If you think your Christmas teams are the best in the business, now’s the time to get them nominated for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2022.

There are categories to recognise display teams, Christmas Trees sales teams, marketing teams and back this year are the much sought after Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering team and The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto team awards.

It's simple to take part, all you have to do is nominate your teams for the award categories below in an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk including a few words about why our team of judges should come and meet your team and a photo or two that we can include in our GTN Xtra Christmas photo galleries. The closing date for nominations to guarantee a visit form our judges is Monday 31^st October 2022.

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2022

• The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
• The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
• The Greatest Christmas Community Event
• The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
• The Greatest Christmas Marketing Team
• The Greatest Gardening Gifts Sales Team
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team (for sales of BBQ’s, firepits, furniture etc)
• The Greatest Festive Retail Food Hall Team
• The Greatest Festive Garden Centre Catering Team
• The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team
• The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team*
• The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
• The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

*The Group Garden Centre awards are for centres that are part of groups with 5 or more centres.

Judging visits will take place during November and December with the winners being announced on The Stage at Spring Fair on Monday 6^th February 2023.

As well as the kudos and fame from winning a Greatest Christmas award, our Gold winners in each category will win prizes including stock, services and hotel accommodation from our sponsors, which at time of going to press include:

• DCUK
• Garden Radio
• Glee
• Global Journey
• Smart Garden Products
• Solex
• Woodlodge

Watch out for details of the prizes on offer in future issues of GTN Xtra: www.gardentradenews.co.uk and in the next issue of GTN magazine.

So, what are you waiting for, get snapping and send an e-mail today to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk to get your entry registered.

This week Jenny Douthwaite, Managing Director of Primeur and President of GIMA, takes five minutes out of her busy schedule to share her thoughts about the company, the industry and her gardening experiences...

Name, job title and how long you’ve been at Primeur

Jenny Douthwaite, Managing Director, 19 years.

If you could get people to know one thing about Primeur, what would it be?

The culture at Primeur is very special and unlike any other business I have worked in. If the job needs doing, we get it done. Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of our business values and our colleagues foster an immense sense of pride and ownership in delivering customer satisfaction.

What is your favourite bit of your job and why do you love working at Primeur?

There are so many wonderful aspects of my job that make this a difficult question to answer! Our team of dedicated and long serving colleagues make every day enjoyable at Primeur. Supporting them, both professionally and personally, to deliver exceptional service to our customers is the single most rewarding element of my role.

Primeur is much more than a place of work, it’s my family. Colleagues are friends and support is always on hand whether it be a personal issue or tough day at work.

Your Primeur top pick (fav product)?

Time to pick a favourite child! I’d have to say the Scallop Border is my favourite top pick. Whilst it has been in our range for a few years, it continues to be a best seller for all our customers and is clearly loved by the consumer. I have this in my own garden and love that I was able to install it myself without the need to nag my husband!

What does next year bring for Primeur?

As with the past few years, I am sure 2023 will bring its own challenges to us all. We remain positive and hopeful at Primeur that the many new gardening enthusiasts gained through the pandemic will remain in love with their outdoor spaces and continue to nurture them. We are committed to bringing new and exciting products that will help drive much needed growth for our customers and provide the consumer with sustainable innovation they need in their homes.

Your best/worst gardening experience?

I love a bright and cheerful garden and thanks to my wonderful mum, my pots have been a rainbow of colours this year. I am renowned in our family as the ‘plant killer’ and am mostly gifted artificial plants for special occasions so it’s a miracle they are all in full bloom still. 

Our lawn on the other hand is definitely my gardening disaster of this year. An accidental over fertilising a week before the hosepipe ban came in has resulting in a bulk purchase of new grass seed – that will not be a mistake we make again!

Get in touch

To find more about Primeur’s 2023 offering, please contact the team on 01274 518800, email sales@primeur.ltd.uk or visit www.primeur.co.uk

Vitavia Greenhouses has posted its latest blog headlined ‘Aluminium eaves and falling leaves!’, giving gardeners timely reminders of the jobs that need doing around the garden and in the greenhouse this Autumn

“Now the supermarkets are overflowing with pumpkins and every path is scattered with multi-coloured crispy leaves, it is safe to say that Autumn is upon us!

“It has to be the most beautiful time of the year, with bright blue skies overhead, warm sun cradling our cheeks, as we cling onto our sunglasses for yet another month. The chilly autumnal winds swirl around allowing lots of lovely layers to be worn… and then removed and put back on continuously throughout the day as the sun dips in and out!

“Your gardens may be looking a little weathered and tired at the moment, but you’re certainly not alone as it’s quite the struggle to keep on top of the forever falling leaves. Hopefully we can help a little with a check list of jobs for the coming weeks;

“If you haven’t already, now is the time to give your greenhouse a much needed clean and disinfect. This lets in more light and prevents pests and diseases from over-wintering.

Remove all shading from your greenhouse too as the daily sunny spells are too precious to miss.

“Make sure you bring half-hardy plants into the frost free greenhouse but allow enough space between them to keep ventilation flowing and reduce risk of disease.

“Water plants sparingly and carefully to avoid over-watering and mould setting in.

Remove dead heads and any leaves from the greenhouse and greenhouse guttering to avoid mould and fungus.

“It’s not all hard work though as hopefully you’re still indulging in some delicious homegrown crops. Now is the time to be harvesting tomatoes, peppers and aubergines and replacing those delicious summer salads with heart-warming scrummy soups. Why not sneak a chair into your greenhouse and enjoy a flask of soup alfresco style… heavenly!”

The blog can be found here https://www.vitavia.co.uk/2022/10/12/aluminium-eaves-and-falling-leaves/

Brian Evans, who engineered the massive expansion of Wyevale garden centres to become the largest garden centre group in the 90's, has died aged 78.

As Chairman of Wyevale, Brian led the acquisition of many garden centres including the purchase of Kennedys and Country Gardens.  When he retired in 2004 the group had 114 centres.  He is pictured above at a dinner in his honour in February 2005, from GTN's March 2005 issue.

Brian died in his sleep last Wednesday, after his health had deteriorated over the last couple of years  .

Brian's wife Christine has said that a celebration of his life will be held and details will follow.

The Garden Centre Association is starting its recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer.

The new CEO will work closely with the Executive committee to lead the organisation. 

GCA Chairman, Tammy Woodhouse, said: “We are now officially recruiting for the position of CEO. The successful individual will have ultimate responsibility and accountability for the Association. They will work closely with the Executive committee to lead the organisation, influence, and implement the strategic direction and operational management to ensure we meet the needs of our members in line with our vision, mission and values.

