Follow these links to see a GTN Xtra profile of each of the finalists:

Jack Fillingham, Sunshine Garden Centre

Kath Bailey, Barton Grange Garden Centre

Sam Clark,Cowells Garden Centre

Matt Tanner, Squires Badshot Lea

Sophie Liebthal, Coolings Garden Centre

Will Clark, Barton Grange Garden Centre

All six finalists will be making a presentation to the full GCA Conference audience this afternoon (January 25) and then conference delegates will vote to decide who should be crowned as the Rising Star of 2015. The result will be announced at the 50th anniversary GCA Annual Dinner on Tuesday night.

Keith Nicholson, of Westland, said: “There are some great success stories here – huge efforts put in from all finalists with their projects. It will be great to see who the Conference chooses as overall winner. The Rising Stars Programme will be extended this year with Regional Masterclasses, and also a new programme in Ireland.”

Iain Wylie, CEO of GCA, added: “Well done to everyone in 2015 Rising Stars. The standard was so high we could not select five – that’s why we ended up with six finalists. Good luck to them all and may the best one win!”

Ian Boardman, Director IBBIS (UK) Limited, Rising Stars Facilitator told GTN Xtra: "To my mind they are all winners. Reading their stories is very rewarding – to have helped in a small way in their personal development is very satisfying to me."

GTN Xtra will be publishing all the news LIVE from the GCA Conference, so watch this space to find out who is the winner.  Good luck to all of the finalists!

    

Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day is set to take place on Friday 18^th March 2016 - but already the fundraising has begun!  Twitter has already started buzzing with those looking to lose weight after the festive period, and Greenfingers is inviting them to feel even better about themselves by raising money to help create more children's hospice gardens.

The idea is that for each pound participants lose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day, they can collect a pound from their sponsors, to be donated to Greenfingers after the 18th March.

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers, Debs Skilicorn, Director of Greenfingers and GTN's very own Trevor Pfeiffer are all bravely taking part and want to encourage others to step up to the challenge.

You can sponsor Trevor on his target to loose 1 stone between the GCA Conference and Garden Re-Leaf Day by clicking: https://www.justgiving.com/Trevor-Pfeiffer.

If you are interested in taking part, here are a few pointers to help you get started:

• If you find it hard to lose weight then don't go overboard - aim for a realistic target
• On the other hand, don't aim too low - challenge yourself and encourage sponsorship!
• Let others know you’re trimming down so you can rely on them to hold you to account.  Post on social media, using the hashtag #Pounds4Greenfingers what you plan to do and why you are doing it.  Why not post before and after photos too?  You'll be surprised at just how much motivation it will give you knowing others are keeping an eye on your progress!
• Take up a short term gym membership, -.   or join a local sports or slimming club - there are tonnes of support group options at this time of year so you needn't be alone!

Garden Re-Leaf 2016 has already attracted eight top industry figures who will be staging 24 hour Plant-athons in garden centres beginning  their Plant-athons on Thursday 17th and finishing on Friday the 18th.  Poplars, Adrian Hall and Sunshine Garden Centres have all recently confirmed they will put on Garden Re-Leaf events in store.

Greenfingers is delighted to welcome Andy McIndoe to the Board, as new Trustee at Greenfingers – the nationwide charity dedicated to creating inspiring outdoor spaces for children in hospices around the country.

Andy brings with him over 35 years’ experience in retail and production horticulture and is a regular contributor to a number of magazines, newspapers and BBC Radio.  As well as lecturing to gardening groups and societies at home and abroad, he also leads numerous gardening tours, and is planning to open his own garden in the summer to raise money for the charity. 

Andy McIndoe commented on his new role saying: “I am thrilled to have been invited to join the Greenfingers team and am very much looking forward to getting involved with their garden projects.”

John Ashley, Greenfingers Chairman, added: “It’s great to have Andy on board and with his gardening talent, drive and commitment he will be a tremendous asset to Greenfingers.” 

If Australian retailer Wesfarmers closes the deal to buy Homebase, the UK garden and home improvement market will have formidable new competition in short order.

Wesfarmers, whose £340 million offer for Homebase is believed to have blown away rival bidders (including a consortium led by former Garden Centre Group boss Nicholas Marshall) says it will roll out its Bunnings DIY and garden store brand to replace Homebase within five years. 

