During three days at the NEC writing the SOLEX SUN, the GTN Xtra team collected the views on the market and SOLEX 2015 from a number of garden centres including Haskins, Squires, Chessington, Bosworths, Monkton Elm’ Caulders and Fresh@Burcot.

The team from Chessington Garden Centre (pictured above) were first through the door on each of the three show days taking their buying very seriously. “Outdoor Living sales have now grown to be 12% of our turnover,” said managing director Jolyon Martin.

Conna Powles, Buying Director at Haskins told GTN Xtra:  “We were very nervous going into the season this year as we had had a really good year last year, further to a complete review of our strategy and Haskins had a record year over all.  However, the momentum has continued into this year, consumer confidence is strong and our strategy is now only tweaked year on year to keep the offer fresh. “

Haskins sales YTD are as follows;

“When I first visited Solex three years ago, and being new to garden centres, I found the offers very confusing.  I found it difficult to identify the strength of each supplier.  However, this year, it was more evident that most suppliers were playing to their more strengths in terms of what materials they are using and what quality of furniture they are offering.  It was easier to select families of product and identify the good, better and best.”

“At Haskins, we are very clear on our customer profile and ensure that we buy according to that identity and so this move by suppliers has made it easier to do that.  We don’t want to try to be all things to all people and the suppliers had identified that they can’t either.”

“There still was not a great deal of out and out new product development, although some suppliers were experimenting more with colour (both fabrics and weaves).”

“I thought it was a good move to switch the show to a Tues/Weds/Thurs format.”

Darren Oakley from Squires Garden Centres reported:  “It’s a good show, the only place where you can look and compare manufactures products “side by side”.  Once we leave Solex we have a solid view as to our ranging for the following season”

Sam Bosworth, owner of Bosworths Garden Centre said: “SOLEX was a good show.  Busy on Tuesday, felt buoyant and positive.  Quiet on Thursday when we went back, which was good for us.”

“The quality of displays was great and it was good to see some differentiation of products on exhibitors stands with not the same product appearing everywhere.  Not too much real innovation, but obviously difficult, probably only real new thing that may catch on in any sort of volume was the Suntime COSI lounge sets in the marine fabric.”

“This season has been good, we are 25% up YTD to end of June in this category.  It’s been fairly steady each month from April onwards, and seems to be carrying on with strong sales of parasols recently.  People are willing to spend on better parasols and finally seem to be realising that cantilever parasols are more effective than traditional anti social and unpractical through the table parasols!”

“Weave has been stronger than ever, mesh has done well, cast aluminium slowed down this year and wood is still struggling.  Accessories been really good, Hammocks, Egg Chairs, Gliders and occasional pieces are where there is good growth.”

Steve Ainscough, Birkacre Garden Centre told GTN Xtra that sales have held up reasonably well this year, adding “I'm sure this market is a bit trickier for us than for those enjoying the more Mediterranean climate down south (where perhaps customers are also a bit less price conscious!).”

Neil Gow from Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre tells us that the Outdoor Living market is getting increasingly difficult to make business sense of for the smaller independent retailer. “Our ‘Leisure’ sales are running just shy of 21% up to the end of June against last year and July is going very well so far.  One of the problems with Solex being so early in the selling season, is we are only part way through potential sales. But at least we know what of the ranges we are stocking will not be continued by suppliers for next year so we can work to clear stocks through and maintain margin with all the July, August and even September sales to come.“

“The service levels from our suppliers have been generally good this year but the availability shocking! We can’t hold big stocks so we need our suppliers to do this. The supplier who can sort this conundrum will do very well.”

From the West Country, Steve Searle of Monkton Elm Garden Centre said “Solex was the best yet.  We felt the show was well laid out and suppliers had plenty of innovative new products for us to choose from. We talked to 2 new possible suppliers for next season as we felt their styles were what we were looking for.”

“We are 20% up on garden furniture this year and it was good last year so we are well pleased so far. The big winner has been the outdoor dining sets in the resin wicker look as we just could not get enough of them to meet demand. This is a growing sector in outdoor style as you can use them in a conservatory and then when it gets too hot you can use them on the patio.

“I have also been talking to suppliers for us to buy items as part of our group the Great Western Partnership as this gives us good promotions for us the independents to compete with the nationals that are out there and online companies.”

Finally for a Scottish view, Colin Barrie, owner of Caulders Garden Centres says:  “I felt that Solex was better than ever this year!  We managed to choose our range for 2016 and found everything we needed, from "price entry point" to "high end".  Although the 2015 season has been poor in Scotland, with worse weather than we've seen for years, outdoor living sales were good early on.”

