Four more Solus employees are likely to lose their jobs following the closure of the company’s Edinburgh distribution centre, the administrators, PwC, announced yesterday (Friday).

PwC said Scottish customers were being contacted to confirm arrangements to serve them from the Midlands. The closure was down to “the financial position and reduction in trading”.

Joint administrator Tony Barrell said discussions were continuing prospective puchasers. “We expect to receive offers in the near future and remain hopeful of completing a sale,” he added.

Twelve companies have already signed up for 'Green Heart of Glee' in September...and that's in only the first week of selling the exhibition's newest attraction. It's expected that the feature will be home to over 40 growers at the NEC.

Companies already booked are: Darby Nursery, Whartons Nurseries, Morley Nurseries, New Leaf Plants, Kilworth Conifers, Gardeners Kitchen, Javado, Hawkesmill Nurseries, Garden Centre Fresh, Chapel Cottage Plants, Chamberlain Nurseries and Wye Plants.

Neil Gow, Glee’s special project manager, said: “The response to the Green Heart of Glee has far exceeded our expectations. We’ve already got a number of UK growers signed up for the area, and have also received some fantastic feedback from the industry, including from planter buyers and nursery managers. This is helping us to further shape the content to ensure that this new area of the show works as hard as it possibly can.”

One UK grower that has already signed up for the show is New Leaf Plants. Sales manager David Higginson said: “When Neil first talked to me about the idea of The Green Heart it seemed a bit of a no-brainer to be able to get our plants in front of so many key buyers and at minimal cost, so we booked our plot straight away.”

David’s comments were echoed by Helen Boers, sales director at Gardeners Kitchen. She added: “We have always found Glee one of the most successful shows we do because we can get to speak to the business owners and senior managers as well as the plant buyers from right across the country. 

"The Green Heart concept seems just brilliant to us and being able to show off our production in good light conditions to so many key retailers means we did not need to do too much thinking before we booked up. The low cost, with so much done for us by way of benches and signage, will make this a very cost effective event for us.”

Housed in the Atrium area, directly outside the entrances to Glee’s new home with NEC halls 17-20 and incorporating Glee’s registration desks, The Green Heart of Glee will fill what is thought to be the biggest greenhouse within the UK.  It is within this space that growers and UK nurseries can create displays of everything from herbs and bedding plants, to trees, shrubs, alpines and even houseplants. 

For Green Heart of Glee enquires contact Neil Gow on 0203 033 2497 or by emailing Neil.Gow@i2ieventsgroup.com

For more information on the show visit www.gleebirmingham.com

Sales figures for the last week of the month, as supplied from Epos systems to GTN Bestsellers, indicate that while volumes of items sold are down on last May, they are not far off the average May sales totals for the past six years.

The GTN Bestsellers All Products Index shows May being 16% down on 2013 volumes.

However, as May was the only month in 2013 when sales were above average, this year’s figures – at just 1.6% below the average for the past six years – mean we are still on course for a record sales performance for the half year.



Comparing each month this year against the average for the last six years shows us that the major differences happened in January (when we didn’t have any snow) and in March (when we had a normal spring).

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

• Garden Products – down 8%
• Veg 2 Gro – down 44%
• Growing Media – down 37%
• All items index – down 24%

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

A record number of 24 teams braved the rain to take part in the GIMA Golf Day at Telford Hotel & Golf Resort on Wednesday to raise money for Greenfingers and Thrive. 

Steady rain throughout the day didn't put off the teams of four, including an all-ladies group representing Greenfingers. 

"Considering the weather it was a fantastic event. In fact, the rain became a big talking point, and despite getting wet everyone seemed to enjoy themselves," said GIMA director Vicky Nuttall.

"People showed a lot of generosity with the proceeds going to our worthwhile charities, Greenfingers and Thrive."

The Haws team of Steve Riley, Graham Blocksidge, Ron Craik and Cliff Bowers, who were runners-up last year, just beat off the challenge of Boughton Loam (Simon Hedley, Simon Lewis, Gerard Smith and Gary Kenyon).

Westland A (Phil Harrison, Sean Bate, James Mitchell and Pete Bunker) were third and last year's winners Mr Fothergill's (Richard Keegan, Paul Howard, Wayne Gaish and Chris Owen) came fourth. 

There was a competition to 'beat the pro' and the successful golfers were: Ian Richardson, Terry Rogers, Richard Newton, Philip Hards, Claire Painter, James Parr, Neil Pope, Maison McGeechan, Stuart Miller, James Mitchell, Wayne Gaish, Chris Owen, Phil Hatfield, James Sommerscales, Phil Harrison, Mark Dedman, David Gibbons and Paul Taylor.