“We are looking for an individual who has worked in a senior management position, experience, or knowledge of either the garden centre industry or working within a member organisation would be advantageous.

“Our ideal candidate will be a confident individual with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders; protects and promotes our values, and is an ambassador within the industry. They also need to have a full UK driving licence and be willing to travel within the UK and overseas.

“The full job description is available at https://bit.ly/3eG1uQf. We will be hosting an assessment day in London on November 16 for potential candidates, which applicants will need to be available to attend. To apply, or for more details, please contact lian@thevirtualrecruiter.co.uk.”

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

GTN October 2022. More New Products for 2023 & The Greatest Christmas Awards 2022 launch.

Inside this issue: An understanding of stone – GTN Interviews the Meadow View Stone team, Crystal ball gazing for 2030 – HTA Conference 2022, Camden Garden Centre Photo Tour, Tales from the shop floor – Mark Portman at Camden Garden Centre, Rosey future at Mr Fothergills, Celtic Spa’s – LOFA Member profile, GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2022 – Nominate you teams now, Serious about selling plants at Four Oaks, Glee New Product Directory, Part 2, Solex New Product Directory, Change brings opportunity – GIMA Column, Horticulture and government – ORHG Column. Advertisers in this issue: The Solar Centre, Evergreen Garden Care, Apsley Farms, Meadow View Stone, Sipcam, Mr Fothergills, The Real Soil Company, Vitax, Fandango Fire Tools, Pot Mate, Solex 2023.

Dobbies Garden Centres is looking to spread the spirit of Christmas with its festive Not Your Average Community campaign, in partnership with Needlefresh.

The UK’s leading garden centre is inviting charitable groups across the country to get in touch and help the Dobbies team donate 300 Nordmann Fir Christmas trees, just in time for the seasonal build-up.

A Christmas tree is the classic centrepiece, not just in the home, but in schools, community centres, churches and other charity centres, and Dobbies is looking to spread some yuletide cheer with donations across the UK. Nominations are invited, with 74 stores participating.

Dobbies is committed to sustainability and all the real Christmas trees sold are grown from specially selected seeds, taken from hand-picked cones which have been left to dry and nurtured into seedlings. The growing team use specialist pruning techniques to create a bushy and uniform shape by hand, reducing any impact on the surrounding environment and protecting the animals and plants in and around the tree base.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles (pictured above), said: “We’re proud to be in a position where we can support local communities, so thank you to Needlefresh for supporting us with this campaign. We would encourage schools, community groups and charities across the UK to get in touch with a nomination to be within the chance of receiving a Christmas tree donation.

“The Nordmann Fir is the most popular Christmas tree in the UK because it loses very few needles, meaning your tree will remain green and full, with the right care. It’s the perfect tree for our Not Your Average Community campaign.”

Needlefresh Managing Director, George Hood, added: “We take great pride in growing our sustainable trees and are excited to partner up with Dobbies on this brilliant community initiative. We look forward to seeing community groups across the UK decorating and enjoying their sustainable grown, real Christmas tree.”

There will be 180 – 21cm, Nordmann Fir Christmas Trees, available from 74 stores across the UK.

Nominations can be submitted via dobbies.com by filling out a simple form. Deadline for submissions is Monday 24 October. All entries will be reviewed by the Dobbies’ team and the winning community groups will be contacted in early November and invited along to their nearest store to hand select their tree. Those who apply to a little dobbies store will have their tree delivered.

For more information or to submit an entry, visit: www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-community.

Within the next few days, Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire will be generating almost half of its electricity from the sun. The family owned independent linked with two local organisations to help access a grant and then install 875 solar panels across its roof space, with the business switching to solar input from the beginning of October.

Director Tim Armstrong commented;  “We use around 600,000 KVA (kilo volt amperes) a year.  With energy prices so high, we decided to fast track our planned solar panel project and minimise our dependence on the national grid as quickly as we could.  Looking at the average sunshine hours in a year, our roof space is projected to generate around half of our total electricity requirement.  That’s a significant saving for us, and it’s also the equivalent of planting 3,123 trees, so good news for the environment too.

As a business and a team we are dedicated to adopting and encouraging climate-friendly ways of living our lives both on a business level and personal basis.  It’s something that is increasingly important for our customers too, and we’re pleased that our use of green energy might encourage others to make similarly sustainable choices when they can.”

Tim continued;  “Highfield is part of Choice Marketing Group, as is St Peter’s Garden Centre in Worcester. The St Peter’s team talked us through their own installation, and based on their recommendation, we are using the same solar panel supplier for our own work.  Overall, we have been impressed by how much help there is for businesses like ours wanting to consider a greener future.   A local sustainability charity helped us secure a government grant, whilst the solar panel company is taking care of the rest including financial projections and project managing the installation itself. We would definitely encourage others to investigate it for themselves.” 

Other standout green initiatives at Highfield include its vast 216,000 litre tank which collects rainwater, and its revolutionary retractable planteria roof which maximises daylight and sunshine to reduce reliance on electricity for plant care and to enhance the customer experience.

Family-owned chain, British Garden Centres, has been busy fundraising throughout their stores for the national Macmillan Coffee Morning which took place at the end of September. The garden centre group beat last year’s total and raised an impressive £8,814 from Friday 30th September and across the weekend.

Each of the stores held its own event as part of the annual Biggest Coffee Morning, which encourages people around the country to raise money for the cancer support charity. With one in two people facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, the funds raised will help towards maintaining the Macmillan support that provides specialist health care, information, and financial support to people affected by the disease.

Each of the store’s teams supported with a fundraising weekend where they decorated their restaurants, invited customers to enjoy a hot drink and slice of cake, sold tasty treats and hosted bake sales, organised raffles, as well as serving teas and coffees to raise money and boost awareness of the charity’s important work.

Chapel Garden Centre in Skegness, Woody’s Bar & Restaurant in Woodthorpe and East Durham Garden Centre in Easington raised just under £2500 between them with their charity events generously supported by both customers and staff.

Last year, the British Garden Centres Group hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning and raised over £8,500 for the charity across their 58 restaurants.

Ricky Towers, Restaurant Director at British Garden Centres, said: “As a group, we choose charities close to our hearts. We are proud to support Macmillan Coffee Morning across our garden centres and restaurants. The teams at our stores and their customers enjoy the occasion and really show their support for this fantastic charity. Much of the charity’s work is done by volunteers, and it relies entirely on public donations so the stores in the British Garden Centres family are always keen to make a difference.”

