In This Issue
Join in #FloralFriday today, celebrate re-opening and say thank you!
Orderly queues form as garden centres in England re-open
“Stay Alert” - make sure your customers and staff have a safe and enjoyable garden centre experience
Making garden centres friendly, safe and accessible again
Green light for garden centres to re-open on Wednesday in England - UPDATED - Comment from James Barnes at HTA and Alan Titchmarsh MBE
Dobbies’ Swansea reopened
Wales - Monday, England - Wednesday or June 1st?, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
St Peters staff in tears after council serves Prohibition Notice
Getting ready for business - feedback from Coolings, Planters, The Gardens Group, Blue Diamond, Green Pastures, Fron Goch and more
GrowNation Secures Free Social Distancing Help and Advice for Garden Centres
It was a Red, White and Blue #FloralFriday
Reopening your retail store: Step two – sanitation & portable hand washing/sanitisation stations
RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year to be judged during Virtual RHS Chelsea
GrowNation and Industry Partners Provide Click & Collect to Garden Centres
Violinist Rosanne Philippens embraces the sun in Keukenhof
Promising Digitalis Panther available now
Fiskars’ annual Happiness and Wellbeing Study
Free use of 16 different Covid-19 safety measure/social distancing posters
New online garden retailer Lockdown Gardener launches for home delivery
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
GTN Xtra - Send to all
The best of last week's
We need centres re-opened, says Sun legend Peter Seabrook
Tricia Cox co-founder of Glendoick Garden Centre dies
Safe Trading Guidance for all garden centres published by HTA
Reopening your retail store: Step one - signage & screening
James Stamp to the rescue
Record Number of Suppliers and Garden Centres Spread a little Floral Cheer on #FloralFriday
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Pets Corner in garden centres re-opened
Dobbies’ podcast explores gardening for beginners
GrassSaver Soft Chews for dogs will help gardeners keep their lawns in pristine condition
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
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Join in #FloralFriday today, celebrate re-opening and say thank you!

Today (Friday 15th May) Greenfingers Charity are urging the nation to use this #FloralFriday as an opportunity to say thank you to all those who have lobbied and campaigned to support nurseries, growers and retailers...


Following on from the success of last weeks’ #FloralFriday, Greenfingers Charity is calling on its supporters and others to dig out their favourite floral outfit and post a selfie, or a pic of their favourite plants and flowers, on social media. 

 

And this week the charity is asking for your help to celebrate the re-opening of hundreds of garden centres across the UK.

 

Speaking about #FloralFriday, Director of Fundraising and Communication, Linda Petrons said: “The last eight weeks have been a tremendous challenge for so many, especially our friends in the garden industry.  This week, we were thrilled to hear that retailers were given the green light to open their doors once again.  And so today (Friday 15th May) we are urging the nation to use this #FloralFriday as an opportunity to say thank you to all those who have lobbied and campaigned to support nurseries, growers and retailers.”

 

Greenfingers Charity, and GTN Xtra, would love to see your floral photos, particularly if you are working in or visiting a garden centre or nursery tomorrow.

 

By now, you know what to do:

  • Post your favourite floral image or floral selfie on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #hortindustry #greenfingers
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity
  • Only if you can, make a donation to Greenfingers Charity by texting

FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5

As our industry can begin to look forward to better times, we look forward to seeing how #FloralFriday creative you and your business can be this week.  

 

To find out more about the work of Greenfingers Charity and how you can help, contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 01494 674749. 

Orderly queues form as garden centres in England re-open

This was the scene at British Garden Centres Osterley garden centre just before 9:00am on Wednesday morning.

 

Send us your pics and videos of your re-opening experience, thanks to the team at Downtown Garden Centre (below), and we'll publish as many as we can in GTN Xtra at the weekend...

 


This was the scene at British Garden Centres Osterley garden centre just before 9:00am on Wednesday morning.

 

 

Send us your pics and videos of your re-opening experience, thanks to the team at Downtown Garden Centre (below), and we'll publish as many as we can in GTN Xtra at the weekend.

 

Send to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

Have a great weekend everyone who has re-opened.  Stay Alert and Stay Safe!

 

“Stay Alert” - make sure your customers and staff have a safe and enjoyable garden centre experience

Yesterday afternoon, in advance of garden centres re-opening today in England, I went to Megaplants in Doddington, Cambridgshire. Megaplants is a small plant centre that got permission to re-open two weeks ago...


Megaplants 120520GTN 007.jpg

Yesterday afternoon, in advance of garden centres re-opening today in England, I went to Megaplants in Doddington, Cambridgshire. Megaplants is a small plant centre that got permission to re-open two weeks ago.

 

“Every day has been like a bank holiday since then,” explained owners John & Lorraine Cutteridge. “We got permission from Fenland District Council because we sell garden tools/hardware as well as plants and we’ve had plenty of visits from environmental health officers who have been very helpful in ensuring our social distancing measures are good.”

 

While I was at Megaplants the thing that struck me most was how carefully the staff were observing social distancing, particularly with customers. The visit was a safe and secure experience so it’s no wonder they have had such high sales and large numbers of positive comments on social media.

 

Garden centres across the country will now be hoping for more of the same from today. If the Megaplants experience is anything to go by customers will be buying a lot of plants as soon as centres open.

 

We should all be very grateful for the work done by the HTA and the media support generated that raised the profile of garden centres and gardening to levels never known before. Thank you.

 

But all that good work could be outdone so, so easily if centres get it wrong. We only need a tabloid newspaper to publish photos of people NOT social distancing in garden centres and we could all be back to square one.

 

The Prime Ministers message of “Stay Alert” may have caused confusion on Sunday and Monday but it now seems to make huge sense for garden centre staff: “Stay Alert” and make sure your customers and staff have a safe and enjoyable garden centre experience and don’t let anyone turn their visit into a social gathering.

 

The YouGov survey found that 70% of people who have visited a garden centre in the past feel comfortable about coming back. The next few days will hopefully be steady days to test procedures before the weekend. With good weather forecast it could be a very busy weekend. More than ever garden centre owners and staff will need to “Stay Alert” to keep themselves and their customers safe.

 

Go well!

 

Trevor Pfeiffer, GTN Xtra

 

Meanwhile... The HTA urges its members to take a thoughtful and considered approach to reopening:

 

HTA Chairman, James Barnes, said: “Following on from Friday’s announcement that garden centres in Wales can reopen, we welcome the news that centres in England will also be allowed to reopen from Wednesday.

 

“For garden centres who are reopening, it is essential that we proceed with the utmost caution. I am aware that many businesses have already begun to implement very robust policies around social distancing, but we now need everyone in the industry to download the HTA’s Safe Trading Guidance from our website. The Guidance provides specific protocols for garden centres and has been shared with government. You do not have to be an HTA member to access the document.

 

“In order to provide reassurance to members of the public, the HTA will be asking all their members and non-members listed on the plantsnearme.hta.org.uk website to indicate when they have reopened and that they are following the Safe Trading Guidance. 

 

“The Guidance is there to help develop a thoughtful and considered approach to reopening, so we would encourage business owners to take their time to go through it, and to contact the HTA or their local authority if any aspect is unclear. And remember that you do not need to open on Wednesday - if you are not ready then you must wait until you are.”

Making garden centres friendly, safe and accessible again
GTN Xtra promotion

Some garden centres have already taken massive steps to reopen safely. Many in the garden industry, and in retail at large, will be keenly watching and evaluating what works and how customers respond. No doubt over the coming weeks there will be refinements and many improvements as it becomes clear things will stay ‘different’ for a long time.

 

Green Magic Co (Sign-Holders.co.uk) has been beavering away during lockdown to discover, devise and deliver new solutions...

 


Some garden centres have already taken massive steps to reopen safely. Many in the garden industry, and in retail at large, will be keenly watching and evaluating what works and how customers respond. No doubt over the coming weeks there will be refinements and many improvements as it becomes clear things will stay ‘different’ for a long time.

 

Making customers and staff feel secure and relaxed once again will take time. Some of the emergency measures may disappear as all that sticky tape on the floor gets grubby and peels. Other changes will become entrenched in our new culture and retailers will want to make some temporary solutions prettier, friendlier and more professional.

 

Innovation is everywhere

Like many, Green Magic Co (Sign-Holders.co.uk) has been beavering away during lockdown to discover, devise and deliver new solutions. Our core signage products are suddenly in great demand. Our specialist wire suspension systems have been flying out as businesses appreciate that protection screens and guidance signs can be hung from roof-spaces to position them in clear line of sight. Additionally we have developed several new virus protection products, with the first production quantities arriving very soon.  Be warned, demand is high.

 

Here is a quick preview

At many counters and checkouts, hanging sneeze guards offer a low-cost alternative to rigid acrylic guards fixed to the counter. When scanning plants and bulky items a narrow aperture is not practical. A suspended sneeze guard can be set at a sensible height to allow adequate access. Our suspended protection screens are made of tough crystal-clear PET with aluminium top and bottom rails. These are much lighter than rigid acrylic (such as Perspex) – though we also supply an extensive range of adjustable hanging wire systems to suit the acrylic type.

 

Protecting staff and customers from airborne transmission requires different solutions away from the checkout. When staff need to assist customers a face shield visor is a useful option. The visors we supply do not look overly obtrusive. They are comfortable to wear with through ventilation combined with an adjustable elasticated head strap. They can be worn with glasses.

 

To supplement two metre social distancing, there are occasions when freestanding clear screens are valuable for protecting people via a physical divider – in and out of the loos for example. We will soon launch the modular floor screen system pictured above. We aim for a good looking yet affordable solution, to supplement the similar screwed-down designs we already offer for reception desks and information counters.

 

Hand sanitising is going to be with us long term. For an investment less than the wage of a member of staff for a day, you can have a smart hand sanitiser station with integral poster frame in which to display your own branded message.

 

Our new hand sanitiser stands feature a 1 litre capacity lever dispenser, which can be operated by elbow, with an optional accessory for dispensing gloves or wipes if required. From June we will be supplying our own brand of 60% alcohol hand sanitiser gel (in 5 litre bulk bottles). Contactless dispensers are coming, but the reliability of lever action dispensers is already well established. We anticipate customers will soon expect to see professional hand sanitiser stations everywhere.

 

Returning to our core products, many garden centres are using the signage systems they have previously purchased from Green Magic to great effect. A few examples are pictured, sporting the HTA themed posters which we recommend garden centres use or adapt.

 

Here too we have been busy innovating – for example we have a simple new fitting which slips onto our existing models of FreeStander floor signs to attach any kind of chain, to direct foot traffic or restrict access. For a recap of existing lines, whose potential you might have overlooked, please click our weblink below.

