Boyd  Douglas-Davies, CEO, Hillview Garden Centres:

“I thought GLEE was outstanding, certainly the best show in years. Quality and range of exhibitors was very good.   

“Vertical gardening systems were in abundance. Some better than others!

“Fashion gloves seemed to be the other item available in 101 different designs - presumably inspired by the great success of #glovies this year!”

Conna Powles, Buying Director, Haskins Garden Centres:

 “This was my third Glee and last year it was certainly revitalised.  I felt that it was notched up another gear this year with larger stands, key suppliers, and great innovation too.  It is good to see plants back for a second year in a row which was really useful for me as I hadn’t been able to get to Fouroaks.  Kevin Waters had put together some great ideas which completely clarified some ideas about planting recipes that I couldn’t quite get clear in my head.  It is difficult to cut through so much detail and make things simple but, I think he did that with his monthly calendar with ‘thrillers, spillers and fillers’. 

“It was good to see so many gardening suppliers as Glee is obviously the key show for us but, as the proportion of non gardening sales grows, it was also good to see a selection of non gardening suppliers too.  I think it would be good to grow this part of the show although it is difficult as it follows on directly from the Autumn Fair.  However, this year, the Autumn Fair clashed with the Speciality Food Fair so if that were to happen again next year, there would be an opportunity for Glee to offer more food wholesalers.  However, it is vital to keep gardening at the core of what we do but we cannot ignore the fact that the non gardening part of what we do has become increasingly important.

“I really enjoyed taking part in the judging, finding exciting new products and swopping information with my fellow retailers in a well laid out, contemporary environment with good catering and easy access.  Winning the award in the Glee Power List was just the icing on the cake!!”

Justin Williams, Managing Director, Fron Goch Garden Centre:

“Glee was very interesting, great to see innovation returning.  Particularly present in the area of solar lighting, solar watering features and garden decoration on the Smart gardening stand , where it felt you could order a deal of everything!”

Nigel Wallis, General Manager, Baytree Garden Centre: 

“I thought it was another good GLEE, and certainly needed two days.

“My highlight was taking [my son] William with me, I hate to say it but having a young set of eyes was good, and of course very proud that he wants to be part of Baytree in the future.

“The Westland stand was really good and what with the Sinclair products is going to make ordering a lot better and easier, let’s just hope the compost prices don't go up to much, but still a great company to deal with.

“And of course Smart Gardening will be the ongoing success for us next year, again what a great team to deal with.”

Colin Barrie, Managing Director, Caulders Garden Centres:

“I thought Glee was even better than last year, and I thought last year was great!   It is now a “can’t miss” show for any garden retailer in the UK.   Where else would you be able to see so many key industry suppliers showcase so many products in one place?

“I thought Westland and Kelkay were demonstrating great innovation both in their products and brand.  The Crest and Flopro  brands really hit the mark this year and there are some products on Smart Gardening that look as though they will be real winners for 2016.

“Some trade shows are good for going and looking, but at Glee you can do serious business!”

Dennis Espley, Managing Director, Squires Garden Centres:

“Still a must do show.  Little ground breaking, but some interesting new lines.  Useful to make direct product comparisons in one place, and does motivate change and a fresh look.  Catch up with suppliers and fellow traders.

“Well organised, comfortable, Mon to Weds..good”

Tim Godwin, Owner, Fosseway Garden Centre:

“Yes I thought the best glee for 4-5 years at last some meaningful innovation with the consumer in mind, liked Hozelocks new watering system and timers, the re branding and simplification of the Town and Country brand and product range.

“The tweaking of the Scotts range with new house plant feeds , grass seed sorted reintroduction of the larger bag and new quicker germination, patio magic with ready to use sprayer should be a hit , along with the new rose and shrub range of feed and the growables should be a good pick up line if positioned correctly .

“I also felt Gardman had a good range of well priced gifts for next spring

“My only concern if when we go next year it may have turned into the RHS show with now so many products being endorsed by them from pots, gravel, tools and gifts!”

Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, on behalf of Choice Marketing Ltd:

“What a great Glee it was, the overall atmosphere was good with suppliers and retailers very upbeat.  For me my favourite new product was the miniature world from Vivid Arts, a lovely collectable range that can easily expand into different themes and will sell all year round.  There were also some interesting developments within the watering category and being able to control your home irrigation system from your mobile is amazing. 

“It’s also good to see the Arthur Bowers brand will continue within the Westland portfolio.  Smart Garden and Gardman have also entered the gift arena with some nice things here as well. 

“Overall we were pleased with the show and the quality of the exhibitors”.

James Debbage, Green Pastures Plant Centre & Farm Shop, Gardeners Kitchen Restaurant: 

“We really enjoyed GLEE this year and it was definitely our most productive visit yet. The layout meant that we could quickly locate all the stands that we needed to without much time wasting in between.

“We were particularly impressed with the clothing ranges we saw resulting in orders placed to take advantage of seasonal sales.

“I was also very excited with the new ranges of containers available for next season and can’t wait to have them in our centre!”

Caroline Owen, Managing Director, Scotsdales:

“Excellent show and time very well spent on a very important category within our centres; look forward to the show being bigger and better again in 2016”

Yvonne Ritchie, Director, Brechin Castle Garden Centre

"Another great Glee, lots of inspirational products around. 

"Highlights: Smart Solar, Solar flower lights for the garden, in the form of, Snowdrop, Tulip, and Bluebell. Pet Face- bird care range. Vivid Art, across the board, in particular Fairy Garden display. 

"Artificial grass is becoming more popular, many more companies bringing this product to the show, with an ageing population who are looking for an alternative lawn, but still wish to look out the window and see "green" instead of gravel, the artificial lawn ticks this box for them.

"I anticipate that Fairy Gardening will be very strong, as many companies are only now grasping the concept and bringing innovative products into the market . Vivid Art had a really well executed display of Fairy Garden product, and many centres attending the show were really inspired by the display."

Simon Bourne, Perrywood Garden Centre

"I really enjoyed Glee this year and struggled to see everyone and everything in two days. It seemed busier with visitors than last year, there were more suppliers to see and there was a lot of interest on the stands.

"Good bets for 2016 include the light bulb solar light from Smart, fairy gardening seems to be taking off with several companies adding it to the range for 2016 and those that had it for 2015 continuing.

"Bird care was interesting. Petface have now got a really good range and Chapelwood looks good as well but with Gardman and Tom Chambers already established, will all of them find space in 2016?

"It was good to see Sinclair on the Westland stand rather than ending up in the graveyard with Solus. I think they will make a success of it.

"The Crest stand looked good this year and they have a really good range of tools now. I think you will see them in lots of garden centres next year."