For more information about British Garden Centres, visit www.britishgardencentres.com.

LANDSCAPE Show 2022 has come to an end, and it’s time to talk about what a success it was! 

Busy settling into Birmingham’s NEC for a second year, LANDSCAPE has loved seeing new people, new products, and new ideas. Providing yet another amazing opportunity to network and meet clientele, LANDSCAPE has been overwhelmed by support from the industry.

With brand new features added, the exhibition was one to remember. LANDSCAPE supported student talent, introducing the Graduate Showcase by London College of Garden Design, giving visibility and opportunities for development to new designers within the industry. 

Celebrating quality contractors, LANDSCAPE supported achievements of the Professional Landscapers Award winners by introducing the APL Winners’ Circle. This dedicated space not only put their impressive projects on display, but provided opportunity to meet, discuss and network. 

With the continuation of their “Women in the Industry” day, which took place on the Thursday of the 2-day show, LANDSCAPE brings the spotlight and provides a platform for women working in all areas of the industry. Aiming to inspire the next generation of women to get involved and find strong support networks in the sector, this dedicated day was run in conjunction with the team at #YesSheCan.

LANDSCAPE 2022 continued to provide an impressive array of free CPD accredited seminars, giving ample opportunity for experts to impart their knowledge and ideas to visitors, creating a positive environment of learning and sharing.

Event Director, Jeremy Storey-Walker revealed: “I was really impressed by all the new faces at the show this year including new companies and new visitors; it was truly inspiring. I have also been overwhelmed by the support from the industry with re-booking for next year’s show so the team is already looking forward to LANDSCAPE 2023."

LANDSCAPE will return to the NEC on the 27^th & 28^th September 2023.

Baroness Fookes, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ornamental Horticulture, lead a parliamentary debate in the House of Lords on ‘Supporting the provision of careers in the horticultural sector and its role in protecting the environment’.

In the debate, Baroness Fookes is likely to highlight the huge economic potential of the ornamental horticulture, arboriculture and landscaping industry, the recruitment and skills challenges that are currently holding that economic growth potential back, and how ornamental horticulture and landscaping play a vital role in delivering world-leading biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Recent research from the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG) found that across the UK ornamental horticulture and landscaping sector, 10% of supervisor roles, 14% of skilled trade roles, and 11% of professional/technical roles remain open. If these shortfalls remain, the cost to the UK’s economy is projected to be £1.4 billion per year in lost direct GDP contributions by 2030.

With the total GDP of the UK’s ornamental horticulture and landscaping industries projected to grow to almost £42 billion by 2030, it is vital that the government works with the sector to ensure it reaches its full potential. 

The debate comes amid industry calls for the government to ensure that the UK’s ornamental horticulture, arboriculture and landscaping industries are included within the government’s definition of ‘green jobs’. There are also industry concerns that Defra is excluding ornamental horticulture from its growth plan whilst boosting home grown fruit and vegetables and supporting high-tech horticulture.

Chair of the OHRG, Boyd J Douglas-Davies, said: “I’m delighted that Baroness Fookes has secured this debate in Parliament, and that Peers will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the ornamental horticulture and landscaping industries face, particularly in relation to careers and the environment.

“It is vital that our sector works with the government towards achieving our shared objectives of upskilling the workforce, protecting our environment and securing vital economic growth.”

John Lewis click and collect orders can now be picked up from Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, as part of a new trial.  

Customers at Dobbies in Aberdeen, Huntingdon and Gillingham will now be able to collect their John Lewis parcels from the next day. Collection is free of charge for orders over £30 and there is free collection for any order up until 19 October. 

The trial expands the relationship between Dobbies and the John Lewis Partnership after it was announced in July that Waitrose would have a dedicated area offering more than 2,000 products in 50 of the garden centre's foodhalls. The roll out is already underway having been launched in the Dobbies stores in Edinburgh, Brighton, Atherstone and Dunfermline.  

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “The new John Lewis click and collect offering complements the delivery and collection services we currently provide with DPD and Amazon. We’re committed to providing convenience to our customers and this new collaboration enables us to further develop this focus. It’s important that we share a commitment to great value, quality and customer service with our partners.” 

Ged Keogh-Peters, Director of Supply Chain Planning & Development for the John Lewis Partnership, adds: “The introduction of click and collect further strengthens our partnership with Dobbies and underlines our ambition to find new ways to be more convenient for our customers. The service is growing in popularity every year with customers increasingly wanting the ease of being able to pick up their order at a time and place which works for them. The success of this trial would present the opportunity to roll out the service to more centres.” 

Dobbies offers DPD delivery collections at Ponteland, Peterborough, Cirencester, Carlisle, Dunfermline, Ayr and Edinburgh. Amazon collection points are available at 36 of Dobbies’ 74 stores across the UK.  

Dobbies is the latest retailer to join the existing network of over 350 John Lewis and Waitrose Click & Collect points, along with over 800 Co-op, Shell and Booths locations.  

The Greenfingers Charity opened the new garden at St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle on October 12th; the development of which would not have been possible without the incredible funds and product donations from a wealth of generous supporters.

St Oswald’s Hospice Children and Young Adults Service in Newcastle provides care for babies, children and young adults with progressive, life-shortening conditions from across the North East. Their team of skilled staff provide residential short breaks, where up to seven local children and young adults can stay at any one time in their relaxed, home-from-home environment. The team ensure all care and medical needs are met whilst also providing a range of fun and stimulating activities during their stay too.

The new Greenfingers garden is an inclusive garden space where the children and young adults with complex needs can play together and with their siblings and families. Designed by Holly Harrington, the new garden includes a fun and interactive play area which includes accessible play equipment, whilst the existing summerhouse has been given a makeover, complemented with new seating areas and a stunning willow wall to add impact and interesting architectural lines. The area has also been expanded so that it is now visible from the main living room area within the hospice, so children and families can enjoy the space from the comfort of the indoors.

Some aspects of the new garden at St Oswald’s Hospice may also look familiar as it has been confirmed that elements of the Greenfingers Garden at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show – kindly stored by the team at British Garden Centres – have been incorporated into the new garden.

Bringing the design to life was the job of the super talented team from Ian Howe Landscaping, who were inundated with generous donations from many Greenfingers supporters during the build, including garden furniture, solar lighting, plants and compost. Huge thanks must go to Bridgman, Primrose, the team at Cowells Garden Centre, Sean Murray, Evergreen Garden Care, Smart Garden, Kent & Stowe and medical supplies and corporate partners, Teleflex, for their donations of both product and time to help the garden at St Oswald’s Hospice to take shape.

