Blue Diamond MD, Alan Roper, has told GTN Xtra that their new centre at East Bridgford, Nottingham, which opened last Thursday 22nd March, took £241,107 ex vat in the first seven days, far exceeding initial expectations.   Takings for Good Friday and Easter Saturday totalled £110,000.

"On Good Friday I closed the restaurant from 1.45 to 2.15 as we were pushed beyond sustainable limits to provide continued high quality service. The numbers were overwhelming and we are not advertising!"

"This is my first ever experience of opening a centre with social media, and it's going viral.  We've had over 5,000 sign ups to our Diamond Club and we're looking forward to seeing the 'heat map' next week to understand the size of the area we are pulling customers in from."

"I'm really glad for the team that we have to close on Easter Sunday. That will give the team a welcome break."

Alan also told GTN Xtra that across the Blue Diamond Group, gardening was down £1 million in the first 25 days of March compared to last year.  "Back in 2013 we were also similarly down and we did pull it back then, so provided we have reasonable weather and gardening gets traction during April and May all will be well."

See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre here

When it comes to buying compost, where better to shop than here in the UK, and that’s why Somerset based Durston Garden Products Ltd is keen to remind retailers what exactly it is that they have to offer.

Established in 1860 and with a reputation for supplying top quality compost, Durston Garden Products continues to go from strength-to-strength. Its extensive range of growing-media products includes everything a retailer needs. Products include: Multi-Purpose Compost, Seed and Cutting Compost, Farmyard Manure, Decorative Bark, John Innes ranges, Bulb Fibre and so much more.

The company boasts, the most state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of its kind in the UK today where the overall process from extraction of peat to bagging and delivery by Durstons ‘own lorries, is all undertaken from one location. What’s more it promises to deliver to anywhere in England and Wales within ‘five days’ from receipt of order -  a benefit not attributed to many of its competitors.

State-of-the-art Manufacturing Facility                     Delivery within Five Days

The company is still independently owned which means that it can offer its customers a much more personal service. This includes a minimum order quantity of just five pallets, per order. Pallets also come with brightly coloured corex header boards (F.O.C.) for point-of-sale display and can be used both  
in-doors or out.

Benefits of stocking Durstons Garden Products include:

• Extensive range
• Home produced compost
• Excellent quality
• Added nutrient Gro-Boost technology 
• Bagged in state-of-the-art packaging facility in Somerset
• Loaded onto Durston Lorry
• Delivered anywhere in England and Wales within 5 days from receipt of order
• Extremely price competitive

Environmental factors

Durston Garden Products is a company that takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously. For over fifteen years the company has worked hard to create its very own peat free product called Groboost which has proven to be extremely popular. The structure and composition of Groboost continues to be monitored and developed. Over time it has proven to be consistant in texture and quality and is created by mixing peat free ingredients together, then windrowing and turning it every week for ten weeks until an incredibly stable end product is achieved.

Recycling

Recycling is no exception either. The sacks for example into which Durstons compost is packaged are totally 100% recyclable and in an effort to promote and spread the word regarding sustainable use of plastic, Durstons has just undertaken a task of having this information printed onto its corex header-boards. This is so that consumers can benefit from knowing that when purchasing a Durston product that they too are doing their bit for the environment.

To summarise, Durstons really is a great British success story that Retailers who aren’t already doing business with, may want to consider switching to in the future.  Why, because it really is an extremely well rounded company that has so much to offer UK retailers:

• It’s easily accessible
• It offers an extensive range of top quality growing media products
• It’s a company of integrity 

It not only considers its place in the community but it also takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously; plus, it’s flexible in terms of order quantities and more importantly is competitively priced.

So a message to all you retailers out there, next time you go to place an order for compost,  don’t just automatically think of the big names that you’ve  always stuck with in the past,  think logistically, think quality, think British, think flexible, think price – THINK  Durston Garden Products because we will always SUPPLY what you DEMAND.

