AMES has today announced that Antony Harker will step down as Managing Director of its operations in the UK and Ireland.
After nearly 2 years of hard work under Antony’s leadership, the AMES UK team are rightly proud of their achievements; delivering the business integration of Kelkay, La Hacienda and Anchorfast Products (now Woodshaw), transforming brands, refocusing core categories and launching into completely new market segments. Culminating in a record-breaking Glee, with over 100% uplift achieved on early pre-season orders.
Antony sold Kelkay Ltd in 2018 to Griffon Corporation, a US public company with approximately USD$2billion annual revenue. Antony has spent the last 30 years within the UK garden centre sector and has recently chosen to make an investment in the British Garden Centre Group. The AMES Corporation has invited Antony to take on a strategic advisory role for the global AMES business, which holds market leading positions in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Talking of the changes, Antony said, “I have complete confidence that my transition comes at the perfect time for the team here at AMES UK, as we conclude our financial year and go in to 2020 with fantastic prospects. AMES and Griffon have been hugely supportive and their continued commitment demonstrates the opportunities they see in the UK market and just how serious they are about the group’s long-term growth and expansion plans. I’m really looking forward to this new chapter and I have no doubt that the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
For more information on The AMES Companies go to http://global.ames.com
To find out more about Kelkay go to www.kelkay.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01405 869333
Kelkay The Old Airfield, Heck & Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, DN14 0BA
To find out more about La Hacienda go to www.lahacienda.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01285 762060
La Hacienda Ltd., Hangar 27, Site C, Aston Down Airfield, Stroud, GL6 8HR
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Out of the 145 Wyevale Garden Centres put up for sale at the end of May 2018, 129 have been sold as garden centres and 16 sold for development or closed (2 of these will be run as garden centres for up to 2 years by British Garden centres before being developed.)
The trading sites were bought by 31 different businesses. British Garden Centres and Dobbies have each bought 37 centres with Blue Diamond buying 16 sites, Hilliers 5 sites and In-Excess 4 centres.
Using the "offers based on prices" listed by Christie & Co in May 2018, Dobbies spent almost £240m on 20 freehold sites and 17 leasehold garden centres. British Garden Centres purchases total up to £57.5m of which 18 are freehold and 19 leasehold. The Blue Diamond sites were valued at £50.5m and are split 5 freehold and 11 leasehold.
See the October issue of Garden Trade News for more analysis and views.
Here's GTN Xtra's A-Z list of all 145 centres and where they have ended up.
Centre |
Purchaser |
Date Sold |
Acres |
Offers Based on |
Lease or Freehold |
Albrighton |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
6.2 |
£2,000,000 |
Freehold |
Aldridge |
Developers |
Aug-18 |
5.91 |
£800,000 |
Freehold |
Altrincham |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
4.1 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Andover |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
5.97 |
£6,500,000 |
Freehold |
Ashford |
St Johns |
Sep-18 |
5.1 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Barnett Hill |
Cherry Lane |
Mar-19 |
18.04 |
£1,200,000 |
Leasehold |
Beaconsfield |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
5.97 |
£9,250,000 |
Freehold |
Bicester Avenue |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
22 |
£1,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Binfield |
Developers |
Jul-18 |
4.16 |
£2,400,000 |
Freehold |
Birchencliffe |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
2.2 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Bressingham |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
5.6 |
£1,400,000 |
Freehold |
Blooms Cardiff |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
8.2 |
£1,300,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Cheltenham |
Webbs |
Aug-19 |
3 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Gloucester |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
8.1 |
£2,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Rugby |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
17 |
£4,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Solihull |
Rosebourne |
Sep-18 |
7 |
£250,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Swindon |
Studley Grange Limited |
Aug-19 |
3.63 |
£250,000 |
Leasehold |
Blooms Worcester |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
17 |
£3,800,000 |
Freehold |
Bold Heath |
British Garden Centres |
Feb-19 |
2.51 |
£2,100,000 |
Freehold |
Bolton |
British Garden Centres |
Feb-19 |
4.4 |
£250,000 |
Leasehold |
Bournville |
British Garden Centres |
Aug-19 |
1.89 |
£1,100,000 |
Leasehold |
Braintree |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.9 |
£1,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Bridgemere |
Blue Diamond |
Aug-19 |
108 |
£1,700,000 |
Leasehold |
Brighton |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
3.04 |
£7,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Brockworth |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.75 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Bude |
Homeleigh |
Aug-18 |
5.94 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Bury St Edmunds |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
4.34 |
£4,600,000 |
Freehold |
Cadbury |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
5.97 |
£2,500,000 |
Leasehold |
Cadnam |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
3.38 |
£5,000,000 |
Freehold |