The list of supporters continues with those organisations that have helped to fund the garden build. From The National Garden Scheme and The Banks Community Fund to The Postcode Lottery, Screwfix with its ‘Pennies’ scheme, and the entire garden retail sector which raises much needed funds throughout Garden Re-Leaf Day and many other initiatives. Together these incredible organisations have helped take the garden at St Oswald’s Hospice from concept to reality.

Greenfingers Chairman, Sue Allen, who will be officially opening the garden on October 12th said: “It is a great honour to be able to hand the new garden over to the team at St Oswald’s Hospice. The new space is truly stunning and will provide all the children and young adults, families and staff at the hospice a place to make memories, enjoy being outside in the fresh air and to simply have fun together; something that is so imperative for the children and young adults who look forward to their short breaks at the hospice.”

“On behalf of the Greenfingers team I would like to thank everyone that has helped to make the garden come alive. The vision for the garden has been so well received and the actions of so many dedicated and generous individuals and organisations has been a touching tribute to the design.”

St Oswald’s Director of Care, Angela Egdell added: “We cannot thank Greenfingers enough for what they have created. The space is more than we could ever have imagined, and the support from so many outside of our community has been more than we could have hoped for.

“The long-lasting impact of this new garden space is hard to put into words. From providing a peaceful retreat to relax, to a space full of fun and laughter, we have no doubt that this will be a lasting love story. This isn’t just a garden; it is so much more than that and we will be eternally grateful for those that helped us to achieve it.”

Find out more

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Dobbies is welcoming the start of the festive season with a special charity shopping night in aid of National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust. This is taking place across the UK on Thursday 24 November, 5-9pm, with tickets on sale now. 

The Christmas Shopping Night is a perfect opportunity for the whole family to explore great-value festive gifts, decorations and products and get into the Christmas spirit.

There will be a welcome drink on arrival plus the chance to enjoy the exclusive shopping offers available on the night. With the Christmas themes for 2022 displayed throughout the stores there will be decorating inspiration for all, no matter your style or budget. 

Dobbies’ popular Santa’s Grotto will launch in 50 stores for a special preview as well as a bookable tables in the restaurant in 61 locations offering a taste of the Christmas menu. Available on the night will be two courses for £14.95 with the option of traditional roast turkey dinner or vegetarian Christmas dinner with Quorn sausages, followed by Christmas pudding or mince pie cheesecake.

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies said: “We’ve raised over £1.2m for Teenage Cancer Trust and our Christmas Shopping Night is a great opportunity, not only for customers to enjoy a festive night out and exclusive offers, but contribute to raising funds for an incredibly worthwhile cause.”

Tickets are priced at £1, available at dobbies.com and in-store, and all proceeds from ticket sales and fundraising on the night will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust. It is also possible to opt in to make a donation to the charity when booking other festive events online.

Donna Bednarek, Senior Relationships Manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted to see the return of Dobbies Christmas Shopping Night this year – an event our volunteers love to be part of. It’s companies like Dobbies, and their incredible team members and customers taking part in events like this, that allow us to ensure no young person faces cancer alone.”

Attendees are invited to take a photo in-store for the chance to win a prize. Customers can share their photos on social media by using #DobbiesChristmasNight and tagging @dobbiesgardencentres to automatically be entered.

For more Christmas inspiration and to browse Dobbies' new season ranges, visit www.dobbies.com

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation support students studying Horticulture at UK colleges and universities. Working with the Blue Diamond group of garden centres based in the Channel Islands, the charity have scholarships available for students who can demonstrate their passion, interest  and potential in the horticultural industry.

Whether you need some financial support to help with costs of living, purchase of course materials, fees, travel costs or something as specific as the purchase of a new laptop, there could be support available to you from one of the bursaries run by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation. Applications for the coming season of scholarships have recently opened, including the popular Blue Diamond Scholarship.

Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond said of these scholarships: “Peter Seabrook was one of the people who inspired me to my career as a   horticulturalist, so we are really pleased to offer these scholarships through the         Colegrave Seabrook Foundation to help students studying horticulture. 

"At Blue Diamond, through the diligent work of the great team of people we have, we are in the fortunate position where we can help students grow their own career. We are really pleased to be able to share our passion for plants with others.                                                                                                                                          Plants are an increasingly important part of everybody’s lives every day and whether you are gardening at home or taking up horticulture as a career Blue Diamond are here to help.”

To be eligible for consideration and successful in being granted a scholarship, students need to demonstrate their commitment to making a career within the industry through their application. Bursaries of up to £2,500 are available.

Anna Ciborowska a student, now in her third year of studying for an HND in Horticulture with Plantsmaship, a course run jointly by Scotland’s Rural College and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,  was one of the seven recipients of a Blue Diamond Scholarship in spring 2022 said: “The second year of my career change and of my current programme of study has been exceptionally rewarding. I have learned to identify grasses, the principles of garden design, managing plant collections, how to propagate ferns from spores and the foundations of genetics for plant science amongst many other things. The Blue Diamond scholarship has  helped me with my course by reducing financial pressures I experienced as a mature student     returning to university. Using the scholarship for part of the course fees I have also been able to allocate less time to paid work and more time to deepening my learning. In short, I’ve been better able to focus on building my future career in horticulture.”

Full details are on the Foundation website along with important information relating to the other scholarships available to students.  Colegrave Seabrook Foundation website www.colegraveseabroofoundation.org.uk Applications can be submitted between now and the 31^st of January 2023 for awards which will be made in March 2023.

Pictured: Student Anna Ciborowska, preparing a Begonia maculata leaf for a micro propagation at a Plant Propagation class as part of her studies at Scotland’s Rural College.

Employees from garden furniture, grow your own and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest joined colleagues from parent company, the P&A Group to complete the grueling Tough Mudder challenge at Cholmondeley Castle. The team of six were raising money for the British Heart Foundation, Zest’s charity of the year for 2022.

Despite heavy rain saturating the ground in the week running up the event, the team of six started and completed the 10K course together.  Commenting after the event, Zest’s Digital Marketing Manager, Thomas Jones said: “It was fantastic to complete an amazing 10k challenge and it was such a good feeling to finish knowing that we’d raised more money for the British Heart Foundation.”