It could have a big impact on rival DIY chains and larger garden centre groups. The deal is expected to be wrapped up in the first three months of this year provided shareholders of Home Retail Group agree to the purchase.

Bunnings is by far the strongest player in home improvement in Australia, with one analyst suggesting that it controls a 63.9% of turnover in the hardware, home DIY/ plant & garden accessories sector, compared to 8.6% by its closest rival, the Masters group, which has just withdrawn from the hardware market.

Another source said Bunnings had 19% of the total home improvement market – a position secured with a massive marketing investment, including TV, radio and maildrops.

At a supplier meeting last summer, Bunnings was also reported to control 55% of plant sales nationally, with an 80% share in one state.

Leigh Siebler, who runs the Garden Centre Association of Australia, told GTN Xtra this week: “Their Price Match Promise – ‘Lower Prices are just the beginning’ – seems to have won customers over although most know they are not cheap across the board. However, they are well below garden centre pricing in most cases.”

Leigh believes Wesfarmers could find the UK market a tougher proposition, “but don’t under-estimate them”.

The Wesfarmers bid received by Homebase owners Home Retail Group (which is also likely to sell Argos to Sainsbury’s) is believed to be almost double the city’s expectations.

Nicholas Marshall is reported to have said this week the bid was “a knockout blow” for his interest, which had valued Homebase based at around £200m.



Pictures of Bunnings (above): Boyd Douglas-Davies

The Brantano UK shoes business, which trades as a concession in more than 20 garden centres, called in the administrators this week.

Administrator from PwC said the Leicestershire-based company would trade as normal while they searched for a buyer and its 2000 staff would continue to be paid.

Brantano, which runs 140 stores and 60 concession outlets, was bought by investment company Alteri Investors only last October.

According to Tony Barrell of PwC, the chain was a victim of changing consumer habits as shoppers switched from bricks and mortar retailers to online sources. Brantano was placed in administration "despite sustained efforts to make the business more commercially viable".

A number of Brantano concessions are in Wyevale garden centres. A new one opened at Baytree Garden Centre near Holbeach last May.

Alteri is a business turnaround specialist but was faced with a worse than expected trading position.

A number of possible buyers are reported to have approached approached PwC.

Representatives from across the horticulture industry came together on 19 January for the parliamentary launch of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Action Plan at the Palace of Westminster. The plan was described by HTA chief executive Carol Paris as heralding “a golden age” for the horticulture industry.

Hosted by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, the event brought together Defra Minister George Eustice MP, members of the Houses of Commons and Lords and industry leaders.

Mr Eustice, who holds an HND in commercial horticulture, praised the industry sector for coming together to create the plan. “It does include asks of government, but I’m reassured by the commitments from industry to help themselves and to actually move forward certain projects.”

Reaffirming his commitment to supporting the sector, he said horticulture was a vital industry he was passionate about.

The Minister touched on the need to change perceptions of the sector and attract talented graduates. He also spoke about the importance of the supply chain and the need to work towards greater parity and greater sharing of risk between smaller fragmented producers and larger businesses.

The  Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan , which is the result of close collaboration between industry experts facilitated by Defra, identifies 12 priority areas where government and industry could work together to encourage and aid long-term growth.

Among the changes the sector would like to see over the next five years are:

• Gardening considered as a treatment on the NHS
• Public bodies and publicly funded works and projects to use UK plants
• International garden expo to be created to showcase UK horticulture
• Modernisation of the supply chain to improve relationships and competitiveness and reduce dependence on imports
• Introduction of a higher level of horticultural apprenticeship to addresses skills shortages
• Garden centres and retailers should be exempted from the Sunday Trading Act

In her opening address Sue Biggs, director general of the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “It is great to see UK horticulture unified and focused and working together to take on the challenges that have for far too long held this sector back. Horticulture has a vital part to play in the future of this country – not only for the fiscal health of this nation with its £10.4bn contribution to the UK economy, but also for the health and well-being of our country, of our people, our plants and our environment.”

Carol Paris, chief executive of the Horticultural Trades Association,  added: “I believe we are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry. By taking horticulture into the realms of health, environmental and societal benefits – more than just looking pretty – we are developing new markets and skills as well as tackling some of the biggest national and global problems we face. We have never seen lasting collaboration on this scale before, and it is definitely starting to bear fruit.”