 

Finally some words of advice

  • Demand for protection equipment is very high from every sector: advance planning and pre-ordering is highly recommended.
  • Avoid being panicked into paying crazy prices for the wrong solutions.
  • Do not endanger your staff and customers by feeling pressurised to reopen before you are ready. React quickly if things are going wrong.
  • Learn what works and be prepared to refine and improve, so that your garden centre looks less like a hazardous assault course and returns to being relaxed, safe and accessible.
  • Stay safe and Be alert (Oh no! I’ve only gone and said it).

 

All Green Magic products are available to order (or pre-order as applicable) online at www.sign-holders.co.uk/virus-protection.html

 

Article written by Nigel Spelman, founder and chairman of Green Magic Co.

 

Green light for garden centres to re-open on Wednesday in England - UPDATED - Comment from James Barnes at HTA and Alan Titchmarsh MBE

A green light has been given for garden centres in England to re-open on Wednesday May 13th.  In new "Staying alert and safe (social distancing)" guidance, published this afternoon by the Cabinet Office it says "Food retailers and food markets, hardware stores, garden centres (from Wednesday 13 May) and certain other retailers can remain open...


Garden Centres in England have been given the green light to re-open from Wednesday 13th May.  In new "Staying alert and safe (social distancing)" guidance, published this afternoon by the Cabinet Office it says "Food retailers and food markets, hardware stores, garden centres (from Wednesday 13 May) and certain other retailers can remain open.

 

Here is the link to the full Cabinet Office document: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing#businesses-and-venues

 

Back in April a YouGov poll recorded that Garden Centres were the leisure/retail destination they would feel most comfortable in visiting when they re-open.  70% of people surveyed who have ever visited a garden centre said they would feel comfortable about going back after restrictions are lifted.  We could be in for a challenging few weeks as people get out and about.

 

Garden centre staff will certainly have to "Stay Alert" to make sure Social Distancing rules are adhered to.  Having gained this milestone the last thing we will want is bad publicity about garden centre shopping experiences. 

 

Please use the comments link below to share your thoughts, or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

Response from The Horticultural Trades Association:
The UK Government Announcement on the Opening of Garden Centres in England

 

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chairman, James Barnes, comments: “We welcome the UK Government’s announcement that garden centres will be allowed to reopen from Wednesday. We are in peak season, when 70% of plants sold are between March and June. Opening garden centres this week in England will be applauded by millions of gardeners and the garden industry. This is not only a positive economic move but gardening benefits the mental health and well-being of so many people isolating at home and the importance of having something to do at home keeps you at home.

 

“We have sought urgent talks with the Scottish Government to ascertain when a date will be set for the reopening of garden centres in Scotland as soon as safely possible. The current situation will confuse the public and put the Scottish horticulture industry at a disadvantage to the rest of the UK. We have made the same case to the Northern Ireland Executive.

 

“As an industry, our responsibility is to now work together to deliver a reopening programme safely and responsibly. The HTA has produced Safe Trading Guidance, which covers all aspects of how garden centres can re-open while ensuring staff and customer safety at all times.

 

“Although opening gardening centres is hugely welcomed, this isn’t the single answer for the £1.5bn British nursery market, which has already had to dispose of hundreds of tonnes of plants. We will continue our talks with DEFRA to secure a rescue package for this sector. The best option now is for the UK Government to pursue a simple Dutch-style compensation scheme, which will help save our horticultural industry.

 

“We have been working closely with garden centres and while many are ready to open and have been working hard to put in place the necessary measures to ensure the safety of both their customers and their staff, our priority over the coming days will be to provide help to those that need further support. This is to ensure that we can get as many businesses back up and running but only when they can open safely.

 

“Due to the popularity of gardening we know that there will be a huge surge in demand. We would ask customers before setting out on their journey to check first that their garden centre is open. The Plants Near Me website will show which garden centres have signed up to the Safe Trading Guidance We hope that the public will be patient with us while we adapt to these new trading conditions.”

 

Alan Titchmarsh, MBE, comments: “This is welcome news for both growers and gardeners. It is up to us all now to make the supply chain work safely. Garden centre managers must ensure that customers have as pleasant an experience as possible without compromising their wellbeing. As customers we need to understand the endeavours being made by garden centre staff to supply our needs under exceptionally difficult circumstances. With joint determination to make this work - and that will involve patience and cooperation on both sides of the till - we can rescue a situation and avert what seemed, a few weeks ago, like total disaster. Gardens enhance our lives, and now we have a chance to support and encourage those who grow the plants that fill them.”

 

Safe Trading Guidance

The HTA has produced a Safe Trading Guidance which includes a series of recommendations to protect customers.

 

The guidance document has been based on insight from leading HTA retailers, the British Retail Consortium, and from government advice as a recommendation of best practice regarding social distancing. Cafes, restaurants and children’s play areas will not be allowed to reopen under the guidelines.

 

Recommendations include advice on customer numbers in stores, entrance and exit protocols, and queueing and checkout procedures. It also contains practical advice on how to protect the health and wellbeing of staff.

 

What customers can expect

 

  • controlled access to car parks
    limits on customer numbers in store – the recommendation is 1 per 1000 square foot
    customers will be asked to shop with a maximum of one other person if possible and will be required to keep 2m distancing throughout the store and whilst queueing.
    cafes, restaurants and children’s play areas will not be allowed to reopen under the guidelines.


The HTA recently launched a website - plantsnearme.hta.org.uk - to help customers find local garden centres that are offering home delivery or click and collect services. Members of the public will now be able to use the website to see which businesses have reopened and are following the Safe Trading Guidance.

 

 

 
Dobbies’ Swansea reopened

Dobbies Garden Centres reopened its Swansea store this morning, Monday 11 May.


Graeme Jenkins, CEO for Dobbies, said: “It has been a very positive start to our first day of reopening the Swansea store.

 

“Our team members have been well briefed on the social distancing measures that have been implemented.

 

“Customers so far have been most interested in buying plants, tools and compost for their gardens.”

 

Following updated guidance from the Welsh Government that garden centres may open, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, reopened its Swansea store on Monday 11 May.

 

The safety of our team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority and social distancing measures have been implemented to allow the store to operate safely.

 

A limited number of customers are permitted in the store at one time, with people asked to shop alone, if possible. A queuing system is in operation outside the store, with two metre markers in place to help maintain social distancing. Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be available at the store entrance.

 

Protective screens have been installed at tills and customers asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible. Appropriate PPE has been provided for team members, who will also receive training and regular briefings on how to keep themselves and customers safe. Rigorous daily hygiene routines will continue throughout the store.

 

Whilst the restaurant and soft play will remain temporarily closed, Dobbies will offer a takeaway menu including hot and cold drinks, soups, toasties, panini and selected bakery items from Thursday 14 May. Club Plus members will be able to redeem their hot drink credits and birthday treat vouchers.

 

Graeme Jenkins added: “We have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by the Government, British Retail Consortium and Horticultural Trade Association to reopen responsibly.

 

“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”

 

Measures in place for reopening the Swansea store

  • We are limiting the number of customers in store at one time
    We ask that customers shop alone if possible
    A queuing system will be in operation outside the store
    Two metre markers will be in place inside and outside of the store
    Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be available at the store entrance
    We have installed protective screens at our tills
    We ask that customers pay by card or contactless if possible
    Appropriate PPE has been provided for team members
    Team members will receive training and regular briefings on how to keep themselves and customers safe
    We are continuing our rigorous daily hygiene routines throughout the store
Wales - Monday, England - Wednesday or June 1st?, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

All of the lobbying and media activity about garden centres re-opening appeared to be bearing fruit with the Welsh Government announcing garden centres in the province could open from Monday and plenty of media comment on Sunday that garden centres in England would be able to open from Wednesday 13th May.  However, the omission of any mention of garden centre's re-opening in the Prime Ministers address on Sunday evening leaves possible doubts as to when re-opening will be possible in England.

 

The only mention of shops re-opening in the address came as part of step two "– at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6."

 

Boris Johnson said he would be "setting out more details in Parliament on Monday afternoon and taking questions from the public in the evening" so we will have to wait for a few more hours...

 

 


All of the lobbying and media activity about garden centres re-opening appeared to be bearing fruit with the Welsh Government announcing garden centres in the province could open from Monday and plenty of media comment on Sunday that garden centres in England would be able to open from Wednesday 13th May.  However, the omission of any mention of garden centre's re-opening in the Prime Ministers address on Sunday evening leaves possible doubts as to when re-opening will be possible in England.

 

The only mention of shops re-opening in the address came as part of step two "– at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6."

 

Boris Johnson said he would be "setting out more details in Parliament on Monday afternoon and taking questions from the public in the evening" so we will have to wait for a few more hours to see if the leaks from No 10 spokespeople are correct and that garden centres could actually be allowed to re-open on Wednesday.

 

The situation in Northern Ireland and Scotland also not clear, although with Southern Ireland allowing garden centres to open from Monday May 18th that could well be the date for centres to also re-open north of the border.

 

Not all garden centres in Wales, however, will open on Monday.  The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (pictured above) said on their Facebook page: "Although we would now be allowed to open, we will NOT be opening our doors for public access just yet.  We will continue with our popular, non-contact click/call and collect service and home deliveries for the next few weeks.  We are operating in this way to protect our team and customers and to give us plenty of time to prepare our store for social distancing."

 

Even some centres in England won't be opening straight away on Wednesday, if that is the actual date announced by the Prime Minister.  Adam Wigglesworth at Aylett Nurseries told GTN Xtra: "I'm really excited about being able to open again but we have a shift change on Tuesday night so we will be spending Wednesday on staff training to make sure we are in the best position to trade from Thursday onwards."

 

The Welsh centres of Dobbies, Blue Diamond and British Garden Centres have all confirmed they will be opening their centres in Cardiff, Swansea and Camarthen at 9:00am on Monday and the rest of their centres when permission is given.

 

Following the Welsh Government announcement The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chairman, James Barnes, commented: “We welcome the Welsh Government announcement to reopen garden centres from Monday. Gardening benefits mental health and well-being for so many people isolating at home and the importance of having something to do at home keeps you at home. This is a hugely positive economic move.

 

“We trust that the Prime Minister and First Ministers in Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow this lead and announce on Sunday that garden centres can open across the UK.

 

“As an industry, our responsibility is now to work together to deliver a reopening programme in Wales safely and responsibly. The HTA has produced Safe Trading Guidance, which covers all aspects of how garden centres can re-open while ensuring staff and customer safety at all times.

 

“We have been working closely with garden centres and while many are ready to open and have been working hard to put in place the necessary measures to ensure the safety of both their customers and their staff, our priority over the coming days will be to provide help to those that need further support. This is to ensure that we can get as many businesses back up and running but only when they can open safely.

 

“With over 23 million gardeners throughout the UK, we know that there will be a huge surge in demand. We would ask customers not to rush to retailers and buy more than they need and before setting out on their journey, to check first that their local garden centre is open. The Plants Near Me website will show which garden centres have signed up to the Safe Trading Guidance We hope that the public will be patient with us while we adapt to these new trading conditions.