“Following my visit to Solex I'm excited about outdoor living sales for 2016.”

See all the SOLEX coverage and more garden centre comment on the SOLEX SUN Review issue to be published next week.

Whitehall Garden Centre at Lacock is consulting the local community about plans that would see the centre triple in size and create 150 new jobs in a bid to become a regional tourist attraction.

Previous plans to add a huge extension were first approved by Wiltshire Council in 2008 and amended in 2012 but never carried out. Now the owners, the Self family, aim to consult with local residents before submitting a new scheme for a 14,000 sq.ft. extension. The existing garden centre is around 5,000 sq.ft.

Throughout July, residents will be able to submit comments on the proposed redevelopment, which could see the creation of multiple restaurants, an indoor and outdoor playground and an extension of their existing animal corner.

Whitehall has been a family business since 1894. The family now believe that since the original scheme was drawn up, the market has changed.

They are now hoping for feedback from the community about the phasing, layout, function, safety and efficiency of the new site.

MD Peter Self (above, right, with his buying team) said he hoped the outlet would remain a garden centre destination to compete against national chain rivals, with the aim of making it a tourist destination.

He added: “It is very important to include the community particularly in these plans and we are very pleased of the feedback so far.

“These are challenging and exciting times, the customer expectation is getting ever greater, the competition is becoming price driven and moving online; as a family business we are endeavouring to be intuitive and build on the hard work built up by my grandmother and father to further develop the business to serve the local community and visitors to north Wiltshire.

The proposals feature a level platform throughout the centre to allow ease of access for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

The new buildings have been drafted as ‘Tithe barns’ to complement the style of buildings found in and around the village.

Parish Council chairman Christopher Doel said that concerns councillors previously expressed about the plans, including access, has been “straightened out” with Whitehall.

The proposals envisage the creation of 360 parking spaces, including 35 disabled bays as well as five coach parking spaces and 10 customer collection spaces.

Mr Self added: “After the consultation, we will redraw the plans with the input of the community and hope to submit the application by September.”

SOLEX has been a record-breaking success with record numbers of exhibitors and visitors attending the three-day outdoor leisure trade exhibition at the NEC this week.

Organiser Phil Gibbs said: "SOLEX has been an overwhelming success in term of numbers of exhibitors and visitors, and the general consensus is that has been a highly profitable event for all concerned.

"As well as the high number of visitors attending, exhibitors have commented that the quality of people visiting their stands has been excellent.

"The sun has certainly shone on SOLEX this week and there is a great buzz around the outdoor leisure industry."

There were good attendances on all three days of the show although the opening day on Tuesday attracted an impressive audience.

For all the news from the show click on the following links to SOLEX SUN:

Tuesday Live

Wednesday Live

Members of the Garden Centre Association will find out how they have fared in this year’s annual inspections at regional award meetings taking place across the country this month.

The meetings will take place on July 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 and garden centre teams are invited to attend the event in their area and take along as many staff as they wish.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “During the annual meetings inspectors for each area will announce their findings, highlighting best practice and new ideas and will also reveal the category winners.

“The first regional award meeting for the North Thames area will take place at Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries in Inworth, Tiptree on Monday, July 20 from 3.30pm with inspector Liz Hutson presenting her findings.”

Stratford Garden Centre in Clifford Chambers, Stratford-Upon-Avon, will host the Midlands regional award meeting on Tuesday, July 21 from 5pm. The inspector announcing the results will be Ian Boardman.

The regional award meeting for the South Thames area will take place at Haskins Garden Centre in West End, Southampton on Wednesday, July 22 with inspector Andy Campbell (pictured) in attendance.

The Wales and West regional meeting will be held at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton in Somerset on Thursday, July 23 from 5pm. The inspector attending will be Ian Boardman.

Roger Crookes will be the inspector presiding over the North West/North East region’s award meeting on Friday, July 24 at Bents Garden & Home in Glazebury, Warrington.

Iain added: “A final regional awards meeting will take place later on in the year on Wednesday, September 23 for the Scotland/Northern Ireland area. This will be held at Glendoick Gardens Ltd Nursery & Gardens in Glencarse, Perth with inspector Liz Hutson.

“We have been holding our annual inspections at our member garden centres since March. Garden centres receive no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.

“Many of our members praise the inspections and say they are a unique way of keeping staff on their toes and always making sure they do their best.

“We are really looking forward to the annual awards meetings and we wish everyone the best of luck as the results from the inspections form the basis for many of our GCA awards, which will be presented at next year’s conference.”