RHS Young Ambassador – 10-year-old George Hassall from Manchester, a self-confessed ‘nature nerd’ and ‘gardening geek’ –spoke passionately about his interest in gardening and wildlife and the benefits that it brings.  He said, “I know a lot of my friends love their Xbox – I’m not saying that they should stop playing it altogether but take five minutes, go outside into the garden and get some fresh air and it will make you feel a lot better.” Following an interest development at home and through his school gardening club, George is keen to champion gardening as he moves to high school next year.

The organisations behind the development of the first ever cross-sector action plan include the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Grow Careers, AHDB Horticulture, the Horticulture Innovations Partnership, the HTA, Landex, the National Farmers’ Union, the RHS and Young Hort. They will continue to guide its development over the next five years.

Newshound here – woof woof! What a week! There I was, sniffing a few trouserlegs (harmless enough) on the way to the boozer when the old dog and bone rattled my eardrums and I was ordered off to darkest Horncastle.

Why?  Oh come on…can’t you guess? It was only a rumour, they said, but they believed the country’s oldest family-run gardening business was about to go the way of any number of others and join hands with Big Brother. Yes…it’s come to that.

A rumour? My Aston Martin… I rocked up and loitered in the aisles a while, eavesdropping like a Sherlock Holmes hanger-on, and discovered to my horror that everybody ALREADY KNEW (especially those with uniforms on)! Suddenly, I felt like a spare part at a wedding…. I mean, who needs a newshound to spread common knowledge?

Anyway, protocol is protocol, and although Bonio tastes better, I had to chew on it.  The usual charade: “Excuse me miss, you’ve just bought Crowders Garden Centre and….Pardon me? You don’t comment on speculation…but it’s on the local paper’s website now….Wot? you’re kidding me. OK. I’ll keep my mouth shut…”

Hee hee hee…some chance, eh?

So there you are. Everybody knows but we don’t know anything at all. That’s the way it is, and that, my friends, looks like the way it will always be…for ever and ever, Amen.

Until next time…woof woof!

• Garden Products - down 25%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 17%
• Growing Media - up 56%
• All Items Index - up 3%

It’s year two of the HTA/GIMB Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign. Building on the success of 2015 – here’s a one-day Masterclass to demonstrate how to sell to non-gardeners – as well as gardeners.

Explore how to plan and create WOW displays which sell product. How to get your team on your side. How to sell more plants and garden goods during 2016

All you need to do is attend one of the regional Love the Plot You’ve Got Masterclasses. Whether you attended last year or not – you’ll go away fired up with ideas to amaze your customers.

• Planning and building displays
• Keeping it commercial
• Planning POS signs
• Measuring results
• Communicating with customers and potential customers
• Generating events during 2016

Book your place by emailing i.boardman@btinternet.com – see next page for dates & venues

Only £95 per delegate plus vat. Payment in full in advance – non-refundable. Refreshments provided

What others said in 2015:

• “Very interesting ideas to take back to our nursery”
• “Working with others was great”
• “I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience”
• “Clear and concise – with some fun added in!”

GTN’s analyst Trevor Pfeiffer (MD of The Garden Communication & Media Company) believes December increases in seed and bulb sales posted by GCA members were the result of increased footfall as a result of Christmas visits and the ‘extra’ week-end garden centres had in December.

The GCA’s Barometer of Trade report showed a 20.33% increase in seed and bulb sales in December compared to the same month in 2014.

“The real story for December is Christmas trading and the increased trade generated by catering,” he said. Catering was 17.41% up overall –  and food hall and farm shop sales were 20.96% up.

Simon Bourne, manager at Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree, Essex, said: “December 2015 was a fantastic month and followed the trend of previous months in being record breaking. We had our second busiest trading day of the year on Saturday, December 5, which was our best ever Saturday.

 “Overall sales in the garden centre were up 15% compared to December 2014 and it was our busiest December by a long way. Outdoor plants were up 10% and indoor plants were up 46%. Christmas products were a huge success and were 23% up for the period September to December compared to the previous year. The coffee shop also had a really positive month and finished 22% up compared to the same period last year.”

Ben Thompson, Director at Garsons Garden Centre, which has centres in Surrey and Titchfield, said: “Following our site redevelopment at Garsons Esher, which included a new restaurant (pictured above), catering traded 86% up during the month of December.

 “Catering at Garsons Titchfield showed growth of 14% year-on-year for the month of December. Christmas sales performed well at both stores likewise, along with giftware.”