 

“While the news of garden centres reopening in Wales will be welcomed by hundreds of growers across the country as hopefully a sign to come for the rest of the UK, the damage has already been done to our industry, as garden centres have been closed during the annual peak period for plant sales – 70% of plants are sold between March and June and 60% of plant nursery sales in the UK are made through independent garden centres. The only way to rescue this sector now is for the UK Government to pursue a simple Dutch-style compensation scheme, which will help save our horticultural industry.”

 

This morning, Sunday 10th May, the HTA issued the following update regarding garden centres in England in expectation of a positive announcement:  “We welcome the news that garden centres will be allowed to open from Wednesday in England. This is a hugely positive economic move and hopefully this will be confirmed tomorrow night by the Prime Minister. Based on the specific comments we have seen from government sources, it is good to see that they have recognised that the physical layout of many garden centres with large open air spaces make them suitable for early re-opening. This is something we have highlighted many times to government at all levels since the start of lockdown.

 

“As this is the peak of the garden industry season - 70% of plants are sold between March and June - opening garden centres now will be welcomed by the 23m gardeners in this country and the UK garden industry. We hope the news of reopening from Monday in Wales and Wednesday in England is a sign to come for the rest of the UK."

 

 

St Peters staff in tears after council serves Prohibition Notice

After receiving hundreds of plaudits from customers staff at St Peters Garden Centre in Worcester were left in tears after Wychavon District Council served a Prohibition Notice on the business following the re-opening of their food hall and pet departments...


 

After receiving hundreds of plaudits from customers staff at St Peters Garden Centre in Worcester were left in tears after Wychavon District Council served a Prohibition Notice on the business following the re-opening of their food hall and pet departments.

 

Will Blake and his team re-opened just the food hall and pet areas of the garden centre last week after being given the go-ahead from their local trading standards office.

 

The re-opening gained hundreds of welcome comments from customers with much praise being lauded about the Social Distancing measures implemented.  See the video below.

 

 

However, during the week the Environmental Health Authority of Wychavon District Council, which includes Trading Standards, decided because St Peters main business was as a garden centre then they could not open and trade as just a food retailer, citing the Coronavirus Health Protection regulations.

 

Despite leveraging the legal assistance of the GCA, Will Blake and his team were unable to stop the council serving the Prohibition Notice and as a result the extremely disappointed team were told on Thursday evening that they would not be able to open on Friday or over the weekend.

 

"Yesterday we had one of our best trading days," explained Will, "our click and collect and delivery service was starting to pick up, but they told us click and collect is not allowed either.

 

"We've screened off all other departments of the garden centre and every customer was briefed personally on arrival as to what they were able to buy and what we were not selling in store.

 

"And all the while we have people trading around us, B&M, The Range, supermarkets, all selling plants and we know there are other garden centres around the country open and trading.with a smaller food offering than us.

 

"Let's hope some good news comes on Sunday night as we have a butchery full of stock which needs selling fast!"

 

 

Getting ready for business - feedback from Coolings, Planters, The Gardens Group, Blue Diamond, Green Pastures, Fron Goch and more

Last week we asked garden centres what their plans were for getting back to business with particular reference to policies for staff safety, and we also asked for feedback on how they would welcome reps calling on them when they re-open...

 

“We had a work party on a couple of evenings and then all (unfurloughed) staff came in on Saturday to help with the last push in re-organising. They then posed as customers and we tested the one way systems and the till are to see how our modifications worked..."

 

"We will need all the help we can get!  If I can till train a rep then we would do that too!..”

 

"We accept that restaurants will be amongst the last to open and we accept that come the end of June our catering team is facing redundancy..."


Last week we asked garden centres what their plans were for getting back to business with particular reference to policies for staff safety, and we also asked for feedback on how they would welcome reps calling on them when they re-open...

 

We started by asking Mike Burks, The Gardens Group and current GCA Chairman if they had been able to maintain their famous twice daily staff tea breaks outside in the planteria:  "Yes, the famous tea break is alive and kicking - we're just spread out over a wider area!

 

“We have been re-organising the sites as per the HTA guidelines, which of course the GCA have been working on by heavily liaising with the HTA.

 

“We have involved the teams at all stages and have had regular discussions and have incorporated everyone's ideas.

 

“We had a work party on a couple of evenings and then all (unfurloughed) staff came in on Saturday to help with the last push in re-organising. They then posed as customers and we tested the one way systems and the till are to see how our modifications worked. This was hugely useful.

 

“The things we will be doing is meeting and greeting at the front of the centre and also publishing and handing our  plan of the site and encouraging customers to plan their shopping list in the correct order.

 

“It just won't be possible to have reps call in until the restrictions ease. It will all have to be done by phone or email

 

“It will be re-inventing the business again and we will have got some things wrong but it’s not for the want of thought.”

 

Gerald Ingram, Planters said: “All three centres have had a nearly full compliment of staff in for this week. We had hoped we might be allowed to open this weekend but that is fading.

 

“We will allow 60 in when we re-open but review it quickly depending on the feel of the store.  The key will be getting people through the tills as quickly as possible.

 

“Our plan would be to see Reps if they have an appointment. It will be easier to check stock if they do come in and as I suspect it’s going to busy.  We will need all the help we can get!  If I can till train a rep then we would do that too!”

 

James Debbage, Green Pastures in Norfolk reminded us that he had set up the restaurant dining area as an extra packing area for customer orders to give staff more staff to work apart from each other.

 

“Garden Centre orders are still very full-on! They are naturally switching from being very compost and perennial oriented to bedding and basket plants as one would expect. As we're loading more higher value nursery stock onto our website that's been selling well too.

 

“Food deliveries have definitely subsided now that people are going back to supermarkets / or shopping online. We all hoped that "supporting local" would stick a lot more when it came to buying food but sadly this doesn't appear to be the case with most people now. We can’t complain too much though because our hands are more than full with garden centre deliveries and on-site farm shop sales are still very buoyant.”

 

Gary Carvasso, Coolings said: “We will follow the HTA advice.

 

“Everyone is now focussed on online sales so physically opening will not be without its operational challenges, however it will be very welcome!

“We are happy to see reps as we have plenty of meeting rooms that allow us to maintain 2m distancing.


“In terms of merchandisers we use our own team and are considering opening an hour later and flexing hours to restock as much as we can before the public arrive.


“Till/reception area screens are being installed as we speak with more PPE arriving shortly.


“We are increasing our home delivery capacity considerably this week as online will be such a large part of life until a vaccine is found. Online has been a real help in clearing space on the nurseries of plants that would have rotted, we will be so happy to see people browsing the sites once more.”

 

Alan Roper, Blue Diamond told us: “We are currently pulling together our social distancing protocols for implementation once opened. To include screens at till.

“One option is to count customers in and out so you have a constant level of customers in store that can ensure they are all able to maintain a 2m distance.”

 

Kati Taylor, Fron Goch commented on the situation: “It is incredibly challenging and it seems everyone's personal experience of the pandemic varies dramatically, which in itself is hard to comprehend.

 

“Since lock down began we have retained a small hardworking team enabling us to operate a delivery and more recently, 'click and collect' service for the local community. Continuing to offer these services throughout, has maintained a level of energy within the business and enable us to connect with our customers while isolating. Certainly, in the first few weeks of uncertainty we experienced a dramatic increase in customer interaction on our social media platforms which helped guide us to what the need of the customers were.  Simply interacting with customers this way, many of whom had been regularly visitors of ours prior to lock down has been vital to maintaining contact and gauging public reaction throughout the pandemic.  

 

“As the situation has evolved, so have our working methods and procedures. Using guides from the HTA, government website and crucially looking at how other businesses that have been operating throughout the situation, supermarkets, convenience stores, DIY stores etc... How have they implemented and advertised the measures and reactions to these has proved invaluable over the last two months.  It is clear that this is new norm and we need to engage and induct the team upon returning to work, reassuring them that safety within the workplace is priority.

 

“Our provisional safe practice guides for the team and customers will evolve as more guidance comes from the government over the next few weeks and we are able to open to the public.  As per the supermarkets and DIY stores, the social distancing procedures will need to begin in the car park. Limiting customer numbers into the centre.  Providing provisions for sanitising stations at key points throughout the centre. Adapting the flow to one way with social distancing tape, floor markers, POS throughout the centre.  Minimising pressure at till points, clear guidance for the team how to manage social distancing, erecting sneeze screens at customer service and payment points.  The team upon return will be inducted on the procedures and how they can protect themselves while maintaining customer service standards and expectations.

 

“The future of how our customers shop and there need to visit us will evolve dramatically in the months to come. With no date for reopening of the restaurant, social distancing measures, cancelling of events all of which provide footfall throughout the centre results in the need to re-evaluate how we operate. Developing our delivery and 'click and collect' services will be high on the priority list as caution, change in buying habits and isolation for many will continue long after lock down rules are lifted.

 

“What we do have is a desire and enthusiasm to succeed and find a way through.”

 

Finally, a garden centre owner who is very concerned about the impact of all this on his staff told us:  “We are going to have to make some difficult staff decisions.  It's very much a waiting game at the moment with so many more questions than answers.

 

“When will we be allowed to open? What restrictions will be in place? Will customers actually come and shop with us? Can we get stock in time? And hundreds more. So planning is very difficult.

 

“We hope that garden centres will be amongst the first to be unlocked. We hope there is still a demand. The longer it goes on the more of the planting season passes by.

 

"We accept that restaurants will be amongst the last to open and we accept that come the end of June our catering team is facing redundancy.

 

"We have applied for a substantial loan to see us through the next 12 months and should this be approved, the bank will ask us to justify all of our decisions.

 

"We think we will have to operate with a reduced workforce and trading will be difficult. There is the real possibility the market will be flooded as retailers scramble to turn stock into cash to pay suppliers.

 

"Our layouts have been redesigned a number of times to allow for even wider aisles and less browsing. This keeps staff and customers apart.

 

"We have temporary fencing ready for queue control.

 

"Our cleaning schedules have been adapted with till screens, trolleys, desks and other surfaces used by staff and customers to be cleaned more frequently.

 

"We have planned changes to our staff welfare facilities and will introduce limits where necessary. We will have a second staff room and it is unlikely we will restock the vending machines in the short term. Staff mugs will be replaced with disposable ones and if necessary we will relocate some staff lockers so they are not all in the same place.

 

"We have closed public toilets but will continue to offer staff loos and these will be cleaned even more regularly.

 

"We have extensive signage produced and ready to go. These include reminders on social distancing and respecting our colleagues.

 

"We have a plan for our website and social media to let the customers know what is and what is not available so staff don't have to deal with as many customers face to face.

 

"We do not know if our concession partners will want or be allowed to open - so we have a back up plan in case they do not.