The British Heart Foundation helps and supports people living with heart and circulatory diseases and the 10k Tough Mudder challenge is one of many events that employees have completed this year.  Zest has already smashed its annual £10,000 fundraising target and is determined to raise even more money for the BHF.   More events are planned before the end of the year including an exercise bike challenge, a movie night and raffles, with prizes kindly donated by employees.

Over the last 11 years, Zest and P&A employees have raised more than £130,000 for a variety of charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Meningitis Now.

Zest was established in 2005 to bring high quality, sustainable timber garden products to garden centres, online retailers, builders’ merchants, and major purchasing groups across the UK.  For further information about Zest’s GYO, decorative and furniture products, visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk.

Haskins Garden Centre has donated £6,215 to its national charity of the year, Greenfingers Charity, to contribute towards the cost of supporting children and their families who require hospice services. 

The donation was raised through the Garden Re-leaf fundraising week in March and proceeds from carrier bag sales at Haskins’ centres across the south and will help create inspiring garden spaces for therapeutic rest and relaxation at hospices around the country.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “Everyone at Greenfingers would like to thank Haskins Garden Centres for the team’s amazing support. The outdoor spaces that we create provide a safe space for many children, families, and carers, allowing them to take a relaxing break and embrace the benefits of fresh air.

“At Greenfingers, we believe that time spent outdoors and away from bedsides can offer an escape from the considerable stress that families and carers are under, providing an opportunity for children to have fun and appreciate nature.

“Greenfingers relies on charitable support from communities and businesses to deliver our work, creating magical gardens for life-limited children. The generous donation from Haskins will allow us to continue providing this vital support, making a huge difference to the lives of so many children and families in hospices across the UK.” 

Julian Winfield, Chief Executive at Haskins Garden Centres, added: “We would like to say a big thank you to all our Haskins’ customers, without their continued support of our charity initiatives and raffles, Haskins wouldn’t be able to contribute these funds to worthy causes like the Greenfingers Charity. As always, it brings the Haskins’ team much happiness to see our contributions making a real difference to those in need, especially the children supported by Greenfingers.”

Haskins Garden Centres supports several charitable causes annually, and will continue to support the Greenfingers Charity as its 2023 National Charity of the Year.

Haskins Garden Centres is an independent family business that has five centres located in the south of England. Haskins’ centres include Ferndown (Dorset), West End (Southampton), Snowhill (West Sussex), Roundstone (West Sussex) and Forest Lodge (Farnham).

Please visit www.haskins.co.uk and www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk for more information. 

On Friday 14^th October the Old Railway Line Garden Centre, located in Three Cocks, held a Charity Quiz and Curry Night in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event was announced a couple months prior and sold out within a week. With it having been 12 months since their last one, the Quiz and Curry night was a big success for the independent, family-run Garden Centre.

On arrival, all guests were encouraged to buy a raffle ticket, for which all funds went towards the charity. They were then seated in their teams in the Railway Restaurant before tucking into a delicious homemade curry. Once food was devoured, Mark Cleary – founder of the Garden Centre – hosted the well-loved and anticipated quiz.

With a proportion of each ticket price going straight to the charity, £635 was already raised before the event and a further £344 was raised through the raffle sales, bringing the charity total up to £979 from the event night alone.

The rest of the money raised for the charity was raised through the Macmillan Coffee Morning on 30^th September and other fundraising efforts over the last few months. A total of £335.50 was raised during their Macmillan Coffee Morning and a further £600 from other fundraising efforts.

Mark Cleary, Founder of the Garden Centre and Quiz-Host said, “It was such a pleasure to invite everyone back in for our Charity Quiz and Curry Night as it’s an event I always look forward to. We’re very proud of the total raised through the event for Macmillan and want to thank everyone who came along and offered extra donations through the raffle.

“We enjoyed hosting both events and, as always, seeing so many familiar faces as well as new ones. There are many more events coming up for Christmas which we can’t wait to get stuck into. It will be a fantastic way to round off a great year.”

The Old Railway Line have a number of Christmas events lined up before the end of the year, all selling out fast with limited spaces left. For more information or to keep up to date with any future events, visit their website: https://www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk/event-directory/ or call them on 01497 847055.

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As part of the P&A Group, timber garden product specialist, Zest, is in the running for a Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award in the ‘Made a Difference’ category, sponsored by The Alternative Board.

Zest’s managing director, Steve Morgan commented on the Chamber of Commerce recognition: “Making a difference is one of Zest’s core values with the aim of ‘contributing to the communities in which it operates,’ through fundraising, volunteer hours and donated resources.  We encourage all our personnel to get involved in whatever ways they can, and everyone is enormously proud of what we have achieved over the years.  Not only are employees giving back to the communities in which they operate, many of these events also encourage being active, which promotes fitness, wellbeing, and mindfulness for staff - another core value of the company.”

Since 2011, employees at Zest have voted for a charity of the year and a fundraising target is set in the region of £10,000.  Employees then suggest a collection of activities and events in which everyone can get involved, from marathons to fun runs to raffles and bake sales. 

Over the last 11 years, Zest has raised in excess of £130,000 for the chosen charities. These include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and, this year’s choice, the British Heart Foundation. 

In addition to raising money for its charity of the year, this year, Zest has also supported a key fundraising event for the charity, My Name’5 Doddie. Steve Morgan, along with three other local businessmen, completed a cycle challenge from Edinburgh to Cardiff, raising an impressive £28,500 thanks to the support of suppliers, customers, and friends.  

The Chamber of Commerce Award shortlisting also follows on from Zest’s recent delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. The company has coordinated partners and local businesses to fill an articulated lorry with much-needed provisions such as non-perishable food, water, medical and first aid equipment.  Commenting on the Ukraine project, P&A Group director, Rhys Hughes, said, “One of our employees, Andrzej Dudziak, our Zest Polish Sourcing Co-ordinator, based near Gdansk, has been helping out at the Polish / Ukraine border a couple of nights a week and has been in contact with Caritas, the biggest charity in Poland which is also assisting at the border.  Andrzej advised that, despite the huge amount of support already donated, aid is still required.  

“We receive timber garden products from Poland weekly into our Saltney warehouse, so this seemed a prime opportunity for us to demonstrate our support by providing transport and coordinating this humanitarian aid.”

To find out more about the Zest range, visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk

Garden tools specialist, WOLF-Garten, has donated a selection of tools to Worcestershire-based Pershore High School to help with students studying horticulture.

WOLF-Garten specialises in garden tools for lawn care, cultivation, tree and shrub care and general garden maintenance, so has the perfect selection for those learning about all aspects of gardening.