Canterbury Chartham |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
2.68 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Carmarthen |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.23 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Carr Gate |
British Garden Centres |
Feb-19 |
5.31 |
£2,100,000 |
Freehold |
Cheddar |
Hilliers |
Apr-19 |
8.85 |
£2,700,000 |
Freehold |
Chichester |
Developers |
Dec-18 |
7.09 |
£1,700,000 |
Freehold |
Chilton |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
6.87 |
£2,400,000 |
Freehold |
Chipperfield |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
7.94 |
£3,500,000 |
Freehold |
Codicote |
Developers |
Sep-18 |
5.86 |
£10,000,000 |
Freehold |
Coventry |
British Garden Centres |
Feb-19 |
4.66 |
£300,000 |
Leasehold |
Crawley |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.99 |
£700,000 |
Leasehold |
Crockford Bridge |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
6.24 |
£800,000 |
Leasehold |
Crowland |
Closed |
Closing Down |
8.86 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Croydon Purley Way |
Developers |
Sep-18 |
2.57 |
£2,800,000 |
Leasehold |
Dorking |
Hilliers |
Apr-19 |
6.44 |
£700,000 |
Leasehold |
Dummer |
Maidenhead Aquatics |
Jun-19 |
2.1 |
£1,500,000 |
Freehold |
Elm Court |
Elm Court Garden Centre Ltd |
Sep-19 |
3.96 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Endsleigh |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
13.84 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Enfield |
Developers - BGC trading under licence |
Dec-18 |
4.9 |
£2,300,000 |
Freehold |
Fair Oak |
In-Excess |
Nov-18 |
6.2 |
£2,600,000 |
Freehold |
Findern |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
5.22 |
£7,500,000 |
Freehold |
Findon |
Findon Garden Centre Ltd |
Aug-19 |
4 |
£700,000 |
Leasehold |
Galton |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
11.07 |
£5,500,000 |
Freehold |
Gardenlands |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
22.24 |
£3,400,000 |
Freehold |
Hamstreet |
Grovewell |
Dec-18 |
8.8 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Hare Hatch |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
10.89 |
£7,250,000 |
Freehold |
Harlestone Heath |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
6.48 |
£1,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Harrow |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.58 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Hastings |
Blackbrooks |
May-19 |
1.12 |
£600,000 |
Leasehold |
Havant |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
5.95 |
£7,000,000 |
Freehold |
Heathlands |
Squires |
Jul-19 |
13.86 |
£2,700,000 |
Freehold |
Heighley Gate |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
49.8 |
£14,000,000 |
Freehold |
Hemel Hempstead |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
6.07 |
£2,000,000 |
Freehold |
Hereford |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
7.95 |
£1,000,000 |
Leasehold |
Hereford |
English Salvage |
Nov-18 |
7.95 |
£8,000,000 |
Freehold |
Hitchin |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.54 |
£3,800,000 |
Freehold |
Hungerford |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
2.67 |
£6,000,000 |
Freehold |
Huntingdon |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
20.26 |
£2,200,000 |
Leasehold |
Jack's Patch |
Otter Nurseries |
Apr-19 |
15.25 |
£3,100,000 |
Freehold |
John Brown |
Hilliers |
Aug-19 |
6.01 |
£3,400,000 |
Freehold |
Keston |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
3.8 |
£5,250,000 |
Freehold |
Keynsham |
Developers |
Aug-18 |
4.45 |
£1,300,000 |
Freehold |
Landford |
In-Excess |
Nov-18 |
5.9 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Lechlade |
Hilliers |
Apr-19 |
4.52 |
£1,100,000 |
Leasehold |
Leicester Rowena |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
6.45 |
£8,000,000 |
Freehold |
Lelant |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
5.53 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Lewes |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.29 |
£1,900,000 |
Freehold |
Leyland |
British Garden Centres |
Feb-19 |
4.76 |
£1,400,000 |
Freehold |
Louth |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
4.97 |
£3,000,000 |
Freehold |
Lower Dicker |
Blackbrooks |
May-19 |
4.27 |
£1,800,000 |
Freehold |
Lower Morden |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
3.08 |
£1,400,000 |
Leasehold |
Marlow |
Hilliers |
Apr-19 |
3.8 |
£3,800,000 |
Freehold |
Marple |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
7.1 |
£7,000,000 |
Freehold |
Melbicks |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
11.61 |
£9,250,000 |
Freehold |
Moreton Park |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
6.64 |
£8,000,000 |
Freehold |
Nailsworth |
Blue Diamond |
Aug-18 |
2.84 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Northampton |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
14.35 |
£1,900,000 |
Leasehold |
Old Barn |
Tates of Sussex |
Nov-18 |
15.53 |
£5,200,000 |
Freehold |
Ongar |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
6.01 |
£600,000 |
Leasehold |
Osterley |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
7 |
£1,100,000 |
Leasehold |
Oxford |
AWBS |
Sep-18 |
4.87 |
£800,000 |
Freehold |
Paddock Wood |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
3.2 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Par |
Maidenhead Aquatics |
Jul-19 |
5.12 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Pennine |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
3.2 |
£6,000,000 |
Freehold |
Percy Thrower |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
7.66 |
£8,500,000 |
Freehold |
Peter Baratt's Gosforth |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
18.5 |
£800,000 |
Leasehold |
Peter Baratt's Stockton |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
4.2 |
£8,000,000 |
Freehold |
Playhatch |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