Following the chancellor’s budget statement, the HTA said they were delighted to hear that that there are moves afoot to relax the Sunday Trading Laws to allow all retail businesses, including garden centres, to trade on a level playing field.

HTA CEO Carol Paris said: “This could really benefit the horticultural sector as a whole and is one of the ‘asks’ of Government in the recently published industry wide ‘Ornamentals Action Plan’. The HTA has been lobbying on Sunday Trading for over two decades now and we are delighted that at last moves are being taken to remove this outdated piece of legislation.”

She added: “This is all about choice – choice for the public to shop when they would like and choice for garden retailers to open when they like. With online trading allowing people to shop 24/7 it is ridiculous that someone can sit and eat in a garden centre restaurant (which are exempt from the law) on a Sunday and order garden product online but not actually purchase products in store. Gardening continues to be one of the nation’s favourite pastimes and weekends are typically when more time is spent on doing outdoor projects and so a relaxation of the law will no doubt provide a welcome boost to trade.”

Leading figures from the garden industry – Carol Paris, Matthew Bent, Bob Hewitt, Mike Withers and Debbie Curtis – we're all interviewed by Sky News at SOLEX on Tuesday 7th July for a story that was broadcast at 5pm that day in advance of the budget announcement.

See pictures of the interviews in the gallery below and here is the link to a clip posted on the Sky News Website: http://news.sky.com/story/1514455/government-makes-u-turn-on-sunday-trading

It has been a busy week at SOLEX in Hall 5 of the NEC as outdoor living buyers take stock of new ranges and new products to order for next year after a record-breaking year for furniture and barbecue sales.

Every garden centre the GTN Bestsellers team spoke to at SOLEX reported record sales this summer so it was no surprise there was an upbeat atmosphere.

The team from Chessington Garden Centre (below) were first through the door on each of the three show days taking their buying very seriously. “Outdoor Living sales have now grown to be 12% of our turnover,” said managing director Jolyon Martin. 

“We think the pastel colours of the cushions and the parasols on the Supremo stand will be the new bestsellers for us next year.”

With new ranges of upholstered garden furniture, rattan weave and many new balcony and small patio ideas there has been a wide range for discerning buyers to choose from.

All we need now is for another great summer in 2016 to drive those sales records to even higher levels.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...

• Garden Products – up 9%
• Veg-2-Gro Products – up 13%
• Growing Media – static 0%
• All items index – up 4%

Kelkay has earned a thumbs-up for customer service by replacing a much-loved Henri stone bird bath stolen from a pensioner’s home.

Jean Crilly, 82, from Newcastle, was distraught when she discovered her bird bath, a present from her late husband 25 years ago and her ‘pride and joy’, was missing from her garden.

Following a local appeal, the thief, with an unusual sense of compassion, left a note for Jean apologising for the theft. He claimed, however, that his need was greater than hers.

When Antony Harker, managing director of Kelkay, who distribute Henri products in the UK, found out, he decided to act. Although Jean’s bird bath had been discontinued many years ago, he and his team managed to get an exact replica produced and imported from Chicago, USA, where Henri is based.

“This isn’t something we could normally do,” Antony said, but Jean’s story touched us. All of us here at Kelkay hope that she enjoys seeing the birds in her garden again.”

Jean (above) celebrated by hosting a garden party for friends and family, an event she described as second best only to her wedding. She said: “It’s fantastic to be able to thank everyone involved and it’s a pleasure to share this moment with my friends, family and neighbours.”

Alongside Henri, Kelkay’s brand portfolio includes Borderstone, Build Mate and easyfountain. The product range includes aggregates, stone, water and garden features, paving, edging and walling, building materials, horticulture and winter products.

GCA inspector Liz Hutson is standing down from her role this year – with her final official engagement for the industry body at its annual conference next year.

Liz, who started inspecting member garden centres in 2012, has taken the decision to concentrate more on the training and consultancy part of her business.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “We’re really sorry to see Liz go but completely understand her decision and wish her all the very best with her exciting, new venture. She has been a pleasure to work with.

“We’ve begun the task to look for a replacement for her and we’re very happy to speak to people interested in the post from all areas of the industry. Anyone keen to find out more about the role should contact me via email or phone at the GCA before we start the recruitment process in earnest so we can ensure they get full details sent out to them.”

Liz, who has worked for B&Q and Fisons Horticulture, has more than 35 years working in the gardening sector.

She became a training and marketing consultant in 1990 and has since worked with numerous independent and multiple outlets.

In 1992, Liz wrote the Garden Care training pack, which is recognised and used throughout the industry and has run a series of industry roadshows and plans to do more of these in the future.