Despite some very serious golf, the teams consisting of suppliers and garden centre guests, completed the course amid much laughter and banter despite the weather. 

Smart Solar (Jonathan Stobart, Paul Knott, Scott McCabe and Nigel Wallis) picked up the booby prize for coming last.

The fun day culminated in a presentation dinner and a charity auction conducted by guest speaker Duncan McKenzie, the former professional footballer who played for Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in his heyday.

Full gallery of pictures from the day and evening presentation below...

SOLEX are to provide free buses from local hotels for visitors to GTN’s Greatest Awards, to be held on Monday 7 July at the National Motorcycle Museum (near the NEC) during the SOLEX trade show.

Details of routes have now been confirmed. Pick-ups will be available from the following hotels:

• Crowne Plaza
• Metropole
• Premier Inn
• Holiday Inn Express
• Manor Park
• Arden
• IBIS
• Novotel

The Greatest Awards are in association with SOLEX and sponsored by Weber, LG Outdoor, Brother and HTA and National Garden Gift Vouchers.

                

         

The funeral of garden centre pioneer Chris Self, chairman of Whitehall Garden Centres, who died last month after a short illness, took place on Thursday at St Cyriac’s Church in Lacock, Wiltshire.

Following a heart attack in April, Mr Self underwent a successful triple heart by-pass operation at Bristol Royal Infirmary but passed away peacefully on 22 May. He was 76.

The Lacock centre, which he took over in 1974 when it was still trading as a nursery, was one of the first in the country to get planning permission as a garden centre.

Work has started on the multi-million redevelopment by The Garden Centre Group at Percy Thrower’s Garden & Leisure at Shrewsbury, first proposed in 2011 by previous owners Garden & Leisure.

The re-build will create a 6300 sq.m. retail unit, and will eventually have a Waitrose supermarket alongside the new destination garden centre.

Features include a restaurant and a separate café, children’s play areas and more car parking. The existing centre will remain open to customers during the build, which is is expected to complete in 2015.

Steve Masters, estates director at TGCG, said the centre would offer customers a more modern, high-quality environment to inspire them in the garden and a delightful family day out.

Building contractor Speller Metcalfe is to oversee the works. Joint MD Steve Speller said: “As a local contractor who knows the area well, we will be doing everything we can to minimise any disruption to customers, which will include keeping the existing centre fully operational and open to the public throughout the building works.

Margaret Thrower cuts the first sod as the contractors move in.

Haskins Garden Centre manager Matt Hill, from Worcester, will attempt to beat his own fundraising record of £1,500 when his team takes part in the 26th Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride in July.

“It’s now a year since my father Chris died at the age of 61 of Oesophagus cancer and received immense support from his local Macmillan Unit," said Matt, who manages the Haskins store at West End.

"My family will be forever grateful and thankful for their deep understanding of the situation both on a medical and emotional level. It’s fantastic that my colleagues are willing to join me on the 100 mile route. We hope to be one of the top fundraising teams.”

The Haskins team are currently training to build stamina and sponsorship support and donations can be made through www.virginmoneygiving.com by searching for Matt Hill.

Pictured: Matt Hill (centre) with the Hampshire Haskins team members (from left) Elliot Johnson, Mike Caponi, Ben Harrison and Steve Milton.

Horticulturalist, landscaper and broadcaster Chris Collins will explore the importance of engaging people with the wonder of plants during his seminar at the HTA National Plant Show on Tuesday 24 June (10am).

The resident Blue Peter gardener for nine years, Chris will use his experiences to provide inspiration about ways to get the next generation interested in plants.

The seminar area, sponsored by Barclaycard, will host three presentations on a theme of adapting to challenges and change. Other speakers include Garden Industry Marketing Board project manager David Arnold and sales and negotiation expert Steve Jones from ReSharpen.

The popular Cuprinol brand gets a lift this summer from a campaign to support beer gardens at British pubs

Research from Cuprinol reveals that 80 per cent of Brits visit beer gardens each summer on average five times (7 times in London) per summer.

Two thirds of those questioned agreed that spending time in a beer garden makes them happy and more than half believe it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends and family – but two thirds think landlords fail to make the most of their outdoor space and a third would spend more time in their beer garden if it was more welcoming.