2.09 |
£2,800,000 |
Freehold |
Podington |
Cherry Lane |
Jun-19 |
3.31 |
£1,800,000 |
Freehold |
Poppleton |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
6.8 |
£7,500,000 |
Freehold |
Potters Bar |
Closing Down 22-9-19 |
Closing Down |
6.91 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Pulborough |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
21.46 |
£2,700,000 |
Freehold |
Raglan |
Coldbrook Ventures |
May-19 |
7.42 |
£1,500,000 |
Freehold |
Rake |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
4.58 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Ramsgate |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
4.62 |
£1,300,000 |
Leasehold |
Rayleigh |
Closing Down 22-9-19 |
Closing Down |
3.24 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Royston |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
10.5 |
£1,500,000 |
Leasehold |
Salisbury |
In-Excess |
Nov-18 |
6.95 |
£800,000 |
Freehold |
Sanders Garden World |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-18 |
6 |
£12,250,000 |
Freehold |
Seven Hills |
Developers |
Mar-19 |
4.42 |
£3,500,000 |
Freehold |
Shenstone |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
7.98 |
£8,500,000 |
Leasehold |
Sherfield On Loddon |
Capital Gardens |
May-19 |
10.1 |
£1,600,000 |
Freehold |
Shirley |
Developers |
Aug-18 |
0.9 |
£2,000,000 |
Freehold |
Sidmouth |
Kings Exmouth |
Sep-18 |
2.61 |
£900,000 |
Freehold |
Springfield |
Longacres |
Jul-19 |
1.72 |
£4,400,000 |
Leasehold |
Sprowston |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
5.31 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Stanway |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
5.87 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Stevenage |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
7.8 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Stratford Upon Avon |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
4.28 |
£1,200,000 |
Leasehold |
Sudbury |
Perrywood |
Sep-18 |
35.68 |
£1,000,000 |
Freehold |
Swansesa |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
6.03 |
£5,250,000 |
Leasehold |
Swindon |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
3.73 |
£5,750,000 |
Freehold |
Syon Park |
Closing Down 22-9-19 |
Closing Down |
2.69 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Tarporley |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
5.9 |
£1,200,000 |
Freehold |
Taunton |
Otter Nurseries |
Apr-19 |
4.33 |
£2,800,000 |
Freehold |
Telford |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
9.47 |
£2,100,000 |
Leasehold |
Thatcham |
Closing Down 22-9-19 |
Closing Down |
8.8 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Thornbury |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
9.19 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Tring |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
5.75 |
£900,000 |
Leasehold |
Tunbridge Wells |
Blue Diamond |
Jul-19 |
20.97 |
£5,000,000 |
Freehold |
Upminster |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
6.85 |
£400,000 |
Leasehold |
Wellingborough |
Higgins Building Supplies |
Dec-18 |
5.44 |
£700,000 |
Freehold |
West Parley |
In-Excess |
Nov-18 |
2.05 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Wimborne |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
2.43 |
£200,000 |
Leasehold |
Windsor |
Developers - BGC trading under licence |
Sep-18 |
3.14 |
£5,500,000 |
Freehold |
Winnersh |
British Garden Centres |
Sep-19 |
9.2 |
£5,000,000 |
Freehold |
Woburn Sands |
Rochmills Group |
Feb-19 |
9.61 |
£6,500,000 |
Freehold |
Woking |
The Plant Area Ltd |
Jun-19 |
3.62 |
£500,000 |
Leasehold |
Wolds View |
British Garden Centres |
Dec-18 |
4.65 |
£1,800,000 |
Freehold |
Wolseley Bridge |
British Garden Centres |
Jun-19 |
7.55 |
£3,800,000 |
Freehold |
Woodbridge |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
6.27 |
£11,250,000 |
Freehold |
Woodcote Green |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
20 |
£35,000,000 |
Freehold |
Woodlands |
Dobbies |
Oct-18 |
17.1 |
£3,400,000 |
Leasehold |
World of Pets and Leisure |
Developers |
Sep-18 |
7.2 |
£3,000,000 |
Freehold |
World's End |
Dobbies |
Apr-19 |
10.9 |
£13,000,000 |
Freehold |
Worthing Ferring |
Cobbins |
May-19 |
3.7 |
£2,300,000 |
Freehold |
Wych Cross |
Coolings |
Jun-19 |
3.82 |
£1,400,000 |
Freehold |
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Rosebourne is celebrating a fantastic first year of trading after turning over more than £6 million.
On the approach to their one year anniversary, Rosebourne will be celebrating this impressive achievement by throwing a huge birthday party for the public on Sunday 6th October.
The event will include a guest appearance from Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, who will be book signing from 3pm onwards.
The first 100 customers will also receive a free orchid on arrival and all shoppers will get 10% off their purchases (excluding the restaurant).
Executive Director Jon Kitching said: “We’ve enjoyed a very successful first year at Aldermaston, customers tell us how much they love our food offering and the fact we’re a little different to the norm. Our garden furniture and plants are also proving popular.
“Looking to the future, a third site has been purchased in Hampton-in-Arden near Solihull and we have exciting plans to develop this into a fully operational Rosebourne with large food hall and restaurant this winter.”
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Tom Chambers new furniture covers score top marks
Trade response to the new furniture covers from Tom Chambers has been outstanding. Launched at Solex in July, the new range has already been listed in a number of major independent garden centres and groups...
Trade response to the new furniture covers from Tom Chambers has been outstanding. Launched at Solex in July, the new range has already been listed in a number of major independent garden centres and groups.
