Give your customers garden a natural boost with the SoilWorx range of organic poultry manure pellets—an easy-to-use, nutrient-rich fertiliser designed to help plants grow stronger and healthier.

Made from locally sourced poultry manure, these convenient pellets provide a valuable source of organic nutrients and organic matter. They’re ideal for gardeners looking to improve soil fertility while supporting a more natural approach to feeding plants.

Perfect for borders, vegetable beds, containers, fruit trees and shrubs, poultry manure pellets can be incorporated into the soil before planting or applied around established plants as part of your regular feeding routine. Their pellet form makes them simple to handle, store and apply, with less mess than traditional manure.

Using organic fertilisers can also help improve soil structure and encourage healthy soil activity, creating a better growing environment for plants.

Whether you’re looking for a UK supplier or interested in own label products, SoilWorx has a solution for you!!

Choose the SoilWorx poultry manure pellet range for your store today and put organic goodness back into your customers soil—helping them grow a healthier, more productive garden, season after season.

Website: www.soilworx.co.uk

Specific Home garden link: https://soilworx.ie/sectors/home-garden/

Contact Info: info@soilworx.co.uk

UK:+44 28 96205588 | ROI:+353 46 9404050

Mayobridge | Newry | Co.Down | BT34 2HZ | UK

Corby + Fellas has announced that Poplars Garden Centre has joined it as a new customer and partner.

A spokesperson for Corby + Fellas said: "Poplars is a fantastic independent, family-run business with a remarkable horticultural heritage stretching back more than 120 years. From its early beginnings as a glasshouse nursery, it has grown into one of Britain’s leading garden centres- while remaining proudly rooted in family, community, quality and service.

"We’d like to extend a particularly warm welcome to the Goodhand family and the entire Poplars team. We’re incredibly excited to be working with you and look forward to building a long, successful partnership together.

"Welcome to the family, Poplars!"

Find out more: https://poplars.co.uk/

Pictured L–R: Poplars’ Mikala Jackson and Colin Goodhand; C+F’s Jacob Parker and Lee Ashpool; and Poplars’ Zoe Goodhand, Jack Goodhand and David Little.

Chepstow Garden Centre has won the Great British Bloom Off trophy, awarded by Allensmore Nurseries for the best displays of roses and perennials.

Roses and Perennials make fantastic partners in containers or in the border and offer a superb display opportunity for all plant retailers. During July Allensmore customers competed for the Great British Bloom Off trophy.

With great colour combinations, innovative ideas and beautiful displays a difficult judging session resulted in three worthy winners on the podium. 

Second place went to Gates Garden Centre

Third place was awarded to Thetford Garden Centre

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced programme highlights for Horticulture, The Conference, which includes a day of dynamic content designed to inform and support environmental horticulture businesses as they prepare for the future.

The event, one of the industry’s flagship annual gatherings, returns to London’s iconic Barbican Centre on Thursday 24 September 2026 for the second-year running. It will feature insightful discussions from keynote speakers, industry experts, and leading voices from politics, covering topics such as global foresight - focusing on emerging risks, opportunities and new trends; the value of green spaces; and reflecting on this summer’s extreme heat - the effects of our changing climate on the environmental horticulture sector.

The conference opens at 08:45 for registration. Delegates will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the sector and will be among the first to hear about and receive a copy of the HTA's new report, The Value of Green Spaces, which follows the previous publications: The Value of Plants and The Value of Gardens. This new compelling report will address the importance of private and public green spaces and why they matter economically, socially, and environmentally.

Following the close of Horticulture, The Conference at 16:20, there will be a celebratory dinner in the Barbican’s Garden Room, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Ed Byrne. The evening will recognise excellence and innovation across UK environmental horticulture with the prestigious HTA Grower of the Year Awards and the presentation of the Pearson Memorial Medal honouring the recipient’s exceptional and special contributions to the industry.

Key highlights from the daytime programme

• An in-depth look at the emerging sociological, technological, legal and environmental trends and what they mean for the future of UK environmental horticulture businesses.
• The launch of the HTA’s new report on The Value of Green Spaces.
• Climate insights and what we should be preparing for in future, followed by a panel of leading voices from politics, horticulture and meteorology as they explore how green infrastructure can help the UK adapt to a changing climate, build resilience and improve quality of life.
• Newly announced - Dr Anthony Klotz, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the UCL School of Management in London, will explore the forces reshaping today’s workforce, from evolving employee expectations and engagement challenges to workplace culture and retention. This will be followed by a panel discussion.
• Leading political figures, including Conservative MP Robbie Moore, will reflect on the value and importance of environmental horticulture, addressing delegates in a political update session.
• And, wrapping up the conference day programme, Ben Hanlin, an award-winning speaker who specialises in creating engagement and connection to boost business performance, will deliver a keynote speech. Delegates will hear his thoughts on using communication to drive performance and culture and how storytelling can help environmental horticulture cut through.

Horticulture, The Conference is in partnership with Glee. Other sponsors include DNA Payments, Dura-ID, Evergreen, Growmoor, The Horti House and Lloyds Card Processing.

To book tickets and find out more, visit hta.org.uk/conference

A biodegradable pot marketing trial is the result of a collaboration between Klondyke and Strikes, Allensmore Nurseries and Oxford Biodegradable Solutions. 

This new pot is made from resin derived from sugar cane. The pot degrades very slowly when plants are growing on the nursery or being offered for sales but degrades quickly once planted by the customer in a patio pot or the border. 

The pot needs to be surrounded by damp soil to speed up the degradation process.

The following images are from trials conducted at Allensmore Nurseries:

Before planting, planted for seven weeks, planted for 23 weeks.

Labelling

These plants will be supplied with biodegradable labels on biodegradable bamboo sticks.

The label has been designed to provide information about the plant but also ensure our customers know that the pot is biodegradable and should be planted with the plant. Labels have a QR code which takes customers to the Klondyke and Strikes website with more information about the pot.

Poster

Each store will be supplied by Klondyke and Strikes with a poster providing information about the pot, please make sure the plants are displayed in front of the poster.

Garden centres are being asked to submit their marketing campaigns for the GCA’s annual Worrall Cup competition earlier than in previous years to help give members more time.

Entries open September 1 and close October 31. The member judged as having the best initiative will be presented with the cup at the GCA’s Annual Conference in January 2027.

GCA Chief Executive, Peter Burks, explains: “Every year we’re impressed by the quality and variety of marketing initiatives produced by our member garden centres and the Worrall Cup is designed to recognise those achievements and share best practice across the industry.

“In previous years, we’ve opened entries in November and given members around six weeks to take part. We appreciate that this coincides with the busiest time of year for many garden centres and includes the Christmas and New Year holiday period. By bringing the launch forward, we’re making it easier for members to organise their material, complete their submissions and enter the competition well ahead of the festive rush.”

The current holders of the Worrall Cup are Bents Garden & Home, with British Garden Centres and Gates Garden Centre taking second and third places respectively.

Peter adds: “The Worrall Cup provides a fantastic opportunity for our members to gain recognition for marketing initiatives that combine creativity, originality and strong commercial results. We know there is some exceptional work taking place across the garden centre sector and we would encourage anyone with a successful campaign to put themselves forward.

“All entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel that includes marketing expertise, ensuring each submission is reviewed fairly and thoroughly. As the competition is judged separately from our annual inspection process, every entrant has an equal chance of success. The panel will evaluate all submissions and select the overall winner, who will be presented with the Worrall Cup at our Annual Conference.

“With entries closing at the end October, there is plenty of time for members to prepare their submissions and showcase the innovative marketing activity they have delivered over the past year.”

Members are asked to submit an entry by completing a short form. Please email laura@gca.org.uk to receive full details.

The submission of supporting material, such as photographs, print examples and web links, is also encouraged. An additional sheet of written details is acceptable along with the entry form, as required. Entries can be sent electronically to Laura or by post.