For more information about stocking Durstons Garden Products call: 01458 442688 or visit the website: www.durstonsgardenproducts.co.uk

The administrators acting on behalf of the ailing Home & Garden Group, which owns nine garden centres in the UK, have told GTN Xtra that they are trying to sell the business as a going concern.

“The first priority is to preserve jobs,” said Josh Voulters, National Communications Manager for Mazars.

Home & Garden Group, which employs a total of 164 staff at its nine centres, went into administration on March 27.

The group owns the following centres:

• Rutland Garden Centre, Oakham
• Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Bedfordshire
• Willington Home and Garden
• Ise Garden Centre, Kettering
• Stansted Park Garden Centre, Rowlands Castle
• David's Nurseries, Worcester
• Shopwhyke Garden Centre, Chichester
• Plowmans Garden Centre, Bournemouth
• Floralands Garden Centre, Nottingham

The administration is being handled by Adam Harris in Mazars’ London office and by Patrick Lannagan in Manchester.

With only one week left, this month is lookinig set to be the worst March for garden centre trading for eight years.

With Easter Sunday closing falling right at the end of the month it seems unlikely any lost ground will be made up even if the forecasted snow does not arrive.

That means it’s all about April and May now to turn things around. The last time we had a bad March, in 2013, April and May performed well with gardening happening and sales catching up. 

It may be time to dust off all those spring promotional ideas we’ve not had to use in the past few years when the weather helped draw customers into centres. Good idea, or wishfull thinking? Let us know: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 12)

• Garden Products - down 25%
• Growing Media - down 27%
• Veg-2-Gro - down 48%
• Wild Bird Care - down 18%
• All Plants Index - down 27%
• All Items Index - down 24%

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

Strength, British Heritage and reliability reflect the traditions upon which the Bulldog name has been built. Skill and craftsmanship have been key to the companies success for over 237 years.

Our forged garden spades and forks have heads made from a single piece of steel: no welds, no weak points. We use only the finest quality timber from sustainable sources to make the shafts, then bury the shaft deep within the socket.

Our traditionally made spades have head and handle sizes to suit every garden task, our heads are made from a single pieces of steel which is powder coated for protection. All the timber shafts are made from sustainable sources.

Each tool exceeds British Standards and is backed by our ‘ buy quality, buy once’ “Lifetime Guarantee”.

To find our more about the Premier Range go to: www.bulldogtools.co.uk

Or contact Sarah Cottle on: sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk or call on 0773 606 1255 where we will be pleased to help.

Inspired by the Cbeebies CGI incarnation of Peter Rabbit, the licenced range has been designed to target a new generation of Beatrix Potter fans and features garden accessories and outdoor clothing for children up to six years old. Available in two colourways – mint green or khaki ­– all products feature a montage of well-known Peter Rabbit characters.

With retail price points from £3.99 to £29.99, there are gifting options for every pocket. 

The range includes garden tools, buckets, watering cans, gloves and aprons plus a fun insect house with magnifying glass.  Budding young gardeners can keep warm and dry whilst outside with charming wellies, and raincoats.  This year sees the addition of a sturdy, fun wheelbarrow and warm wellie socks!

These additions are the latest in a long line of Peter Rabbit licensed products, the first being registered by Beatrix Potter herself in 1903!

The range is supported with an eye-catching interactive display unit and merchandising planograms.

Commenting on the collection’s success this year, Head of Brands Dean Winters said, “Peter Rabbit is one of the very few brands to be recognized and loved by every generation and the popularity of our Cbeebies inspired range is testament to this. With the  Peter Rabbit movie currently proving to be a huge hit in cinemas, we anticipate that demand for this range will only go from strength to strength over the coming months.”

Treadstone Products offers over 500 consumer products across several well-known branded collections, including the iconic Laura Ashley Garden Collection and The Good Life range of garden accessories.