The covers bring a completely new approach to protecting outdoor furniture and BBQs. Manufactured from a stylish and contemporary woven material producing a luxury feel which is new to the UK market. The covers have been designed to not only protect furniture but to add to the overall appearance of the garden or patio.
The Tom Chambers RainGuard PVC free material is water repellent and weather proof ensuring year-round protection against all the elements. Heavy duty aluminium eyelets with extra strong bungee cords ensure firm security. High quality packaging incorporating product information and full colour graphics uses the same material as the covers to stand out in store. A free-standing display module is available.
Commenting on the success of the new covers, Vicki Medley, Marketing Director said: “We recognised that there was a clear gap in the market for covers that offer more than just protection. The new Tom Chambers covers are manufactured from a fabric which is new to the sector and moves the category to a completely new level. The new material is available from Day 1 with no phasing in, so that Retailers may benefit from this new and advanced range immediately."
Tom Chambers is a family business with over 50 years’ experience and has an enviable reputation for producing top quality products for the garden market.
www.tomchambers.co.uk
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Glee 2019 was a resounding success for Life at No.27, a gardening-therapy social enterprise set up by Annabelle Padwick.
The organisation was the show’s official charity partner alongside Greenfingers Charity. As well as exhibiting at the show, Annabelle took to the Retail Growth Theatre and Pet Stage each day to talk about marketing strategy, challenge brands to think differently about the communities they serve and improve customer journeys.
The enterprise received an incredible collection of innovative products donated by wonderful companies such as Empathy by PlantWorks, Hozelock, Price Candles, Doctor Organics, Scheurich, Yorkshire Flowerpots and many more. These will be used to deliver the therapy programmes with adults and children, or sold to raise vital funds. Donations enable the organisation to make its programmes accessible to more young people.
Speaking about the show Annabelle said: “Glee 2019 was absolutely amazing, the organisers generously provided me with a platform to highlight what the Life at No.27 enterprise aims to achieve. I was also able to share my expertise with retailers via the seminars, the feedback and conversations these created were phenomenal”.
“I would like to thank the entire Glee team for their support, the brand’s for donating valuable products and everyone who took the time to attend the seminars. It was great to see that retailers are understanding the importance of widening their customer base and getting the younger generation in to gardening, as a hobby or career.”
“There is a lot more in store for Life at No.27 in 2020 and I am really looking forward to returning to the show next year.”
Over the past 18 months Annabelle has been developing and building her UK wide vision for Life at No.27 – creating a bespoke allotment-based support network to help change lives across the country, accessible through self-referral, GP’s, psychiatrists and local councils. As well as delivering wellbeing and national curriculum-based programmes in to schools to support those students of all ages struggling with social and emotional circumstances.
The first allotment site is due to open in Northampton in spring 2020 and additional sites across the UK will follow.
Annabelle is also an Ambassador for Thrive, the UK National Charity that changes lives through gardening.
For more information visit www.lifeatno27.com
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Awards round off successful summer for Vegepod
Having attended more than 30 shows in the space of six months, it’s safe to say it has been a busy summer for Vegepod. At Glee the company won a Great British Growing Award, as well as being a finalist in the coveted New Product Awards for best growing container with its new Vegebag, which will be available in 2020.
Having attended more than 30 shows in the space of six months, it’s safe to say it has been a busy summer for Vegepod!
As the show season draws to a close, the Australian manufacturer of innovative raised garden beds is riding high following an incredibly successful GLEE. At the show, the company won a Great British Growing Award, as well as being a finalist in the coveted New Product Awards for best growing container with its new Vegebag, which will be available in 2020.
Neil Urry, head of UK sales and operations for Vegepod, commented: “Our aim for the summer was to really get in front of customers and get people familiar with the Vegepod brand. We have certainly done that! The shows have been fantastic, and it’s amazing to see so many people showing an interest in our products, whilst also demonstrating a real passion and enthusiasm for GYO gardening. GLEE was incredibly successful for us. Not just with the awards and showcasing the product range, but also in building relationships with both existing and hopefully new stockists.”
Whilst for some companies in the sector this can be a quieter period for consumer activity, giving manufacturers a chance to focus on b2b retail opportunities, for Vegepod there is never a quiet moment as they enter another busy sales period. Neil explains: “Winter is a key sales time for us. The covers on our pods create perfect overwintering conditions so allow gardeners to keep growing all year round, with full protection. They are portable too so can be brought closer to the house to make gardening easier when the weather takes a turn for the worse. There are benefits all round for both customers and retailers alike with year round growing and sales opportunities.”
Vegepods are self contained raised garden beds with a commercial grade canopy that grants full protection from the elements and pests, allowing plants to be protected all year round. The Vegepod allows for truly organic gardening, and the canopy creates a microclimate that generates amazing results and accelerates plant growth to give a bumper crops in no time!
Vegepod UK was launched in spring 2018 by husband and wife team Neil and Alex who moved to Surrey from Australia to extend the huge popularity of Vegepod in Australia to the UK.
For more information please visit www.vegepod.co.uk or contact neil@vegepod.co.uk.