Pershore High School educates over 1,200 students and runs a horticultural class for several of the extended learning students. Learning about horticulture has allowed these students to enjoy learning in a different, more ‘hands-on’ way, while feeling supported in pursuing their interest in the subject.  

The class is run by Mrs Watson, who nurtures the students through their final years of high school with the hope that they extend their horticultural skills into later life.

The school holds strong connections to Pershore College, a national centre for horticulture situated on a 60-hectare site near Evesham, as well as gardening industry, so students at the high school are well placed to pursue a career in the sector.

Located within the school grounds, the garden began its days as an over-grown, thorn filled mess, with the student’s first task being the clearing of the space!

Each student now has a personal 2x2m plot where they are tasked with  growing an abundance of onions and potatoes to provide their school canteen with part of the essential ingredients used for school meals. Aside from this, each student is free to grow as they please, with the support of Mrs Watson and Green Hearts director Mr Neil Gow.

Mr Gow previously owned the garden centre local to the high school and now spends time on-site at the school, assisting the students and educating them on the daily jobs that go hand in hand with growing and managing a successful plot.

With four students currently in their final year at The Pershore school, members of the WOLF-Garten team were honoured to be able to provide the students and the school with a range of essential tools. The team met the students and were able to understand how they have adapted the brand’s multi-change® system to ensure they are useable for everyone.

One student, Harvey, who uses a motor wheelchair, has found the tools unbeatable they helped him ensure that he can stay on top of his plot. Harvey’s favourite tool head is the double-sided hoe which he says he never has any issues using effectively.

WOLF-Garten is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. The innovative company has gone from strength to strength since launching back in 1922, winning multiple awards for providing inventive gardening tools and machinery of premium quality to help make gardening easier and more enjoyable.

The HTA’s Ornamentals Management Committee (OMC) met on 11th October. 

The current position on the industry’s move towards peat-free growing media was high up on the agenda and those currently trialling and using peat-free mixes were highlighting concerns with the consistency between batches of growing media. 

The Committee was reassured to hear that there are no discussions taking place within government to extend the proposed ban to the professional horticulture sector before 2028. However, the reduction in consistency coincides with the increase in demand for peat-free and peat-reduced batches which is of concern as we move towards Defra’s potential target dates.

Nurseries trialling peat-free batches are gaining good levels of knowledge and there was a call for information regarding issues with specific varieties.

The OMC was introduced to Jennifer Pheasey, the HTA’s new Director of Public Affairs, who discussed how the HTA is addressing grower unease highlighted by the OMC members, around the Government’s reported shift in approach from supporting farming, Horticulture and green growth.

Generally there is optimism amongst the committee for the year ahead but the cost of energy is beginning to affect the decisions businesses are making now and going forwards.

Finally, the committee ratified the nomination of Guy Massey as the Industry’s representative at the European Nurserystock Association.

As part of its mission to be the garden retail sector’s partner of choice and a leader in manufacturing excellence, AMES UK has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to further improve the services that its brand portfolio offers. The company’s Kelkay brand – one of the industry’s most respected suppliers of decorative aggregates – now benefits from an ISO 9001:2015 accreditation in recognition of the brand’s consistency in meeting customer needs.

What is ISO 9001?

ISO 9001 is a globally recognised accreditation awarded to those companies which demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer requirements, whilst also showing continuous improvement.

For Kelkay customers, this accreditation offers reassurance that they can trust the brand’s manufacturing and operating processes and can rest assured that they will receive the products and services they expect from Kelkay; values which Kelkay knows are intrinsic to long-term beneficial retail partnerships. 

Talking about this exciting milestone for Kelkay, AMES UK Managing Director, Paul North said: “In a saturated marketplace it is vital that we work to develop a competitive edge and the ISO 9001 certification is demonstrative of this. But more than this, ISO 9001 is something that not only offers value to our customers, but it also demonstrates the hard work and passion of those who make up the AMES UK family. Gaining such certifications is not an easy or quick task so we are incredibly proud to have been recognised for the actions we have taken, most notably within our Quality Management System. This is a true passion for our internal teams, who have worked together to create a system that truly set the benchmark for consistency and customer centric deliverables!

“We sincerely hope that this latest development offers peace of mind for our customers as we look ahead to the 2023 season.  In addition, we believe that the addition of ISO 9001 may make us a more attractive proposition for those larger retailers as we are now better placed to fulfil extended contracts and service agreements.”

All ISO 9001 certifications are independently validated by an external auditing body. Looking ahead, AMES UK will look to add further such certifications to its offering to ensure further evaluation of input and output activities, reduce inefficiencies and created more streamlined processes and promote continuous improvements.

Find out more

Further details about AMES UK can be found at https://ames-uk.com/

The HTA convened a meeting of its members to brief them and discuss the sustained HTA engagement on the Defra plans to end the sale of peat for amateur use.

Further to submission of its consultation response in March, HTA has sustained a campaign of engagement and coordinated key groups, such as the Growing Media Taskforce, to deliver joined-up and clear messages on sector needs.

In recent weeks and months, HTA Chairman, James Barnes, has met then Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustice MP, as well as other Environment Ministers and lead officials. The wider HTA team has met a number of MPs and members of the House of Lords across a breadth of political parties, and in anticipation of a Scottish Government consultation on the future of peat use, met representatives in Edinburgh, and also had dialogue with the Welsh Government. Just this week, new Environment Minister, Trudy Harrison MP, has cited Defra’s close work with HTA on peat in response to written parliamentary questions.

HTA and its members have been strongly represented at recent Defra-led workshops, discussing the what, when and how a ban would be introduced, including details around the need for exemptions where there are no alternatives or a longer transition time may be required. HTA has used all opportunities to raise with policy-makers the significant progress made by industry to reduce its peat-use without a legislative mechanism. Alongside engagement on the ban, HTA welcomes the new opportunities to work with government on supporting the transition from peat use, for example, by addressing regulatory barriers to alternatives.

HTA seeks to reassure its members its latest understanding is that it is government’s intention to introduce legislation to end the trade in peat from 2024 which is aimed at bagged growing-media containing peat for consumer use. Exemptions would be in place for professionally grown plants and products well beyond that date - and likely beyond the 2028 date - although their duration and details are not confirmed. HTA will sustain its constructive, proactive engagement to represent its members' views in the coming weeks as and when any proposal goes through Parliament, as well as support members with information and clarity once available.

HTA also reminds its members of its ‘How-to’ guides and advice on reducing peat use and these can be found in the members' area of its website along with its technical knowledge exchange work with growers.