Retailers interested in working with Treadstone can find out more by contacting the company on 01978664667 or email sales@treadstoneproducts.com

New to the UK gardening market for 2018, the Luminus gardening glove from Japanese brand Towa has made the final of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year 2018.

Available in three attractive floral designs - Rose, Olive and Herb - the Luminus glove combines aesthetic appeal, comfort and hand protection whilst retaining the dexterity and sensitivity of touch required for delicate gardening tasks. The palm is coated using Towa's patented MicroFinish technology which gives up to 100% more grip than standard gloves and brings the added benefit of less effort being required for handling tasks, something that older gardeners especially may appreciate.

Towa gloves are available exclusively in the UK and Ireland from Rodo Ltd. Gary Bent, Marketing Manager at Rodo, commented, "There's no other glove quite like Luminus in the gardening market. Feedback from users tells us that they love not just the designs, but also how comfortable they feel to wear and work with. And the RRP of just £7.99 makes them very accessible to occasional and serious gardeners alike."

Stocking enquiries from current and new customers are welcome on 0161 371 6400 or sales@rodo.co.uk

Launched in 2011, the RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year competition recognises the best new garden products, with entries being judged on a number of criteria including innovation, visual appeal, functionality, quality, value for money and environmental sustainability. Judging for the 2018 winner will take place on Sunday 20 May in the RHS Suite at Chelsea.

More information can be found at www.rhs.org.uk

Haskins Garden Centre group has opened its Christmas department across all centres, due to high demand from customers.

With centres in Dorset, Hampshire and West Sussex, the popular garden centre group experienced a higher number of visitors to the Christmas department last year than ever before. The group normally launches Christmas in September but has opted to open in April to give shoppers more time to spread the cost of Christmas over a longer period of time.

Dean Ridley, head of retail operations at Haskins, commented: "We normally give our customers three months to shop our Christmas department, but we're finding that more and more people are enjoying visiting early and we get quite a lot of requests to open even earlier. Can you ever really have too much Christmas cheer?"

Lisa Looker, brand director at Haskins, commented: "We have worked hard to ensure this bold move will put us on the map as a must-visit pre-Christmas destination. Christmas is always such a busy time and it can be quite stressful for some people. With just 269 days to go until the big day, we hope that by giving our shoppers more time to get themselves organised for Christmas that any stress can be avoided."

The exclusive Allure range from Elho is aptly named. Your customers will be drawn in by the natural beauty of these stunning pots and planters. The striking combination of plastics and FSC* wood fibres creates a soft look and natural stone texture, with all the ease and convenience of durable and recyclable plastic. And the entire Allure range can be used indoors and outdoors  the best of both worlds.

The timeless classical shape of the Allure Doppio Square (right) brings something special to any home, garden, terrace or balcony. The Allure Doppio Square Terrace can be used as an attractive divider for creating zones in outdoor spaces or indoor rooms.

The Allure Soft (above) is equally seductive, with gentle lines and the same natural look. The warm feel works just as well beside a garden lounger or next to the couch. When summer is over, its easy to move Allure pots and planters indoors, to protect precious specimen plants from harsh winter frosts. But severe frosts arent a problem for Allure.

These tough pots are designed to withstand temperatures down to -40oC. Made from unbreakable,high-grade plastic, the Allure range is practical as well as stylish. They are UV resistant and retain their rich natural colours in full sunlight.

New shapes and sizes of the Allure Ribbon (below) have been introduced for 2018, making this stunning collection even more varied and versatile. Mix and match different sizes and shapes of planted up Allure pots and planters to create an eye-catching display in store.

www.elho.com

Pooch & Mutt have today launched a ground-breaking pet food called 'Back 2 Pup' - for every one day you feed a dog this food it will grow one day younger.

The journey to discovery began back in 2015, when the Pooch & Mutt team trekked deep into the Amazon jungle with the Chudawg tribe, as part of a team building activity.