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Following a hugely successful launch at Glee, Bord na Móna’s new peat-free Happy Compost is now available for order and will be available in garden centres from January 2020.
Happy Compost received a ‘best in test’ performance against all major competitors in trials conducted at University College of Dublin. In some cases, the peat-free products which include bark, green compost, wood fibre and coir, outperformed compost products including peat. It was also discovered in blind taste tests that tomatoes growing in peat-free compost tasted better than those grown in peat-based compost.
The new Happy Compost range received astounding interest from existing customers and prospects alike, with a significant number of new customers placing orders at the stand. Visitors to Glee received a first look at the six new peat-free products, and had the opportunity to discuss Bord na Móna’s sustainability credentials with the knowledgeable team of experts.
Steve Harper, Head of Commercial & Marketing for Bord na Móna UK, says:
“We are very excited about the initial success of Happy Compost and to show off a product that we have been working so hard on for the past three years”.
“As peat-free is the way we are going as a country and is the right thing to do, we wanted to create a brand that made it simple for environmentally conscious shoppers to pick out a brand that is clearly peat-free.
“This clearly resonated with buyers at Glee, which resulted in a great launch for us and we can’t wait to see Happy Compost hit the shelves at local garden centres”.
To find out more about Bord na Móna and the Bord na Móna Happy Compost range, visit: www.thegreenergardener.com.
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Celebrating 40 years service at Gordale Garden Centre
Garden Care Manager David Tomlins is celebrating 40 years of service at Gordale, Wirral’s award-winning garden centre. David joined the Gordale team back in 1979 and has continued to offer fantastic advice to all their customers ever since...
Garden Care Manager David Tomlins is celebrating 40 years of service at Gordale, Wirral’s award-winning garden centre. David joined the Gordale team back in 1979 and has continued to offer fantastic advice to all their customers ever since.
‘We want to pass on our congratulations to you and thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the company over the last 40 years, as well as your contribution to the development of Gordale; from a very small garden centre, to today’s award-winning, well respected and recognised business,’ said Peter Nicholson company director.
Like David, many of the Gordale team are long-standing employees and have served Gordale for many years, including Claire who celebrated 40 years of service earlier this year.
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For those who want to get organised for Christmas early, Squire’s Garden Centres is holding a “Prepare For Christmas” late night shopping evening on Thursday 17th October from 5pm-8pm.
Be one of the first to see Squire’s stunning Christmas shop, which will be packed with Christmas trees, decorations, lights and gifts. You will be greeted with a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a soft drink, which you can enjoy as your browse and listen to live music. Plus there will be exclusive discounts on the night so that you can be organised and save money!
There will also be a delicious curry meal on the evening served between 6pm-8pm. Choose from Delhi Chicken Tikka Masala, Goan Prawn Curry or Penang Curry (Vegan), all accompanied with Basmati Rice, an Onion Bhaji and a Pappadum for £10 per adult and £6 per child.
So bring friends and family for a fabulous evening of early Christmas shopping! There’s no need to book, simply drop in on the night.
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Opening nights for award-winning Christmas displays
The Gardens Group has announced open evening dates for the award-winning Christmas displays at all three of its garden centres, with the team now making plans to take their festive silverware tally into double figures...
The Gardens Group has announced open evening dates for the award-winning Christmas displays at all three of its garden centres, with the team now making plans to take their festive silverware tally into double figures.
Having won the Garden Centre Association’s Best Christmas Display Award at Castle Gardens nine times in the past 10 years, The Gardens Group has received consistently high praise from the judges for its inspirational themes, unique product range and ability to transport gardeners of all ages into magical wonderlands.
With top secret themes now taking shape, which Louise Burks, director of The Gardens Group, and her team have been planning since January, the three centres are hoping to wow the judges yet again this year, while keeping their environmental impact to a minimum.
Festive food and drink will be on offer at each open evening, helping to charge up the Christmas cheer. The Apple Tree Farm Shop at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil will also open its German-inspired Christmas Market on Wednesday 16 October, kicking off with a meet-the-producer event, where visitors will be able to sample local produce and get a few early Christmas presents sorted along the way.
Christmas display open evenings:
Poundbury Gardens, Dorchester - Wednesday 2 October at 7:30pm
Brimsmore Gardens, Yeovil - Wednesday 9 October at 7:30pm
Castle Gardens, Sherborne - Thursday 17 October at 7:30pm
Christmas Market open evening:
The Apple Tree Farm Shop at Brimsmore Gardens, Yeovil - Wednesday 16 October, 4pm – 7pm.
Following each open evening, the Christmas displays and Christmas Market will be open every day up to and including Christmas Eve.
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See gallery of pictures
Glee went Floral Thursday in support of Greenfingers Charity's special 20th anniversary year, The event, supported by Garden Trade News and Glee, saw exhibitors and visitors to Glee joining in the fun by wearing an array of floral clothing throughout the day.
All those taking part were asked to support the charity by buying a raffle ticket which was entered into a prize draw to win fabulous prizes. £1,420 was raised for Greenfingers thanks to Floral Thursday 2019.
GTN's Greatest Floral Team Award went to Evergreen Garden Care.