Following our visit to the Tuinzaken Garden Retail Experience event last year the Horticultural Trades Association has arranged an inspirational Study Tour to the Netherlands in February 2016 to take in the 2016 event and there is still some limited availability for for you to join us on the trip.

As well as attending the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 5^th edition, including the event’s gala dinner we will also be visiting some Dutch garden centres and a have a tour of the inspirational Edelman showrooms.

The full tour itinerary is as follows:

• Wednesday 17 Feb 2016 –Fly out in the morning to Amsterdam –from airport begin tour of Garden Centers in the Netherlands throughout the day. Tuincentrum Osdorp and a second De Bosrand in Alphen a/d Rijn. In the evening attend the exclusive Retail Experience Gala in Boskoop including speakers and entertainment.
• Thursday 18 Feb –Attend Retail Experience with full expert guided tours. www.gardenretailexperience.com
• In the evening attend a locally based meal for additional networking opportunities.
• Friday 19 Feb -Visit to Intratuin Zuidplas followed by a Tour to Edelman, lunch and in the afternoon fly home to the UK.

The cost for the entire trip is £380 per person, this covers accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as lunch and Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening but the HTA request those attending the tour to make their own way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport as travelling from all over the UK and attendees can then organize as best suited to their location.

The tours intended start time is 11am from Schiphol airport and once in the Netherlands GTN Xtras’ Trevor Pfeiffer will host alongside Martin Simmons of the HTA.

If you would like to book on to the event or need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact the HTA – events@the-hta.org.uk

The Garden Retail Experience is a truly inspirational event, see the GTN Xtra picture gallery from last year to give you a flavour of the ideas that will stretch your thinking and give you a head start as you prepare to meet the demands of the garden centre customer of the future.  Or speak to Trevor at the GCA Conference this week and he will give you more information about the experience...

The third edition of GROW London, described by James Wong as a ‘horticultural hipsterville’, takes place again this year on Hampstead Heath (24-26 June).

The fair is billed as a boutique/contemporary outdoor lifestyle and garden fair for city dwellers. It promises ideas and inspiration for everything from a high rise balcony to a family garden or rolling estate, with more than 100 carefully chosen exhibitors. 

Two new features will appeal to foodies and design-lovers alike. GROW Gourmet is dedicated to artisan food and drink producers while GROW Living, a showcase of favourite and emerging designers, modern gardeners and craft makers, will highlight design-led products for a modern lifestyle, including one offs and limited editions.

Nursery exhibitors will include Hortus Loci, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Pennard Plants, Cooks Garden Centre, The Plant Specialist and Glendon Plants, Lime Cross Conifers, Hooks Green Herbs and Swallowfields.  

The Serenity Garden and Spa by Clifton Nurseries will be one of four feature gardens.

Presenters of  free workshops, demonstrations and talks will include ‘guerrilla gardener’ Richard Reynolds, designer Matthew Wilson, plant hunter Tom Hart-Dyke, Telegraph columnist Helen Yemm and ‘Queen of Herbs’ Jekka McVicar.

Maggie’s, the cancer charity, has been chosen to benefit from ticket sales to the Garden Party Charity Preview on Thursday 23 June.

Chris Krall, managing director IEP Wholesale imports comments: “We have had our best show ever and have made contact with buyers who we have tried to get in touch with for many years. We’ve been exhibiting at Harrogate since 2008 with our floral and home and gift ware but this year launched a new Christmas collection and the response has been overwhelming. I can’t think of a better show to have launched this range – no other show attracts the quantity of quality buyers like Harrogate and we will definitely be returning next year.”

Simon Anslow, show organiser, adds: “Christmas & Gift has once again exceeded all expectations with visitor numbers up for the fifth year running and the potential for further growth highly likely. This is great news for the industry as a whole, indicating that the festive product and gift sector is more buoyant than ever. During the show we had numerous enquiries from new companies wanting to participate next year and potentially we may even have to expand into further halls in 2017.”

Next year’s show is from 8 to 11 January 2017 and exhibitor bookings will open in early March 2016. For more information visit www.harrogatefair.com

Town & Country, has appointed a new area sales manager for the South East region. Vicky Shine has traded in a career in the city with some of the UK’s biggest investment banks, to pursue her life-long passion for gardening and a role with one of the industry’s best known brands.

Barry Page, chief executive at Town & Country says:  “Vicky joins Town & Country at a very exciting time in the company’s development. 