Over 300 Choice Marketing members and suppliers celebrated their 20th anniversary last night at the Hinkley Island Hotel in Leicestershire where their awards for Sundry, Gift, Plants and Not for Retail suppliers of the year were announced.

Westland were awarded Sundry Supplier of the Year, the second time they have won the trophy.  Smart Garden and Creative Products were Highly Commended

Woodmansterne scooped the Gift Supplier of the Year award, ahead of Kaemingk who were Highly Commended.

Allensmore followed up their recent win at the HTA Grower of the Year Awards with the award for Plant Supplier of the Year.  Bransford Webbs were Highly Commended.

NexPay won the Not for Retail Supplier of the Year Award.

Two of their card readers helped raise over £3,250 during the evening for MacMillan Cancer Support to help directly with the care of Ian Byrne of Highfield Garden World who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

See GTN Xtras gallery of pictures from the trade show and the Anniversary evening below.

British Garden Centres, the UK's largest family owned garden centre business, has released financial results for the year ending 31^st December 2021. Group turnover grew significantly, despite the continuing impact of Covid-19 in the early part of the year, to £161m – up from £125m in the previous period.

Phillippa Stubbs, Director of BGC South ltd, commented: “I’m delighted that the business finished the year strongly with all areas of the business operating fully. The team worked hard through the period to ensure the business operated effectively, despite the various restrictions in place.”

The support from suppliers was acknowledged by joint MD of Woodthorpe Hall, Robert Stubbs, “Our relationship with our suppliers is critical to the long-term success of the business. As ever, we are grateful for all the support we received in 2021, and continue to receive. As the business has grown so has our needs and the key suppliers have met our needs on every occasion.”

British Garden Centres operates 61 garden centres across England and Wales and the 5-star rated Woodthorpe Caravan and Leisure Park set in the heart of Lincolnshire. The group grew rapidly, from 10 centres, through 2018 and 2019 with the acquisition of 38 Wyevale Garden Centres and the Hillview Garden Centre group. It has continued to expand with the addition of Harrogate in May 2021 and three further centres in 2022.

Summing up 2021, Charles Stubbs, also joint MD of Woodthorpe Hall, said: “I’m delighted how everyone in the BGC family – colleagues, suppliers and customers – have coped with the various challenges in 2021, it has been a good year! I’m very confident that, together, we are in a fine shape to take the business forward. We aim to be our customers first choice, a suppliers perfect customer and our colleagues home for life.”

RocketGro has expanded its team with the appointment of Andy Abraham as the company’s new Sales Director.

With 30 years’ experience of the garden retail sector under his belt, including 20+ years with Solus and latterly nine years with Westland after the incorporation of the Crest Garden brand, of which Andy was a founding member, it is safe to say that Andy will bring an invaluable knowledge and skillset to RocketGro’s offering.

Speaking about his new appointment, Andy Abraham said: “I was looking for my next adventure and when RocketGro approached me I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. RocketGro is an exceptionally exciting brand and one that offers both retailers and consumers a real alternative to existing growing media sales options. Backed by a unique story, a passionate team and a brand position that offers a fresh looking at peat-free gardening, RocketGro already feels like home and I’m excited to get going!”

RocketGro’s Toby Thomas added: “We believe we are on the fast track to success and Andy’s appointment is an integral part of this. RocketGro really does offer something new and, more importantly, something that our market needs to reignite sales, increase consumer confidence and to put peat-free growing media on the map. With Andy on board we feel better positioned to communicate the RocketGro difference to those key decision makers and to look to expand our reach within UK garden centres so watch this space!

Find out more

RocketGro Sales Director, Andy Abraham, is ready and willing to open lines of communication with any retailer wanting to find out more about RocketGro’s 2023 product portfolio, which includes the latest additions of Peat-Free Seed & Cutting Compost with added John Innes, Peat-Free Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes, Peat-Free Container & Basket Compost and Peat-Free Beds & Borders Compost.

To book an appointment or to find out more about RocketGro’s unique difference – Rocket Fuel -

please contact the team via hello@rocketgro.co.uk or andy@rocketgro.co.uk. Alternatively call the team on 07446 937902 or visit www.rocketgro.co.uk

Online plant retailer Crocus has announced that it is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of the subscription box Mind, Body & Soil and the plant identification app SmartPlant. The move will help to position Crocus as a brand that appeals to a fast growing, wellbeing focussed younger demographic whilst also expanding the business into subscription services. 

As plants and nature become the antidote to the stress we feel from being so connected to screens, the demand for more indoor plants among city dwellers has soared. This acquisition will see Crocus’ Iris app integrate the functionality of the SmartPlant app and the expansion of Mind, Body & Soil wellbeing boxes, helping to create new, innovative revenue streams.  The merging of  SmartPlant's data and users within the Iris app will create an unrivaled plant identification and care platform and enhance the user experience. 

Mark Fane, CEO of Crocus said “Crocus are really excited to have Mind, Body & Soil and George as part of the business. We strive to be best in the market and ensure that we are keeping at the vanguard of trends. This acquisition ensures we are doing just that and will generate new revenue streams, a new audience for Crocus and our new app, Iris.”

In recent years, houseplants have enjoyed a massive boom in popularity, particularly with Millennials and Gen Z. Sales of houseplants at garden centers across the UK were up 81% in July (2020) and increased by nearly 30 percent on a year-on-year basis in 2021.

George Williams, the creator of SmartPlant said: "I am thrilled to be joining Crocus, they are passionate about plants and have a keen focus on sustainability and is a company I have always admired. I am really proud of what we have built over the years and I am looking forward to the next chapter of the journey with the team at Crocus."

Some of the biggest gardens at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show explored the theme of mental health including that of multiple “Best in Show” winner Andy Sturgeon. Gardens have been a refuge for Andy during difficult periods in his own life, so in partnership with Crocus, for The Mind Garden, he created a place where others can connect, share experiences and find comfort together. 

Alan Titchmarsh once adroitly remarked that: ‘Crocus offer the ordinary gardener the same choice of plants as the professional’. 31 Gold medals later, Crocus’s collaboration with over 20 of the best designers at the Chelsea Flower Show has allowed them to constantly evolve their plant palate in line with the latest trends.

Crocus’s huge range of over 4,000 plants together with the tools that make it easy for gardeners of all levels to choose, has made them first port of call for anyone shopping online and brought them a turnover of £29m in Financial Year 2021. 