Greenfingers Ambassador Trevor Pfeiffer suggested the idea after getting so many positive comments while wearing floral shirts at Glee last year. “Every time I wear a floral shirt for work it makes people smile so if we can get as many people at Glee on Thursday wearing floral what a happy place it will be!”
Greenfingers Charity's Director of Fundraising & Communications, Linda Petrons said: "This is a fabulous new initiative which we hope will become a regular event in the Glee and Greenfingers Charity calendar. We're hugely grateful to ITE and Garden Trade News for their support which will not only raise the profile of the charity but also help to make a difference to life limited children and their families who spend time in hospices."
The Grand Floral Thursday at Glee raffle was drawn by TV Celebrity David Domoney who joined in the floral fun.
The winners were....
Jenny Douthwaite (Primeur) - £100 Joe Brown's voucher
Dan Durston (Durstons) - Hozelock Tuff Hoze
Morris Hankinson (Hopes Grove Nurseries) - Prosecco
The other numbers still to be claimed are...
2820 2819 2616 2371 2301 2378
If you have one of these tickets, please contact linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to claim your prize.
See our gallery of pictures below...
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A third of the visitors to Plantarium 2019 came from abroad. Plantarium 2019 attracted about 11,100 visitors. Exhibitors were very satisfied with the number and quality of the visitors.
The foreign visitors came from 53 different countries. This is a record compared to all the previous editions.
Germany number one
The largest number of visitors came from Germany (16%). The Belgians were second (15%) and third place was for Italy (11%). England is fourth on the list (11%) and France fifth (9%).
Position of visitor and type of company
Plantarium continues to be visited by many owners (42%), employees (29%), buyers (17%) and sales representatives (12%). The type of company visitors work for is shown below:
Under one roof
Plantarium was held under one roof with GROEN-Direkt for the second time. GROEN-Direkt's Product Promotion Plaza was directly next to Plantarium. The intention has been expressed to create a single grower's square next year.
Plantarium 2020
Plantarium 2020 will be held from 26 to 28 August 2020 at the International Trade Centre at Denemarkenlaan in Boskoop/Hazerswoude. Further information can be found at www.plantarium.nl.
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Where could experience in the commercial bedding plant industry take you?
Bedding plant enthusiasts are invited to find out by applying for the £1,500 Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship.
Part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season, this award supports knowledge and experience in bedding plant production and marketing with the opportunity for travel across the UK and Europe.
Those in the early stages of their career at a commercial bedding plant nursery, or students studying horticulture with an interest in commercial bedding plants should apply.
Crop Technician Apprentice, Robert Perry, who won the scholarship last year is using this award to fund his place on the 2019 Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) automation study tour. He will be visiting some of the leading bedding plant growers in the Netherlands looking at the latest technology, innovation and automation.
Robert studies at Pershore College in Pershore, Worcestershire and works at Bordon Hill Nurseries in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, where he focuses mostly on young bedding plants. Robert is fascinated by the mechanisms behind plant growth and development and is keen to expand his knowledge further though travel.
Robert comments: “Being chosen for this scholarship has allowed me to travel to see horticultural environments vastly different from my own workplace. I have wanted to have the opportunity to do so for a long time and am amazed and grateful that I have been presented with this opportunity.”
Supporting Robert’s application, Stuart Lowen at Ball Colegrave, says: “David Colegrave developed many great ideas in his business through his travel overseas, keeping an open mind to new practices and challenges in plant culture. This led David to introduce ground-breaking new product innovations and solutions within our industry. This Scholarship aims to support a like-minded individual currently working within the commercial bedding plant industry, looking to extend their knowledge and experience through exploring horticulture across the UK and Europe.”
DCF Scholarship season is open now until 31 January 2020.
To apply visit www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk
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New resources available to assist with Plant Passport changes
Horticultural businesses need to prepare now for the imminent changes to the plant passporting regulations which come into force on 14 December 2019. In preparation for this, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have produced an animated infographic video and guidance sheet to inform members about plant passporting...
Horticultural businesses need to prepare now for the imminent changes to the plant passporting regulations which come into force on 14 December 2019. In preparation for this, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have produced an animated infographic video and guidance sheet to inform members about plant passporting.
This new information, available to members at www.hta.org.uk/plantpassporting builds on the on-going campaign the HTA are implementing to clarify what the new regulations mean for businesses and explain the different steps that need to be taken over the coming months.
The regulations, which come into force in the event of the UK leaving the EU with a deal or in the event of an extension, mean that all plants for planting* and plant products** will need to travel with plant passports. All businesses that are involved in selling to other companies or online will need to be authorised to issue plant passports and register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to be able to do so. This affects any business professionally involved with plants.
HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies, commented, “As a garden retailer myself I can see how it is so important for the plants we sell to be sourced responsibly. It’s clear that having the ability to trace back the journey through the supply chain of every plant that is moved throughout the country is not only great for plant health purposes, but also needs full co-operation of every business involved in the trade in plants. The HTA plays an active role in supporting members with the implementation of new laws, interpreting the finer detail and making our industry robust and biosecure.”
He adds, “Given that many retail businesses will be focussing on plans for Christmas plant sales it is imperative that action is taken now so that trading can continue as seamlessly.”