"The recent revitalisation of the brand, which has seen a refreshed look, new products, packaging and merchandising solutions making their way into the marketplace, is helping to create a vibrant new presence in garden centres and is already delivering tangible results for our retail partners.”

Vicky’s interest in the world of horticulture began when, as a teenager, she worked at Ruxley Manor Garden Centre in Kent and also led to her volunteering for many years at Wildlife Aid, a wildlife sanctuary in Surrey.

For further information contact Town & Country on 01530 830990 or email info@townandco.com.  See the full range of products at www.townandco.com.

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

• You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
• You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.
• You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.
• You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

• You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
• You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
• A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.
• You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

• A proven track-record in the industry along with good management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent plant knowledge and a good background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role as they offer over 3 acres of quality plants from their own nursery as well as choice plants sourced from a variety of other suppliers.

Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.

• The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and energetic, have a passion for plants and an eye for creating exciting detailed displays.
• Horticultural experience or equivalent qualifications desirable.
• The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Kath Bailey, Assistant Manager in the Cookshop at Barton Grange

Kath Bailey moved to Barton Grange 5 years ago as a result of her husband’s job re-location.  She started in outside sales but after a year moved back into familiar territory, she had worked in Debenhams before, in the Cookshop at Barton Grange.

The Cookshop team of eight think that Kath’s involvement in Rising Stars has been really good.  “They’ve been encouraging me all the time and we've been doubling sales as a result of Rising Stars, explained Kath.  “The most important thing I’ve learned is about planning and setting goals.  Rising stars is quite nerve wracking but at the end of it you feel very motivated.  It is a fantastic course to go on.”

Barton Grange MD, Guy Topping was also full of praise for Kath; “She is aiming towards being the department manager in that section.  With great enthusiasm Kath has improved the standards throughout. We started with 5 candidates from Barton Grange and two have made the final.  They've put so much into their projects and gained fantastic results I'm sure they must be the two best candidates in the final.”.  

Sam Clark, Perennials Supervisor at Cowells Garden Centre

After joining Cowells 8 years ago as a dogs body around all departments, Sam Clark was “chuffed” when nominated for Rising Stars by his centre manager Martin Cowell.  “It’s been brilliant meeting new people in the same situation, exchanging ideas, getting different influences from around the country. Everything we've learned has been brilliant,” Sam enthused about his Rising Stars experiences.

“I’ve learned about stock rotation, always pushing your bestsellers and been on top of everything a lot more this year.”  As to the future, Sam says: “Martin and Dylan, my department manager, both come into work every day full of beans, if I can stay happy that will keep me fine, learning a bit new every day.”

“Sam has come back from Rising Stars full of enthusiasm and new ideas,” added centre manager Martin Cowell.  All of the staff have wished him well. Rising Stars has pushed him out of his comfort zone and made him grow as a person.”

“I made a £50 wager with Adam Wigglesworth from Aylett Nurseries that our Sam would get to the final.  I look forward to passing on the £50 win to Greenfingers at conference in Brighton.” 

Will Clark, Planteria Supervisor at Barton Grange

Will Clark saw the Rising Stars presentations at the GCA Conference in Blackpool two years ago: “I never thought I would be up there myself.  I was so surprised when nominated and it has brought me a lot of confidence.” With a keen interest in plants since really young, Will has worked at Barton Grange  for 5 years and now has responsibility for 17 staff in the planteria

“It’s been one big friendly bunch,” explained Will. “I’m aiming to improve other categories next year after the experience of Rising Stars.  Other departments here at Barton Grange have got behind me, given me plenty of help and we've achieved great results.

“Will's a good young lad,” added Guy Topping, MD at Barton Grange.  “Hopefully one day will be running he whole department.  Rising stars has really improved his retailing skills and given him a lot of confidence.”

Jack Fillingham, Leisure Duty Manager at Sunshine Garden Centre

Jack Fillingham has worked in every part of Sunshine Garden Centre after joining on their Graduate Training Scheme and after a year landed on the leisure department and a nomination for Rising Stars 2015.

Jack applied for the Sunshine Graduate Scheme after studying Business Economics at the University of Leeds, “I was looking for a career in retail and found this opportunity on the milk round,” Jack explained.   “Meeting other people in same situation as me, sharing experiences have been the high points of Rising Stars, As a group we have all helped each other. Colleagues have always wanted to know about Rising Stars, hoping they can get some new ideas too.”