The award winning SmartPlant app, the plant care and identification app, was founded in 2014, and since then it has garnered over 800,000 downloads and partnered with over 50 growers and retailers in the Home & Garden sectors. The business launched Mind, Body & Soil during the pandemic to capitalise on the consumer desire for plants and wellbeing. Mind, Body & Soil delivers self-care through plant care and have worked with Pasta Evangelists, Yogi Bare, Timeout & Alice Vincent to name a few. Each month customers receive a plant, pot and selection of products to match the wellbeing or sustainability theme.

Back by popular demand, the annual Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner is returning on December 1st with tickets already being snapped up by supporters of the children’s hospice garden charity. 

Taking place at the stunning Grade-II listed Pendley Manor in Tring, Hertfordshire, the dinner will bring together Greenfingers supporters for a spectacular night of celebrations. More importantly, the evening will provide these supporters with the opportunity to dig deep and raise vital funds for the children’s hospice garden charity. A key highlight of the evening will be an auction, filled with incredibly generous donations from some of the charity’s most valued supporters.

Talking ahead of the event, Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at the Greenfingers Charity said: “The response to the return of the Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner has been wonderful. We have already been inundated with requests for tickets and we are hopeful for a sell-out event.

“All of us at Greenfingers are looking forward to welcoming all our guests on December 1st and are sure that the dinner will be as memorable as previous years, including most notably in 2019 when over £20,000 was raised!” 

Book your tickets now

Anyone interested in attending the Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner is invited to contact Linda Petrons direct by emailing linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or by calling 07908 221240. Tickets can be booked individually or as a group table booking. Please note that places are limited.

Find out more

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Bestsellers chart for last week are here

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

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

A magical trip of around the world in 80 days was a Christmas theme that came to life as British Garden Centres showcased its festive displays at Bridgnorth Garden Centre.

The evening event was part of a series of openings at key locations over the past three weeks for British GardenCentres. 

“They have been so successful, we are now planning to do a few more,” said Amy Stubbs (pictured right), director of the 61-strong group of centres who welcomed the assembled guests. 

The centre looked good, was welcoming and well set up for autumn sales, but of course it was really Christmas we were there to see.

Greeted by Santa and his team of helpers, led by centre manager Steph and assistant manager Sarah, who takes operational responsibility for the seasonal sales area, the themes and display were imaginative and creative. Certainly a contender in the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards for 2022.

Being part of the group, the majority of ranging and buying is done centrally for the stores, but the display is very much down to the local team on the ground to conceive, construct and bring to life. 

And bring to life they certainly had. Taking the traditional themes including:

• A Winter’s Tale, 
• A Touch of Elegance, 
• Sleigh Bells Ringing, 
• Enchanted Forest 
• The Night Before Christmas 

The team had creatively adapted each of these themes into a magical trip around the world in 80 days. London, Venice, Lapland, Belgium, Agrabah where just some of the destinations on the whirlwind trip before dropping into New York and even seeing the Aurora Borealis on the way home! Good attention to detail, linked sales in many areas, easy, relaxed shopping, all led to a vibrant display with plenty of atmosphere.

Traditional gardening areas were very much, as they should be in early October, geared entirely to autumn in the garden, but bulk displays of key lines that will make great gifts for gardeners were in evidence, just waiting for the time to be right for dressing for Christmas and capitalising on sales to some of those new gardeners the Covid pandemic has inspired.

Festive displays were also creeping into the Food Hall and Gift areas with the promise of much more to come. The team was prepared to share the fact that Santa will be in his grotto before the end of November, but remained tight lipped about the existence of a steam engine and carriages tucked away behind the specimen conifer area on the planteria. We will just have to take a trip back to find out what that is all about and with a 2 course Christmas Lunch menu available for only £13.95 a head, we well be making it a lunchtime visit!

The traditional refreshments, slice of Yule log, mince pies and a cranberry fizz were all topped off with an excellent goody bag for all guests attending on the evening. Social media is being heavily used for publicity with photo opportunities in every theme, photo frames and encouragement to ‘post and ‘share’ your pictures with the hash tags ‘#OurChristmas’ and ‘#AllWrappedUp’ in use.

The big question of course on all our lips is how inspired is the consumer going to be to spend, spend, spend this Christmas? Some stock still to come in and of course none of the fresh stock yet available, but the family at British Garden Centres, Bridgnorth are certainly ‘Christmas ready’.

If anybody is going to inspire the customer to part with their cash it is going to be this team. So good luck to them all for Christmas and their entry into the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards. 

A gallery of more pictures below...

Christmas at Bents has been kept strictly under wraps for the past seven weeks, but at 10am on Wednesday (October 12) the wait was over and this year’s themed displays were unveiled. 

Once again, the team from Bents have worked their magic to create a festive wonderland, ready to be discovered.  For the first time since the pandemic, the opening event returned to the real look tree forest where Fat Cat Brass, a brass band with a difference, brought a modern twist to the festive favourites, marking the start of Christmas at Bents with a burst of sound and celebration.

The Christmas opening is just one of this year’s celebrations as the family owned and run Centre is also marking its 85^th anniversary; 85 years since Alfred and Margaret Bent started growing roses from the front garden of their terraced house located just metre’s away from the current location. 

Said Matthew Bent, Managing Director: “Christmas has been a part of our family business for as long as I can remember and this year it is even more special for us as we are celebrating our 85^th anniversary.  We’ve come a long way since my grandparents started to grow and sell their roses, creating a destination that is full of inspiration and never more so than at Christmas time.

“Once again the team has worked tirelessly to put together what we believe is another fantastic display so a big thank you to everyone involved. We hope Destination Bents will be one to remember this Christmas!” 

Bents 2022 centrepiece is Candy Cane Lane - a sweet treat of candy canes, cupcakes and gingerbread men filling the shelves of a traditional sweet shop setting - is just one of many show-stoppers, which are full of inspiration and ready to be re-created at home.  

In addition to the many displays, which also include themes such as Floral Fancy and Country Retreat is this year’s showstopping Lemax display.  Life in miniature is displayed on the Centre’s very own Bents’ Express, a steam train emerging from a tunnel, all expertly designed and built by Bents’ in house joiner, Aaron Davies. 

There’s lots to see and do at Bents in the run up to the festive period, including Father Christmas’s official arrival on Thursday 10^th November at 4pm, Little Face of Christmas photo competition and Bents’ popular Winter Food Market which opens on Wednesday 19^th October.

On Thursday 1^st December, The Fresh Approach Restaurant will host Carols by Candlelight and Father Christmas will be hosting a number of different party options for families, tiny tots and four legged friends. Further information on all festive events can be found at bents.co.uk