HTA Policy Manager, Sally Cullimore, commented, “The introduction of the new plant passporting regulations on 14 December is part of wider legislation coming in to force on Plant Health Controls. We have been representing the industry views to the Government to establish clarity around the changes and keeping members fully informed over the last few months through E-News, HTA News and website updates, member meetings and advice sessions. These latest resources are part of our on-going communications plan to provide access to the critical pieces of information in a digestible format. It is time to take action now and make sure your business is prepared for the changes.”
To find out more information on plant passporting, view the video or read the guidance sheets, please visit www.hta.org.uk/plantpassporting
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The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
The sale of the final Wyevale Garden Centres last week prompts major changes in our "State of the Nation" garden centre ownership chart.
British Garden Centres jump to No 2 with the 22 sites purchased last week and two sites; Windsor and Enfield being traded by British Garden Centres while they await development outcomes as a result of earlier sales to developers.
Klondyke, Notcutts, Hilliers, Squires, Cherry Lane and Hillview all move up one place following the disappearance of Wyevale as a garden centre brand.
At No 10, Caulders and Otter Nurseries, with seven sites each, enter our chart for the first time. Caulders purcased two centres from Dobbies earlier in the year and Otter Nurseries added two from Wyevale Garden Centres in April.
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Wyevale Garden Centres today announces that the Trustees for the company pension scheme have purchased a £44m bulk annuity policy from Aviva, the largest insurance company in the UK.
Against the backdrop of the sale of all Wyevale Garden Centres over the last 16 months, and the general risks of long term defined benefit pension provision, Wyevale Garden Centres has worked collaboratively with the trustees to secure the purchase of the bulk annuity policy. This policy is contracted with the trustees and together with the other assets held by the pension scheme, is completely separate from the company assets.
This positive development significantly increases the security of all member benefits and paves the way for a full ‘buy out’, which would result in the purchase of individual annuity policies for each member, further securing their benefits.
Wyevale Garden Centres has historically made regular contributions into the scheme and during 2019 has made significant lump sum contributions, totalling £16.5m, which has enabled the Trustees to purchase this bulk annuity policy.
Each member will receive a communication today, advising them of this positive development and confirming that there will be no change to their benefits with pensions continuing to be paid from the scheme in the same way as they are now.
The company was advised by LCP, which acted as lead transaction adviser on the deal.
Anthony Jones, COO of Wyevale Garden Centres said: “I am delighted that our successful sale process has put us in a position to provide £16.5m of additional funding to the pension scheme and has facilitated the Pension Trustees purchasing of a bulk annuity policy from Aviva, a leading provider. This development significantly increases the security of the long term benefits that the scheme offers to members. We have also ring-fenced the further funds required to continue this process and purchase individual annuity policies for each and every member of the scheme.”
Justin King, Executive Chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres said: “When we launched the sale process, our main goal was to secure a positive outcome for all stakeholders. This purchase of the Aviva policy represents an extremely successful outcome for the pension scheme and I am delighted that we have been able to facilitate this result for all of its members.”
Claire Teagle, Director HR Trustees Ltd and Chair of Wyevale Garden Centres Limited Pension Trustees said: "The Trustees have engaged closely with the Company over the past year with the aim of improving the security of members' benefits as the sale process has progressed. The trustees are delighted with the outcome which the additional funding has provided to secure members' full benefits with an Insurance Company."
Jamie Cole, Deal Management Lead of Aviva said: “We’re delighted to have been selected as the provider for this scheme. Working to clearly defined requirements, set by LCP, made it easy for us to work towards the best solution for the scheme and members. In a year that has seen a record-breaking volume of transactions, this highlights Aviva’s ability to offer competitive pricing and service schemes of all sizes in the market.”
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Trebaron Garden Centre at Newton-Le-Willows near Warrington has been sold for an undisclosed sum to Newbank Garden Centres.
The former owner Mike Withers bought the site in 1991 from pop singer Rick Astley's father when it was a 6 acre open field with one small greenhouse.
Redeveloped in 2006 the business is now a destination centre with several concessions and a large restaurant.
The transaction brings the stable of centres owned Newbank, a family business, to five, making it the largest chain in the north west.
MIke Withers also owns Sefton Meadows Garden Centre and the distributor Trans-Continental Group, whose brands SnowTime and SunTime are well known in the garden centre industry. "The intention is to invest in Sefton Meadows Garden Centre and develop it into a destination centre."
Jon Bottomley, Newbank Commercial Director told GTN Xtra: "We are proud to add Trebaron, Newton-Le-Willows to our already amazing portfolio of garden centres. We have been looking for the right site for many years and approached Mike to see if he would part with the centre he is so fond of. We have dealt with him for many years and consider him a family friend which made the process a lot easier.
"We have many changes in place already to push this thriving garden centre to the next level and as a family, we are very excited about the next chapter for the business. We've just got to try and throw a Christmas together now!"
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Wyevale Garden Centres have announced that it has secured the future of Elm Court as a garden centre. The existing landlord, Elm Court Garden Centre Limited will take over the operations and all colleagues at the site will transfer over.
The positive news follows the centre’s lease surrender in July 2019. In the time since, WGC has continued operating the centre under a license agreement and worked closely with the landlord to facilitate a positive outcome for the site.
