, and has a wide product range to include plants, house plants sundries, and furniture (to name a few). Your centre will be competing against other centres across the country, and working closely with your manager, you will help drive your centre to become the top performer.
The Role
Key expectations are:
- Briefing staff daily on the key tasks and ensuring their knowledge is updated around each seasons product lines.
- Ensuring excellent customer services across the teams.
- Coordinating stock ordering and ensuring POS and merchandising is optimised.
- Deal with day to day cashing up and petty cash.
- Manage staff rotas, one to ones and development.
The Candidate
To apply for this role, you must have worked within a retail environment and hold some line management experience. You will be leading the Planteria team so horticultural knowledge is essential. You will also need to be flexible to work alternate weekends and additional key weekends.
Benefits of joining this fast growing brand include an opportunity to learn and develop, with the established 'Retail Academy' as well as career development opportunities as the group continue to expand.
To apply for this role click here
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E-Commerce Office Manager (ref:DS8506)
Location: Hampshire
Salary: £20,000 - £25,000
Date: 14 Jul
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is an exciting horticultural business based in Hampshire who grow, source and supply a range of wonderful garden topiary and other plants to a discerning mail-order audience across the UK. They wish to appoint an enthusiastic person to assist in the day to day management of the e-commerce side of their business.
The Role
This person will assist in the day to day tasks in support of the Commercial team who undertake the promotion of sales through their own website, Amazon, Ebay and other sites. Also to be responsible for other media including their social media.
The Candidate
The IDEAL person will have:
- Horticultural training or a passion for horticulture and good plant knowledge.
- Be computer literate with experience of administration and experience of using webmaster.
- Be well organised and capable of paying great attention to detail and accuracy.
- Have a natural sales and marketing ability with good commercial acumen.
- Great communication skills, drive and with plenty of get up and go!
Our client is willing to look at experienced administrators with a passion for gardening as well as horti graduates who have a good level of administration skills and the desire to work in the on-line horticulture sector.
Salary: £20,000 - £25,000 depending on experience
To apply for this role click here
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Returning to the top of the GTN Bestsellers chart
The Eureka! Solar Lightbulb from Smart Solar won the GIMA Sword of Excellence last week, and to prove it’s worthy of being crowned the Best Product of the Year it has bounced back to the top of the GTN Bestsellers chart...
The Eureka! Solar Lightbulb from Smart Solar won the GIMA Sword of Excellence last week, and to prove it’s worthy of being crowned the Best Product of the Year it has bounced back to the top of the GTN Bestsellers chart.
Other notable performances in the Top 50 were:
- Gardman Solar Marker Light Stainless Steel was the highest climber of the week, jumping 17 places to No 8.
- Premier Decorations Butterfly/Bottle Wall Art was the highest new entry at No 18.
- A place behind was the highest re-entry – Westland Gro-Sure Super Enriched Tomato Food.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Compost sales witness a slight downturn
This week’s GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart has witnesses a decrease in sales volumes compared to the previous week. The highest climber was GroWise Multi Purpose with John Innes (56 litres)...
This week’s GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart has witnesses a decrease in sales volumes compared to the previous week.
This week’s Growing Media star performers were:
- The highest climber was GroWise Multi Purpose with John Innes (56 litres), jumping 20 places to No 17.
- The highest re-entry was Scotts Levington Ericaeous Compost (56 litres) at No 35. The 20-litre bag also returned to the chart.
- Other re-entries were Westland Plant Protection Bark (90 litres), Kelkay RHS Horticultural Potting Grit, Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi Purpose (60 litres) and Vital Earth Farm Manure (50 litres).
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Drop in plant sales volumes
Despite an overall drop in plants sales volumes this week, the number of the Top 50 plants by genus sold increased by 8%...
Despite an overall drop in plants sales volumes this week, the number of the Top 50 plants by genus sold increased by 8%.
This week we’ve included a graph (below) so that you can see the relative sales volumes of each of the Top 25 bestselling plant genuses. For the first time this year we see Pelargonium sales now exceeding double that of the No 2 genus Dahlias.
Two plant genus were big movers during the week ending 17th July. Nepetia (Cat Mint) increased sales by almost 700% to enter the chart at No 14 and Leucanthemum (Ox eye daisies) climbed 21 places up to No 25 with sales up by 84%.