"The tribe included wolves, which were used for hunting and gathering. Over the 4 weeks we were there - we actually saw the wolves getting younger with each day and we couldn't believe it." Says Pooch & Mutt founder Guy Blaskey. "Living and working with the tribe led them to trust the team, and so they offered to share the secret of canine youth with us."

Blaskey reveals that the secret ingredient fed to the wolves is the Macameyung berry, found deep within the Amazon.

"We're working on getting the berry cultivated in the UK, and this is a very exciting time".

The breakthrough for the perfect Back 2 Pup formula has taken years of research. Pooch & Mutt have worked closely with Dr. Rinkel; the number one expert in anti-ageing canine nutrition. "The food has undergone extensive testing and it's very satisfying to have been a part of this discovery and witness its results." Says Rinkel.

Pooch & Mutt have denied rumours that Cher's classic hit "If I Could Turn Back Time" inspired the development of Back 2 Pup.

Leading indoor plant pot supplier Ivyline are 'spreading happiness' since the launch of their link with Greenfingers.

Ivyline's two triple packs of Happiness Teacups have been a great success! The two sets of happiness teacups are perfect for herb & cacti planting, a huge trend at the moment, and come packaged in a full-colour box, great for in-store volume displays.

UK Sales Manager James Brindle says: "Since the launch at Glee, and the prominent position within the Glee Trend Lab, sales of the Happiness Teacups have been brilliant. Orders are coming in already and strong volumes have been signed off within the largest groups in the industry. Having sold thousands since January the donation is building up very nicely. We are all really happy, no pun intended!"

Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families, who spend time in hospices around the UK. The charity funds, designs and creates magical and inspiring gardens for them to relax in and benefit from, and as Ivyline is donating 25p from every Happiness Pack sold, the teacups are helping to make a very real difference.

"We are so pleased to be working with James and the team at Ivyline, we all love these fun teacups which are sure to put a smile on many faces. Raising money for Greenfingers Charity through a promotion like this really is win win for all.  We hear that it's been great for business and at the same time is helping to make a difference to life-limited children and their families", says Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising & Communications, Greenfingers Charity.

"Ivyline are investing in more stock due to the volumes already sold and pre-ordered" James states "so contact your local Ivyline agent or our head office for more information".

Please contact your Ivyline Agent for further information or contact Ivyline direct on 0844 8002214 or on sales@ivylinegb.co.uk

Following their decision to review the Bunnings UK business by June this year, GTN Xtra Issue 7 2018 - Feb 3, 2018 , it now seems that recent spells of bad weather has pushed Wesfarmers into looking for prospective buyers already.

Yesterday, 31st March 2018, Sky News reported that investment bankers Lazard's who are working with Wesfarmers to review options for the future of Homebase have contacted a range of potential new owners in the last couple of weeks.

Read the full Sky News report here: https://news.sky.com/story/aussie-owners-in-talks-to-sell-homebase-after-340m-diy-debacle-11310795

Before the Wesfarmers purchase, Nicholas Marshall, who is rumoured to be on long term garden leave at Dobbies, was involved in a bid for Homebase.   GTN Xtra - Issue 75 2015 - Dec 6, 2015

What do you think the future holds for the Bunninngs/Homebase business?  Please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Gardman are making good progress with re-setting up their Kings Lynn distribution facility following the Daventry fire.

Marketing Director Will Hemmings told GTN Xtra: "We set up 250 SKU's ready to pick last week and will be shifting to 750 SKU's ready to pick this week. Next week we'll be up to well over 1,000 with both wild bird care and gardening categories up and running." 

Will added, "there is still no information from police on the individual involved in the suspected arson which is an ongoing investigation."

Garden Product sales showed signs of recovery last week with 38 out of the Top 50 lines increasing sales week on week. 

There’s still a big gap to make up but from the types of products seeing big increases we can be fairly confident sales will fully recover once the weather improves.