 

"We have some staff training to do when the team come back and we know that some of them will not want to return and may well leave us permanently.

 

"We will ask for card payments only - but won't refuse cash.

 

"We are yet to decide on restrictions to family members. Ideally we would ban children, under 16's, but this may not be easy to do. We will of course control numbers into store and follow the supermarkets example. There is a concern that we become a meeting place, somewhere to browse or accidentally bump into the grandparents if wider restrictions remain. This could be hard for us to manage.

 

"We accept we cannot force the customer on a one way journey and are prepared for customer disputes with one another. We will have a zero tolerance policy clearly displayed.

 

"We have face masks on order, alcohol gels and wipes in stock for customer and staff use.

 

"We have a strict till procedure that will help social distancing.

 

"We have made changes to our information desk to keep people apart.

 

"We need to manage deliveries in and out to maintain social distancing.

 

"We are considering after hours restocking to keep customers and staff apart.

 

"Opening / trading times are under review too. We may open longer and/or stagger staff start times.

 

"We accept that we might have to make some jobs redundant.

 

"Better to protect the majority of the jobs and lose a few rather than see the business fail.

 

"There is still work to do and things may change once we know more."

 

If you'd like to add your staff protection ideas and actions to this story please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GrowNation Secures Free Social Distancing Help and Advice for Garden Centres

GrowNation (grownation.co.uk), today announces free professional advice on social distancing and safe operation to garden centres across the UK...


GrowNation (grownation.co.uk), today announces free professional advice on social distancing and safe operation to garden centres across the UK.

 

With garden centres in England and Wales finally re-opening their doors to the public, businesses are having to adapt their premises and procedures to keep staff and customers safe.

 

Guidelines available from the HTA have been an invaluable resource for many. Where questions remain, GrowNation has secured help from qualified environmental health specialists to answer specific questions.

 

Advice on social distancing, practical considerations around running a click and collect or local delivery service, employee safety or indeed any other EH related matter is now available to all garden centres whether they have a GrowNation web shop or not.

 

Steve Meleka, Managing Director of GrowNation said: “In keeping with our mission to help horticulture through the COVID-19 crisis, we think it’s essential that garden centres have access to the advice they need to operate safely. We’re thrilled to be able to announce our partnership with Samantha and the team at My Compliance People who have made this free service possible.”

 

Over 50 environmental health specialist volunteers are available to help businesses by helping them address specific concerns or grey areas. Complex issues around keeping workforces safe, handling customer flows, designing and positioning signage and more can now be resolved with the help of qualified professionals.

 

Steve continued: “A tremendous amount of effort has gone into lobbying government to allow garden centres to open again, so it would be a tragedy to see them have to close due to misinterpretation of official guidelines or a lack of detailed help specific to their individual situations. Our hope is that this initiative will ensure that doesn’t happen.”

 

To access the free advice, garden centres simply need to visit grownation.co.uk/eh-help and follow the on-screen instructions.

 

The next few weeks will be crucial for garden centres and their entire supply chains. After so much time has been lost, it’s critical for everyone that garden centres can process as much volume as possible in what is now a much shorter season.

 

GrowNation are working with growers, wholesalers and others to make setting up retail web shops extremely quick and easy for garden centres, with no up-front cost. Sites can be fully set up and ready to take orders for click & collect or local deliveries, typically in less than an hour.

 

The company are also collaborating with printers and commercial hygiene suppliers to bring a range of signage, cleaning products and other essentials to market in the coming days. These will support those garden centres who decide to offer click & collect as a way to efficiently increase potential sales volumes.

 

Garden centres can now apply for their own free web shops - fully populated with detailed product information and images from suppliers including Farplants, Hozelock, Porters Fuchsias/Happy Plants, Bransford Webbs, New Leaf, Lovania, Quantil, Taylors Bulbs, SBM Life Science (Phostrogen/Baby Bio), Plantworks (Empathy/Rootgrow/After Plant), Fallen Fruits and Primus. Additional significant partnerships are at various stages and will be announced in due course.

 

GrowNation charges no up-front fees, instead, the business model is completely commission based, with credit card and PayPal transaction fees absorbed by the company as part of the service. Retailers can get more information or claim their free website at: grownation.co.uk/sellplantsonline

 

All GrowNation websites are completely free to set up and include:

• The ability to list as many (or as few) products as each retailer wants.

• Secure online payments via PayPal or credit/debit card.

• A unique web address with its own unique storefront and product range.

• A simple to use retailer dashboard to help manage orders and customer details.

• Simple, commission based payment with no lock-in period and no up-front cost.

• No additional charges for online payment processing.

 

Wholesalers can request more information and provide their product data by visiting the GrowNation website at: grownation.co.uk/supply-garden-centres

 

My Compliance People is the leading safety and compliance marketplace which provides an easy and flexible way for business to find the expert or services they need direct, on demand and at much better value. The platform has mobilised the largest network of independent quality assured experts covering all compliance areas including: Food Safety; Fire Safety; Health and Safety; Statutory Testers such as gas, fire, asbestos, water, legionella, electrical, gas and load testing; Food Technology and Manufacturing; Trading Standards and Labelling; Licensing and Security; Allergens; Pollution Control; Noise and Nuisance; HR; Bookkeeping & Accountancy.

 

Their experts offer a wide range of safety & compliance services and you can book your expert by the day to suit your business needs. They are offering Coronavirus remote re-opening checks at this time to ensure businesses are Covid-19 secure by getting external expert opinion on PPE, social distancing measures, PoS notices and other measures businesses need to take to keep staff and customers safe on re-opening.

 

To take advantage of the free help and advice available through My Compliance People and to see the full list of experts and services available to purchase, simply visit grownation.co.uk/eh-help.

It was a Red, White and Blue #FloralFriday

#FloralFriday (May 8th) saw thousands of friends come together in the sunshine to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day...


#FloralFriday (May 8th) saw thousands of friends come together in the sunshine to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. 

 

As the nation celebrated with neighbours, in a socially distant fashion, bunting and flags adorned the streets of towns and villages and afternoon tea was enjoyed in the front gardens of thousands.

 

With many once again taking part in #FloralFriday, this special Anniversary day ensured the garden industry remained in the minds of those who last week took part.

 

Perrywood, Barton Grange, Millbrook, GTN, Vitax Ltd, Evergreen Garden Care, Taylors Bulbs, HTA, LOFA, GIMA, Glee, Hornby Whitefoot are just some of those businesses who regularly join in the floral fun on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. And in doing so, keeping their brand alive along with that of Greenfingers Charity.

 

With garden centres set to re-open next week and many planning how to watch a virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this Friday (15th May) is the perfect time for you to get involved, promote your plants, your products, your business and your location.

 

By now, you should know what to do:

  • Post your favourite floral image or floral selfie on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #hortindustry #greenfingers
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity
  • If you can, make a donation to Greenfingers Charity by texting

FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5

  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

As our industry can begin to look forward to better times, we look forward to seeing how #FloralFriday creative you and your business can be this week.

 

To find out more about the work of Greenfingers Charity and how you can help, contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 01494 674749. 

 
Reopening your retail store: Step two – sanitation & portable hand washing/sanitisation stations

 

Advice from Cleaner Retail – a new one-stop-shop designed to assist in creating a sanitised environment for safer shopping and a clean retail experience for the consumer...


Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the benefits of frequent and thorough hand washing to stop the spread of the virus have been well documented. However, within a retail environment direct access to soap and water is limited, which is why Cleaner Retail – a new one-stop-shop offering everything retailers need to safely reopen to the public – has curated a comprehensive collection of pop-up hand washing stations and sanitisation solutions.

 

Pop-up (portable) hand washing stations (H-Wash)

Available for use both front and back of house, these self-contained ‘pop-up’ stations provide everything needed to maintain hand hygiene within a retail setting.

 

Requiring no plumbing or electricity, Cleaner Retail’s Hand Wash Stations, or H-Wash, come complete with soap, paper towels and a waste bin. The water is foot pump-activated by the user. Each unit can hold 45 litres of water, enough for 225, 20-second hand washes.

 

Made from 70% recycled lightweight plastic, these hand washing stations can be easily located throughout the shop floor, including outdoor areas, as well as within warehouses and stockrooms to ensure staff comply with the highest possible hygiene standard. The lightweight nature means they can be easily relocated to ensure that areas of high footfall are targeted.

 

Additional Cleaner Retail hand washing stations for smaller spaces and for use in delivery vehicles complete the offering, offering 225 and 25, 20-second hand washes respectively.

 

Cleaner Retail offers bespoke branding for all H-Wash units, based on a minimum order quantity of 25. Prices start from £204.00 with delivery available within seven to 14 days.

 

Sanitisation solutions

Clean hands stop the spread of Covid-19 but sanitisation of surfaces and surrounding areas is the next step in ensuring a clean and safe environment for staff and customers alike.

 

Cleaner Retail has turned to leading experts, Ramsol®, for its sanitisation solutions. Ramsol®’s Water-Based Sanitiser Disinfectant Spray - available from Cleaner Retail in both 22 litre and 500ml containers, with the latter benefitting from same day dispatch - contains active biocides, specifically designed for the cleansing and disinfecting of hard and soft surfaces, as well as electrical products making it ideal for offices and tills, and is also food safe.

 

The Ramsol® spray is a revolutionary mist spray designed to sanitise and disinfect difficult to reach and intricate areas with full surface coverage. The ingredients within this product deal rapidly and effectively with an extensive list of bacteria, viruses, fungi and moulds. The speed of application and effectiveness of Ramsol®’s Disinfectant enables retailers to increase the speed of service, improve the customer experience and minimise downtime, whether wiping trolley handles or ensuring a fast-moving customer flow at the hand sanitisation units.

 

Coming soon to Cleaner Retail will be a number of portable, design-led hand sanitisation stations featuring Ramsol®’s disinfectant solution. Benefiting from 1,200 applications, each of these portable hand sanitisation units, available in a range of customer colours and finishes, are perfect for use on the shopfloor, offices, restaurant and hospitality settings.

 

Cleaner Retail’s Scott Thomas said: “UK retailers will have to prove that they have taken the necessary steps to meet government requirements regarding hygiene and sanitation in order to reopen. Hand washing and ensuring optimum cleaning processes have been met will be key to this. With our hand washing stations and Ramsol®’s disinfectant, retailers can feel confident that they are hitting the mark and can pass this peace of mind onto staff and customers.”

 

Further information regarding the government’s advice for use of hand washing stations in the workplace can be found here.

 

Find out more

To find out more about Cleaner Retail, or to place your order please visit www.cleanerretail.com. Alternatively call 024 7633 9189, email info@cleanerretail.com or get in touch with your usual Ivyline contact or agent.

RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year to be judged during Virtual RHS Chelsea

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has announced it will host the prestigious RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year Competition and a special People’s Choice vote for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade during its first ever virtual show, taking place from 18-23 May...


The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has announced it will host the prestigious RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year Competition and a special People’s Choice vote for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade during its first ever virtual show, taking place from 18-23 May.

 

The news comes as the RHS revealed that for the first time in its history, the world-famous flower show will take place online after it was cancelled due to Covid-19.

 

RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year
The RHS has unveiled a shortlist of 11 finalists for the 2020 competition, featuring designs awash with sustainable solutions as gardeners increasingly demand products with greener credentials.

 

Products making use of agricultural by-products and reusing natural materials are among the finalists as well as tech innovations for city living, with designs allowing gardeners to grow food effectively in smaller outdoor spaces and a smartphone-controlled lawnmower.

 

RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year 2020 shortlist:

 

  • The City Growhouse, by Access Garden Products, RRP £479 in plain aluminium £599 in Anthracite, www.garden-products.co.uk/ - A dedicated growing area in even the smallest garden. Ideal for city living.
  • Meander 3, by Gaze Burvill, RRP £6,960, www.gazeburvill.com/ - Combining elegant sculptural curves with practicality and comfort, the ‘Meander 3’ is a delightful and novel three person conversation seat.
  • Infinity Sheet by Green4Air, RRP £215, www.green4air.co.uk/ - CAD designed sheets designed to integrate and work with Green4Air’s 150mm pod spacing system both horizontally and vertically 128 x 55deg slots are cut into the black 10mm thick sheets using a highly specialised 5axis CNC router machine.
  • Small Pot Set of 3, by Husk, RRP £9.99, www.madewithhusk.com - Pots made using agricultural waste which fertilize the soil when they biodegrade.
  • Ooni Karu, by Ooni, RRP £249, www.ooni.com - a powerful, portable wood & charcoal-fired pizza oven offering portability with all the power of a larger wood-fired oven.
  • Husqvarna 305, by Platts Horticulture, RRP £1099, www.plattshorticulture.co.uk/ - A robotic lawnmower which offers a low price point without compromising on performance. Can be controlled by an app on a smartphone.
  • Steel Container/Pottery Knife, by Sneeboer Trading BV, RRP £69.95, www.sneeboer.com/en/ - An all sides sharpened, long, flat, flexible stainless steel container/pottery knife that comes with a red beech grip. Designed to help with re-potting plants in difficult containers.
  • Stone King, by The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, RRP £29.99, www.patioblackspotremoval.com/ - Gently, restores the original beauty to natural stone sculpture, artificial stone figurines, bird baths, sundials and terracotta pots and urns in less than 90 minutes without pressure washing.
  • Naked Garden Twine, by Twool, RRP £2.95, www.twool.co.uk/ - Garden twine made from locally sourced underused wool with a high tensile strength.
  • Vegebag, by Vegepod UK, RRP £29.99, www.vegepod.co.uk/ - Made from a tough polyester base, the Vegebag helps gardeners of all abilities to produce fantastic crops in small spaces with protection from garden nasties, all year round.
  • Potting Table, by Wilstone, RRP £245, www.wilstone.com - Made from Galvanised Steel and Recycled Teak for practical durability, this lightweight Potting Table has carry handles, two drawers, shelf and a uniquely designed extend-able worktop revealing a compost store.

The shortlisted products will be judged virtually by a panel of experts including well-known entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den investor Deborah Meaden, gardening writer Peter Seabrook and Chair Chris Harrop with the winner being announced as part of Virtual Chelsea on Monday 18 May 2020.

 

A People’s Choice vote for the Garden Product of the Year will also follow, where virtual visitors will be able to vote for their top product from the shortlist. Open from Monday 18 until Friday 22 May, the People’s Choice winner will be revealed on the final day of the show, Saturday 23 May.

 

RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade
Each year the show also awards the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year selected by an audience of over 100 plant experts, including members of trials forums and the seven RHS Plant Committees.

 

In celebration of its tenth anniversary this year, the virtual flower show will instead host a People’s Choice vote for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade, allowing everyone to vote for their overall favourite from the previous winners.

 

The Chelsea Plant of the Year was launched in 2010 to promote the continuing work of breeders and nurseries in producing improved and exciting new plants and welcomes entries from exhibitors in the Great Pavilion.

 

Previous RHS Chelsea Plants of the Year:

  • 2010: Streptocarpus ‘Harlequin Blue’ - Dibleys Nurseries (bred by Lynne Dibley, UK)
  • 2011: Anemone Wild Swan (‘Macane001’) - Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants (bred by Elizabeth MacGregor, UK)
  • 2012: Digitalis Illumination Pink ('Tmdgfp001')  - Bee Up Front Garden (bred by Charles Valin, Thompson & Morgan, UK)
  • 2013: Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis ‘Soft Caress’ - SeeAbility Garden (bred by Ozzie Johnson of ItSaul Plants, USA)
  • 2014: Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori (‘H20–2’) - Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres (bred by Ryoji Irie, Japan)
  • 2015: Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum Kilimanjaro Sunrise ('Jww5') - Burncoose Nurseries (bred by Jan Willem Wezelenburg, Holland)
  • 2016: Clematis koreana Amber (‘Wit141205’) - Taylors Clematis (bred by Marco de Wit, Holland)
  • 2017: Morus ‘Waisei-kirishima-shikinari’ (entered as Mulberry ‘Matsunaga’)         - Horticultural Trades Association (bred by Hajime Matsunaga, Japan)
  • 2018: Hydrangea Runaway Bride Snow White ('USHYD0405') The Sun (bred by Ushio Sakazaki, Japan)
  • 2019: Sedum takesimense Atlantis (‘Nonsitnal’) - National Dahlia Collection (bred by Walters Gardens)

Voting for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade will open on Monday 18 and run until Friday 22 May with the winner set to be announced on Saturday 23 May.

 

Katherine Potsides, RHS Head of Shows Development, says: “Plans for the first virtual Chelsea are well underway and we are delighted to still be able to share the best in our horticultural world despite it being a hugely challenging time for everyone.

 

“These competitions shine a light on some of the best in product design and innovations in plant breeding, and have become a highlight for our visitors and gardeners everywhere so we are thrilled we are able to share and celebrate them once again in 2020.”

 

The RHS website www.rhs.org.uk will become host to the Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show (18 – 23 May 2020) sharing an abundance of free, inspiring content, with Monday 18 May being Members Day.

GrowNation and Industry Partners Provide Click & Collect to Garden Centres

GrowNation (grownation.co.uk), last week announced partnerships with leading horticultural organisations to allow garden centres to begin selling online immediately through click & collect and local delivery services...


GrowNation (grownation.co.uk), last week announced partnerships with leading horticultural organisations to allow garden centres to begin selling online immediately through click & collect and local delivery services.

Steve Meleka, managing director told GTN Xtra:  “We were thrilled to be asked by the HTA to offer our GrowNation web shops on their ‘essential suppliers’ directory. We’re looking forward to helping HTA members and others to quickly get online and take advantage of the unprecedented customer demand that we’re seeing all over the UK.”

Garden centres can now apply for their own free web shops - fully populated with detailed product information and images from suppliers including Farplants, Hozelock, Porters Fuchsias/Happy Plants, Bransford Webbs, New Leaf, Lovania, Quantil, Taylors Bulbs, SBM Life Science (Phostrogen/Baby Bio), Plantworks (Empathy/Rootgrow/After Plant), Fallen Fruits and Primus. Additional significant partnerships are at various stages and will be announced in due course.

He continued: “We’re really hoping for some good news from the government this weekend, finally allowing garden centres to get back to business and to restore some confidence and optimism throughout the supply chain.”

Growers and wholesalers have provided GrowNation with detailed product data, images and prices, allowing them to create fully featured web shops for garden centres - including each suppliers’ products - typically in less than an hour.

GrowNation charges no up-front fees, instead, the business model is completely commission based, with credit card and PayPal transaction fees absorbed by the company as part of the service. Retailers can get more information or claim their free website at: grownation.co.uk/sellplantsonline

Steve added: “The next few weeks are a crucial part of the year even in normal circumstances, but with social distancing measures in place, garden retailers may only reach up to 40% of their usual footfall.

 

"The interruption to cashflow caused by this will be significant, which is why we’re recommending click & collect as a solution to increase sales. Our platform allows customers to view and order products online before collecting them safely from the retailer’s car park. Vulnerable customers - and staff - will appreciate the additional safety this provides.”

 

All GrowNation websites are completely free to set up and include:

  • The ability to list as many (or as few) products as each retailer wants.
  • Secure online payments via PayPal or credit/debit card.
  • A unique web address with its own unique storefront and product range.
  • A simple to use retailer dashboard to help manage orders and customer details.
  • Simple, commission based payment with no lock-in period and no up-front cost.
  • No additional charges for online payment processing.

Wholesalers can request more information and provide their product data by visiting the GrowNation website at: grownation.co.uk/supply-garden-centres

 

GrowNation will take 10% commission on every website order to cover payment processing & maintenance fees. One fifth of this commission will be donated to the Perennial and Greenfingers charities for six months from 1st May 2020 to help fund their vital work.

 

The GrowNation (grownation.co.uk) platform is one of a series of marketplaces from ConnectNation Ltd, a company formed to help address some of the unique business challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

 

ConnectNation was founded by a group of colleagues with specialisms in marketing (including in the horticulture sector), CRM platform design & integration, business analysis, social media management and ecommerce website development.

 

The company is currently working with the award-winning ecommerce platform and digital marketing company, Visualsoft. Their VSCommerce platform underpins the GrowNation service, making it possible to rapidly deploy websites to allow garden centres to start selling online quickly. See: www.visualsoft.co.uk

Violinist Rosanne Philippens embraces the sun in Keukenhof

Keukenhof wants to show the blooming park to as many people as possible. The park has therefore entered into a unique partnership with violinist Rosanne Philippens. In a 5-minute video, viewers can see and hear Rosanne embracing the sunrise in a colourful Keukenhof...


Keukenhof wants to show the blooming park to as many people as possible. The park has therefore entered into a unique partnership with violinist Rosanne Philippens. In a 5-minute video, viewers can see and hear Rosanne embracing the sunrise in a colourful Keukenhof.

 

“With this video, we introduce people to something that is somewhat further from their experience,” says Bart Siemerink, managing director of Keukenhof. “Flowers, colours and music have a big influence on people's mood. We want people to enjoy the combination of colourful flowers and the touching violin music by Rosanne Philippens.”

 

The first hour of sunlight of the day is also known as the magic hour or the golden hour. At 6 o'clock in the morning Rosanne Philippens played the sonata No. 5 for violin by the Belgian violinist-composer Eugene Ysaÿe.

