• The Greatest Christmas Display Team - awards for individual centres and centres that are part of groups, plus special awards for display teams that are being really innovative.
• The Greatest Grotto Team - regional and national award for teams delivering The Greatest Santa experience for their customers young and old.
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team - for exceptional BBQ sales as gifts and for cooking the turkey in the run up to Christmas.
• The Greatest Festive Plant Sales Team - for planteria teams that really enter into the festive spirit to maximise the sales of plants and trees while centre footfall is at it’s highest.
• The Greatest Festive Catering Team - which catering team is The Greatest at converting footfall into dining and drinking.
• The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas (customer voting) - decided purely by customer voting.  If you have a loyal and satisfied customer base let them make you The Greatest, they will love taking part.
  

Speculation is also building as to when Terra Firma will make a move to sell the expanded Wyevale Garden Centre business.  Terra Firma bought the business for £360m in 2012 and their track record shows the majority of their historic investments were exited within 4 years.  With their other 2012 investment, Four Seasons Health Care coming under pressure (as reported in the Sunday Times last weekend) it could be that this years late flurry of aquisition activity is the push towards selling or even floating Wyevale Garden Centres via an IPO in the spring.

Could it be that at The Chelsea Flower Show 2016, Guy Hands makes his annual appearance with a change of ownership of the UK's biggest garden centre group as his flourishing announcement?

The HTA-backed Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign is to team up with BBC Radio 2 to raise money for Children in Need.

Love the Plot will be donating a prize for Sir Terry Wogan’s Sunday Lunch Show and Auction on 1 November at the Landmark Hotel in London.

Chris Collins, the campaign’s celebrity champion, will donate a day of his expert help and advice on garden design, landscaping and planting to one of the winners in their own garden.  Love the Plot will fund his travel and expenses.

The HTA have also agreed to donate £100 in National Garden Gift Vouchers to the winner, to be spent in a garden centre of their choice.

 “Weekend Wogan” is one of the most established events in BBC Children in Need’s calendar. In a Sunday show featuring a VIP lunch and auction, Sir Terry Wogan presents an afternoon of food, fine wine, live entertainment, auctions and a raffle with incredible prizes. An array of BBC Radio 2 presenters and celebrities will host tables.

To book a seat, go to:

http://bbcchildreninneedradio2.auction-bid.org 

• Sunday – Greenfingers Challenge Cup
• Monday – inspection and competition round ups plus keynote speakers – based around operational issues. An evening dinner themed, networking event for garden centres and associate members
• Tuesday – a day of strategy with keynote speakers on subjects such as the economy, challenges facing business and direction of future market trends with an emphasis on maintaining and enhancing profitability. In the afternoon there will be the supplier exhibition. In the evening we will host our Annual Gala Dinner and awards presentation, plus a special celebration of our 50th anniversary

To make you nomination and vote, please send an e-mail today to: thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk with your name, garden centre name and your job title, telling us who is your Greatest Christmas Supplier of the year, what they do that makes them great and what is the thing they do best.

The results of The Greatest Christmas Awards will be announced at The Greatest Christmas Awards Party on Sunday January 10^th 2016 in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.  To book your tickets please call The Greatest Christmas Awards on 01733 775700.

Pictured: The current Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year Premier Decorations receiving their award.

Santa will be arriving in style at Squire’s Garden Centres at the end of November…and, as befits the modern age, in a variety of modes of transport. 

Depending on the centre, he will arrive in an Aston Martin, horse-drawn carriage, double-decker bus, fire engine, £1m vintage sports car and even on a Harley Davidson motorbike!

The old fella – who has had centuries of practice at being in several places at once – has timed his arrival for 10am at each of the 14 locations over the last two weekends of the month.

Squire’s Garden Centres have announced their ‘Charities of the Year’ for 2015/2016. 

Staff at each Squire’s garden centre chose a local charity to support through its marketing material, along with ongoing fundraising from events and collection boxes.  All donations from customers will go directly to the charity.

Sarah Squire, deputy chairman of Squire’s the Charities of the Year’ were chosen by staff because they were passionate about supporting the local community. “We hope to be able to donate a generous amount throughout the year - with thanks to our customers - and to support our selected charities on specific projects through the sharing of our time, skills and expertise.”