She explained: “I have enjoyed working with the GCA team, the privilege of visiting the member centres and meeting the staff. I will miss it, but unfortunately it is just not possible to do everything one would like and there are a number of new projects I want to develop.”

The UK domestic garden products market, currently valued at around £5bn, grew by an estimated 8% in 2014 according to a new report from AMA Research.

Forecasts are for further steady underlying growth to 2019, with the market benefiting from pent-up demand in many product areas and a stronger performance in the housing market in the next couple of years - though the weather will always impact on the market in any given year.

Key product sectors in the market by value are horticulture – still accounting for almost a 25% share – while garden sundries, garden buildings, garden equipment, leisure and chemicals all have shares typically ranging from around 10-20% of the total.

AMA say horticulture benefited from the boom in GYO, conservatories have returned to growth since 2011, the fencing sector performed particularly well in 2014 due to the winter storms, and garden leisure has benefited from homeowners increasingly moving upmarket and using the garden as an ‘extra room’. The popularity of decking, however, appears to be falling.

The report says the sector has tended to cope well with economic downturns, not suffering as badly as some other consumer markets. The market benefits from underlying trends for outdoor living, environmental concerns, and an ageing population that are generally more interested in gardening. However, the number of apartments and smaller size of UK gardens in new properties negatively impacts on the market in the longer term.

AMA estimate garden centres account for more than 20% of total sales and are a key channel for horticulture, while DIY multiples are the largest channel and a key outlet for garden equipment and leisure products. Direct sales are important for garden buildings. DIY multiples and garden centres are expected to remain the key distribution channels, but the Internet accounts for around 7-8% and mobile technology as a means of researching and buying products will continue to grow.

 “Growth is forecast for most product sectors, but given the high maturity of most product sectors of the market, underlying growth rates are forecast to be more modest in the medium and long term, at a level of around 2-4% to 2019” said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “Having said that, the development of some niche, less mature products, such as garden rooms - and a move upmarket in other sectors such as leisure products - are expected to benefit the market as these will experience slightly higher levels of growth.”

The ‘Garden Products Distribution Market Report – UK 2015-2019 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

The Greatest Outdoor Living Categories

• The Greatest BBQ Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Decoration and Lighting Sales Team of the Year
• The Greatest Inspiration for New Gardeners Team – Love The Plot You've Got Award
• The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team of the Year

The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards Categories

• The Greatest Garden Care Retail Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Customer Service Team of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre Training Team or Initiative of the Year, sponsored by MorePeople
• The Greatest Garden Centre Merchandising Team of the Year
• The Greatest Gardening Supplier of the Year
• The Greatest Garden Centre of the Year (Public Vote), sponsored by National Garden Gift Vouchers

As usual The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out and about meeting nominated teams, gathering information and taking photos of their work so that the Gold, Silver and Bronze Greatest Awards winners can be chosen.

Plus your team have the chance to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team of 2015 by involving your customers in the public voting later this summer.  The Greatest Garden Centre Teams, small, medium and large will be the teams that have the best relationships with their customers and generate the most votes (taking size of centre into account) and in the event of a tie, the centre with the most complimentary comments form their customers.  To take part in the public vote please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call The Greatest Awards on 01733 775700 to request an in store voting pack.

As this issue of GTN Xtra goes to press the expert judges are meeting to decide the winners of The Greatest Plant Retailing Team Awards in advance of The National Plant Show.  Make sure your Outdoor Leisure, Garden Care and Garden Centre teams are nominated for visits later in July and August.

The Greatest Awards would like to thank sponsors, Elho, National Garden Gift Vouchers, MorePeople and The HTA plus the event organisers at The HTA Catering Conference, National Plant Show, GIMA Awards and HTA Futures for agreeing to be presentation venues for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015.  The date and venue for The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Awards will be announced in a future issue of GTN Xtra. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available for product and service suppliers seeking to gain the highest possible exposure between now and November this year.  Please contact mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk for details.

Johnsons Seeds, one of the UK's longest established and best known brands with a history dating to 1820, has re-launched its retail seed range for the 2016 season. The new-look packet design and format were carefully formulated following extensive market research with gardening consumers. 

 The crisp, contemporary design across  the new packets and POS material balances the company's heritage with an upmarket, modern feel. "The range is still instantly identifiable as Johnsons, but the re-design brings it into the modern gardening world", says the company's Helen Clayton.  "We feel sure consumers will appreciate this makeover".

Seed packets are now clearer, feature a strong varietal image and show relevant icons, such as the RHS Perfect for Pollinators and RHS Award of Garden Merit. 