 

Rosanne Philippens said: “The 5th sonata of Ysaÿe is nicknamed 'The sunrise'. In this piece you hear the world slowly getting brighter: the flowers open up and the animals wake up. Finally, at the end of the play, you can hear the sun shining above the park. It's wonderful how Ysaÿe manages to express all this in notes!”

 

 

The video is part of the "Keukenhof virtually open" campaign. Every week, Keukenhof shares how the park is blooming through its social media channels and employees show their favourite places via videos. The park previously shared a 360-degree video of almost 9 minutes and the video below of the beautiful park! Keukenhof Virtually Open

 

 

 
Promising Digitalis Panther available now

 

 

Appealing, and with a profusion of flowers. Dainty on the outside and bold on the inside. Continuous flowering from early spring through to late autumn. Digitalis Panther is available now...


Appealing, and with a profusion of flowers. Dainty on the outside and bold on the inside. Continuous flowering from early spring through to late autumn. Marking the launch of the new Digitalis Panther. This new product is available now!

 

High decorative value
When you see the new Digitalis Panther, you can recognise instantly that this is no ‘wallflower’. The plant has a very natural appearance, thanks to a bushy habit with a large number of shoots with an impressive number of flowers. The flowers are quite unusual in terms of both shape and colour. The elegant pink flowers immediately catch the eye. The inside of the flower reflects the name - a bold animalistic pattern: Spotted Sensation. What an incredible contrast!

 

Growth, flowering and sustainability
Digitalis Panther has a proven strong character and can grow in a wide variety of (climatic) conditions. It blooms for a long time, it flowers continuous from early spring through to late autumn. The nectar in the flowers is very appealing to bumblebees and honeybees, and thereby contributes to the survival of these pollinators. The Panther is a perennial, and therefore fits perfectly in a sustainable garden.

 

Ideal garden plant
The sturdy Panther has a compact growth habit with short stems packed with flowers. It grows to a medium height up to 50 - 90 cm (whilst other Digitalis varieties are often taller). This means it can be easily used in any garden (or public planting project). It looks very attractive in large pots or planters - or in beds, of course. But Digitalis Panther offers another benefit. The plant does not produce any seeds (non-invasive) so that the plant will not reseed itself.

 

Availability
Digitalis Panther is a promising new product from Takii and is being launched in conjunction with four selected distributors: Florensis, Ball, Graines Voltz and Rudy Raes. The garden plant is being grown in various pot sizes by a number of European growers. For more information about the availability of Digitalis Panther please contact Takii or one of the aforementioned distributors.

 

Takii is one of the world’s leading breeders of vegetable and ornamental crops. ‘Creating tomorrow today’ is the guiding slogan behind the company's philosophy. Driven by this belief they create, produce and distribute high quality cultivars and provide high quality support to their partners in the supply chain. The company is the market leader in floriculture for sunflowers, canna and brassica, amongst others.

Fiskars’ annual Happiness and Wellbeing Study

To support Fiskars’ consumer-focussed Happiness and Wellbeing Study, the company is offering a 2020 spring trade offer...


Fiskars has released the results of its annual Happiness and Wellbeing Study, which analyses consumer insight into gardening and its beneficial effect both on physical and mental wellbeing. The results are more poignant than ever due to this current period where consumers are spending more time at home.

 

The study is centred on finding out how gardening impacts people’s lives and it highlights that gardening is a welcome escape from stressful lives. Almost 90% of people responded that they believe that gardening increases happiness, with 95% agreeing it is a good way to keep physically fit.

 

Additionally, 88% of people surveyed also stated that gardening reduces anxiety or stress. It offers an opportunity to get outside in the fresh air, as well as providing a real sense of purpose and achievement. 88% of people believe that working on their garden is just as important as enjoying the results.

 

According to the study, this extra time has provided many consumers with an opportunity to learn new skills, such as growing food, which almost nine out of 10 of those surveyed said is a great way to care for their family.

 

Exclusive spring trade offer:  To support Fiskars’ consumer-focussed Happiness and Wellbeing Study, the company is also offering a 2020 spring trade offer, which follows on from a successful campaign that took place last year.

 

This offer, running until the end of June, is designed to both incentivise garden-loving consumers and drive retail sales uplift when garden centres do safely re-open to the public. The offer rewards shoppers who spend a minimum of £50 on Fiskars products between 1st March to 30th June 2020, by sending them a £10 voucher if they are still happy with their purchase after 60 days. If the customer spends £100, they receive a £20 voucher. They can then return to the retailer and spend the voucher on anything in store. In the unlikely event the customer is unhappy with their Fiskars purchase after 60 days, they will directly refund 100% of the cost of the product to the consumer.

 

Fiskars has a range of high-quality gardening tools to help consumers tend to their garden and enjoy spending this extra time at home. Range highlights include the unrivalled garden cutting tools which form the company’s Solid range. The Solid Snip Pruner, Shears and Tree Pruner combine ease-of-use, comfort and proven performance for all cutting and pruning tasks undertaken by passionate gardeners and those new to the activity.

 

Constructed from composite plastics for the handle and body, with precision-ground steel blades, the Solid range guarantees reliability and satisfaction for customers keen to do the very best job.

 

Georgina Taylor, Trade Marketing Manager at Fiskars, says: “We are dedicated to making gardeners’ lives easier here at Fiskars, and as the nation is spending more time in their garden, it is now more important than ever that we continue to support our trading partners.

 

“In a highly competitive marketplace, we intend to continue to stand out so that our retailers and customers benefit from easy access to our products, are rewarded for their purchasing loyalty and have even greater choice going forward.”

 

For more information on Fiskars visit www.fiskars.co.uk.

 
Free use of 16 different Covid-19 safety measure/social distancing posters

Spring Marketing are currently providing garden centres with a range of 16 FREE poster designs communicating the safety measures they are putting in place for their customers and staff in preparation for reopening...


Spring Marketing are currently providing garden centres with a range of 16 FREE poster designs communicating the safety measures they are putting in place for their customers and staff in preparation for reopening again.

 

Their designs allow for own branding and personalisation with changes to content as garden centres require. All free of charge using the base design artwork they have produced which gives the individual garden centres autonomy over their own communications with their customers in their store than what they can access elsewhere. 

 

See the designs available here: http://www.springmarketing.co.uk/branding/garden-centres-under-review-for-reopening/

 

With many staff furloughed at the garden centres they may not now have the resource to do this themselves as they had before and within the timeframe needed. This could save them the time, thought and cost they may incur to organise themselves otherwise.

 

For garden centres it’s as easy as 1 2 3…just send an email to vanessa@springmarketing.co.uk with:

  1. Your logo
  2. Specific changes to details for the measures you choose and designs you would like
  3. Largest size of posters required, A1- A5  (they are scalable from that)

Vannessa told GTN Xtra: "We will send you a download link to all of your posters chosen in a print ready format for you to print off immediately, in A1 to A5 format.

 

"We are currently producing posters within 1 day of receiving the information by email, including weekends, this might change according to requests, so first come, first serve – don’t miss out, let us help now!

 

"We have worked in the garden centre industry supporting independent garden centre owners and managers since 2006. It is a big part of our client network and we hope they will be reopening as quickly and safely as possible soon. We are pleased to support this fantastic industry who are facing a hugely challenging time during the Covid-19 social distancing restrictions more than we have ever known before. By offering our design services freely at this challenging trading time for them is our part in helping an industry whose business with us has been instrumental in growing Spring Marketing and our learning over the last 14 years."

 

For more information please contact Vanessa Banner on 07720 432910 or vanessa@springmarketing.co.uk .

 

New online garden retailer Lockdown Gardener launches for home delivery

Last week saw the launch of Lockdown Gardener distributing the plants from a number of growers including Farplants and Crossland flowers in Sussex and delivering directly to homes in and around London...


Last week saw the launch of Lockdown Gardener, a new type of business in the horticulture sector that is very customer-focused, digital in nature, born out of lockdown and driven by a sense of purpose.

The business was started as a response to the fact that Garden Centres were closed and the news was reporting that 1000’s of plants were at risk of going to waste. Lockdown Gardener is distributing the plants from a number of growers including Farplants and Crossland flowers in Sussex and delivering directly to homes in and around London.

The business, which took seven days from an idea to the website going live, was set up by gardening industry experts including Sussex-based horticulturalist Jonathan Ward, together with Justine Noades, formerly of Wyevale Garden Centres, and partner Ashley Pollak who has spent many years creating video & digital content for retailers and the garden sector.

With the new retail environment emerging the team feel that a specialist horticultural retail delivery company is well placed to seize any opportunities

The trio report that the whole process of getting the business up and running has been surreal as Justine and Ashley couldn’t meet with Jonathan face to face or any of the suppliers due to the lockdown so everything was set in place by digital means, whatsapp and the phone. The small team also had to work at breakneck speed as the majority of summer plant sales are always April - June and the sun has been shining, driving Brits to get out into their gardens during lockdown.

One of the three Founders of Lockdown Gardener, Justine Noades said “From the moment we launched, it was obvious from the calls and e-mails how grateful our customers were to be able to get hold of plants and how important it is for them to be able to be productive in their garden during this lockdown period.

We are also not just selling any plants but hand selecting our plants based on what is most suited to the time of year, what is going to be most popular and what is available. We are curating what we put on the site in response to what we know about our customers and their needs.

 

We have lots of people that normally wouldn’t be interested in their gardens suddenly spending masses of time in them and they now are motivated to make them nicer places to spend time in but they have no idea what to do, so they contact us. This is a customer segment that traditional garden centres have not targeted or appealed to and we are reaching them”.

 

Justine also said that “One of the key parts of making this business a success was securing our supply of quality plants and it still remains the biggest challenge during lockdown so we are looking to expand our supplier network. We are grateful to our current suppliers whom despite the risks of working with a new customer, have given us the opportunity to enter the market at this time. We offer a new distribution channel for them, we are serious about making this a success and we have industry experience, although nothing can prepare you for a ‘start up’ during a lockdown!’.

 

Lockdown Gardener is donating 5% of all profits to Silverline the charity that supports the mental wellbeing of older people. The team said ‘We know gardening has a very beneficial effect on mental health and there has never been a more important time than now for helping support their work.’

 

Please visit lockdowngardener.com for more information.

 
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GTN Xtra - Send to all

If you want to keep your staff up to date with what's happening in the industry during the lockdown how about adding a link to the GTN Xtra weekly e-mail newsletter into your staff communications...


If you want to keep your staff up to date with what's happening in the industry during the lockdown how about adding a link to the GTN Xtra weekly e-mail newsletter into your staff communications.

 

All you need to do is add this link: www.gardentradenews.co.uk and that will take them to the current issue.

 

Or you can add an RSS feed of our newsletter using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/rss/

 

Don't forget to send us your news and views during lockdown, GTN Xtra continues to be read at very high levels, for which thank you.  Send your news and views to: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

 

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
We need centres re-opened, says Sun legend Peter Seabrook

Last week as questions were asked in parliament about the re-opening of garden centres The Sun newspaper published an article by Peter Seabrook alongside it's comment column on pages 12 and 13.  In the article Peter writes of his love of gardening and his personal loss following the death of his wife Margaret.