The first big charity fundraiser is a free Christmas Grotto at selected centres (asterisked below).  Children can visit Santa in his Grotto and receive a present, free of charge, provided customers make a donation.

Picture shows: Rachel Mason (RSCH corporate fundraising manager) and Anne Dedman, mamabnger at Squire's Cobham

The chosen charities are:

Badshot Lea – The Woodlarks Centre (Farnham)

Cobham* – The Royal Surrey County Hospital (Guildford)

Crawley* – Chestnut Tree House (Arundel)

Hersham* – Carer Support Elmbridge (Elmbridge)

Long Ditton* – Momentum: St. Peter’s & Kingston Hospital

Milford – Jigsaw (Dunsfold)

Reigate* – The Children’s Trust (Tadworth)

Shepperton – Shooting Star Chase (Guildford)

Stanmore* – Michael Sobell Hospice (Northwood)

Twickenham* – Homelink Respite Centre (Whitton)

Washington – St Barnabas House (Worthing)

West Horsley* – Cherry Trees (East Clandon)

Windsor* – Thames Hospice (Windsor & Ascot)

Woking* – The Woking & Sam Beare Hospice (Woking)

Picture shows: Rachel Mason (RSCH Corporate Fundraising Manager) & Anne Dedman (Squire's Cobham Manager)

Plant Buyer | Plant Area Manager | Destination Centre (ref:BP7739)

Location: South West England
Salary: £30000-£35000
Date: 16 Oct 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

My client is a multi site garden centre business that has maintained an independent feel with centres in the south west of England. We are seeking a talented plant buyer who is also an experienced plant area manager to run the horticulture function at one of their large destination garden centres. 

The role

The Plant Area Manager will be responsible for managing a very large plantarea in a destination garden centre that is the flagship of the group. This role will involve communication at a head office level to ensure retail standards, merchandising and stock maintenance are the highest level. 
This role will also serve as the group plant buyer. The Plant Buyer will be responsible for creating and sourcing a unique range of plants from a diverse supplier base. Quality must be paramount in the plants you source as well as delivering cost to a budget. 

The candidate

We are seeking a retailer with proven plant buyer experience, or a plant buyer with proven retailing experience. This role is unique in its responsibility but also in its opportunity for the right candidate! 
The highest priority for this candidate is they must be a planteria expert, you must have the knowledge to control the business's horticultural offering across their centres and also the passion for plants so you can lead and inspire your retail team. 

Your current job title could be:
Plant Buyer, Horticulture Buyer, Junior Buyer, Buyer, Plant Area Manager, Planteria Manager, Plantarea Manager, Garden Centre manager, Assistant Manager

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530.

Wholesale Nursery| Sales Assistant | Hampshire (ref:DS7742)

Location: Hampshire
Salary: £23000-£25000
Date: 19 Oct 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Our client is a leading group of nurseries who sell an innovative range of plants to the garden centre sector across the UK. They are currently seeing an office based Sales Assistant to sell quality plants to their customers. The main purpose of job is to provide sales support for the General Manager and the Commercial team. Based in Hampshire.

Reporting to the General Manager.
Work closely with:
Internal: Sales Colleagues, Commercial Manager, Growing manager, Operations
Managers, Office colleagues
External: Customers, Prospective customers, POS suppliers

The candidate:

The role will be predominantly office based but with a requirement to visit trade shows and key
customers on occasion. Showing customers round the nursery and talking to them on the phone,
managing customer orders in the office and keeping accurate records will form the core.
Essential

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Accurate record keeping
• Excellent IT skills, ability & desire to learn new systems
• Good telephone manner
• Tele sales experience
• Ability to take responsibility for resolving customer issues
• Flexibility in hours to suit seasonal business
• Full driving licence
• Smart and tidy appearance
• Horticultural experience
• Good Plant knowledge
• Knowledge of web sites
• Experience attending Trade shows