Each standard packet still includes the added-value free colour plant label. The reverse incorporates a seedling identifier image, a detailed, easy-to-understand sowing and growing guide, plus the plant's botanical name.

Other improvements include the expansion of Johnsons Organics range, and an increase in the number of chilli varieties offered, all now with a heat scale given on the packets to aid consumer selection.

The brand is owned by the Mr Fothergill’s group.

Information: www.johnsons-trade.com or 01638 554111.

Squires Garden Centres, Briers, Kinder Plants, Garland and Bramblecrest were among the exhibitors who tasted success at an extremely busy RHS Hampton Court Flower Show last week.

Squires won an RHS Silver Gilt Medal for their Urban Oasis garden creating plenty of interest from show visitors and Squires customers alike.  The show garden also created a great opportunity for the Squires apprentices to meet plenty of gardeners and get used to dealing with customer enquiries.

Briers, one of the sponsors of the RHS Celebrity Theatre benefitted from high sales levels of their gloves and children’s ranges before and after each celebrity presentations.  On Sunday when GTN Xtra was at the show wild life photographer and expert Simon King and TV Gardener David Domeny were the main attractions.  Briers also had product ranges on sale elsewhere at the show; the Royal Palaces collection featured on the Historic Royal Palaces stand (it was Hampton Court of course) and Perennial were once again selling the Gruffalo range as part of their fundraising activities.

Cooks Garden Centre won another Silver Gilt Medal in the Floral marquee to go with their Chelsea Silver Gilt.  Tom Cook also had a stand out in the Plant market area where the team were besieged all day on Sunday as eager visitors bought thousands of plants from the show.

Plant buying was a key activity as the predominantly gardening audience made the most of the show.  The Rose Festival marquee was possibly the most popular on the Sunday with constant crowds and plenty of roses being carried around the show in the single most popular purchase of the day:  Pop up trolleys.

Tony Dedman of Garland products reported high sales of pop up trolleys as well as all of their other gardening products.  “We get many comments about us being one of a few real gardening product exhibitors at the show; people are really pleased to be able to buy from us.  It is a gardening show after all.”

Ian Cole of Kinder Plants reported his best show ever for sales of the Vertigrow system no doubt driven by the huge celebration cake display outside the Floral marquee. “It’s been a great success for sales and a brilliant photo opportunity.  We now have to move it back to Banbury as it will also play a starring role in the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase which starts tomorrow (Monday 13^th July).  To book your visit use this link: http://www.ballcolegrave.co.uk/Growers/OpenDaySignUp.aspx

Also exhibiting at Hampton Court were Forest, who took over £3,500 on Saturday, Bulldog, Honda and Sthil.

Bramblecrest, the garden furniture supplier, followed up their Chelsea exhibit with another busy sales display at Hampton Court and then moved much of the display up to the NEC to scoop the best stand award at SOLEX.

At a busy flower show it was noticeable that there were plenty of food opportunities.  Even on the really busy weekend days queues were kept to a minimum and the link between plants and food was more than evident around the show with the “EAT” area and the food theatre constantly busy.

Pictured above, the Squires team on Sunday at Hampton Court:  Will Challis, Ross Humber, Colin Squire, Sarah Squire, Nathan Syrett, Shaun Howell and Fergus Pollard

See the gallery below for pictures of Briers, Kinder Plants, Forest and a great way of depicting history and modernisation from The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Are you talented, enthusiastic and a team player? We are looking for a numerate, articulate and experienced person to join our busy buying team. You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning.

You will be based at our Marlborough office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis. You will report directly to the Managing Director.

Your role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with Sarah and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting Perch Hill approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events. You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company.

Salary dependent on experience.

To apply please send an email with subject title ‘Horticultural Buyer’ with your CV, and current employment and salary details to sally@sarahraven.com.

We are a family run centre based in Lincolnshire and have been trading for over 40 years.

JOB BRIEF

We are looking for a resourceful Restaurant Manager to join us as we plan to re-invent our Restaurant to look after our existing customer base and introduce a new generation of customers, with new menus and a new atmosphere.

You will be responsible for meeting all restaurant revenues, profitability and quality goals. You will ensure efficient operation and maintain high production, productivity and customer service standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the restaurant operation.
• Organise and supervise shifts.
• Estimate consumption, forecast requirements and maintain stock.
• Control costs and minimise waste.
• Manage health and safety and hygiene.
• Report directly to the directors of current and future operations and financial states.
• Create a positive working environment and lead by example.
• Respond efficiently to customer complaints. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in garden centre catering or similar.
• Proven working experience as restaurant manager.
• Extensive food knowledge.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with restaurant  ‘EPOS’ systems.
• Strong leadership, motivational and people skills.