 

"No one knows better than me what blessed relief it is to be out in the garden.... So please fling the gates to the garden centres open, Boris, and save the horticultural industry.  As I till the soil and grieve for Margaret, I know exactly how therapeutic gardening can be."


Last week as questions were asked in parliament about the re-opening of garden centres The Sun newspaper published an article by Peter Seabrook alongside it's comment column on pages 12 and 13.  In the article Peter writes of his love of gardening and his personal loss following the death of his wife Margaret.

 

"No one knows better than me what blessed relief it is to be out in the garden.

 

On Good Friday I lost my wonderful wife Margaret to coronavirus after sixty years of marriage.

 

I quickly did what I always do when life gets tough and made myself useful in the garden.

 

Hearing the birds sing, enjoying the spring flowers, getting physically tired - and shedding a tear - helped me enormously.

 

I watered and tended some bulbs. It felt good to be nurturing something growing. Life has to go on.

 

Gardens are something we share and nurture together as families. My beloved wife Margaret loved the red campions that grow wild in our Essex garden.

 

Today (weds), as she is buried, the wild campions will be on her coffin.

 

My gardening has provided me much needed solace for me at a dark time. I know in these weeks of great sorrow that I am far from alone.

 

That’s why I am imploring our Prime Minister Boris Johnson to please, please, please make a special case and allow garden centres, retail nurseries and gardens to open this weekend.

 

I ask in the interests the physical and mental well-being of all of us, as we continue to endure lock down.

 

For Britain is a nation of avid gardeners and the next few weeks are crucial if our plans are not to go to waste.

 

This is National Gardening Week - kicked off by Kelly Brook posing with a union-jack style watering can in Monday's Sun - when are normally out buying seeds, compost, shrubs and trees.

 

The months April through to June are the equivalent of Christmas for the horticulture industry.

 

And the first May Bank holiday is critical, there are so many things to be done this weekend to set gardens up for the next nine months. Normally it would be boom time at garden centres.

 

Many people are short of money to buy food after losing their jobs or being furloughed so growing their own is good for their wallets and their health.

 

Tons of fresh food can come from back gardens and allotments, as long as basic garden supplies can be obtained.

 

Even flat dwellers, with no more than pots on balconies and window boxes, could grow aubergines, cucumbers and tomatoes.

 

Where, though, are they going to get grafted plants for these fruits when garden centres are closed?

 

Those lucky enough to have an area of soil - or raised beds that can be knocked up from a recycled pallet - can become self-sufficient in salads. But they need plants to get a flying start.

 

Mail order garden retailers are currently unable to meet demand and why add to the number of vans on roads making home deliveries, when plants could be bought locally?

 

The mental and physical well being of people kept at home is without question improved by getting them out into the fresh air growing plants.

 

But gardens, of course, need plants.

 

And under lockdown rules garden centres and nurseries are closed - and millions of plants are currently standing in commercial glasshouses destined for landfill unless the log jam in distribution is not quickly eased.

 

The estimated value of the plants is estimated to be £200m and laid out they would cover an area the size of Liverpool. Overall horticulture is worth most £25billion to the UK economy.

 

There can be no doubting that isolating at home has helped reduce the spread of corona virus.

 

But plants are being sold at supermarkets so why can’t they be sold at garden centres?

 

It just doesn't seem logical when supermarkets are an enclosed environment and garden centres and nurseries are often open air.

 

Now folk understand the need for social distancing at supermarkets so I'm sure they will abide by it at plant retailers.

 

I believe that UK’s 2,000 garden centres should be allowed to open their doors for the rest of the crucial spring season.

 

The industry is confident they can do this without putting customers and staff at risk.

 

Bosses says their centres’ cafes would remain closed and car parks would have an empty space left between each vehicle.

 

There would be controlled entry into the centres with a one-way walking system and tape marks on the floor to ensure there was one customer for every 1,000 sq ft of floor space.

 

The only exchange would be inserting a credit card into the cash registering machine on departure.

 

Staff would serve customers behind perspex screens and shopping trolleys disinfected regularly.

 

That all seems sensible and precautionary to me. The quicker the plant retailers are open, the more time gardeners will have to space out their shopping trips.

 

Gardeners are responsible and thinking people. They would make it work.

 

Unlike other industries, garden centres can’t hold their stock back for when lockdown ends. Plants keep growing and will have to be dumped when they outgrow their pots.

 

So please fling the gates to the garden centres open, Boris, and save the horticultural industry."

 

As I till the soil and grieve for Margaret, I know exactly how therapeutic gardening can be."

 

The article can also be read on The Sun website at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11503917/gardenings-wife-coronavirus-garden-centres-re-opened-peter-seabrook/

 
Tricia Cox co-founder of Glendoick Garden Centre dies

Tricia Cox (née Sherrard), founder/owner of Glendoick Garden Centre with her husband Peter Cox, died peacefully at Glendoick on 2nd May 2020...


Tricia Cox (née Sherrard), founder/owner of Glendoick Garden Centre with her husband Peter Cox, died peacefully at Glendoick on 2nd May 2020.

 

Born in Cork, Ireland in 1933 she was educated in Ireland and England, studying horticulture and running an apple orchard in Douglas, Cork. Her uncle, Professor Geo Sherrard, was a well-known figure in Irish horticulture and the family home at Maryborough House had a collection of rhododendrons, which brought Tricia to Glendoick in the early 1960s, in search of plants and advice. Here, she met her husband to be Peter Cox, who ran the Glendoick Nursery with his father Euan. Tricia married Peter and moved to Scotland 1963, and their sons Kenneth (1964) and Raymond (1966), completed the family. 

 

In the early 1970s, Peter and Tricia began to research the idea of opening one of Scotland’s first garden centres and in 1973 Glendoick Garden Centre opened with a tiny shop, which has expanded over the years.   Tricia ran the garden centre for the next 20 years, alongside a career advising and designing gardens all over eastern Scotland.

 

Tricia was a founder member of the Leisuregrow Garden Centre buying group and later became its chairperson. She accompanied husband Peter on several plant hunting expeditions to India (1965), China (1990), Chile (1996) and India (2004). Semi-retiring in the late 1980s, handing over to her son Kenneth, Tricia carried on designing gardens including the Pagoda Garden at Glendoick Garden Centre.

 

She is survived by her husband Peter, brothers Ken and Anthony, sons Kenneth and Raymond and 5 grandchildren.

 
Safe Trading Guidance for all garden centres published by HTA

The HTA have launched the HTA Safe Trading Guidance for all garden centres. This is to allow garden centres to prepare and implement when the Government gives the go-ahead for stores to reopen...


The HTA have launched the HTA Safe Trading Guidance for all garden centres. This is to allow garden centres to prepare and implement when the Government gives the go-ahead for stores to reopen. These guidelines and the store signage can be found here. There will be a separate process where garden centres will be asked to register on the Plants Near Me website and acknowledge that they are following the guidance. The HTA will be issuing further communication on this.

 

The guidelines start with the following Macro protocols:

 

Cafes /restaurants should remain closed – no on-site food consumption.
• For the avoidance of doubt, no takeaway food sold on site should be consumed on site.
• Food departments; food hall; farm shops should operate under same hygiene and safe distancing protocols as rest of store.

 

Products to be sold should be restricted to plants; seeds; bulbs; composts /growing media; pots/ planters; garden hardware (tools; propagation equipment; fertilisers; pest control; irrigation etc.) and those products directly associated with the support thereof; pet foods and accessories; food products/cookware.
• For the avoidance of doubt no giftware/homeware; clothing; garden furniture; large BBQs to be sold on site – We would encourage online sales only/home delivery.
• These restrictions are designed to prevent ‘browsing’ and unnecessary contact with staff and other customers.
• These restrictions would be lifted as and when other retail restrictions are relaxed, or as social distancing protocols are fully enforceable.

 

It is strongly advised not to promote special deals or other aggressive marketing policies that lead to a surge in customer numbers.

 

Store space should be restricted to these areas (as above) with customer access to other areas prohibited.
• This requires the physical separation of stores and possible remerchandising of areas to maximise aisle widths and social distancing.
• The use of shop fixtures to achieve this would be encouraged or taped off areas robust enough to discourage customer wanderings
• Aisles should be as wide as possible and free from stock that would impede free flow.
• Fire escapes should be clearly kept open even if behind taped off areas.

 

Our strong recommendation is that customer numbers be controlled to 1 per 1000 square feet.
• Operators should use their discretion as to what is the safe number of customers to allow in a garden centre taking into account overall space, aisle widths and number of checkouts.
• Square feet is defined as gross square footage of available retail sales area – outdoor and indoor.
• This calculation will need to be done in advance by all those proposing to operate
• Customers in store should be limited to this number on a one in one out basis.
• Our advice would be to have a staff member controlling this at the entrance door but to avoid unnecessary queuing our strong recommendation would be to control the number of cars coming into the car park.

 

Entrance and exit from the premises should be separate – a minimum separation of 2m between doors.
• If the infrastructure at your store doesn’t suit this, then we recommend that you create another entrance alongside or directly through your plant area, or Goods Inwards area.
• Maintaining a one-way flow is a desirable outcome where possible. If store layout allows, use signage (and/ or marshals) to achieve this.

 

The guidance then goes into more detail for each protocol starting with site control, where restricting numbers to the store is a key objective.

 

This can be best achieved by limiting the number of cars accessing your car park.

  • Controlling or restricting the number of car parking spaces available. Using pallets in alternate spaces, may assist this.
  • Installing the appropriate signage at car park entrances will help.
  • We would advise having a member of staff to control site accessibility and car parking.
  • Customers should be encouraged to shop with trollies only avoiding baskets. This helps social distancing and allows easier cleaning of handles.
    All trollies returned for reuse should have their handles wiped down.
  • All customers should be offered gloves and hand sanitiser on arrival should they not have their own.
  • Allow a maximum of only two individuals to shop together.

The full guidelines can be found at: https://hta.org.uk/uploads/assets/633bb2d9-1918-47b5-9e2cb314ae1f6753/c8ad1b20-42f7-4fbc-963fe928960a1709/HTA-Safe-Trading-Guidance.pdf

 
Reopening your retail store: Step one - signage & screening

Advice from Cleaner Retail – a new one-stop-shop designed to assist in creating a sanitised environment for safer shopping and a clean retail experience for the consumer...


Many retailers may be beginning to consider how they will tackle reopening once the government enforced lockdown is eased. But knowing where to start, and ensuring compliance, is causing confusion and stress for many. Help is at hand however, with the launch of the new Cleaner Retail online store; a store designed to cut through the noise and provide retailers with everything they need to create a sanitised retail environment that will enable them to reopen and stay open, whilst also protecting staff and customers as we navigate a new ‘normal’.

