GTN Xtra - GTN Xtra - Issue 73 2014

A steady stream of acquisitions by Wyevale Garden Centres over the coming weeks and months could actually lead to a smaller but stronger independent trade, according to Guy Topping (pictured above), of the successful Barton Grange Garden Centre near Preston...

Individuality is key to the success of independents

The sale of more stores like Podington to Wyevale Garden Centres this week has led to widespread speculation of who's going to be next. But leading independents like Bents Garden and Home, near Warrington, feel they can take advantage of the changing landscape of the garden centre industry...

Podington Garden Centre, sold this week, became Wyevale's 144th store

Haskins Rising Star is focused on the “winning lines”

Lisa Waim, the Rising Stars finalist from Haskins Snowhill garden centre is firmly focused on the "winning lines" after her year of training on the GCA scheme sponsored by Westland Horticulture.

"Rising Stars has drawn the focus for me," said Indoor Manager Lisa when GTN Xtra met her this week. "I personally feel more under pressure when I see my warehouse is full..."

Record sales at garden centres in the lead up to Christmas

The GTN Bestsellers chart shows the first week of December as the third highest week of the year for volume sales, and with two weekends left until Christmas we could reach higher levels still before the end of the year...

Smart Garden Products to launch 30 new products at Christmas Fair

Smart Garden Products will be launching over 30 new products at their inaugural attendance of the Harrogate Christmas and Craft Fair...

Wyevale apologise after 'upsetting' advert appears on Facebook

Senior management of Wyevale-owned Hastings Garden Centre in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, have apologised after job seekers were told that applications from benefit claimants would be “going in the bin”.

NOMA shows off 2015 Christmas range in style

NOMA are making a big show of their new products for 2015 and are ready to share all their exciting plans with retailers. As well as having a bigger presence at the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair in January, NOMA are inviting customers to their recently opened showroom at Hinxworth in Hertfordshire...

Are you The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team?

It's the most sought after Christmas award in the industry, The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team, as it's the only award voted for by the people who matter most, your customers...

Download posters and voting forms here

Carol Paris & Friends (Two and Four Legged) complete the Santa Run for Greenfingers

Greenfingers trustee and HTA CEO Carol Paris led the Christmas charge for Greenfingers by taking part in the London Santa Run last weekend...

Save the Children Jumper Day supported by Mr Fothergill's

Staff at Suffolk seedsman Mr Fothergill's entered into the Christmas spirit on Friday by each paying a fee of £2 for the privilege of wearing a Christmas-themed jumper to work. The national Christmas Jumper Day initiative was set up by the Save the Children charity...

The Quest for Christmas Greatness - Buy Your Tickets for The Greatest Christmas Party Here

The quest for The Greatest Christmas teams is nearly at the finishing line. The expert team of judges have already visited over 130 garden centres to meet teams nominated in this years The Greatest Christmas Awards, with more to be met during this week before the final judging meetings. You’ll find out who are The Greatest at Christmas this year by joining us at the first awards event of 2015, The Greatest Christmas Awards Christmas Party...

The sponsors for The Greatest Christmas Awards are:

Book your tickets here at Early Bird discount prices - offer price extended to December 7th.

GCA garden centres shine with Christmas displays

The regional winners of the Garden Centre Association’s annual Christmas display competition have been revealed this week. Thirteen garden centres have been named as having the best Christmas overall displays in their individual regions...

This display helped Castle Gardens to a South Thames regional award.

Monkton Elm launches famous sapling giveaway for New Year

Schools from Somerset can put themselves forward to receive between 50 and 100 free young trees this New Year. Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is offering schools saplings for projects they are running...

Garden centre goat video goes viral

A Pennine garden centre has acheived world-wide fame this Christmas after a BBC News video clip of their adopted baby pygmy goat has been viewed over 30 million times...

Watch the video clips here

GTN November 2014

Garden Trade News

The Hermitage Coffee Shop, located within the grounds of Hillier’s Garden Centre near Newbury, is closing after 30 years. Hillier’s wants to run its own café at the centre and is not renewing the lease for The Coffee House, owned by local residents Beryl and Richard Pocock...

Suttons release first blight-free tomato

Suttons have announced what they claim is the world’s first fully blight-resistant tomato...

Garden lighting is the sales phenomenon of 2014

Garden lights continue to shine in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart. In the first week of December there are 10 garden lighting lines in the Top 50...

Children encouraged into nature for stronger immune systems

The general health of children could be greatly improved with increased exposure to nature, scientific studies have found...

Stockings, lights and artificial snow are the big sellers at Christmas

Stockings, lights and artificial snow are the big movers in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Chart in the first week of December...

Bark wags the tail for growing media sales

Bark products for mulching and decorative uses are the star performers in the GTN Growing Media chart as sales really tail off for Christmas...

Vote now for The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2014

Who will be The Greatest Christmas Supplier of 2014?

Download voting form

Successful bid by garden centre owner to open new cafe

A bid by Foundary Plant Centre in Norfolk to convert part of a potting shed into a cafe and local produce shop has been successful.

Notcutts reports growth despite challenging environment

Notcutts Group, which operates 18 garden centres in the UK, has reported revenue growth despite a challenging environment and weather woes in its latest financial year...

Stewart Garden Schools campaign continues to grow as year three gets underway

Stewart Garden has launched its Stewart Garden Schools campaign for 2015. Now in its third consecutive year, the campaign encourages children across the UK to begin growing their own fruit and vegetables...

Greenfingers announce winner of inaugural design competition

The winner of the inaugural hospice garden design competition run by Greenfingers and KLC School of Design was announced at a ceremony at Chelsea Harbour with the top prize going to Rachel Parker Soden, whose ‘Halcyon Daze’ teenage garden won plaudits from the team of expert judges.

Hot tub entrepreneur launches garden centre range

A hot tub entrepreneur who counts pop stars and footballers among his customers is launching a new range for garden centres...

Gardenex arranges stand discount for UK firms at Dubai event

Gardenex has arranged a special exhibition stand discount for its member companies wishing to exhibit at the Outdoor Design & Build Show which takes place from 13-15 April 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Tim Briercliffe confirmed for Contact 2015

Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers), is the latest name to be added to the HTA’s Contact Conference next month...

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