The plant Top 50 highlights this week were:
- Pelargoniums outsold Dahlias by 70% even though sales volumes tailed off by 5% from the previous week.
- Alpines as a group (which we are unable to separate out by genus) increased sales by 17% week on week to be only 8% behind the sales of Pelargoniums.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Landscaping students and apprentices from across the nation have taken part in knockout heats over the past few months, run by the Association of Professional Landscapers. The final seven semi-finalists have all competed for their place in the final at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park this week.
The public interest in the competition this year was at an all-time high, with many members of the public requesting coverage on the BBC to enable them to see how the competitors had got on.
The scores from each heat were all of a high standard and the judges and Joe Swift, who came to announce the result to the competitors, felt that they all deserved to go through to the final. Joe said he was impressed with the quality of the gardens and the talent the competitors have shown, especially considering the challenging weather conditions over the event.
Progressing to the NEC for the national final, are:
- Jacob Botting, Myerscough College
- Aaron Byrne, Reaseheath College
- Ross Conquest, Conquest Hard Landscaping
- Josh Dow, SRUC Oatridge
- Jonathan Long, CAFRE
- Shea McFerran, CAFRE
- Christopher Page, Dundee and Angus College
Judge Simon Abbot said during the semi-finals: “The guys have all shown amazing skill and dedication this week. Given the weather and the heat, they have all stuck to their plans and adapted accordingly when they needed to. It has been a close run semi-final which makes it more exciting for the final ahead.”
Our semi-finalists were tested on their timber, brickwork and planting over 18 hours to individually build a full 6m x 2m garden, and were marked on the quality of their work and attention to detail by judges Jody Lidgard, Simon Abbott, and Steve Smith.
We spoke to our final 7 after announcing the results to see how they were feeling and about the challenges ahead.
Jonathan Long, CAFRE, said: “I need to work on my timing more for the final, but I’m ecstatic to be going through to the final! A great end to all the hard work this week!”
Jacob Botting, Myerscough College and Ross Conquest, Conquest Hard Landscaping, said: “Really excited, and glad to be doing it inside next time! Looking forward to getting stuck in!”
Josh Dow, SRUC Oatridge, said: “It’s been an exciting week, but a lot of hard word, especially in this heat. The final should be good fun, but going to get some practice in before-hand and improve all round.”
Ryan Love, Josh’s tutor, said of the competition “Having done it before myself it’s been a great experience seeing it through as both competitor and tutor. It’s a great way of encouraging development in the industry and showcasing the work these guys can do.”
The competition was sponsored once again by Marshalls, Makita and J A Jones. We would like to thank them for their on-going support, as the event wouldn’t be possible without them.
Talking to them about the event and why they choose to support the WorldSkills event, Marshalls’ David Jessop said, “Marshalls is delighted to support World Skills once again in 2016. The correct installation and use of all landscaping products is essential if we want to compete with other home improvement. World Skills is a great platform for young people to demonstrate their skills learned either in college or with an employer to the wider public.”
J A Jones’ Mike Jones said: “The calibre of the students here are the type who have the drive and the commitment in the industry to get involved in competitions like this and compete to be the best in the industry. These are the people who will therefore be going on to set up their own companies and be managers further down the line and we want to build a relationship with that kind of person.
"They're also the future of the industry and this is something that should be encouraged. We get a lot of people asking for sponsorship throughout the year, but WorldSkills is one that we want to be able to sponsor year on year for that very reason.”
Roy Hobson from Makita, who supplied all the electrical tools for the competition, said: “Makita has always been supportive of apprenticeships and students as they are the future of the industries, and if they have used these tools now, when they go into the industry themselves they will know the machinery and people in the company already. Through the be-safe course that we offer free of charge we can ensure that they have the knowledge to the equipment correctly and safely through their careers.”
The final of the WorldSkills UK Landscaping competition will once again take place at the Birmingham NEC on 17-19 November.
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The APL and HTA have once again had huge success at an RHS Show. RHS Flower Show Tatton Park saw the UK’s largest horticultural trade association scoop an amazing 7 golds, 4 silver-gilts and 3 silvers at this year’s show.