To launch 'Cheers it up', Cuprinol has announced a nationwide search for an unloved British beer garden in need of cheering up. The winning pub will be rewarded with a complete makeover, courtesy of Cuprinol. As inspiration Cuprinol has completely revamped the beer garden at The Avalon pub in Clapham, London, where a team of 12  took four days to complete the job, using more than 120 litres of Cuprinol Garden Shades and 140 litres Cuprinol decking stain.

To enter your local beer garden, upload a 30 second video or an image to www.facebook.com/Cuprinol explaining why your local needs cheering up, or tweet an image or 30 second video using the #cheersitup by 1 July 2014. 


The Avalon beer garden BEFORE the Cuprinol makeover...and (below) the jazzed up result

A karting challenge in Warrington last weekend, organised by Stax Trade Centres joint managing director David Hibbert, helped raise £3,000 for the Rainy Day Trust...

The challenge, now in its 20th year, attracts karting enthusiasts from a variety of suppliers within the trade and has so far raised over £60,000 for the charity.

This year's race differed to previous events by being a two-hour endurance race, rather than a grand prix, with each team of three sharing a kart for exciting non-stop racing.

The winners were the team that completed the most laps during the two hours, and with 14 karts racing at the same time, plenty of adrenalin and a few old scores to settle, there was lapping aplenty and a few discreet nudges and bumps along the way.

For the second year in a row the Leyland Darts team from PPG were victorious, narrowly beating Workhouse Marketing’s Workhouse Wheelies, who were closely followed by Calor Team 1 from Calor Gas.

The fastest lap trophy was collected by CIC with the fastest lady trophy given to Calor Team 2’s Harriet Walker.

Rob Walker, also from Calor Team 2, was awarded the bent axle award for his acrobatic exit from a kart during a high-speed changeover – the only driver to do a gymnastic roll out of his kart.

David Hibbert commented: “The Warrington three tier circuit is one of the best in the UK and the Rainy Day Trust karting challenge is always a fun event.

"Because this year’s event allowed all karters more driving time it was one of the best ever and I am delighted we managed to raise another £3,000 for this very worthwhile charity.”

A Cambridgeshire primary school's gardening club is hoping to lay on special 'home-grown' lunches and a strawberry picnic for parents this summer using produce grown from seeds and plants donated by Mr Fothergill's

Trial ground manager Brian Talman recently visited Fordham C of E Primary School to help youngsters plant some fast-cropping strawberries.

The school's Sprouts Club has more than 50 members, aged between four and 11, who meet regularly after school to tend their plants, supported by both by staff and by parents.

Club organiser Sue Ling says the children love being involved in digging, planting, watering and weeding whilst investigating nature in the garden. “Gardening is hugely educational and teaches the children a myriad of social, physical and academic lessons across a wide subject spectrum - whilst having an enormous amount of fun!” she said. “The beauty of gardening is that every child can succeed, no matter what their academic ability; this in turn raises self-esteem and results in happy and enthusiastic children with a knowledge and passion for gardening and healthy eating.".

Earlier in the year Mr Fothergill's supplied seed potatoes, onion sets, vegetable seeds – and sweet pea seeds, when the children expressed an interest in entering the schools' and youngsters' sections of Mr Fothergill's sweet pea competition to be held at Capel Manor College on Saturday, 5 July.

Brian Talman helped members of the Sprouts Club plant Mr Fothergill's ‘Berry Quick’ strawberries, which are capable of producing fruit ready for picking just 30 days after planting.

A range of Designer Garden Collections – a brand new 'border in a box' concept - is one of the highlights of Johnsons retail seed offer for the 2014/15 season.

It is designed to appeal to seasoned flower gardeners and to those who welcome guidance on which varieties work well together.

Presented in an eye-catching box with border designs by leading illustrator and printmaker Hannah McVicar, each Cottage Garden, Fragrant and Cut and Wildlife-Attracting Designer Garden Collections includes 12 packets of carefully chosen annual and perennial flower seed varieties, plus an easy to follow seed sowing and planting plan

A compact counter-top display unit contains eight boxes (SRP £9.99 each). "We believe this is the perfect gift for any gardener and represents great value for money", says the brand's Helen Clayton.

As J & E Importers re-structure, an exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced National Account Manager to join the team. The role will involve working from Head Office, out in the field and from home as required in developing and implementing a sales strategy for a group of products marketed primarily for large volume resellers. 

The ideal candidate will have good working experience in a similar role and knowledge in the Home, Garden and Pet environment and seeking a new challenge within this expanding industry. 