Highlights this week were:

• Stewart Flower Pots, 8 inch, Terracotta were the highest placed re-entry at No 16.
• Plantworks Empathy Rootgrow 150g increased sales by 140% to re-enter at No 35.
• Gardman Peat Pocket Refills, Pack of 50, was the highest new entry at No 41.

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

Tomato and other young veg plants got the Veg-2-Gro season back into life last week but the cold weather is holding back overall sales which are now almost one-third down on last year.

Highlights were:

• Quantil Tomato Tumbling Red Tom 8cm plants climbed 32 places to take the No 1 Veg Plant spot.
• 9cm Strawberries from Nursery Fresh Plants are the highest re-entry at No 3.
• Farplants Sage 9cm are the biggest selling herb plant for last week, re-entering the Top 50 at No 5.

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

Wild Bird Care grew week on week but is still running down year on year.

Highlights were:

• Four Peckish lines from Westland debut in the GTN Top 50 this week.
• Westland Peckish Mealworms 500g are the highest new entry at No 14.
• Gardman Fat Snax, tub of 50, remains the No 1 Wild Bird Care Bestseller.

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

Growing media sales last week climbed by 77%, showing signs of recovery after the Beast from the East 1 and 2. 

That is the biggest week on week growing media chart increase during March since 2014. 

With only one ‘good’ day last week – Sunday in our area – that shows there is plenty of desire to get gardening as soon as the weather warms up.

Highlights this week were:

• Westland Multipurpose, 50 litres with 20% Extra Free, climbed 13 places up the chart to take the pre-Easter No 1 Bestselling Growing Media line.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost, 40 litres, was the only new entry in the Top 50 at No 28.
• Westland’s The Gardener’s Multipurpose Compost, 50 litres, re-entered at No 30.

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

With one decent day last week, on the Sunday, plant sales moved back up again but were still 27% down on the same week last year. 

That was Mother’s Day weekend in 2017 which would account for the very big variance in Orchid and Rose sales.

The cold weather is still having a big effect with young Tomato plant sales down by 15%.

• Primula remain the No 1 Bestselling Spring plant.  Let’s hope they continue to sell through in volumes before they start to die off.
• Campanula climbed the most places up the chart this week – up 21 places to No 14.
• All Plants volume sales change: Week on week UP 41.9%.  Year to date DOWN 17.8% on 2017.

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

Block week 24 in your calendar now! From 12 to 15 June, no less than 60 breeding companies in the Westland (NL), Aalsmeer (NL) and Rheinland Westfalen (DE) areas will open their doors to show their latest assortment in pot and bedding plants to growers, exporters and buyers from across the world.
 
Three new participants will join the FlowerTrials® Organisation in 2018. Their varieties and locations will be included in the FlowerTrials® promotional activities.

Gruppo Padana breeds and supplies starting material for growers. The Italian company specialises in the production of young plants from seed and cuttings of a wide range of ornamental pot and bedding plants as well as vegetable plants. Moreover, the company runs its own breeding activities in Primula (Primabella) and Viola and is the exclusive distributor of Lavandula Lavinia (Plantinova) and Argyranthemum Grandaisy (MNP Flowers) for Italy.

Founded by the Eskelund family, the Danish Roses Forever breeds hybrid pot roses. The focus of their breeding program, besides production suitability, is on the novelty value, colour, scent, size of the flower, appearance and usability for different series and pot sizes. Gruppo Padana and Roses Forever will exhibit (show their assortment) at MNP Flowers in Aalsmeer.

The Westland region also welcomes a new exhibitor. Queen® Genetics is a Danish breeding company internationally known for its extensive range of ethylene tolerant pot and cut flower Kalanchoe. In addition to its latest innovations in this crop, Queen® Genetics will also display new varieties of pot roses, pot Chrysanthemum, Euphorbia milli, pot Aster and Echeveria at the new World Horti Center.