Nigel Wallis

General Manager

Garden Centre Manager | South London | Newly Developed Site (ref:BP7468)

Location: London
Salary: £32,500 to £36,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Garden Centre Manager

The Business

My client is a national business with a good reputation in horticulture. They are currently redeveloping a large retail site that is part of one of their managed properties. They are looking to continue to develop this site in accordance with the groups strong retail offering.

The Role

This role will take on the day to day leadership of the operations team at this scenic centre. The site has been redeveloped recently to take on the companies branding and to promote a better more linked consumer experience across the property. The site is very strong on plants and is plant led in a lot of its retail space. It benefits from being able to offer a full range of stock in a historical setting.

The Person

I need a leader for this role first and foremost. The operations team on site are very strong but need a directing force to keep them moving in the right direction. The role will likely change as the site develops and we will need a candidate who can be flexible and adapt. A more analytical brain will be needed to take on strategic planning for the site and to formulate plans to be approved by senior management. 
This is a retail role first and foremost and that is where we will expect the background of the candidate to come from.

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Plant Area Supervisor | Hertfordshire | Boutique Garden Centre (ref:BP7428)

Location: London
Salary: £18,000 to £19,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Plant Area Supervisor

The Business

This small group is based with the majority of its stores in London. They have a good spread of centres covering different demographics throughout the capital. The business originally started with a landscaping offer and has since progressed to a sizeable garden retail business with a good online offering. 

The Role

This role will be instrumental to plantarea leadership team, deputising for the planteria manager and managing a team of passionate plants people. 
You will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the stock but first and foremost you will be managing the customer experience through your department.

The Person

We need a talented and ambitious retailer. The ideal candidate will be looking to step up into this role and will be looking to be a leader. 
Plant knowledge is essential to the role however is does not need to be supported by an academic qualification. A good level of self taught plant knowledge would be acceptable.

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530

Horticultural Buyer (ref:DS7491)

Location: Wiltshire
Salary: Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Horticultural Buyer

The Business

Our Client is a leading Horticultural Company who trade on-line and through mail order. They are currently seeking a Horticultural Buyer. Someone who is numerate, articulate and an experienced person who is happy to join a busy buying team. 

Reporting directly to the Managing Director. 

The Role

The role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with the owner and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting them approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events.

You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. 
You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company. 

The Person

You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning. 
You will be based at their office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis. 

Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000

Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

Assistant Propagator (ref:DS7504)

Location: West Sussex
Salary: £16,000 to £20,000
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Assistant Propagator

The Business

Our Client is a wholesale horticultural nursery, which grows high quality herbaceous perennials and herbs to supply garden centres and multiples nationwide. This position is within the Propagation department which is responsible for the establishment of various crops from seed or cuttings for on-growing by other departments.

The Role

• Based at their site near Arundel 
• Hours Full time 39 hours per week plus overtime
• Main Responsibilities
• Assist the Propagation Supervisor to organise, supervise and run the Propagation Team.
• Deputise for Propagation Supervisor as required.
• Take charge of specific activities, areas or staff as delegated by the Propagation Supervisor.
• Carry out pesticide/bio-control applications as directed (subject to PA certification).
• Carry out the general responsibilities and duties of a permanent member of staff and supervisor.
• Undertake any other nursery work when necessary.
• Carry out weekend duties on a rota

The Person

• Crop and pest knowledge
• Propagation experience (ideal but not essential)
• Good communication and organisational skills
• Computer literate (Excel and Word)
• PA1 and PA6 certificates (not necessary but an advantage)
• Has personal transport and/or clean driving licence

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss this role further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910

Greenfingers are calling in any remaining monies raised from Garden Re-Leaf Day earlier this year so the final tally can be calculated.

With more events and activities than ever before taking place in and around Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2015, which this year fell on Friday 27 March, the charity is hoping to announce that this year has been the best yet.

The ‘call for cash’ comes as it is revealed that the ‘Glovies’ campaign, which took social media by storm at the time, went all the way to No. 10. Even Prime Minister David Cameron couldn’t resist donning a pair of gardening gloves in the name of Garden Re-Leaf Day!

David Cameron was in the last few days of campaigning ahead of this year’s general election when he visited Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham with local candidate Tania Mathias. Julie Leatherdale, the manager, took the opportunity to tell the PM about Greenfingers and ask him to have a ‘glovie’ snap taken. He donned a pair and duly obliged!