Peter continues: “Entries open on September 1, so we’re encouraging members to start preparing their submissions now and to really showcase the innovative marketing work they have delivered during the past year.

“To find out more and to book tickets for our 2027 GCA Annual Conference, taking place at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon, January 24–27, please visit our conference pages in the members’ section of our website. If non-members are interested in joining us so they can enter the Worrall Cup and attend the event, please email info@gca.org.uk.”

Garden Centre Association members enjoyed a strong trading performance during July with overall sales increasing by +10.66% compared to July 2025 according to the latest Barometer of Trade (BoT) released this week.

Despite intense heat and water restrictions for gardeners in nearly all areas, garden centres nationwide delivered strong trading figures and exceeded expectations, and the year-to-date performance also remained positive.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, says: “Despite the terrific heat and temporary use water orders, our members had a very strong month sales wise when compared to July 2025; much to most people’s surprise and pleasure.

“It was great to see strong plant sales as customers were looking for fresh colourful replacements for those lost in the heat. However, while plant sales were certainly up, so were the costs for caring for them in both watering and wastage. Furniture as expected had a very strong month and it’s great to see the food offering also brought in good numbers. All in all, a very pleasing month.”

The strongest performing category during July was furniture & BBQs, which rose by +27.76% when compared to July 2025. Garden sundries also enjoyed an exceptional month, increasing by +16.72%, while clothing sales were up +13.41%.

Other categories posting strong growth included hard landscaping, +10.30%, outdoor plants, +8.50%, food hall/farm shop, +7.52%, seeds & bulbs, +7.40% and catering, which increased by +6.86%.

Gifts also performed well, up +3.42%, while pets & aquatics recorded a modest increase of +1.32% and houseplants rose by +0.37%.

Regionally, the strongest growth was recorded in the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where sales increased by +15.43%. The East followed closely with growth of +14.97%, while Midlands, Wales and the West were up +8.96% and the South increased by +7.18%.

The GCA’s BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The BoT allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

The GCA represents nearly 230 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please go to www.gca.org.uk. 

A nationwide FOI investigation by the Horticultural Trades Association has found that more than half of councils in England are not fulfilling their legal obligation to collect non-black plastic plant pots from households for recycling – and most of those councils say they have no plans to start. The findings come four months after the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms came into force, to make household recycling more consistent across England.

The HTA is warning that millions of gardeners are being left in a recycling postcode lottery, while horticultural businesses could face an estimated £750,000 a year in additional Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees. It says the findings highlight a disconnect between national recycling policy and local delivery, leaving businesses bearing additional costs despite investing in recyclable packaging.  

The FOI investigation, which contacted all 295 councils responsible for waste collections in England, found that only 44% currently collect non-black plastic plant pots through household recycling services.

A further 10% of councils say they plan to introduce collections, meaning that even if all those plans are delivered, only around half of councils would be collecting recyclable plant pots.

This is well below the 75% collection threshold used by the government to determine whether packaging is widely collected at kerbside under its Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), which is used to determine how much businesses pay in EPR fees.

When looking at regional-level data on the percentage of collection, there is a stark divide. Yorkshire and the Humber is the only region where collection reaches the 75% threshold, with 80% of councils collecting recyclable plant pots. At the other end of the scale, collection is just 25% in the North East and 27% in London.

The FOI responses show significant variation in why councils are not collecting the material. Reasons include a lack of recycling infrastructure, limitations at Materials Recovery Facilities, existing waste contracts, reliance on Waste Disposal Authorities and uncertainty over the requirements or practical implementation of Simpler Recycling.

In some areas, councils are waiting for new infrastructure before collections can begin, meaning householders could remain unable to recycle recyclable plant pots for years after the reforms came into force.

The environmental horticulture sector began moving away from traditional black plastic plant pots in 2018, introducing the recyclable ‘taupe pot’ as an alternative.

Non-black polypropylene pots are designed to be detected by the near-infrared sorting technology used in modern recycling facilities, enabling their separation and recycling.

The sector has invested in this transition to improve recyclability and support a more circular approach to plant production and retail.

The HTA estimates that around 300 million plant pots reach UK consumers and households each year. At that scale, inconsistent collection is not a minor waste-management issue: it risks losing recyclable material from the circular economy at the point when households and businesses are being asked to do more to cut waste, reduce emissions, and respond to the climate challenge.

Under EPR, the Government is using the RAM to differentiate fees according to the recyclability of packaging. For 2026/27, the published illustrative figures put the plastic Green fee – those deemed widely recyclable - at £415 per tonne, compared with £455 per tonne for Amber-rated plastic packaging, which, whilst recyclable, is not collected by enough local authorities.

The HTA has analysed the FOI findings alongside assumptions about the volume, type, and weight of plant pots reaching households, estimating that the failure to achieve widespread collection could result in approximately £750,000 per year in additional EPR costs for the horticultural industry.

Samantha Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“The whole point of Simpler Recycling was to make recycling easier and more consistent for households. Our investigation shows that, when it comes to recyclable plant pots, that simply isn’t happening.

“Our sector changed the way it makes and supplies pots because we wanted to improve recyclability. The taupe pot was introduced in 2018 as a recyclable alternative to traditional black plastic, and our member businesses have invested significantly in that transition.

“Eight years on, gardeners can buy a recyclable plant pot but have no guarantee that their local council will collect it.

“That isn’t a failure of consumers. It is a failure of the system around them.

“And despite making the transition, it will be businesses paying the price. We estimate that the lack of widespread collection could mean around three-quarters of a million pounds a year in additional EPR costs for horticulture, simply because local authorities failed to comply with the legislation introduced to tackle this very issue.

“For a sector made up of more than 90% SMEs, this is another cost at a time when businesses are already facing significant pressures from rising costs and major regulatory change, particularly around staffing.

“More fundamentally, this points to a wider challenge with EPR implementation. Our members are already navigating a range of complexities related to packaging reform, reporting requirements, take-back schemes, and collection arrangements. They need certainty, proportionate regulation and a system that works consistently from end to end.

“Our members have invested in recyclable packaging, supporting plants that are ultimately good for the planet, and want to play their part in creating a more circular economy. But when national policy, local collection systems and recycling infrastructure are not aligned, businesses end up paying the cost without being able to deliver the environmental outcomes the reforms were designed to achieve.

“Government has set a national direction on recycling. It now needs to make sure the infrastructure, contracts and local delivery are aligned with that ambition.

“If we want people to recycle more, they need a system that works consistently — not one that changes at the end of their postcode.”

The HTA is calling on the government, local authorities, Waste Disposal Authorities, waste contractors and recycling operators to work together to address the gaps identified by the FOI investigation and ensure that eligible recyclable plant pots can be consistently collected and processed. It also wants to see clear communication to residents that they can now recycle their non-black plastic plant pots to prevent them unnecessarily ending up in landfill.

Environmental horticulture contributes £38 billion to the UK economy annually, supports 722,000 jobs, and comprises more than 90% small and medium-sized enterprises.

The HTA says businesses that have invested in recyclable packaging should not face additional costs because the collection system needed to support that investment has not been delivered consistently.

GTN July-August 2026. In this issue: Kilimanjaro – in the climbers’ words, A new chapter for garden retail at APAC, Dragons at Floral Fantasia, Two shows one visit – Glee & Autumn Fair, Andy Bunker tribute, National Garden Scheme sales opportunities, GTN’s Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Garden Centre Team Awards, Garden timber with provenance from Jagram, GTN’s SOLEX review, Dedication to trees at Frank P Matthews, Restaurants – a strategic asset, Green innovations – GTN Planteria, SOLEX 2026 a show to remember – LOFA viewpoint, Water resilience – HTA viewpoint.