Due to the company’s divestment, the participation of the Danish breeder Dalina Genetics has ceased. Furthermore, Cultivaris from Germany will not exhibit in 2018, but will be back in 2019.

Movers and shakers
Following recent changes in the industry landscape, a number of breeders will exhibit at a new location. In the Westland, the brand new World Horti Center in Naaldwijk will host Schoneveld, Queen and Van den Bos Flowerbulbs. Selecta one and VWS will show their assortment at nursery P. Van Geest in Maasland. Prudac and Butterfly Garden move their display to Green 05, making this location a bigger cluster. In the Aalsmeer region, the Breeders Avenue group consisting of Takii, Floranova, ABZ Seed, Evanthia, Hem Genetics/Zaden, Thompson & Morgan and Fleuroselect will move to Takii’s new facilities just across the street (Mijnsherenweg 23, Kudelstaart). In a change to the German region, Geranien Endisch will no longer exhibit in Rheinland Westfalen, but will show its assortment at Florensis in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (NL).

The UK export federation Gardenex is organising the British pavilion at the 2018 National Hardware Show (NHS) in Las Vegas from 8 to 10 May 2018.  

It is the 22nd occasion that the federation has organised a group of British exhibitors at the major North American trade show.  

The UK companies will be exhibiting in a prime location in the Lawn and Garden section (North Hall) and all of the exhibitors will be showing products that are new to the North American market.

In addition to supporting the product suppliers at the show, Gardenex will be offering a free-of-charge UK garden product sourcing service for the benefit of overseas buyers.

Numerous new products and enhancements to its comprehensive ranges of garden tools are to be shown by Spear & Jackson (Booth 10432).  New items for 2018 include fixed blade pruning saws, soft feel mini snips, precision snips, an ‘every day essentials’ three-piece scissors set and mini hand tools for indoor plant care.  There are also cutting axes with fibreglass handles, innovative new style stainless steel hoes and new ergonomic stainless steel garden hand tools.  A number of new items for the sprayer sector comprise a 5 litre wood stain pump action pressure sprayer, a 15 litre backpack style pump action pressure sprayer and a 7-in-1 multi-function spray gun with brass connector.

VegTrug (Booth 10329) has chosen the National Hardware Show to launch additions to its growing accessories.  To complement its original self-contained raised planter, VegTrug is introducing a nursery four-tier greenhouse, Windsor ‘choose & use’ plant supports, towers and grow panels and a tomato greenhouse.  There is also a new Bee Bar that is designed to fit within the leg structure of the VegTrug.  This will attract bees which will help to pollinate the produce grown in the VegTrug.  Several other VegTrug products will be available in a new Gray Wash for the 2018-19 season.  These include small and medium VegTrugs, a herb garden, cold frames, tapered square planters, a nursery 4-tier greenhouse, a mini greenhouse with cold frame and a deluxe potting table.

Garden decor company, Home2Garden (Booth 10335) is showing a range of new designs with the focus on solar lighting and 3D solar lights.  These items are brand new to the US market and have already received a highly positive welcome across Europe.  The company’s hand-blown glass range that has been increasingly popular in the US market over the past 10 years has also been expanded.  Home2Garden has also introduced a larger range of its French collection of metal garden ornaments, incorporating stainless steel and rust-effect designs aligning with the ever-changing garden environment.  Designs across various ranges include an LED globe solar stake, stainless steel windmills, a silver gazing ball stake, a hanging butterfly solar light and an LED peacock water feature.

Gardenex (Booth 10333) is the UK Federation of British Garden & Leisure Manufacturers.  The federation is representing the UK garden and leisure industry with its British information stand at the show.  The Gardenex team will be assisting the British exhibitors on site and offering a free-of-charge UK garden and leisure product sourcing service to overseas buyers.  Since its formation 56 years ago, the Federation has been pleased to build close contacts within the North American market and looks forward to meeting established contacts as well as meeting new potential buyers of British gardening and leisure products.  The booth will also have information on Glee 2018, the leading UK trade exhibition for the garden and leisure industry.  The International Buyers’ Centre at Glee, which takes place this year from 10-12 September in Birmingham, is organised and manned by Gardenex.