Patrick Loughrey, HR Manager at Sunshine told GTN Xtra: “Jack has come back from any Rising Star seminar much more confident and you can just tell through his body language he's really trying to initiate things in the business to improve things so it’s been a great success.”

Sophie Liebthal, General Shop Assistant at Coolings Rushmore Hill

“I love having more responsibility”.  That’s the driving motivation for Sophie Liebthal who joined Coolings 6 years ago, starting as a Saturday girl while at sixth form.  From being “just a till operator” to a Rising Stars finalist it’s been quite a journey for Sophie.

Sophie explained “as a result of Rising Stars now I've got confidence to do more and I know my ideas could be successful.   We got sales increases so everyone happy with the changes and the results, even Shop Manager Brian Archibald.”

Coolings MD, Garry Carvasso said: “Sophie has grown, she shines.  Rising Stars has made her more receptive to new ideas, we are seeing a big difference.  Thank you to Westland who have made it all possible.”

Matt Tanner, Assistant Manager at Squires Badshot Lea

Matt Tanner was “over the moon” to be nominated on Rising Stars by Squires HR Manager Jo Ripley.

Starting as a schoolboy weekender in 2002, Matt has worked at Squires for 13 years in different stores including department head in sundries at Woking, furniture head at West Horsley, Cobham as Assistant manager and now Badshot Lea as Assistant manager

“The best things about Rising Stars are the chance to go to centres I wouldn't normally get the chance to visit and stealing ideas from other guys on the course and implementing those, everything is so positive,” Matt told GTN Xtra.

Matt’s MD at Squires, Denis Espley added “every section of the training has been very useful to him.   Everybody in Squires likes Matt.  He is assistant manager at our biggest centre so that shows how much we rate him.”

• Fito Drip Feeders For Flowering Plants 28ml, Packs of 5 are the week’s highest new entry at No 9.
• Vitax Q4 Fertiliser, 4.5kg, is the highest re-entry at No 12.
• Gardman Frostgard 17gsm 8m x 1.5m roll makes a jump of 10 places to No 3 with the frosts forecast.

• Arthur Bowers Multipurpose Compost, 50 litres, climbs 17 places back to the No 1 spot, just pipping Westland Jack’s Magic 60 litres.
• Shamrock Irish Moss Peat, 75 litres, is the highest re-entry at No 4.
• Arthur Bowers New Horizons Organic Compost, 56 litres, is the highest new entry.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

• Taylors Shallots Golden Gourmet are the highest chart climber, up 25 places to No 7.
• Mr Fothergills Pea Kelvedon Wonder is this week’s highest new chart entry at No 14.
• Thompson & Morgan Carrot Resistafly F1 Hybrid is the highest placed chart re-entry at No 11.

Finalists:

• Dunbar Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Langlands Leeds
• Langlands Sheffield
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Pughs Radyr
• The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Waresley Park Garden Centre

Silver: Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre

Silver: Perrywood Garden Centre

The Greatest Grotto Team 2015

Finalists:

• Arcadia Garden Centre
• Baytree Garden Centre
• Brigg Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• Gouldings Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Silica Lodge Garden Centre
• Whitehall Lacock
• Wyevale Worlds End

Regional Winners:

• South West: Chaplins Superstore
• North West: Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• North East: Woodbank Garden Centre
• Wales: Pughs Radyr
• Northern Ireland: Hillside Garden Centre
• Scotland: Hetland Garden Centre

Bronze: Chessington Garden Centre     

Silver: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

The Greatest Festive Plants Team 2015

Finalists:

• Burston Garden Centre
• Cowells Garden Centre
• Gordale  Garden & Home Centre
• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Munros Nurseries
• Newbank Halifax
• Pughs Radyr
• Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Wyevale Gosforth
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• London: Aylett Nurseries
• East: Perrywood Garden Centre
• Northern Ireland: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
• Midlands: St Peters Worcester
• Scotland: Simpsons Garden Centre

Bronze: Bents Garden & Home

Silver: Barton Grange Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team 2015

Finalists:

• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Sunshine Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Van Hage Peterborough

Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Langlands Shiptonthorpe

Silver: Fairways Garden Centre

Gold: Hillmount Garden Centre





A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...