Anthony Jones, COO of Wyevale Garden Centres said: "We are delighted with the outcome at Elm Court Garden Centre and I am pleased to confirm that 30 Wyevale Garden Centre colleagues will transfer across to the new management. I would like to thank Chaz and the team at Elm Court Garden Centre Limited as well as the centre colleagues for their hard work and wish everyone at Elm Court the very best for the future.”
Wyevale Garden Centres have also published a list of "Estimated last trading day as Wyevale Garden Centres" on the wyevalegardencentres.co.uk website:
What will happen to my local Wyevale Garden Centre
You may have heard that we have announced that all Wyevale Garden Centres will be sold. We want to ensure you know what is happening with your local centre. Below is a list of all centres still open, showing the estimated date for their last trading date as a Wyevale Garden Centre. We look forward to welcoming you in to centre before these dates and don’t miss out on our sale bargains.
Centre Name |
New owners |
Estimated last trading day as Wyevale Garden Centres |
Birchencliffe |
British Garden Centres |
TBC |
Braintree |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Bridgemere |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
16-Sep-19 |
Brockworth |
British Garden Centres |
01-Oct-19 |
Canterbury Chartham |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
17-Sep-19 |
Carmarthen |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Chilton |
British Garden Centres |
24-Sep-19 |
Chipperfield |
British Garden Centres |
26-Sep-19 |
Crawley |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Elm Court |
Elm Court Garden Centre Ltd |
Late September |
Enfield |
British Garden Centres |
26-Sep-19 |
Harrow |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Hereford |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
16-Sep-19 |
Hitchin |
British Garden Centres |
24-Sep-19 |
John Browns |
Hilliers Nurseries Ltd |
23-Sep-19 |
Lewes |
British Garden Centres |
24-Sep-19 |
Lower Morden |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
16-Sep-19 |
Ongar |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Osterley |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Paddock Wood |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Par |
Maidenhead Aquatics |
23-Sep-19 |
Playhatch |
British Garden Centres |
25-Sep-19 |
Pulborough |
British Garden Centres |
25-Sep-19 |
Rake |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
17-Sep-19 |
Ramsgate |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Sprowston |
British Garden Centres |
01-Oct-19 |
Stanway |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Stevenage |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Swindon Hay Lane |
Studley Grange Limited |
26-Sep-19 |
Tring |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Tunbridge Wells |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
17-Sep-19 |
Upminster |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Wimborne |
British Garden Centres |
Late Sept / early Oct |
Windsor |
British Garden Centres |
26-Sep-19 |
Winnersh |
British Garden Centres |
26-Sep-19 |
Worcester |
Blue Diamond Garden Centres |
17-Sep-19 |
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Centre Name |
Date of centre closure |
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Rayleigh |
22-Sep-19 |
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Potters Bar |
22-Sep-19 |
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Syon Park |
22-Sep-19 |
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Thatcham |
22-Sep-19 |
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Ground-breaking new garden products have been confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2019, run in association with GTN...
The winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges representing independent and multiple retailers, consumer gardening media and trade media.
After initial judging of the 362 new products entered first thing the judges selected finalists in each category. Then those finalists had the opportunity to meet the judges, answer questions and make a pitch to be chosen as the winner.
The results:
Garden Decoration: Jardinopia Cane Companions
Growing Containers: Primeur Tierra Verde Planters
Garden Growing Materials: Environmental Factor NamaKnight Nematodes Biological insect control
Garden Giftware, Home & Clothing: Joint winners – Luxa London,The Holly Branch Candlesticker and Smart Garden Products Faux Bouquets
Garden Landscaping: Patio Blackspot Removal Co Ltd, Stone King Restorer
Garden Leisure & Entertaining: Mookie Toys Muddy Madness Wooden Mud Kitchen
Garden Tools & Machinery: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows
Garden Plants, Seeds & Bulbs: MNP Flowers, Granvia Gold Zerochrysum
Garden Retail & Industry Services: The Christmas Cabin, Vacu Bio Net Christmas Tree Netting
Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products: Jacobi Jayne, Easy Peasy Bird Food
Best House Plants and Accessories Award: Tradescantia Nanouk from Javado
Best of British Winner: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows
Best Eco Initiative Award: Tierra Verde Planters by Primeur
Best Overall New Product at Glee: Granvia Gold Zerochrysum from MNP Plants
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Garden Centre Photo Tours
If you've missed one of our popular photo tours of garden centres then click on the links below:
Garden Centre Photo Tour - RHS Wisley New Plant Centre
Read the full interview with Damien Powell in the August issue of GTN out this week
RHS Retail Director, Damian Powell, took GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer on a guided tour of the new plant centre and retail areas at RHS Wisley last month...
See our photo tour here
RHS Retail Director, Damian Powell, took GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer on a guided tour of the new plant centre and retail areas at RHS Wisley last month.
With 70% extra display space across the shop and the plant centre stocks have been increased stocks to fill the new plant area. That includes 30 metres of Ferns which are in great demand.
Read the full interview with Damian Powell in the August Issue of GTN, out this week.
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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 2017 as well as 2018 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.
Access is by subscription only. For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.
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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 £120m.
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.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.
Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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