Inside your Glee 2026 Pre-Show Guide: Welcome to Glee 2026, Glee Show Sectors, Autumn Fair, What’s On at Glee, Glee New Product Showcase, Green Heart, Future Plants, Glee First, Glee Awards, The Clubhouse, GIMA Lounge, Glee Partners, General Information, Glee 2026 Show Plan, Quick A to Z of Exhibitors.

The printed Show Guide with detailed A-Z listings of all exhibitors will be available for visitors to collect at the entrances for Glee 2026.  Exhibitors can enhance their listing and take advertising space in the full Show Guide by contacting Alan Burdon alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk before 10th August 2026

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link

Autumn Fair is partnering with Whatnot, the live commerce platform, to give retailers and brands the chance to discover a new way to sell, connect with customers and build online communities, with a dedicated Whatnot experience at the buyer’s lounge, The Clubhouse, in Hall 9 throughout the show.

Whatnot is the largest live commerce platform in the UK, U.S. and Europe, where businesses showcase products, share their expertise and connect with buyers in real time across hundreds of categories. Through live shows, sellers can answer questions, build relationships with their communities and grow their businesses, bringing the trust and interaction of shopping in person to the online world.

The Whatnot experience provides an opportunity to see live commerce in action, meet the experts behind the platform and explore how live selling can help reach new audiences, move more stock and create an additional sales channel.

Live commerce is scaling rapidly, with Whatnot holding nearly 60% market share across its markets. The UK is its most established European market and its second largest globally, with sales up 281% year on year. The number of UK sellers has grown by 360% over the past year, while first-time buyers have increased by 374%.

See live commerce in action

During Autumn Fair, Whatnot will create a live commerce studio for visitors to experience live commerce in-person with Whatnot sellers going live from the space, showcasing products and sharing their expertise with audiences in real time.

Visitors can drop into The Clubhouse to watch experienced sellers run live shows, see how products are presented and sold, meet the Whatnot team and find out how to get started themselves.

The activation is designed to make live commerce accessible and practical, giving retailers and brands the opportunity to see exactly how the platform works rather than simply hearing about the concept.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Autumn Fair & Glee said, “Live commerce is one of the most interesting developments in retail right now, and we wanted to give our visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to experience it for themselves. The Whatnot experience is particularly exciting because visitors can walk into The Clubhouse to watch a live show happening, talk to the experts, and even have a go themselves. For independent businesses in particular, finding new ways to reach customers and build communities is incredibly important. Whatnot offers a completely different way of putting products in front of people, and we're looking forward to offering our audience the chance to discover what it could do for their business.”

The Whatnot Takeover

Join the Whatnot Takeover After Party on Monday 7 September from 4pm–8pm, when The Clubhouse will become a hands-on live commerce experience for buyers and exhibitors.

Visitors can have a go at selling live themselves, with 1-to-1 support from the Whatnot team to help them experience the platform first-hand and understand how it could work for their business. There will also be food, drinks and a DJ, creating an informal opportunity to meet the Whatnot team and other retailers and exhibitors.

Spaces for the Whatnot After Party are limited - Save your spot

Sign up to the Whatnot After Party and experience live selling for yourself at https://www.autumnfair.com/whatnot-takeover.

Autumn Fair takes place 6–9 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.

Seed Revolution, the fastest growing challenger brand in the seed sector, will be showcasing its new Spring 2027 ranges at Glee 2026.

Founded as a movement to encourage a new – and younger – audience into gardening, Seed Revolution is shaking up the outdated seed industry.

The company encourages customers to ‘rip, scatter and wild’ its boldly branded and visually appealing packets of seeds and then to leave them alone and let them grow.

Since launching at Spring Fair at Birmingham’s NEC in February, Seed Revolution has seen demand bloom for its range of native British grown wildflowers.

The Gloucestershire based company is also enjoying a successful partnership with celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage with an exclusive range of organic vegetable seeds, from beetroot and carrot to chard and rocket.

Seed Revolution will be appearing on Stand 20J63 at Glee 2026, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC September 8-10. New for Glee will be expanded Spring 2027 ranges for both Seed Revolution and River Cottage Organic Seeds, a selection of new pack sizes and trade display units plus a 24-day seed advent calendar.

New wildflower seeds entering the 40 strong Seed Revolution range include Wild Garlic, Bluebell and Ragged Robin, while new vegetable seeds in the 45 strong River Cottage range will include three types of Tomatoes, Lettuces and a larger herb range including Oregano and Mint.

Using wildflowers as companion plants in vegetable gardens boosts biodiversity, attracts pollinators, deters pests and enhances the overall health of a crop.

Max will join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on Centre Stage at 11.30am on September 8th at Glee for a live recording of The Underground Podcast.

Hugh will explore why growing your own food matters more than ever, how gardening can help create a healthier future and the importance of inspiring more people to pick up a packet of seeds and give it a go.

Hugh and Max will also chat about their new River Cottage Organic Seed Range and the exciting future of growing. 

Founder Max Mancroft, 27, said: “We had a brilliant response to our launch at Spring Fair earlier in the year and lots of interest in what we’re doing to get a whole new audience of people growing.

“I started Seed Revolution to reconnect people with their natural environment and to help restore Britain’s wildness, one seed at a time. I’m delighted that people of all ages are responding to our message that growing can be fun, exciting and a lot simpler.

“Our seeds are really easy to manage and they work everywhere, from plant pots and balconies to bigger gardens.

“Every seed that is sown is more than a plant, it’s food for pollinators, colour for your garden and another step towards a wilder, richer landscape for everyone.”

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “I’m delighted with the response to our collaboration with Seed Revolution, and that we’re now expanding our range of River Cottage Organic Vegetable Seeds for Spring 2027.

“Our organic seed collection offers customers some of our favourite varieties of organic vegetables, whether they’re a seasoned gardener or just starting. It means they can sow, grow, pick and take the finest, freshest vegetables from their garden straight to their kitchen and get cooking.”

Research shows that gardening took off with people aged 18-34 during the Covid lockdowns and 83% of young people now describe it as ‘cool’. Since the 1930s, England has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows.

As well as offering a diverse range of seeds for different soils and situations, emphasizing classic native British species like poppies, cornflowers and daisies, each Seed Revolution packet has been designed as a perfect gift which fits easily inside a card.

The seeds RRP at just £2.99 and come with shelf-ready packaging and FSDUs available to bring a colourful, exciting look to stockists.

Max, who grew up in the Gloucestershire countryside, worked in corporate finance in London before setting up Seed Revolution. The company’s non-executive directors include Mark Murphy, a former International Product Director for Tesco.

https://seedrevolution.co.uk/

Spring Fair has announced a major new partnership with Total Licensing to accelerate the growth of its successful Licensing sector and strengthen its position as the leading destination for brand-led retail opportunities in 2027.

The partnership comes following the hugely successful launch of the Licensing Lab at Spring Fair 2026, which attracted exceptional audience engagement, welcomed some of the industry's most recognisable names, and highlighted the growing importance of licensing as a commercial driver across multiple retail categories.

Building on this momentum, Spring Fair 2027 will see Licensing expand to more than 800sqm in Hall 5, representing over 900% year-on-year growth. Licensing will sit alongside the brand-new Gift Edit, The Gift of the Year Showcase, and the Kids, Toy & Play and Food & Drink sectors, creating even greater opportunities for product discovery and collaboration.

Licensing, in partnership with Total Licensing, will provide a dedicated space for designers, artists, brand owners, licensing agents, licensees, museums and manufacturers to meet with retail buyers, licensing managers and product development teams to explore new commercial opportunities and transform intellectual property into successful retail ranges.

The partnership will include a dedicated Licensing Lounge for meetings between licensors, licensees and buyers, Licensing Studio, a co-branded content stage with daily industry insight sessions, distribution of Total Licensing magazines at the event, and year-round editorial collaboration across Spring Fair's Inside Retail platform, podcasts, newsletters and digital content channels.