The Greatest Festive Catering Team 2014

Finalists:

• Burford Garden Company
• Frosts Woburn Sands
• Haskins Snowhill
• Haskins West End
• Hilltop Garden Store
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Scotsdales Fordham
• Simpsons Garden Centre
• Torwood Garden Centre
• Wyevale Fairoak
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• Midlands: Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Rooms
• South: Squires Badshot Lea
• North: Woodbank Garden Centre
• South West: Whitehall Lacock
• Northern Ireland: Hillmount Garden Centre

Bronze: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Bronze: Haskins Roundstone

Silver: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2015

Finalists:

• Allensmore
• Ascalon
• Florasilk
• SnowTime
• Konstsmide
• Swift Imports
• Wax Lyrical

Bronze: Festive Decorations

Silver: Kaemingk

The Greatest Pet Christmas Team 2015

Finalists:

• Baytree Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• The Old Railway Line

Bronze: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver: Planters Tamworth

Silver: Torwood Garden Centre

Gold: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Small and Mid Sized Garden Centres

Small Centre Finalists:

• Blackbrooks Garden Centre
• Caerphilly Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Pughs Radyr

Mid-sized Centre Finalists:

• Almondsbury Garden Centre
• Birkacre Garden Centre
• Busy Bee Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden and Landscape Centre
• Frosts Brampton
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Halifax
• Sunshine Garden Centre

Bronze Small Centre: Munro's Nurseries

Silver Small Centre: Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre

Gold Small Centre: Silverbirch Garden Centre

Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Perrywood Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Burleydam Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Castle Gardens

Gold Mid-sized Centre: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Large and Group Garden Centres

Large Garden Centre Finalists:

• Aylett Nurseries
• Burford Garden Company
• Burston Garden Centre
• Frosts Woburn Sands                                                           
• Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• Hillside Garden Centre
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Pennells Lincoln
• Planters Tamworth
• Scotsdales Cambridge
• St Peters Worcester
• Van Hage Gt Amwell
• Whitehall Lacock
• Woodbank Garden Centre

Group Garden Centre Finalists:

• Brigg - British Garden Centres
• Grosvenor - Blue Diamond
• Houghton Hall - Klondyke
• Squires Badshot Lea
• Wyevale Swansea

Bronze Large Centre: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver Large Centre: Bents Garden & Home     

Gold Large Centre: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Bronze Group Garden Centre: Littleheath Garden Store - Hillview

Silver Group Garden Centre: Haskins Snowhill

Silver Group Garden Centre: Spring - British Garden Centres

For families who are wondering what to do with the kids at half term, Squire’s Garden Centres have found some gnomes that need a home!  

Parents are being invited to bring their children along to paint a gnome, name it, and take it home with them, all for £4.

There will also be  a colouring competition (with a prize to won) and a garden maze to be negotiated (with a sticker for those who complete it).

Squire’s say they are keen encourage the resurgence of garden gnomes

The first known garden gnomes were produced in Germany in the early 1800’s, and they started to appear in English gardens from the 1840’s onwards. Gnomes are symbols of good luck, and they were placed in the garden to protect buried treasure, minerals in the ground, and watch over crops.  Farmers believed this good luck charm could increase their crop yield, and protect them from thieves and pests.

Gnomes have become controversial in serious gardening circles in the UK, and have been banned from the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as the organisers claimed that they detracted from the garden designs.  The ban was lifted just for 2013, which was the 100-year anniversary of gnomes.

The annual Groen-Direkt Spring plant fair takes place at Hazerswoude, Boskoop on February 2nd and 3^rd. For twenty years their formula has been synonymous with quality and reliability. Groen-Direkt continues to evolve as a unique event for the European plant sector. 

To outline its global theme, more than 1,000 m2 of Mediterranean imports will be on show. In 2016 there is a new and practical expansion to current buying options. They will offer plant buyers the possibility of ordering per half layer – a change prompted by the rapidly changing purchasing behaviour of European consumers.

Today’s consumers are more impulsive, more subject to changing trends and more focused on the way things look. The option of ordering half units grants customers more flexibility, and the possibility of responding adequately to those changes in purchasing behaviour.

Large choice of options

Around 150 nurseries have a stand and show their products, including avenue trees, ornamental plants and hedging plants. Check out the website for availability. Orders can be secured on smartphones, tablet apps or order forms, all for delivery within 48 hours.

This is the first in a series of 29 events throughout 2016. www.groen-direkt.nl

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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 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 Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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.