The role

• Assist the management team in achieving or exceeding sales budgets.
• Manage sales orders to garden centres and multiple retailer accounts on an agreed frequency,
• communicating amendments / issues to the customer where necessary.
• Develop a range of options for the sales function to improve customer service and business
• efficiency.
• Manage timely communication of stock availability to customers and resolve customer queries.
• Maintain an accurate stock system, update stock systems daily and report promptly on issues
• relating to stock shortages.
• Provide relevant information in a timely manner to the Operations Manager to ensure prompt
• order collation and excellent customer service.
• Report on weekly, monthly sales as required through existing reporting mechanisms.
• Prepare and deliver business presentations to key accounts.
• Assist in product costing, range development and market/competitor research as required.
• Assist in preparation and distribution of marketing materials including catalogues, e-marketing,
• Webshop updates and maintenance.
• Represent the business in a polite and professional manner, targeting key accounts and
• customer visits as agreed with the General Manager.
• Represent the business at internal and external trade exhibitions.
• General office duties including filing, answering the telephone and visitor reception.
• The above is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to perform different tasks necessitated
• by your changing role within the business and changes of the overall business objectives of the
• organisation.

Buyer | Major Multiple | Plants (ref:BP7663)

Location: South East England
Salary: £40,000
Date: 05 Oct 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

My client is a large national business which is seeking to strengthen their industry leading plant buyer team. 
This national brand is committed to developing excellence in horticulture and recognises it will need the best people to achieve their goal.

The Role

The Plant Buyer will report to the Lead Plant Buyer and will be tasked with finding and securing supplies of top quality plants to build a innovative and unique range. 
The role will be office based primarily and would not suit an applicant who would need to work from home. You will take regular ad hoc visits to suppliers and will also attend industry trade shows to source new lines. 
Relationship management will be a big part of your role as a buyer and effective management and negotiation will be essential to securing the best product at the best prices. 

The Person

We are looking for an experienced Buyer, who ideally has had experience of sourcing for a multi site business providing seasonal high care goods. 
Buying skills are first and foremost, a passion for horticulture is also essential but specific plant knowledge will be taught. 
You must want to commit to a career in the industry as individuals who don't love horticulture will not fit into the team. 
Experience in a production nursery environment would be advantageous but is not essential. 

Your current job title could be;
Plant Buyer, Assistant Plant Buyer, Junior Plant Buyer, Horticulture Buyer, Plant Buying Assistant

Plant Propagation Seeding Supervisor | Manager (ref:DS7708)

Location: North Yorkshire
Salary: £18,000 - £25,000
Date: 05 Oct 
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

We are currently seeking an experienced seeding propagator / seeding department manager for our client.

They are a leading North Yorkshire based Wholesale Nursery and Propagation specialist who supply young plants to the nursery trade.

The role

These well respected nursery growers are currently seeking either an experienced Nursery Person who is capable of helping to run the seeding equipment in their propagation department or someone with commercial horticultural experience who is capable of learning and growing into the role. 

The Candidate 

for this role will have previous experience in a commercial wholesale nursery and ideally be trained in commercial horticulture up to a level 3 diploma. 
Have reasonable plant knowledge 
Be capable of working to deadlines and production targets 
Have excellent communications skills and be able to manage a team 

Salary is dependent on experience and capability, they are open minded as to taking on a manager who can hit the ground running and is capable of taking on the management of the department but they will also consider less experienced growers and propagators who can learn on the job and develop into the role. 

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further please call Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 01780 480530.

• The highest new entry is Premier Tree Decoration Paper Ball Merry Christmas Santa at No 18.
• Other prominent newcomers to the chart are Keel Toys Dangly Elf and Festively Magic Windo Gel Christmas Tree with Star.
• The highest climber is Premier LED Canvas Print Snowy House, moving 22 places to No 2.
• History & Heraldry Personalised Christmas Bauble retains the top spot.

The annual Party for Perennial on Friday 15 January 2016 kicks off HortAid 2016, Perennial’s year-long fundraising campaign

It promises an evening of networking, fun and fundraising. It will be held at Skyloft at the top of the Millbank Tower in London, offering spectacular views over the Thames and London skyline.

The Party for Perennial has become a popular industry fixture, having been reinstated following the charity’s 175th anniversary in 2014, reviving the organisation’s Victorian tradition of an annual fundraising event. The last party raised more thaqn £20,000. Entertainment for the 2016 even includes a six-piece live band and the individual £55 ticket price includes a glass of bubbly and delicious bowl food. A raffle is planned, plus an auction hosted by garden designer Andrew Fisher-Tomlin.