Already confirmed for Spring Fair 2027 are leading designers including Kate Merritt, Emma Lawrence, Everyday Womtras and Nicole Elders; agents Jehane and Tantau Studio; and licensees including Bluesky Studios, Difuzed and Widdop & Co, with further announcements to follow.

With more than 40,000 retail buyers attending Spring Fair and over 4,000 registering licensing as a core area of interest, the sector continues to demonstrate significant growth potential. Buyers range from major high street retailers and department stores to independent boutiques, garden centres, online retailers and distributors, collectively representing an estimated £2.25 billion in buying power.

The partnership reflects wider changes taking place across retail, with buyers increasingly using licensed products, limited-edition collections and cross-category collaborations to create differentiation, drive footfall and strengthen margins. Spring Fair's own research shows growing demand for stronger access to brands, intellectual property and licensing partners as retailers seek fresh ways to attract consumers and remain competitive.

Fay Tranter, Event Director at Spring Fair says, “The success of the Licensing Lab at the 2026 show exceeded all expectations. The quality of speakers, the calibre of brands involved, and the level of audience engagement demonstrated just how important licensing has become across modern retail. More than 4,000 of our visitors told us licensing was a core area of interest, and we know that demand is only going to increase as retailers look for new ways to differentiate their offer, tell stronger stories and create products with real consumer connection.

“Partnering with Total Licensing is a natural next step in that journey. Their expertise, industry relationships and global reach will help us elevate the Licensing sector even further and create an even more valuable platform for designers, brand owners, agents, licensees, licensors and retailers alike. By significantly expanding the space and introducing new features and enhanced content programme, we're investing in licensing as a major growth pillar for Spring Fair 2027 and beyond.”

Becky Ash, Editorial Director at Total Licensing added: “We’re delighted to partner with Spring Fair on the next evolution of Licensing. Licensing continues to be one of the most dynamic and commercially exciting areas of retail, creating opportunities for brands, manufacturers and retailers to reach new audiences and unlock growth across multiple product categories.

“Spring Fair offers unrivalled access to the UK retail market, making it the ideal environment in which to connect licensing with buyers, suppliers and businesses that may be exploring the sector for the first time. We want to make licensing more visible, accessible and commercially relevant, while showcasing the breadth of brands, properties and partnerships available across the industry.

“Total Licensing has spent over 20 years connecting the global licensing community, and we are excited to bring that experience, reach and network to the partnership. We look forward to building an even stronger platform for collaboration, education, discovery and business development, creating meaningful new opportunities for the licensing and retail communities.”

The Licensing sector has been designed to support every part of the licensing ecosystem, from independent artists and illustrators seeking representation, to global brand owners looking to connect with retailers and manufacturers. The expanded format will also offer hosted one-to-one meeting opportunities, expert-led talks and practical case studies demonstrating how licensing partnerships can create commercially successful products and open new revenue streams.

Spring Fair takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 February 2027. Visit www.springfair.com for more information.

For licensing stands, sponsorship and partnership opportunities, businesses can contact the Spring Fair team to find out more about joining one of retail's fastest-growing destinations. Contact: Yvette Marshall, yvette.marshall@hyve.group, +44(0) 203 545 9830

To find out more, visit www.springfair.com.

Battery-powered outdoor power equipment specialist, EGO, is set to make its FutureScape debut this October, demonstrating the innovations shaping the future of landscaping and grounds care.

Ideal for contractors and businesses considering the move away from petrol to battery, EGO will showcase the breadth of its 56V battery platform, in which professional-grade equipment, interchangeable batteries, portable charging solutions, and connected fleet management work together to support operators working across a variety of job sites. 

Leading the exhibit is EGO’s first PRO X zero-turn ride-on mower, the new ZTX4800E. Its onboard DC-DC charging capabilities and mounting fixtures allow operators to transport other EGO tools and charge batteries on the go, helping to reduce downtime. Visitors can experience the mower’s capabilities first-hand by taking it for a test drive in the outdoor demonstration area.

There, visitors can also see the performance of EGO’s new ARC Lithium MAXTM battery, designed to reduce interruptions on job sites through faster charging, fewer battery changes and improved performance. Helping grounds care teams spend more time getting the job done, the tabless-cell battery will charge from empty to 100% full in only 20 minutes when paired with the PGXTM Power Bank.

David Mortimer, Sales Director UK & Ireland for EGO, said: “Battery power has come a long way, even in the last five years, when it comes to effectively meeting the needs of heavy commercial users. We’re really looking forward to joining FutureScape for the first time this year and showcasing how the switch to EGO tools can benefit professional audiences through the environmental and commercial outcomes that can be achieved as a result.

“With over 100 products in our portfolio, including our dedicated PRO X Series for commercial users, FutureScape provides the perfect platform for professionals looking to move away from petrol to see how EGO can help them make that transition across their business seamlessly.”

Visitors to the EGO stand will also have the chance to enter a competition to win an LMX5300SP PRO X Self-propelled lawn mower.

EGO will be at FutureScape, 13–14 October, on Stand OD30. To learn more, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/

Leading garden care brands, GARDENA and Flymo, are set to return to Glee 2026 to showcase a range of innovations designed to help gardeners care for their outdoor spaces with greater ease, efficiency and confidence. 

Visitors to stand 8A40-B41 at NEC Birmingham from September 8-10 will be among the first to discover what’s next from the two trusted brands as they unveil new additions to their 2027 ranges, spanning watering, lawncare and garden maintenance. 

Alongside the brand’s best-selling core ranges and eye-catching displays, GARDENA and Flymo will showcase future-focused solutions designed to address some of the biggest challenges facing today’s gardeners, from making more efficient use of water to reducing the time and effort required to maintain healthy outdoor spaces. 

Sarah Bentham, UK Marketing Manager at GARDENA, said: "After a summer where many gardeners have faced prolonged dry weather and increasingly demanding growing conditions, we're excited to showcase innovations that help make garden care simpler and more effective. 

"Glee is the perfect opportunity to share our vision for 2027 with retailers and stockists. It’s where the industry comes together to exchange ideas, discover new opportunities and see first-hand how innovation is shaping the future of gardening." 

Howard Scott, Country Manager at Flymo, added: "Glee remains one of the most important events in the gardening calendar and offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with our valued retail partners while introducing new developments in lawncare and garden technology. 

"We're looking forward to revealing exciting additions to our 2027 range and demonstrating how Flymo continues to evolve with products that make gardening easier, smarter and more enjoyable for consumers." 

Whether retailers are looking to refresh their ranges, identify emerging trends or discover the latest innovations in garden care, GARDENA and Flymo will be welcoming visitors to stand 8A40-B41 throughout the show. 

“Top of the Plots is all about celebrating that journey, no matter how big or small your space.” 

The competition is open to gardeners of all experience levels, and features seven categories: Best Allotment, Best Garden Plot, Best New Plot, Kids on the Plot, Best Small Plot, Huw’s Pick of the Plots and Best Community Plot.  

From these, one standout grower will be crowned Plot of the Year, winning £1,000 worth of GARDENA products, gardening vouchers and a champion’s plaque. The first 100 entrants will also receive exclusive Top of the Plots merchandise. 

Supported by the National Allotment Society, which will crown the Best Allotment, the campaign celebrates the passion and ingenuity of growers across the country. 

Mike Farrell, Chairman of the National Allotment Society, added: “We’re proud to support Top of the Plots once again. Allotments and community growing spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, supporting sustainable living and improving health and wellbeing across the UK. This competition is a brilliant way to recognise the incredible work happening nationwide.” 

For entrants, it’s more than a chance for recognition - it’s an invitation into a thriving gardening community. 

Huw’s Pick of the Plots winner, Richard Bowman, has revealed he has since created his own arch after seeing Steve Mills' mesmerising fruit and flower tunnel, which was awarded Plot of the Year. 