Hangout Pod (Booth 10337) is showing its newly released Hangout Pod circular hammock.  Conical in shape once hung, the open design allows its user to enjoy comfortably all of the surroundings while experiencing the relaxing sensation of floating just above the ground.  Unlike traditional hammocks, the Hangout Pod can be used by more than one person and has sufficient room for everyone to find comfort when either sitting or lying.  Set up simply within ten minutes, the Hangout Pod can be used with the Hangout Stand or detached and hung directly from a tree, beam or alternative structure.  The hammock is transportable, lightweight and able to support 200kgs.

STV Pest Control (Booth 10434) is showing its Fresh Baited Rat Trap that has proven to be extremely effective in catching rats.  It has a powerful spring mechanism, a sleeved block for easy cleaning and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.  Refill fresh bait is available.  The Big Cheese range of products from STV is tested and proven, assuring the user that they are receiving the most effective solution to their pest problems.  Customer satisfaction with The Big Cheese products consistently brings back users to store and drives repeat purchases.

Another British company exhibiting at the show, The Firepod Ltd (Booth 10136) is showing its ultra-portable retro style stone baked pizza oven that is perfect for use at home, on the beach or when camping or boating.  At the show, The Firepod will be demonstrating that outdoor cooking is all about the fun of creating dishes to eat with friends and family in a relaxed atmosphere.

Haxnicks International is exhibiting on the booth of its distributor TDI Brands (Booth 10129) and is displaying its new Haxnicks Easy Table Garden that is designed to make growing vegetables and herbs both simple and enjoyable.  The raised, table-top height troughs have a built-in reservoir that holds 5 litres of water, to which liquid/soluble plant food can be added to feed plants automatically for up to several weeks at a time.  The table has a frame and polycover that protects the plants from harsh weather and pests and encourages faster growth.  The planting troughs are made from Haxnicks Vigoroot fabric which air-prunes the roots of plants, stimulating extra growth and producing larger, healthier plants and crops in a small volume of compost.  Table Garden is ideal for patios, balconies and small gardens.

Bloomin Amazing, a new 100% peat-free and plant-based soil enricher, is now available for gardeners to buy at all three of The Gardens Group’s award-winning garden centres, following managing director, Mike Burks, helping to get this pet and animal friendly product to launch.

This odourless and nutritious soil conditioner is a by-product of a unique and pioneering renewable energy venture, which is sited in Poundbury, Dorset.

A collaboration between the Duchy of Cornwall and local farmers, this initiative will supply gas to 4,500 local homes during winter and 56,000 in summer.

Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, explains: “Not only are the Duchy of Cornwall and local farmers managing to supply homes in Poundbury and the surrounding area with gas using locally sourced materials, they have also created a fantastic gardening product which conditions the soil and supresses weeds.

"Bloomin Amazing will be a very welcome addition to the shelves at Brimsmore, Castle and Poundbury Gardens, as we continue to inspire gardeners to use wildlife and environmentally friendly gardening practices to manage their outdoor spaces.”

 

GTN Xtra has learned today that the Home & Garden Group, which own nine garden centres, has gone into administration. The news came from several sources.

The Home & Garden Group consists of the following centres:

• Rutland Garden Centre, Oakham
• Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Bedfordshire
• Willington Home and Garden
• Ise Garden Centre, Kettering
• Stansted Park Garden Centre, Rowlands Castle
• David's Nurseries, Worcester
• Shopwhyke Garden Centre, Chichester
• Plowmans Garden Centre, Bournemouth
• Floralands Garden Centre, Nottingham

GTN Xtra will update you with further information when it becomes available.

