In This Issue
Guy Hands puts the "For Sale" notice up at Wyevale Garden Centres
Golds for Hillers, Cooks, Taylors Bulbs and Dibleys at Chelsea 2018
Best in Show Awards for Mr Fothergills and T&M
Get the right compost for your hanging baskets & patio planters
Blue Diamond profits increase to £9.2m
Plant sales soar...'just like an old-fashioned bank holiday'
Profits up by 24% at Westland Horticulture
“You may now kiss the bride” Royal Wedding celebrations at Gouldings 
The man from Taylors Bulbs with the ‘Midas Touch’ chases his 25th consecutive Chelsea Gold
Squires host visit from 70 overseas journalists at Twickenham
spoga+gafa 2018: More space, more themes, added values
Woodlodge ranges to feature at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In its 80th anniversary year, Hartley Botanic showcases the value of provenance & history on its RHS Chelsea trade stand
Burgon & Ball showcases New Wonder Weed Puller at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Mr Fothergill’s joins forces with BBC Children in Need
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden care just the support act...
Rolawn lend Malvern winners a helping hand
Haskins donates gardening equipment to hospital’s mental health ward
Acclaimed gardener, writer and plantswoman Beth Chatto, OBE VMH, dies
Wild bird sales chirpy in the sunshine
Rapper to open RHS Feel Good garden at Chelsea
Growing media sales set new record
Dine with Petersham Nurseries at Chelsea Fringe
Gardening Journal is a passion for Moleskine
The best of last week's
Home and Garden UK Ltd still alive and trading
Bosworths expand to 2 centres with The Walled Garden at Elton Hall
From record low to record high in 10 weeks - GTN Bestsellers reports an all time record for Bank Holiday week
Smart Garden Products named in the FT 1000
Blue Diamond buy Orchard Park Garden Centre
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Join leading operators at Commercial Kitchen: 5-6 June
Ivy House All Day Kitchen opens at Groves Nurseries
Adande Grab & Go cabinet wins Sammie award
Situations Vacant
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager

Hillview Garden Centres have a vacancy for Deputy Centre / Plantarea Manager at Scotland Nurseries Garden Store...

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Blue Diamond profits increase to £9.2m

"In 2017 we achieved an 8% increase in profit before tax and maintained a strong debt position in the year, which is a creditable result considering the wider environment." That is the opening statement from Blue Diamond Chairman  Simon Burke in the groups Year End Accounts for 2017.

 

Managing Director Alan Roper adds "in a challenging year profit before tax increased from £8.4m to £9.2m. This profit increase was predominantly delivered through customer average spend, and gross margin growth."

 

"In 2017 average spend grew by 5.6% against a Garden Centre Association (GCA) average growth of 1.4%."

 

The report details the average GCA spend for 2017 at £20.75 while the average Blue Diamond spend was £23.19.

 

The full Blue Diamond Report and Accounts can be seen at: https://www.bluediamond.gg/financial-reports

 

Speaking to GTN Xtra this weekend, Alan Roper said that after the Bank Holiday week; "there is now a distinct possibility that we will be up on 2017 year to date by end of May."

 

Asked about his vision for the size of the Blue Diamond Group in the future, Alan added: "The operational structure which I implemented a few years ago is scalable and is designed to ensure retail standards are maintained. The recent adjustments to allow managers to focus on customer service alongside more resources being applied should also ensure high standards are maintained. Continuing to develop the teams and appoint people who share the values of standards and service is paramount.

 

"Existing staff in new acquisitions have been successfully retained and trained where necessary to embrace the culture of our business whose values are high retail standards, high service levels delivered with a point of difference.

 

"The Group is on course to surpass the budgeted £110m and I can see us being able to double the turnover and still retain those values."

 

 

 

 

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