Richard, who transformed a field of weeds into a unique allotment, said: “I was inspired by other growers – especially Steve’s fruit tree displays – which pushed me to get even more creative and build my own arch. It’s amazing how much you can achieve with a bit of inspiration, and I’d encourage anyone to pick up the trowel and enter this year.” 

Meanwhile, Victoria Holden won Best Community Plot on behalf of Northern Lily’s Community Orchard & Garden, which turned derelict land into a ‘hidden gem’ for more than 4,000 people and grew over a tonne of food for 12,750 meals in Failsworth, Greater Manchester. 

Donna Harris, of Leicestershire, used to think vegetables were “boring” but has found a new love for homegrown food, as she won Best New Plot for her “life-changing” garden, which became her sanctuary. 

To find out more information and submit your entry visit GARDENA’s Top of the Plots website. 

Whistler will make its official UK debut at Glee 2026, 8-10 September at the NEC Birmingham, introducing garden retailers to a new premium wild bird care proposition from Hall 20, stand H56.

Built around the concept of Avian Intelligence and a simple ambition to feed British birds better, Whistler has been created to bring fresh thinking to a category traditionally driven by familiar formats and conventional presentation. Products are developed in collaboration with avian experts, informed by the needs of Britain’s varied birdlife and supported by a wider commitment to research, conservation and bird wellbeing.

But for Whistler, Glee is about more than simply launching six new products. It marks the beginning of a longer-term journey in the UK, with ambitions to build a broader bird care proposition, support retailers with stronger category thinking and create more reasons for consumers to trade up.

The debut collection has deliberately been kept focused, spanning seed, suet and feeding hardware:

• Signature Seed Blend 2kg
• Signature Seed Blend 12.55kg
• Signature Suet Balls 6-pack
• Signature Suet Balls 50-tub
• Signature Seed Feeder
• Signature Suet Ball Feeder

The range gives retailers an accessible entry point into Whistler across key bird care categories, combining recognisable consumer needs with a distinctly Whistler approach to nutrition, design and presentation. Crucially, it also creates a platform that can be built upon over time.

Future development is expected to expand into additional feeding solutions, species-specific nutrition and seasonal products, further developing Whistler’s ambition to feed British birds better while giving stockists the opportunity to grow the brand’s presence as consumer awareness and demand develop.

A product story built on quality

The Signature Seed Blend combines premium grains, cereals, fats and oil-rich seeds, including black sunflower seed, millet, red dari and kibbled maize, alongside energy-rich suet pellets that contain three nutritious flavours.

Behind the blend sits a rigorous multi-stage quality process, incorporating raw material sampling and screening, gravity cleaning, contamination and magnet checks, continuous dust extraction and oil polishing before packing. The result is a cleaner, more consistent mix designed to reduce dust and waste while maintaining freshness, palatability and energy value.

Whistler’s Signature Suet Balls use traceable, human-grade beef tallow for consistent quality alongside rapeseed, maize and kibbled peanuts to deliver high-energy, nutritionally rich feeding throughout the year.

Completing the launch are two contemporary steel feeders, finished in Whistler’s distinctive dark blue and featuring Avian Guard, an antimicrobial coating designed to help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and microbes on the feeder surface.

Why should garden retailers care?

Whistler believes the business opportunity lies in helping retailers extract greater value from wild bird care.

While consumers are increasingly accustomed to trading up in categories such as pet food, growing media, garden furniture and outdoor cooking, bird care has often remained more functional and price-led. Whistler sees an opportunity to change that by combining stronger product stories with better presentation, clear consumer benefits and a more coordinated retail proposition.

That thinking extends beyond the product itself. The brand has developed retail display solutions including pallet wraps, promotional FSDUs and feeder tree stands, all designed to help retailers create a more coherent bird care destination and improve visibility at the point of sale.

The launch range has also been built around a 48% standard retail margin, with introductory promotional mechanics designed to encourage trial, support rate of sale and give retailers commercial confidence in bringing a new name into the category.

Whistler’s Paul Barker said: “Glee is the perfect place to introduce Whistler to UK garden retailers because this is very much the start of the journey for us. Our ambition is ultimately very simple: to feed British birds better, but to achieve that we also need to give retailers and consumers a genuinely compelling proposition.

“We know buyers do not need another range that simply mirrors what is already available. There has to be a clear reason to make space for a new brand, and a clear reason for consumers to trade up. That means getting the product right, but it also means getting the retail proposition right. Strong margins, better merchandising, clear product benefits and a pipeline of innovation all have to work together.

“These first six products are the foundation. Our ambition is to build Whistler into a much broader bird care brand and, importantly, to do that alongside garden retailers.”

Built for what comes next

Whistler’s longer-term UK plans will extend beyond NPD. Retailer education, seasonal feeding, merchandising, consumer insight and continued investment in avian research are all expected to play a role as the brand develops.

For garden retailers, that means the Glee launch should be seen less as a finished range and more as the first look at a new category proposition with room to grow.

Durston Garden Products is marking the retirement of two long-standing members of its extended team, Richard Barrow and Lynn Linter, thanking them both for their commitment, support and contribution to the family business.

Richard Barrow has been part of the Durstons story since 2015, representing the company as Sales Agent across the South East of England. Over more than a decade, Richard has played an important role in looking after existing customers, developing new relationships and helping to grow Durstons’ presence across the region.  Known for his reliability, dependability and larger-than-life personality, Richard has built strong relationships with customers and colleagues alike, becoming a familiar face and valued ambassador for the Durstons brand.

Durstons is also saying goodbye to Lynn Linter, who has supported the business as its bookkeeper since 2019 playing an important role in the day-to-day financial administration of the company.

Dan Durston, Sales Director, said: “Both Richard and Lynn have given so much to Durstons over the years and we are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for the business.

“Richard has been a fantastic representative for us in the South East. He has built some brilliant customer relationships, supported the growth of the business and always brought plenty of personality with him. He will be greatly missed by us and by many of the customers he has worked with over the years.

“Lynn has been a hugely valued and trusted member of the team. Her knowledge, consistency and support have made a real difference over the years, and we will miss having her as part of the business.”

“On behalf of the whole Durstons family and team, I’d like to wish Richard and Lynn a very happy retirement and all the very best for whatever comes next. They will always be part of the Durstons story.”

Seventy-five new plants (and concepts) will be on display at the PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt Autumn Fair on 26 and 27 August. The fair thus offers visitors a broad overview of the latest introductions for the coming garden plant season.

The novelties can now be viewed online in the 2026 New Products Overview. From new plant varieties to eye-catching additions to the retail range: the selection showcases which new products are making their way onto the market.

View all new products:

https://plantariumgroendirekt.nl/submission-novelties/novelties-autumnfair-2026/?lang=en

New products take centre stage on the exhibition floor

The new products can be found in various locations throughout the exhibition. In addition to the 75 registered novelties, dozens of exhibitors and suppliers will be presenting their latest ranges. In total, there are hundreds of new products to discover on the exhibition floor.

The entrance hall is also dedicated to new plants, brands and products. This gives visitors an overview of some of the latest trade fair news as soon as they enter.

The trade fair also retains its familiar layout, with exhibitors on one side of the central aisle and sample batches available for immediate order on the other.

More than just new products

In addition to the new range, the Autumn Fair offers various programme elements for professionals in the garden plant sector. For example, the Green Future Hub focuses on the 2030 range; plant expert Michael Perry will be hosting social media masterclasses, Botanical Banquets, amongst other things; and at the end of the first day of the fair, the Green Retail Awards will be presented in the categories of Best Novelty and Best Market Innovation, followed by a networking drinks reception.

On Thursday, we’ll round off the day with the presentation of the Green Retail Award in the Visitor’s Favourite category.

The PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt Autumn Fair will take place on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August at Noorwegenlaan 37 in Hazerswoude-Dorp/Boskoop. Admission to the fair is free for trade visitors upon pre-registration.