Linda Petrons, head of fundraising for Greenfingers, said: ‘We are so grateful to everyone who took part in Garden Re-Leaf Day activities this year and made it the best yet – it’s amazing that even the Prime Minster got caught up in the Glovie craze! Now we just need you to send in your donations – without the money we can’t begin creating new gardens at the children’s hospices who are on our waiting list, so please do take the time to send in your funds as soon as you can.”

Send your outstanding Garden Re-Leaf donations (cheques, payable to Greenfingers Charity – Garden Re-Leaf) to: Sarah Lioveri, Greenfingers, 23 Gregories Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 1HH. Sarah can be reached on 01494 674749 or by email (sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk)

The final figure raised will be announced at the GIMA Awards on Thursday 16th July which are held at the Celtic Manor Hotel in South Wales.



As the next part of The Greatest Awards On Tour 2015, there will also be an award presented at the GIMA's for The Greatest Garden Re-Leaf Day Fundraising Retail Team.  All of the information and fundraising amounts sent into the Greenfingers office have been collated and GTN's Greatest Awards team of experts have now made their decisions as to the winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards to be presented on July 16th.  See you there!

Scotts Levington Tomorite is back at No 1 in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart from the first time since May while garden lights dominate volume sales and watering gets going.

There are 12 lighting and five watering products in the Top 50 this week – have you got a watering hotspot ready to maximise on summer sales?

Star performers:

• The highest climber, highest new entry and highest re-entry accolades are all Gardman lighting lines. Black Nickel Solar Ice Orb jumps 31 places to No 8, 75 LED String Lights is a newcomer at No 14, and Solar Coach Light Lantern, pack of 2, returns at No 25.
• Thompson & Morgan Water Wizards, twin pack, and Neudorff Organic Bug & Larvae Killer are both new entries.

 



Neudorff has reported an 80% increase in sales of its Sluggo slug and snail killer during April and May 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Strong pre-season sales and increased consumer awareness has resulted in improved consumer pull-through for the brand’s 450g and 800g packs.

Neudorff’s sales director Jude Beharall said: “We have increased visibility for the products through point of sale, print and TV advertising and PR, plus the product offers gardeners a extremely effective natural alternative to traditional pellets, which can play a key part in decision making at the point of purchase.”

Sluggo is certified for organic use by the Organic Farmers and Growers Association, is rainfast and leaves no trace of dead slugs and snails or visible slime trails.

As the heat of the Veg-2-Gro market dissipates, young bean plants take over at the top of the GTN Bestsellers chart with winter green plants starting to sell through in volumes.  

Star performers include:

• There are three Quantil bean varieties in the Top 5 – Runner Bean White Emergo (No 1), Climbing French bean (No 2) and French Dwarf Bean (No 5).
• The highest climber is Sweet Pepper Red (8cm), which has jumped 22 places to No 10.
• The highest re-entry is Red Cabbage at No 15, and the highest new entry is Wild Rocket at No 30.
• Other newcomers to the chart are Bean Borlotto Lingua di Fuoco, Frilly Salad Leaf Mix and Suttons Lettuce Mix.

The Chelsea Plant of the Year 2012, Digitalis ‘Illumination Pink’, has been renamed to recognise the work of its creator, Charles Valin.

The foxglove took the gardening world by storm following its launch in 2012. Unusual blooms, repeat flowering and multiple stems continue to keep this unusual crossbreed high on the Thompson & Morgan best-seller list. But it has left the experts scratching their heads when it comes to classification.

In recognition of the work of Charles Valin in creating this unique cross as part of T&M’s breeding programme, James Armitage, principal scientist of horticultural taxonomy at RHS Garden Wisley, has announced Digitalis x valinii as the correct botanical naming convention for all existing and future crosses of D. purpurea and D. canariensis. He said: “The clever use of island species in the creation of D. x valinii has paid rich dividends.” 

Lauded as a revolutionary hybrid by RHS taxonomists, it was felt that a reclassification was needed to distinguish all present and future crosses of the UK native Digitalis purpurea and the exotic D. canariensis, while smoothing out confusion over previous naming conventions for its Canary Island parent.

19th Century taxonomists named the Canary Island foxglove Isoplexis canariensis in 1829, recognising its morphological and behavioural differences compared to others in the Digitalis genus, namely a shrubby and candelabra habit and differences in petal shape and flower positioning on the stem.