The successful candidate needs to be hardworking, energetic, enthusiastic and committed for this exciting and rewarding position.

This role provides an excellent opportunity within a growing company offering a range of recognised products across multiple markets.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience: applicants should possess the following:-

An understanding and background within the Home, Garden & Pet industry would be considered advantageous, but not absolute for the right calibre person.

Excellent communication skills and a warm outgoing personality

The ability to excite, engage the customer and explore the full potential.

The knowledge and ability to be able to deal with container sales as well as palletised options

Strong influencing skills are required, as well as a diplomatic manner and a positive pro-active outlook.

To nurture and develop customer relations

To establish new accounts and to develop a clear strategy and action plan to grow sales and profitability within our existing portfolio of accounts as well as new.

Regular concise, clear and logical reporting on a regular basis is a pre-requisite for this position.

Must be able to produce/substantiate a proven track record of sales within a similar position/role

The package includes a Company car, laptop, mobile phone, 28 days holiday including bank holidays and staff product discount

Please email vince.green@greenjem.co.uk for further information or to forward your current CV

This exciting new role, based in Scotland and also covering Northern Ireland, offers a great opportunity to the right person with an in-depth understanding of horticulture and its industry sectors, including commercial production retail and landscaping.

You will be engaging with members to ensure strategies developed by the HTA remain market leading and relevant. Ensuring that the national and regional governments' horticultural policy is communicated to members and helping members benefit from any assistance given via those "policies".

Working closely within the HTA team, the role involves interaction with every department of the Association and high levels of involvement across all sectors and all levels of the trade to improve communication and help drive innovation within horticulture for their membership.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience: applicants should possess:-

•Excellent communication skills and an outgoing personality

•Commercially "savvy" - with a can do attitude to their work and life

•Strong influencing skills and a diplomatic manner enabling them to work closely with HTA members and policy decision makers alike

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV to info@morepeople.co.uk

The HTA are working exclusively with MorePeople on this assignment and any CVs sent directly to them will be forwarded on to MorePeople

Our client is a successful garden centre group who pride themselves in offering an aspirational and innovative environment for their customers to shop within. Currently they are looking for a creative and inspirational Buyer with good retail knowledge within the AB1 retail sector, as the person in this role will have responsibility for sourcing and managing a group of products within the Indoor Living/Home range.

Based at their newly refurbished Hampshire site the Buyer will select product and analyse product performance whilst ensuring they hold the optimum levels of stock in order to maximise sales.

You should have proven experience within a fast-paced buying environment. You should have experience of range building across large product areas and you should have a commercial outlook, always looking to create an opportunity to increase sales. Buying experience is essential to the role.

Established for over 25 years, J & E Importers have built a strong global reputation in the manufacture, export, import, supply and distribution of a range of quality, value-based products, whilst delivering high customer service satisfaction at all times.

This is an outstanding opportunity to work within a large, successful organisation, currently undergoing a team building and re-structure programme

The responsibilities of the Area Sales Manager will include:

• Managing schedule of appointments on an ongoing basis
• Developing relationships with existing and new customers
• Visiting potential customers in the area to generate more sales

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic salesperson who is:

• Seeking a career in a customer-focused sales environment
• Driven and determined
• Well-presented
• Motivated
• Focussed, hungry and ambitious to ensure success in this role
• A quick learner with industry experience
• Energetic with a can-do attitude
• From a field or internal sales background
• Able to demonstrate success in previous sales roles

Although a field based role, the successful candidate will need to live or be based in close proximity to the South Eastern area

There are excellent opportunities for career progression within the company and the group.

Benefits also include a bonus, company car, mobile phone and 28 days paid holiday entitlement.

Please email vince.green@greenjem.co.uk for further information or to forward your current CV

www.jandeimporters.com

My client is a small garden centre group based in the London area.

They are looking for an experienced garden centre manager to lead the team of a large destination style garden centre based in a scenic and historic part of London.

You will have site management experience previously and be ready to take on a challenging role in a very competitive environment.

There is an opportunity to grow with the business.

I am currently looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic plant retailer to join the team of an established garden centre.

My client is a large garden centre group looking for a plantarea manager to join the senior leadership team of one of its centres to develop the centre and plant area.

You will need to have at least supervisory knowledge previously and must be a confident team leader.

Excellent plant knowledge is a must preferably supported by a qualification.

Based on a solid foundation of over 25 years in the making, J&E importers is now developing its operation with a view to expanding the range of products on offer and to increase its distribution channel both in the UK and Europe.