Practical information

Dates: Wednesday 26 August (07:00 – 17:00) and Thursday 27 August (07:00 – 16:00)

Venue: Noorwegenlaan 37, Hazerswoude-Dorp/Boskoop

Admission: free for trade visitors via pre-registration at plantariumgroendirekt.nl

Facilities: free parking, extensive catering (mostly free) and a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of networking opportunities

Further information and registration for trade visitors via: plantariumgroendirekt.nl.

Agapanthus AtomicSparkx™ Lavender (ALTatomicage) – a compact, high‑performance new Agapanthus from the US breeding programme at Altman Plants – has been officially entered into the Plantarium Novelties Awards 2026 by Walter Blom Plants and Plants for Europe.

This striking new variety is already proving its promise in the Plants for Europe trial garden this summer. AtomicSparkx™ Lavender combines large, pale purple blooms, exceptionally sturdy stems, and a compact, garden‑friendly habit that makes it ideal for modern planting schemes, hot summers and smaller outdoor spaces. Its massive lavender inflorescences and reliable reblooming habit make it a standout performer for both growers and gardeners.

AtomicSparkx™ Lavender is the first compact Agapanthus to carry the signature traits of its larger sibling, Agapanthus AtomicBloom - delivering big flowers on shorter stems, strong weather resistance, and a neat, manageable growth habit. Like the rest of the Agapanthus ‘Atomic’ series, Lavender offers a rare combination of winter hardiness, repeat flowering, robust vigour, and excellent performance in both open ground and containers.

Bred by Altman Plants in the United States and represented in the UK and Europe by Plants for Europe, AtomicSparkx™ Lavender will be showcased at Plantarium|Groen‑Direkt 2026, taking place on 26–27 August in Hazerswoude‑Dorp, the Netherlands.

Graham from Plants for Europe will be attending Plantarium and is available for meetings to discuss the Atomic series or any varieties within the PFE portfolio.

Further details on the Plantarium Novelties Awards can be found here.

Following the announcement of support for farmers and growers to manage the impacts of climate change, David Denny, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

“We welcome the government’s announcement of further support to help farmers and growers manage drought and build greater resilience for the future. It is important that this support also works for environmental horticulture.

“The reopening of the Water Management Grant, past rounds of which have provided vital access to investment in water resilience for growers, is a positive step, and we will be signposting it to our members, contingent on its continued inclusion of horticulture. Our HTA members are already investing in water resilience, with 52% having on-site reservoirs. However, another 24% would like to build one, with the main barriers being planning and access to investment finance.

“We have long called for clearer planning guidance for reservoirs and welcome the commitment to publish this in September. Crucially, it must also work for our sector and enable growers to invest in the water storage and recycling they need.

“As ever, the devil will be in the detail. Funding levels, eligibility, technical requirements, investment thresholds, and planning and abstraction arrangements will all determine whether these measures result in the construction of reservoirs on the ground.

“Our members need confidence that planning, investment support, and access to water will align to support UK plant and tree production and establishment. Building genuine water resilience for environmental horticulture will require a planning and regulatory system that enables growers to invest in the future resilience of their businesses, rather than having to respond once water is already scarce.”

BHETA is hosting a webinar exploring how TikTok and content-driven commerce are reshaping retail across the UK and Europe. The session features BHETA Business Services provider HQTS and takes place on 15th September at 10am.

The webinar will examine how the UK and European markets are developing, while drawing comparisons with the more established content commerce ecosystem in China.  The guest speaker is GG Zhang, Head of Content E-Commerce at Suzhou Perfect Flower Group. With experience as a founding TikTok livestream host in the US and an eBay-partnered live-streaming instructor, GG Zhang brings practical expertise in live shopping and cross-border content commerce.

The agenda includes:

• TikTok’s rapid global expansion and its growing influence across the UK and European markets 
• How the development of content commerce in the UK and Europe compares with China 
• The wider competitive landscape of livestream and content-driven shopping platforms 
• Real-world insights and case studies from the 3C electronics sector 
• Key considerations when selecting platforms and developing a content commerce strategy 
• The operational requirements, investment considerations, people, products and processes needed to succeed 

BHETA’s General Manager, Steve Richardson commented: “As social e-commerce platforms increasingly influence how consumers discover, engage with and purchase products, content commerce is becoming an important consideration for businesses seeking new routes to growth. Whether you're exploring content commerce for the first time or looking to strengthen your existing strategy, this webinar will equip you with valuable knowledge to help your business capitalise on one of retail's fastest-growing channels.”

To register for the webinar, visit https://www.bheta.co.uk/events/uk-european-growth-unlocking-tiktok-and-content-ecosystems.

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association represents 300 member businesses with £11 billion in collective annual sales across DIY, Garden, Housewares, and Small Electrical Accessories sectors. BHETA provides members with market intelligence, legislative guidance, networking, and more.

BHETA's Business Support Provider programme connects members with carefully selected specialist service providers offering practical expertise and preferential terms across a range of business functions, helping companies improve performance and reduce costs.   

Dobbies has confirmed it will close its store at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim at the end of October following notice being served to the garden centre retailer, as the scheme moves forward with plans to develop the retail and leisure offering at the site.

The move comes shortly after The Junction was acquired by Frasers Group from Lotus Property. The new ownership, working alongside asset managers Lotus Property, is committed to building on that momentum, with a clear focus on ensuring The Junction continues to thrive as one of Northern Ireland's leading retail and leisure destinations.

The Junction has continued to perform strongly over the past year, finishing 2025 up +11% year-on-year in turnover and re-signing long-standing tenant Next, to sit alongside stalwarts Nike, Asics, Mountain Warehouse, Tresspass, Starbucks and Omniplex cinema.

The scheme has also welcomed new operators in recent times including Murdock Builders Merchants, Popeyes, Blether & Brew café and Greggs, underlining continued confidence in The Junction as a destination.

Alastair Coulson, Managing Director at Lotus Property, said: “Over the past three years, Dobbies has been a hugely valued presence at The Junction, and we are grateful for everything they have brought to the scheme and to the Antrim community.

“This decision reflects the exciting next phase for The Junction, as new plans are developed to enhance the scheme for the benefit of shoppers, businesses and the wider community. We look forward to sharing more on this in due course and seeing The Junction continue to thrive as a retail and leisure destination.”

A spokesperson for Dobbies said: “Dobbies will close its Antrim garden centre at the end of October following the decision by its new Landlord, Frasers Group, to redevelop the site for new retail and leisure uses.

“Since opening in 2023, Dobbies has worked closely with The Junction to establish a garden centre in a unique destination better known for outlet retail. The store has built a loyal customer base, and we are proud of what has been achieved.

“We are grateful for the support of The Junction, Lotus Property and Frasers Group throughout our time at the outlet and wish them every success with the redevelopment. We would also like to thank our customers and the local community for their support over the past three years.

“We recognise this will be difficult news for our Antrim colleagues. Our immediate priority is supporting everyone affected by this change, and we will explore redeployment opportunities and individual support options for colleagues.

“This decision relates specifically to the Antrim site and does not reflect Dobbies’ wider business performance. Over the past year, we have invested around £6 million across our store estate, and we continue to invest in our centres as part of our growth strategy, which is delivering positive results.

“Northern Ireland remains important to Dobbies, and we are committed to serving customers in the region. We will be investing significantly in our Lisburn garden centre over the coming months, with improvements planned for the restaurant, store facilities, product range and overall customer experience.”

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Pillaton Garden Centre, a well-established garden centre near Penkridge in South Staffordshire.

Set on a 5.5-acre site, the business includes plant growing facilities, a large retail area, a popular tea room/restaurant, and a customer car park. The centre has built a strong reputation in the local area for its high-quality horticultural offering, including home-grown bedding plants and shrubs, as well as its popular retail, food and beverage operation.

The centre has been family-owned for many years and has become a well-regarded destination for gardeners and visitors from across the region.