Modern studies have since indicated that the two genera should not be treated separately, and in 2012 the RHS recognised all Isoplexis as Digitalis, just as the first commercial cross was launched to the public by T&M. This reclassification outdated early naming suggestions for ‘Illumination Pink’ and its sister lines, such as  Digiplexis, while Digitalis ‘Illumination Pink’ just didn’t do justice to the work involved in creating it.

It’s common for new cultivars to be named after people, but to have a species named in your honour doesn’t happen very often and was more common in the era of the great plant hunters. Charles said: “I am humbled and grateful to receive such recognition for my work on Digitalis. Having a plant named after you certainly doesn’t happen every day!”

During his time with Thompson & Morgan, Charles has developed more than 40 unique creations across a wide range of genera, while overseeing the seed and plant mail order specialist’s unique breeding programme.  A full list of Charles’ currently available introductions can be viewed via the link below, but key lines alongside ‘Illumination Pink’ include the dwarf Buddleja ‘Buzz’ Series, the world’s first black double petunia ‘ Black Night’ and Cosmos ‘Cupcakes’. Several of Charles’ latest creations are being launched in the Thompson & Morgan 2016 Spring Catalogue.

www.thompson-morgan.com/charles-valin-varieties

New growing activity starting to wane as the summer progresses. Expect to see growth in mulches etc over the coming weeks as people look to preserve moisture and get the best from their plants.  Is your bark promotion in the best spot to make the most of the opportunity?

Star performers include:

• Westland Gro-Sure All Purpose Compost (25 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 25.
• Vital Earth Organic Garden Compost (50 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 19 places.
• GroWise Landscape Mini Chip Bark (100 litres) has seen a doubling of sales from the previous week.

Wyevale Nurseries has re-opened its management trainee programme.

The two year, in-house scheme covers all areas of the business and the company is calling for applications.

MD Andy Johnson (left) said the programme was open to graduates of all degree disciplines, preferably relating to horticulture and crop-based agriculture.

“What we are looking for from our potential management trainees is that they have a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and they enjoy being challenged to come up with solutions.

“We want them to be innovative, using not only their ideas but also assessing and supporting others’ ideas. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own learning and should be able to demonstrate a proactive attitude in learning opportunities. We want candidates to also be career-minded, ambitious and flexible in their approach to learning.”

During the two years successful applicants will work in the container, trees and transplants production divisions, supply chain operations, which includes both garden centre and amenity despatch, goods handling and transport and will also spend time in head office departments.

Trainees will be assessed against agreed objectives through regular reviews and each trainee will have a mentor, plus the support of a programme co-ordinator.

Andy added: “Upon successful completion of the programme, it is anticipated that we shall be able to match trainees to a suitable role with the company which would benefit from their particular strengths.”

Previous trainees and apprentices who have successfully completed their programmes have all been offered permanent employment.

To find out more, contact Sue Whitmore at Star-HR (sue.whitmore@star-hr.co.uk).

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

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

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last 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.

The one thing that every independent garden centre has is its own story. A story that is as unique as the centre. And a story that is worth telling.

This leads to a simple question asked by Garden Centre and Catering Consultant Doug Stewart: Does our catering offer help us to tell our story?

At the Terrace Café, which is adjacent to Floors Castle Plant Centre in the borders of Scotland, the regular customers rave about the complimentary flowerpot bread, which is baked and served in a warm flower pot.

During a meeting at Wisley Gardens recently I was delighted to see the sandwich lunch served in wooden trugs, pictured above. Perfect.

Our food offer, with a little bit of thought can speak of our heritage, our background, it can tell our story and make our customer’s experience that little bit more special and that little bit more authentic.

Doug can be contacted through his website, www.waringstewartassociates.co.uk

An underlying trend from the barbecue and grill exhibitors at SOLEX this week was the increasing number of Al Fresco Pizza baking options.

Al Fresco Pizza baking, either on a barbecue or in an outdoor pizza oven, is a growing market. As the team from Firepitsuk said: “Every family has a youngster who loves pizza.”

Premier Decorations are importing the European market-leading range of pizza ovens from Fontana. They are 100% Italian made, with certified food safe stones and even have a double chimney version which will be an ideal sale for the “mine’s bigger than yours” brigade. “Italian pizza ovens are designed to cook a pizza in two minutes,” said Pravin Patel, of Premier Decorations.

Lifestyle Appliances, Grakka, La Hacienda, Firepitsuk and Gardeco were all showing new pizza ovens and there was a host of pizza stone accessories from the likes of Napolean, Weber and Cadac.

Perhaps selling pizza ovens and even giving live in-store demonstrations must be worth exploring, even in the Clyde Valley!

For a full round-up from SOLEX click on the links below:

Tuesday Live

Wednesday Live