The winners are as follows:
GOLD - Beesley Landscapes - Urban Retreat
GOLD - Foxcroft Landscapes - Nature & Nurture Garden
SILVER GILT - Big Dig Groundworks – Inner Sanctum
SILVER - Warnes McGarr & Co
SILVER - Fryer’s Roses - Fryer’s Roses: Roses Through Thyme
SILVER - Reeseheath College - Heaven and Earth
HTA Members who have won medals in the Floral Awards:
GOLD – Dibleys Nurseries – Begonia, Coleus & other houseplants
GOLD – Dibleys Nurseries – Streptocarpus
GOLD – Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants – Herbaceous perennials
GOLD – Harts Nursery – Lilies
GOLD – W. Robinson & Sol (Seeds & Plants) Ltd- Vegetables for every taste
SILVER-GILT – Fryer’s Roses – Celebration Rose Garden
SILVER-GILT – Harkness Roses – Modern garden roses
SILVER-GILT – Norfield Nurseries Ltd – Japanese maples
The semi-finals of the APL WorldSkills competition also place this week, with the seven competitors having 18 hours to build a 6x2m garden. It was a popular attraction, drawing in the crowds, and many calling for it to be covered on television coverage of the show.
For more information on the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park
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Bringing lawns to life is a key part of a flourishing garden and Vitax’s Green Up Enhance range has been developed to help gardeners produce a healthier, greener lawn.
Available as a granular or liquid feed, the Green Up Enhance range consists of Green Up Enhance Lawn Feed and Green Up Enhance Liquid Lawn Feed.
Green Up Enhance Lawn Feed is a granular, high nitrogen feed. Applied during spring and summer, it contains nutrients, microbes, turf wetter, essential plant vitamins and molasses - providing a steady release of nutrients to aid root development.
 To complement the granular feed, Vitax has developed a liquid feed which is also used by professional greenkeepers. Green Up Enhance Liquid Lawn Feed is the most advanced lawn feed available and can be used on freshly germinated or newly established lawns.
Using technology from the professional sports turf industry, it contains a unique combination of amino and humic acids and is the only lawn feed which uses ONDS – Organic Nutrient Delivery System – which targets the roots of the grass to deliver professional quality lawns.
For more information about Vitax, visit: www.vitax.co.uk
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Squire’s Garden Centre in Badshot Lea (in Farnham) is holding a Summer Evening Garden Party on Thursday, August 18, at 6pm-8pm, and all are welcome!
This free event is to celebrate Squire’s 80th Anniversary. There will be live music from Betsa Collins of Farnham (pictured); wine tasting courtesy of Charles Boyd from “Ellis of Richmond”; local magician Danny who is a member of the Magic Circle; a craft demonstration showing you a variety of card-making techniques; and a charity raffle where you can win a top of the range Weber Smokey Joe BBQ! Plus you can shop at your leisure, as the garden centre is open until 8pm.
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The July issue of Garden Trade News is packed full of advice and information for garden retailing professionals.
- The story behind the sale of Dobbies.
- GIMA Charity Golf Day report and pictures.
- Smell the coffee - how to make your drinks offering work.
- It's time for tea - great afternoon tea tips.
- MasterChef - advice from the Greatest Garden Centre Chef team.
- Service with a smile - great customer service.
- Are you ready for Glee?
To find out how you can receive your copy of Garden Trade News every month email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips. The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period. Access is by subscription only. For £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 WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers. Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.
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Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £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 receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
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The Engine Room Restaurant at Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester has been awarded Silver in the Taste of the West Hospitality and Retail Awards 2016.
Up against stiff competition from around the region in the Restaurant category, The Engine Room, which described by judges as a “well patronised restaurant”, was commended for its “friendly and welcoming staff and delightful desserts.”
Cath Collins, group food manager, explains: “The kitchen and front of house team deserve a huge pat on the back for their continued hard work in achieving this accolade.
"Our head chef and front of house manager, Dan Vaughan, regularly takes the team to visit our local suppliers, to give them a better understanding of what is being served in the restaurant, and this really does make the difference.
"After seeing how the produce is made and having the opportunity to taste it, they bring this knowledge back to the restaurant so they can advise customers and give well-considered recommendations. This is a fantastic result for the whole team and has given us all a real boost!”
The Taste of the West Hospitality and Retail Awards provide an opportunity for businesses in the West Country to gain recognition for supporting and promoting local producers.
Photograph (from left to right): senior chef Josh Maguire, head chef Daniel Vaughan, supervisor Dan Smith, and Aiden Horlock from the front of house team.
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