Following a sales process with Christie & Co, Pillaton Garden Centre has been acquired by Rupal Holdings Ltd as part of a wider strategic diversification to complement its existing investments in the early years and outdoor learning sectors.

Leading the acquisition, Director Sanjay Rupal commented, “We are delighted to add Pillaton Garden Centre to our portfolio. The hard work and time that the former owners have dedicated is clearly reflected in the quality of the environment and products which attract so many repeat customers from across the region. We look forward to working alongside the team at Pillaton Garden Centre to enhance the business further through a phased investment plan led by our experienced executive management team.”

Tom Glanvill, Director – Head of Leisure Brokerage at Christie & Co, managed the sale process and said, “I am delighted to have concluded the sale of Pillaton Garden Centre, which is a really lovely example of an independently-run garden centre that offers a fantastic customer experience and top-quality food.

“This sale demonstrates the strong demand for garden centres from existing entrepreneurs who are looking to diversify into other profitable businesses with strong underlying land values. I am sure the business will go from strength to strength under the new leadership.”

After more than 40 years building one of Northern Ireland's leading independent garden centre businesses, Creative Gardens founders Diana and Nigel Gass are marking a significant milestone in the company's history. 

Diana is stepping back from her day-to-day leadership role following many years as Managing Director, while Nigel is retiring from the Board of Directors. Together, they leave behind a thriving family business employing more than 220 people across four award-winning centres at Donaghadee, Bushmills, Galgorm and Logwood. 

Founded in 1985, Creative Gardens has grown from a single garden centre into one of Northern Ireland's best-known destination retail businesses. Diana will continue to support the company in an advisory capacity as the second generation leads Creative Gardens into its next chapter. 

Reflecting on the transition, Diana said: "Creative Gardens has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly proud of what we have built together. What started as a vision to create something different has grown into a business with wonderful garden centres, cafés and teams that are recognised and valued across Northern Ireland. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our fantastic employees over many years. I leave the day-to-day running of the business with enormous pride and complete confidence in the next generation and the wider leadership team."

Rather than appointing a single successor, Creative Gardens has adopted a collaborative leadership model that reflects the complementary strengths of the second generation. 

Philip Gass has been appointed Corporate Director, leading finance, compliance and strategic development. Oliver Gass becomes Operations Director, responsible for garden retail, logistics and site development, while Jenny Dumigan (née Gass) has been appointed Brand Director, leading home retail, hospitality, food and customer experience. 

Commenting on the new structure, Philip, Oliver and Jenny said: "Growing up, Creative Gardens has always been part of our family life. We feel incredibly privileged to be entrusted with leading the business into its next chapter and recognise the responsibility that comes with it.

"While leadership is evolving, the values Mum and Dad established remain at the heart of everything we do.As the business continues to grow, our focus is on building strong foundations for the future. That means investing in our people, our centres, our systems and the way we operate, ensuring Creative Gardens continues to thrive for generations to come. We have some exciting projects ahead and we're looking forward to bringing them to life." 

The leadership transition comes at an exciting time for the business, with Creative Gardens embarking on one of the most significant investment programmes in its history. 

The company is investing in a new central food production facility, bringing together production for its cafés while creating opportunities to expand its retail food offering. Investment also continues across its existing centres through improvements to retail environments, customer facilities and infrastructure, while plans for a major redevelopment of Logwood Garden Centre, Ballyclare,  continue to progress through the planning process. 

While much has changed since Creative Gardens first opened its doors as Donaghadee Garden Centre more than four decades ago, the values established remain unchanged. Integrity and honesty, an inspirational and creative brand, high-quality products, excellent customer experiences with a strong family ethos continue to guide every decision the company makes. 

As Creative Gardens enters its next chapter, its ambition remains the same as it was over forty years ago: creating inspiring destination garden centres where horticulture, home retail and hospitality combine to offer customers something genuinely special

Spring & Autumn Fair have launched a new national campaign calling for a minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres across England. The campaign follows new research revealing retailers and consumers have independently identified the same practical measure to help encourage more visits to Britain's high streets.

Launching under the banner ‘Support Free Parking. Back Local Businesses. Bring People Back', the campaign centres around a Parliamentary petition urging local authorities to view parking as part of a wider strategy to increase footfall, support independent businesses and strengthen local economies.

The campaign has been developed from Voices of Retail, Spring & Autumn Fair's annual research programme produced in partnership with Faire. Drawing on the views of retailers and consumers across the UK, the latest findings uncovered a striking consensus: 38% of independent retailers believe free parking would have the greatest positive impact on their business, while 63% of consumers say it would encourage them to visit town and city centres more often.

The research also highlights the opportunity facing Britain's high streets. Almost all consumers (95%) say they would spend more if their local high street offered a better mix of shops, while 96% want to see more independent retailers alongside cafés, bakeries and other experiences that encourage them to spend longer in town centres. The findings suggest people want to support local businesses when high streets are easy to access, enjoyable to visit and offer compelling reasons to stay.

As the UK's leading retail trade events, Spring & Autumn Fair brings together thousands of retailers, brands and industry leaders every year, giving it a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.  Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director at Spring & Autumn Fair, said: "Retailers aren't asking for special treatment. They're asking us to remove one of the practical barriers that both businesses and shoppers believe is discouraging visits to our town centres. When retailers and consumers independently arrive at the same conclusion, I don't think we should ignore it, we should act.”

Rather than viewing parking solely as a transport issue or source of revenue, the campaign encourages it to be considered as one of several practical tools available to support local economic growth. Making town centres easier to access encourages people to spend more time on the high street. More time creates more opportunities to browse independent retailers, stop in cafés and bakeries, visit markets and support the wider mix of businesses that give every town centre its character.

Jackson continued: "The best high streets are places where people don't just buy one thing and leave. They browse independent shops, stop for lunch, meet friends for coffee and discover businesses they hadn't planned to visit. That's exactly the kind of local economy retailers tell us they want to build, and making town centres easier to access is one practical way of encouraging that behaviour."

Alongside the petition, retailers across the country are being invited to join the campaign through a dedicated Retailer Toolkit, including window posters, QR-code till stickers, social media graphics and digital assets, enabling businesses to encourage customers to sign and share the petition. Trade associations, suppliers, local business groups and industry organisations are also being encouraged to support the campaign and help build momentum.

The campaign is calling for:

• Introduce a law which requires all local authorities in England to provide a minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres across England.
• Greater recognition of parking as part of wider town centre regeneration and local economic growth.
• Practical measures that encourage more people to visit, spend and support independent businesses.
• Retailers, consumers, industry organisations and local communities to support the Parliamentary petition.

Jackson added: "For years we've talked about saving the high street. Perhaps it's time we started talking more about making it easier for people to use it. If retailers, shoppers, local authorities and industry partners all get behind practical changes like this, together we can help create town centres that people choose to visit again and again."

The Parliamentary petition is now live, with retailers, consumers, suppliers, trade bodies, local authorities and communities encouraged to sign, share and help demonstrate the strength of support for practical action to help Britain's high streets thrive.

To sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/772686

To download the retailer campaign pack email: visitor@autumnfair.com 

To download the findings of the full Voices Of Retail Report: Voices of Retail Report - Autumn Fair 2026

To register to attend, visit www.autumnfair.com

From 1 January 2027, one of the most significant employment law changes in recent years will take effect. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, employees will gain the right to claim ordinary unfair dismissal after just six months’ continuous service, rather than the current two-year qualifying period.

The right to request written reasons for dismissal will also reduce to six months, while the statutory cap on unfair dismissal compensation will be removed. Existing day-one protections for discrimination, whistleblowing and other automatically unfair dismissals remain unchanged.

For Garden Centres and Nurseries, this places greater importance on how new starters are onboarded, trained, managed and reviewed during their probationary period. Informal conversations, handwritten notes and verbal feedback may no longer provide sufficient evidence if employment decisions are challenged. 