Appreciating the requirement of key personnel to assist in the growth and expansion of the company, J&E currently are searching for two additional National Account Managers as well as an Area Representative to cover the South East and a new position is also available in the Head Office Graphics Department.

MD Jeremy Levick commented: “Although well established and well respected throughout our industry, we now feel the time is right to develop and increase our market share. We already have in place the structure and a committed workforce and now wish to add value to the team assisting in our expansion plans for a very exciting future.

“With a unique understanding of the retail market combined with a world-class supply base, our knowledge and experience allows us to offer innovative quality products at competitive prices, together with a comprehensive stock holding."

Since founding over 25 years ago, J&E Importers have supported a successful distribution network, servicing importers, wholesalers and retailers worldwide. Working alongside a network of suppliers, manufacturers, importers and exporters, we understand the need for selection, quality and promptness and ensure that the quality of products is always met. With our multiple Joint Venture factories and branch offices in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China & Taipei City, Taiwan, J & E offer their customers a first class service

Direct Importation

J&E Importers are one of the UK's leading importers of home, garden and pet products, supplying many major UK and International importers, distributors, DIY superstores, supermarkets, garden centres, high street chains, wholesalers and independent retailers. If you're looking for a proven team to get you better importing results, J&E Importers have a track record of success.

Supply & Distribution

Using the experience gained over many years in the industry, in the manufacturing, wholesale, retail and distribution sectors, J&E Importers have developed a perfectly formed portfolio of high quality, value-based products. We pride ourselves on a high level customer service satisfaction at all times and on on-time deliveries. We deliver what we promise.

Manufacturing

With talented product designers and a vision to create, manufacture and distribute value-based products that are innovative, modern in design, and constantly evolving with the needs of today's consumer, our brands are quickly becoming some of the industry's favourites. J&E have the expertise to manage from the factory floor, straight to your door.

If you are interested in finding out more about J&E Importers in general or positions available please click here  or call 01427 811144

The biggest movers in this week’s GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart are slug-related as the wet weather causes this common pest to become hyper-active.

• Vitax Slug Gone (3.5 litres) is the highest re-entry.
• There are two new entries – Bayer Slug Bait Organic Pellets (700g) and Neudorff Sluggo Slug & Snail Killer (800g).
• The highest climber this week is Garman Bamboo Canes (0.6m), pack of 20, moving up 21 places to No 25.
• Gardman Ice Orb Solar Light retains the top spot.

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

Despite a commonly-held view that wild birds only need help finding food during winter months, the RSPB is urging people to put out food this summer too.

Food shortages can occur at any time of year and this can be a major problem for garden birds especially, which are currently trying to find food to feed hungry chicks. Cool and wet conditions such as those experienced in many parts of the UK recently, can make it very difficult for birds to find their staple insect food and in particular caterpillars.

Richard James, a wildlife advisor at the RSPB said “Now is the height of the birds breeding season so there are many busy parents looking for food to feed their hungry offspring. The chilly, damp weather means that insects can be harder to find so the adult birds could benefit from a helping hand.”

“Birds need to find food for their young brood quickly and don’t want to be away from them for too long, so having a supply of seeds, mealworms and suitable kitchen leftovers can really help them out.”

The RSPB actually sells a third more bird food in June than it does in December. The charity believes the food may be eaten more quickly than in other months because birds see it as a convenience and, just like some busy mums and dads, opt for the easier option to keep their children happy.

So don’t miss out on sales this summer and make RSPB wild bird care part of your range. 

Picture credit: Mike Richards (rspb-images.com)

Gardeners Kitchen, who return to No 1 spot with the highest new entry in Runner Bean Enorma, are reporting impressive sales of their young plants so far this year.

“Our sales are up, compared to last year, with some exceptional crops,” says Helen Boers.

“We sold 19,200 runner bean plants in the third week of May, and 39,000 plants in total.”

• Allensmore Rhubarb Timperley Early is the highest re-entry.
• Quantil Baby Sweetcorn is the highest climber, moving up 18 places to No 31.

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

Vital Earth Top Soil (25 litres) and Arthur Bowers Landscape Bark (100 litres) have both seen good sales during a period when overall growing media volumes are down on the previous week’s levels.

Other good performances include:

• Scotts Levington Multi Purpose Compost (50 litres) is the highest re-entry.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro Eco Sense Peat Free Compost (56 litres) and Arthur Bowers Bark Chips (60 litres) have seen sales rise on the previous week.
• Scotts Slug Clear Advanced Pellets(700g) is another re-entry.