Anita Bates, director of marketing and development at Perennial, says tickets are already selling fast. “It is a great opportunity for networking, but most of all it is a chance for people to proactively support their trade charity,” she said.

The funds raised will help support all UK horticulturists, retired and of working age, and their families, who come to Perennial for help when they have nowhere else to turn.

Sponsors to date include the HTA, Bulldog Tools, Bullrush, CED Natural Stone and the Landscape Show. If your organisation is interested in helping, please contact: hortaid@perennial.org.uk

 Information and to book tickets visit: www.perennial.org.uk/events/party-for-perennial-2016



Above: Perennial's 'Grubby Gardeners', who helped to raise funds for HortAid in 2015.

Juan Pillay has been appointed marketing director at Banbury-based Stewart.

He joins from Whirlpool Corporation, where he held senior positions in logistics, sales and marketing. Most recently, he was head of marketing for the UK and Ireland.

Pillay said he was looking forward to playing a major role in strengthening Stewart’s marketing operations and developing its digital and online capabilities to build further brand value.

• Apta Pot Standard (11cm) is the highest re-entry at No 10.
• The highest new entry is Woodlodge 6-inch Spang Half Pot at No 17.
• Woodlodge also have two re-entries with Pot Saucer Plain (4 inch) and 5-inch Standard Spang Pot.
• And Woodlodge Small Pot Feet continue on the top spot.
• The highest climber is Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing (25 litres), jumping 28 places to No 22.

• GroWise Landscape Mini Chip Bark (100 litres) is the highest climber, jumping  21 places to No 29.
• The highest new entry is Arthur Bowers Mulch & Mix Composted Bark (50 litres) at No 44.

Plantlife has elected broadcaster, horticulturalist, writer and garden designer Rachel de Thame as its new Vice President.

“Can you imagine the British countryside without wildflowers?”asks Rachel, whose passion for gardens is firmly rooted in a love for our native flora. "No cowslips nodding by the wayside, or pale yellow primroses. The shimmering haze of a scented bluebell wood, merely a distant memory?  Nor can I. 

"Wildflowers are part of our heritage, and vital to the pollinators that rely on them. A future without them is unimaginable. That’s why I’m proud to become Plantlife’s Vice President. Since launching 25 years ago, they have protected and conserved the nation’s unique and irreplaceable flora."

Rachel's passion for plants emerged in early childhood and is now the cornerstone of a varied career.

A familiar face on our screens since 1999, Rachel is perhaps best known as a presenter of BBC’s flagship series Gardeners’ World and Great British Garden Revival, as well as reporting from all the major flower shows. Her work on Countrywise for ITV1 enabled her to explore wild areas across the length and breadth of the country. Rachel is currently creating a wild flower meadow at her Cotswold home.

Marian Spain, Plantlife CEO, says: "I am thrilled that Rachel will be working with Plantlife. Her passion for plants will be a huge boost to everybody in working towards our aim of saving and celebrating wild flowers. With one in every 5 of our native flowers under threat, Rachel’s support will be invaluable in inspiring even more people to take action for our vanishing flora."

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 2013 as well as 2014 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 Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

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

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Jason Danciger, food and beverage director for Wyevale Garden Centres, left the company on Friday.

A statement from WGC said: “As WGC considers the right management structure to drive continued future growth, we have decided to simplify our garden centre and food & beverage operational structures to offer a seamless experience across our customers' whole visit.

“As a result of this restructure and after two successful years transforming our restaurants, coffee shops and cafés, Jason Danciger, F&B Director, will be leaving the business, as he is keen to pursue his interests in the restaurant industry. 

”Jason has been absolutely instrumental in the design and launch of our new Botanic Kitchen, Garden Kitchen and Coffee Ground concepts, as well as creating a fantastic partnership to roll out Costa units across WGC.

“Jason has transformed the look, feel and quality of our food and beverage offering across the business, and we'd like to thank him for his support and creativity and wish him well for the future.”

Danciger joined Wyevale in December 2013 from Marks & Spencer, where he was head of hospitality.

• An article on how Jason Danciger transformed the Wyevale catering offer appears in the November issue of Garden Trade News, which is due for mailing within the next week.