The good news is that technology can help.

By implementing structured onboarding, regular performance reviews, documented training programmes and task-based assessments, businesses can create a clear audit trail from day one. This helps demonstrate that employees have received appropriate support, training and feedback throughout their probationary journey. 

WorkForce Manager brings recruitment, onboarding, training, task management and employee records together in a single platform. Managers can assign tasks, track completion, record feedback and monitor development over time, creating objective evidence rather than relying on memory, emails or spreadsheets.

Powered by an integrated AI Assistant, WorkForce Manager can also help identify missing training, overdue reviews, outstanding tasks and emerging performance trends, reducing administration while improving visibility and compliance.

As employment legislation evolves, accurate workforce records are no longer just good practice—they are becoming business critical.

Are your probation processes ready for 2027?

Book a demo today and discover how WorkForce Manager can help you build a stronger audit trail, support employee development and stay prepared for the changes ahead.

Garden retailers are balancing more pressures than ever. Rising freight costs, limited warehouse space, staffing challenges and shorter decision-making windows are all influencing what businesses buy and how much stock they are willing to hold.

At Sunnii Lifestyle, we are seeing retailers take a more selective approach to range planning. Buyers still want variety and products that give customers a reason to purchase, but they are becoming more precise about where they invest.

Rather than committing heavily to entirely new collections, many are choosing smaller quantities of carefully selected products. This may involve extending an established range, introducing a new colour or configuration, or adding a limited number of premium statement pieces.

This approach can reduce risk without reducing customer choice.

Looking beyond the unit price

Margin erosion rarely comes from one cost alone.

Increased freight, excess stock, storage, markdowns and complicated supplier arrangements can all reduce profitability. A competitive buying price can quickly become less attractive once the full operational cost of bringing a product to market is considered.

Protecting margin therefore means looking at the complete product lifecycle.

How much stock must be committed to? Will it require additional storage? Is the range easy to understand, display and sell? Can it be adapted without starting again?

At Sunnii Lifestyle, we help retailers create distinctive collections without adding unnecessary complexity. This can include established retail-ready ranges, tailored product adaptations, own-label collections and fully bespoke development.

More variety, with greater control

Garden furniture customers have different spaces, budgets and priorities. Some need compact patio solutions, while others are looking for larger dining sets, lounge collections or higher-value statement pieces.

The challenge is offering enough choice without overcommitting to stock.

By supporting varied quantities across selected collections, we can help retailers build a broader and more relevant offer while keeping individual commitments manageable.

Successful ranges can also be adapted rather than replaced. A new table size, seating configuration, fabric, weave or finish can refresh an existing collection while retaining familiarity for retail teams and customers.

Labels, packaging, barcodes, assembly guides and supporting materials can also be developed around the retailer’s brand.

Less time managing, more time selling

Time has become one of retail’s most valuable resources.

Teams are often expected to manage more responsibilities, while seasonal crossover periods leave less time for product training. When a collection is difficult to understand, staff may struggle to explain materials, functions or price differences confidently.

Clear product information, coordinated ranges and dependable sales support can help reduce that pressure.

As Sarah Crombie director of operations explains: “Our role goes beyond supplying furniture. We aim to make it easier for retailers to introduce, present and sell their collections successfully. By supporting range planning, product information, imagery, quality control and delivery, we help reduce operational pressure and give retail teams more time to focus on customers and sales.”

A more flexible approach

Our flexible approach allows retailers to shape orders around their available space, customer profile and sales expectations rather than working around a rigid supply model.

Smaller, more considered commitments do not have to mean smaller opportunities. With the right product mix and supply structure, retailers can offer greater variety, reduce stock exposure and protect a more comfortable margin.

The question is no longer simply:

“How much stock should we buy?”

It is:

“How can our range work harder for our business?”

For more information visit https://bit.ly/4fW5RSP

As many more customers get voting in-store and on-line Longacres Bagshot and Shepperton, Grovewell Tenterden, Cherry Tree Doncaster & The Fairview Gardener have joined the many garden centre's registering votes in GTN's Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Team Awards.

The postman has also started to be weighed down by batches of in-store votes, and we've even received votes from customers at Monkton Elm and Grovewell Tenterden who filled in their voting form and posted them directly to the GTN office.  That just goes to show how much customers love their meals and food halls at garden centres.

With one full week to go will your customers vote either your Restaurant of Food Hall team as The Greatest?  There will be awards for different sizes of operation, plus regional wards too!

Full details can be found in the story below where online voting posters and in-store paper voting forms can be downloaded from this dropbox folder: GTN's Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Team Awards 2026

The results will be announced and the Awards presented on the Feed Your Business Stage at Glee on Wednesday 9th September at 1:00pm.

Thousands of customers have voted already, both on-line and on paper voting forms in-store. There's 1 week of voting to go before votes close on Tuesday 1st September so still time be in with a chance of winning a Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Team award which will be announced and presented on Wednesday 9th September at Glee.  There will be awards for small, medium and large Restaurant & Food Hall teams plus regional awards, so plenty of opportunities for your excellent hardworking teams to receive high recognition - your customers will be the judges of Greatness.

As customer service and customer satisfaction are the keys to the ongoing success of garden centre catering, especially during this difficult summer, the winners of The Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Team awards will be decided by the number and quality of customer votes your teams receive before the closing date of September 1st 2026.

Your customers can vote online by scanning the QR codes below or you can get them to vote in store and then send completed voting forms to the GTN office for counting.

To get your customers voting, all you have to do is download the voting posters and voting forms from the links below and display them in your restaurant, coffee shop and Food Hall.  In the meantime you could be adding the voting links into your websites and social media pages.

GTN's Greatest Restaurant Team Awards Voting QR Code

GTN's Greatest Food Hall Team Awards Voting QR Code

Restaurant Team Poster - Download       Restaurant Team Voting Forms - Download

Food Hall Team Poster - Download        Food Hall Team Voting Forms - Download

Or, download all files from this Dropbox link

As well as overall Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Team Awards for different sizes of garden centre catering operations there will be regional awards too.  What better way to promote your Food & Drink offerings during the Autumn than with a GTN Greatest Awards win, especially as it will be thanks to your customers.

Customer voting is live now and runs until midnight on Tuesday 1st September, when the votes will be counted in readiness for the presentations at Glee on Wednesday 9th September at 1:00pm on the Feed Your Business Stage.

Do you have The Greatest Tantalising Garden Centre Menu?

This year, we are looking for the garden centre team that has created the most Tantalising Menu to attract new customers and to keep regulars coming back for more.  if you believe your team currently have The Greatest Tantalising Garden Centre Menu then send a copy of the menu with a brief explanation as to the rationale and success of the menu to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.

The menus will be judged by a panel of experts and the winners announced on the “Feed Your Business Stage” at Glee on Wednesday 9th September at 1:00pm on the Feed Your Business Stage.

The deadline for menu entries is Tuesday 1st September. You could also send a short video too!

GTN's Greatest Garden Centre Restaurant & Food Hall Team Awards are sponsored by Pleydell Smithyman and Glee.  Other sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk for details.

Do you have The Greatest Tantalising Garden Centre Menu?

Alongside the customer voting for The Greatest Restaurant & Food Hall Teams we are also looking for the most tantalising menus at garden centres this summer.  Has your team delivered a menu that has encouraged new customers this summer and secured repeat visits, even during the hot weather?

This year, we are looking for the garden centre team that has created the most Tantalising Menu to attract new customers and to keep regulars coming back for more. If you believe your team currently have The Greatest Tantalising Garden Centre Menu then send a copy of the menu with a brief explanation as to the rationale and success of the menu to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.

The menus will be judged by a panel of experts and the winners announced on the “Feed Your Business Stage” at Glee on Wednesday 9th September at 1:00pm on the Feed Your Business Stage.

The deadline for menu entries is Tuesday 1st September. You could also send a short video too!