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

There’s less than two weeks before the deadline for entries to this year’s GIMA awards.   

If you want your products to be considered for the most prestigious awards in the gardening industry, and shown to a panel of leading and influential industry names, then get your entries in now before it’s too late!  Deadline for entries: June 20.

This year’s judging panel includes some of the UK’s top gardening retailers and magazines, so why wouldn’t you want your product to be seen by these people?  Will Armitage, Armitage’s Home & Garden; Tony Blake, St Peter’s Garden Centre; Mike Burks, Castle Gardens; Steve Guy, Dobbies Garden Centre; Alistair Jackson, Poplars Garden Centre; Tim Rumball, Amateur Gardening Magazine Editor; Heidi Towse, Homebase; Mike Wyatt, Garden Trade News Associate Editor; and last but by no means least, Dan Zinner from The Garden Centre Group.

www.gima.org.uk/awards

Hozelock winning the Sword of Excellence for their Flexi Spray product at last year's GIMA Awards.

Comedian Russell Kane, winner of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award, will be the celebrity host of this year’s GIMA Awards. 

A regular on both Radio and TV panel shows, Russell has appeared on ITV's Celebrity Juice, BBC Two's Mock the Week, The Apprentice: You're Fired, Sky Atlantic's Set List, Morgan Spurlock's New Britannia, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a frequent guest on The Wright Stuff, BBC Radio 4's It’s Your Round, Just a Minute, A Good Read and ITV2's Britain’s Got More Talent.

Rounding off the evening’s entertainment will be Angelo Starr and The Team. This award winning soul band, featuring the brother of the late great Edwin Starr, will have everyone on their feet dancing well into the early hours.  

This year’s awards evening is being held at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport South Wales on Thursday 17th July and is lining up to be a night to remember.  Places are filling up fast, so don’t miss out on joining us to see who’s won this year’s top honours.

For more information visit www.gima.org.uk/awards

Gardman have launched a new oil-rich Sunflower Blend in their top-end Ernest Charles Co range. As a launch promotion, they are giving away a 12.55Kg bag (SRP £19.99) with every Ernest Charles bird table purchased.

The new brand taps into the increasing trend for homespun and British-made products. Gardman say its distinctive selling points, like its UK heritage, authentic branding and quality assurances, make it a unique proposition.

Gardman’s marketing director, Sarah Downing, says the launch promotion provides great link-sell opportunities. “By passing this engaging offer directly on to consumers, retailers can tempt customers to trade up to higher-margin, increased quality products,” she said.

The offer is valid until 30 June.

Kyle Ross from Pershore College has been presented with Wyevale Nurseries’ Peter Williamson Travel Award.

The 20-year-old, who is a first year Higher National Diploma (HND) student, scooped the accolade after wowing the judges with a written submission and in an interview.

Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford, explained: “We would like to congratulate Kyle on winning the award. It was designed to encourage a student towards a career in nursery stock production by assisting with a practical placement at a nursery in the Netherlands.

“Kyle has previous practical experience from working at Pennells Nursery in Lincoln and showed an extreme interest and flair for the opportunity offered.

“The Peter Williamson Travel Award was started in memory of Wyevale Nurseries former owner and chairman, Peter Williamson, who very sadly passed away in 2011.

“Annually the award is presented to a student at Pershore College in Worcestershire, which was Peter’s own seat of learning in the 1960’s. The award subsidises and organises for the successful applicant to do a period of work in the Netherlands during the college summer vacation, as Peter also did more than 40 years ago.”

Kyle will be working for six weeks during the summer at Ruud van der Werf Nurseries, Boskoop, which is a specialist grower of Clematis and Magnolia. He was presented with £500 from Wyevale Nurseries to help pay for his travel costs.

Kyle said: “I can’t believe I have won this award. I am so excited to work at Ruud van der Werf Nurseries. It will be a great learning experience for me. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Wyevale Nurseries for giving me this opportunity.”

The award was first presented to Ben Gregory, who was a second year horticulture degree student at Pershore, in 2012. He worked at Poppelaars Nurseries in the Netherlands in 2012. Ben is now a Management Trainee at Wyevale Nurseries.

Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter.

The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.

The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.

Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk

Pictured: Ben Gregory (left), Management Trainee at Wyevale Nurseries, presents the cheque for £500 to Kyle Ross (right), student at Pershore College, for winning the Peter Williamson Travel Award.

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 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto 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 Veg-2-Gro 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.