 

The importance of signage

The government has set out clear guidelines regarding the use of signage, in that it must be used for the flow of customers and to reinforce social distancing parameters.

 

From social distancing floor markers, to hygiene reminders and directional flow information, signage is essential in promoting those key components that will enable retailers to be deemed compliant, and therefore able to reopen. It is also important that any signage is fit for purpose, needing to be both weatherproof and UV stable. At Cleaner Retail a range of signage is available for immediate delivery, many of which can bespoke printed with the retailer’s own logo for brand consistency throughout the store.

 

Cleaner Retail’s Managing Director, Scott Thomas said: “Signage is the first thing retailers think of when considering a return to work, and it is certainly crucial to getting stores open once again, which is why we have created a comprehensive portfolio of products under our ‘Direct’ banner. However, signage is just the first step of many. At Cleaner Retail we’ve done the necessary research to ensure we offer everything retailers need to be compliant, as well as protecting both staff and customers. We’re also working with our customers to add more lines and products that meet demand and fulfil individual needs.”

 

Simplifying screening

When we think of protective screens our first thought may be till fronts, but did you know that screening should also be considered for areas of high footfall such as queuing areas, multi-directional merchandising displays, entrances and exits?

 

In most cases there is no such thing as a one-size-fits all protective screen solution. Instead fixings need to accommodate a range of materials, whilst sizes range dependent on location.  With Cleaner Retail’s screen options there are solutions for all screening needs, including both exterior and interior applications. What’s more, each of Cleaner Retail’s UK manufactured screens are guaranteed for two-years. Each protective screen comes complete with a full fixing kit, meaning they can be quickly and easily installed.

 

Scott Thomas offers a word of warning to retailers however, encouraging them to start thinking about their protective screening needs sooner rather than later. He said: “As so many retailers will have bespoke protective screen requirements, we will need to manufacture to order to ensure the correct fit and maximum efficiency. As a result, screening orders will take longer to be fulfilled. This additional time needs to be considered now if retailers want to be ready in time for when an anticipated easing of lockdown may occur.”

 

Coming next: Step two – Sanitation

Now you have your signage and screens, what next? Look out for the forthcoming advice from Cleaner Retail about the next steps to take to ensure reopening compliance, from pop-up handwashing and sanitation stations to disinfectant sprays.

 

Why Cleaner Retail?

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic will change the way we shop for the long-term. But rather than sit around and wait for UK retailing to begin once again, one company has taken steps to help kickstart things by providing retailers with everything they need to get ready to open, remain compliant in regards to hygiene and social distancing, and ultimately, stay open with a cleaner and more efficient retail environment to meet the demands of the post-lockdown world. Products available from Cleaner Retail include disinfectant sprays, signage, portable handwashing and sanitation stations, PPE and protective screening.

 

Scott Thomas, Managing Director of interior trend-led pot suppliers, Ivyline, and now founder of Cleaner Retail added: “We were never going to sit around and do nothing; we knew we had to take steps to get retailing back on its feet. Many of Ivyline’s retail customers were telling us that access to products required to reopen was difficult due to a fragmented supply chain. Within a week of hearing this we had utilised every connection we had to create a true one-stop-shop that helps any retailer, small or large, to get everything they need to confidently reopen in line with government guidelines. Cleaner Retail represents a complete change of direction for us (though Ivyline remains fully operational) but it’s a diversification that is so important at this time.”

 

Further information regarding the government’s advice for social distancing in the workplace can be found here.

 

Find out more

To find out more about Cleaner Retail, or to place your order please visit www.cleanerretail.com. Alternatively call 024 7633 9189, email info@cleanerretail.com or get in touch with your usual Ivyline contact or agent.

 
James Stamp to the rescue
GTN Xtra promotion

If you are looking at adding extra facilities to keep your staff and customers safe when business are allowed to re-open, James Stamp Rental has the solution...


 

If you are looking at adding extra facilities to keep your staff and customers safe when business are allowed to re-open, James Stamp Rental has the solution.

 

James Stamp sells jackleg portable cabins manufactured in the UK, new 20’ one way shipping containers, toilets and hand wash stations, metal kitchen solutions and shower units all over the UK and provides rentals in Cambridgeshire, Rutland and South Lincolnshire.

 

James told GTN Xtra: "My most popular products currently are toilets and hand wash stations.  The toilets vary from chemical service loos to metal mains supply cabin units.  Hand wash stations are all cold water free standing units, with different configurations but mostly soap dispensers, towel dispensers and bin holders.

 

"I also supply one piece all metal kitchen solutions which inc sink, microwave, hob, fridge, cupboards etc in multiple sizes and colours."

 

"Since the start of the COVID-19 lock-down we have been supplying toilets for non core visitors to sites, wash stations for additional hygiene at pay points and food vending machines, plus small portcabins for gatehouses, canteens and information points."

 

James is no stranger to the horticultural market as he already supplies products to Taylors Bulbs, Elsom Seeds, Flamingo flowers and plants, Emmett, Jack Buck Growers, DGM Growers and many more.

 

James can be contacted on: 01775 713344 or by e-mail: jamesstamprental@mac.com


www.JamesStamp.com

 
Record Number of Suppliers and Garden Centres Spread a little Floral Cheer on #FloralFriday

May Day saw a record number of leading garden centres and suppliers get involved in #FloralFriday, a Greenfingers Charity initiative to help keep the charity and the horticultural industry in the hearts and minds of garden lovers across the country...

 


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo gallery from the fifth #floralfriday

May Day saw a record number of leading garden centres and suppliers get involved in #FloralFriday, a Greenfingers Charity initiative to help keep the charity and the horticultural industry in the hearts and minds of garden lovers across the country.   

 

Joining the fun of #FloralFriday, the charity was delighted to see its Patrons David Domoney and Ann-Marie Powell along with Guy Topping, Adam Taylor, Matthew Bent, Bridgman Furniture, GIMA, LOFA, Glee and many others posting floral pictures or selfies on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and pledging their support.

 

Director of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons said: “We really can’t thank our supporters enough for embracing #FloralFriday.  The campaign is working as we are starting to see more people take part and a few more enquiries coming our way.  Please please carry on supporting, posting your pictures and spreading the word – as soon as we can get back on-site and building Greenfingers gardens, your help now will help to make a difference in the future.” 

 

Greenfingers Charity would love to see more businesses and individuals take part in #FloralFriday. 

Here’s a reminder of what you need to do…

 

•             Post your favourite floral image or floral selfie on social media

•             Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #hortindustry #greenfingers

  •         Tag @GreenfingersCharity

•             Make a donation by texting FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5 or FLORALFRIDAYTEN to     70085 to donate £10

•             Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

 

 

For more information about #FloralFriday or other ways you can support Greenfingers Charity, you can get in touch with Linda by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240.  She would love to hear from you.

 
 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
Pets Corner in garden centres re-opened

n advance of the full re-opening of garden centres, Pets Corner has re-opened some of their garden centre based stores...


In advance of the full re-opening of garden centres, Pets Corner has re-opened some of their garden centre based stores.

 

The recently re-opened sites include: Baston, Braintree, Chelmsford, Hare Hatch, Melbicks, Northampton, Pound Hill, Royston, Shenston,Stratton, Ullesthorpe, and Woodbridge. 


"We're open!" Pest Corner told their customers. "We hope you are keeping safe and well, we are pleased to announce, that over the past few weeks we have safely been able to re-open many of our garden centre stores. Our priority is continuing to keep you and our staff safe whilst shopping for your favourite and essential products."

 
Dobbies’ podcast explores gardening for beginners

Dobbies Garden Centres, explores gardening for beginners in the second instalment from its podcast series...


Dobbies Garden Centres, explores gardening for beginners in the second instalment from its podcast series.

 

The podcast series was launched to support National Gardening Week and is devoted to all things to do with plants and gardening, providing inspiration and handy tips for seasoned gardeners and novices alike.

 

In the second episode, host, talented writer and gardener, Louise Midgley is joined by Dobbies’ resident gardening expert, Louise Golden, to discuss gardening for beginners. The pair review everything from what tools and essentials you need to get started, easy plants to grow and care for now, top tips on maintaining your hard work and how to be more adventurous in the garden.

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Spring is an excellent time to be in the garden and we’re delighted that our gardening podcast has been well received.

 

“Whether you are a keen gardener or just getting started, we’ve got something for everyone, and we hope it inspires listeners to get gardening.”

 

In the first episode, host Louise Midgley was joined by Dobbies’ very own horticulture expert, Marcus Eyles, discussing the best things to do in your garden this spring, covering beds and borders, lawn maintenance, the best produce to plant and grow now, and tips on how to prepare your garden for the summer ahead.

 

Marcus will be hosting a Facebook Live Q&A on Saturday 9 May, 11:00-11:30, and another on Wednesday 13 May, 12:30-13:00. On Saturday he will demonstrate potting on seedlings and planting in raised beds, and on Wednesday he will explore planting garden herbs. Questions are invited from those who tune in.

 

Dobbies’ podcast series is available to listen to and download now via iTunes and Spotify: https://www.dobbies.com/content/podcast.html

 

The Facebook Live will take place on the Dobbies’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DobbiesGC

 

For more information visit dobbies.com.

 
GrassSaver Soft Chews for dogs will help gardeners keep their lawns in pristine condition

Overby Farm’s GrassSeaver Soft Chews from All About Pet Health, provide a safe, natural and practical solution to yellow spots on the lawn caused from a dog’s urine...


Since the UK’s lockdown to the Coronavirus, gardening has become one of the top pastimes for people to pursue but with dog owners being limited as to how many walks they can take with their dogs each day, this means that pets will be spending more time out in the garden which can ultimately lead to damage to lawns.

 

Overby Farm’s GrassSeaver Soft Chews from All About Pet Health, provide a safe, natural and practical solution to yellow spots on the lawn caused from a dog’s urine. Veterinary formulated, these soft chews contain a formula of healthy enzymes, synergetic B-complex vitamins and amino acids which help to neutralise the elements in your dog’s urine that causes your nice green lawn to turn yellow. They also contain Yucca which helps to reduce stool odour.

 

To remove yellow spots on your lawn simply water the areas effected for two weeks and once your pet has been fed GrassSaver Soft Chews for two weeks, reseed all the yellow spots. This product is not suitable for cats and should be fed to dogs only. GrassSaver Lawn supplement is veterinarian formulated and manufactured in the USA in an FDA audited, cGMP compliant facility.

For further information visit: www.overbyfarm.eu, Tel : (0)1892 839989 or email: dan@allaboutpethealth.co.uk

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

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


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 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

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

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

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


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

 

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

 

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

 

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 

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 £100m.

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

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

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.