Blue Diamond opened their 20th garden centre on Thursday 22nd March at East Bridgford, Nottingham.  The design, described by MD Alan Roper as "Redfields Plus" was an instant hit with customers resulting in packed car parks, busy cafe, thousands of Diamond Club sign ups and plenty of full trolleys going through the tills.

Below you can view our full picture tour of the new centre, taken on Friday 23rd March, when the car park and cafe was being tested to it's limits despite their marketing campaign not kicking in until the weekend.

MD Alan Roper told GTN Xtra last night after Saturdays trading: "A tidal wave of people came to East Bridgford today.  I was helping in the pot wash and marshalling cars in the car park along with the rest of the team to manage the situation.  This is going to be bigger than we anticipated.  We've already put signs up at the tills to recruit more staff.  It's really pleasing for the team who have worked so hard to get the centre open and looking so great.  Thank you to them all."

East Bridgford marks the start of a busy year for Blue Diamond with redevelopments in the pipeline for Fermoys and Harlow centres plus new sites in negotiations in East Anglia, the North East, Yorkshire and the South of England.

One supplier at the centre on Friday described the new centre as Redfields on steroids.  Take a look at our picture gallery below and judge for yourself and watch out for more coverage of the store in future issues of GTN Xtra and GTN.

Home improvement and garden retailer Bunnings Warehouse has opened two more stores – Walton-on-Thames and Norwich Sprowston –  amid ongoing fears that its Australian owners Wesfarmers will pull the plug on the UK operation.

After disappointing financial figures Wesfarmers announced “a review of Bunnings UK and Ireland has commenced to identify the actions required to improve shareholder returns.”

That review is thought to be still proceeding amid calls for the Australian company to stick it out and make the UK business work.

Wesfarmers bought DIY chain Homebase for a reported £340 million just over two years ago and has been slowly rebranding stores under the Bunnings Warehouse banner.

The new Walton-on-Thames store is the 21^st Bunnings Warehouse to be opened in the UK. It’s located on the site of the former Homebase on New Zealand Avenue, is 34,000 square feet and offers customers a wide range of global market-leading brands.

The 22^nd store in the portfolio – Norwich Sprowston – has just opened.

Walton-on-Thames Complex Manager, Roy Tripp, said: “All our team members have worked really hard to get the store ready for opening and have undertaken many hours of training to make sure we have the expertise to help customers with home or garden projects.”

To celebrate the opening, Kelly Smith, former England Footballer joined a welcome breakfast for team members.

Kelly said: “I’ve had a great time opening Bunnings Warehouse Walton-on-Thames. Just like football, success is built on strong teamwork and it’s evident that everyone here is committed to making the store a hit.”

The store is hosting a number of events this weekend, including the famous Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, face-painting, balloon modelling and even join Chase & Skye for a Story Time session.

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2015 as well as 2016 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this week are here

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.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

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Lesley Waters, TV chef and owner of Lesley Waters Cookery School in Halstock, will hold two cookery demonstrations at Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester, Dorset on Thursday 10 May.

Inspired by seasonal and local produce, Lesley will create three courses during both two-hour long sessions, which seasoned cooks and beginners alike will be able to sample on the day and replicate at home with the recipes provided.
 
Lesley will use equipment from Owen & Simpson Cookshop and products from Olives Et Al’s The Potting Shed, both located at Poundbury Gardens, as she creates dishes including a smoked trout bruschetta with orange and dill relish and a chicken saltimbocca with a Marsala glaze served with an artichoke and black lentil salad. To finish, a rhubarb, almond and orange pudding cake will be baked, served with salted coconut and lime custard.
 
The pop-up cookery demos will take place at the event space on the first floor of the garden centre, located just off Queen Mother Square in Poundbury, from 10:30am – 12:30pm and then 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Tickets cost £30 per person and are available online at www.lesleywaters.com.