As the Glee exhibition gets set to celebrate half a century at the heart of the garden retail sector, the organising team is looking for your input. In the past 50 years, Glee has seen thousands of exhibitors pass through its doors, with hundreds of thousands of new products launched since the show’s humble beginnings in 1974. To celebrate the newness and passion that have shaped Glee and the broader garden centre market during this time, the hunt is now on to find the people and product that have driven the most change over the past five decades.

Whether advocating for sustainability or using their influence to increase the reach of horticulture, many diverse people have left their mark on the world of garden retail. They might be suppliers, retailers, industry pundits, or those who have undertaken roles across the full spectrum. Whatever their role, all of them have been integral to Glee's growth, and their work has helped maintain gardening as one of the nation's best-loved pastimes.

Or perhaps the best memories of Glee involve a larger-than-life character. This person may play a starring role in Glee’s memoirs, providing endless smiles, friendly advice and happy recollections from those that knew them pacing the aisles of shows gone by.

Like the people who create them, gardening products have also generated pivotal moments of change. From finally tackling an age-old problem, formulating an innovative bestseller opportunity, opening a meaningful dialogue about gardening's impact on the planet, or simply using technology to make gardening more accessible for the modern consumer, there have been many hero products over the past half century.

Now is the time for Glee's audience to vote for their own heroes and celebrate the people and product they think have had the most impact on Glee's future and that of the garden retail sector.

How to vote

Working in partnership with Glee's media partner, Garden Trade News, nominations are now open using this link. The deadline for making nominations is 31st May.

• Most Influential Person of the last 50 years, click here
• The Character of Glee's 50 years, click here
• Hero Product of the last 50 years, click here

Or send your nominations by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk  (All nominations will be dealt with in the strictest confidence)

Following the nominations round, a panel of judges will draw a shortlist of names and products before readers of GTN Xtra can place their final votes throughout June and July.

The winners will be announced onsite at Glee 2024, the 50th edition of which will run from Tuesday, 10^th September, to Thursday, 12^th September, at the NEC in Birmingham.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Glee, said: "The gardening world has changed so much from the early 70s, with each decade ringing in exciting new trends and innovation. Throughout all of this, Glee has maintained a constant presence, year-after-year providing a place where the garden retail sector can come together to inspire, network and educate. Now, we want to celebrate those who have left a mark in a fun and reflective look back on Glee's half-century. We're excited to see the nominations, find out the eventual winners, and are prepared for a tidal wave of nostalgia and questionable haircuts!"

Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth, and promote innovation. To find out more or to register your interest in exhibiting, please visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

GIMA Buyers Guide & New Product Digest Spring 2024.  

New Products for the UK Garden Trade for 2024 from GIMA Members: AMES Apta, AMES Home Delivery, AMES Tools, Auto Pot Global, Azpects, Bulldog Tools, CJS Display, Coir Products, Durstons, Edelman, elho, Evergreen Garden Care, Fargro, Forest Garden, Gardena, Handy Distribution, Glee, Hortiwool, Hozelock, Johnsons Lawn Seeds, Leon Boots, Museums & Galleries, PlantWorks, Primeur, Pot Mate, SharkNinja, The Solar Centre, Treadstone, UK Greetings, Vitavia, Westland Horticulture, Witt UK & Ireland, Woodmansterne, Zest Outdoor Living & GIMA Member Directory.

Dobbies has added to its senior leadership team with the appointment of Rajesh Gupta as Strategy and Business Development Director.

Rajesh qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and has 20 years’ experience in retail working in strategy, business development and customer roles with Argos, Sainsbury's, Pets at Home and Central Co-op, latterly as Chief Customer Officer. 

He is already familiar with the business having provided strategic consultancy support to Dobbies’ leadership team for the past eight months.

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Rajesh has an extensive and diverse background in senior leadership roles and is passionate about innovation.

“He has already been working with colleagues across the business to develop our strategy, bringing to life our focus on championing garden living. Rajesh has made a positive contribution to the future direction of the business, and it is a pleasure to welcome him to our senior leadership team on a permanent basis. This is another excellent step in further strengthening our team.”

Rajesh said: “Dobbies is at such a transformative time in its 159-year history and it’s exciting to join the team to build on what is already a household brand name. As someone who has a joy and appreciation for gardens, in all forms, I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the business to further enhance our position as a trusted destination for garden living."

Dobbies has 77 stores across the UK, employs 3,800 people and has welcomed over 30 million customers in the year-to-date.

Founded in 2006, Artevasi has become the world's leading manufacturer of environmentally friendly, sustainable pots made from recycled plastic. They now export to over 50 countries on 5 continents, with offices worldwide.

In 2022, Artevasi took a bold step forward and invested hugely to build a brand-new state-of-the-art terracotta factory. With 160 years of family know-how in the production of terracotta pots, that desire was already in the blood of the owner and CEO, Rodolfo Resende, who spent most of his childhood out of school in his grandparents' factory, eager to help and learn the family trade.

Located in Boialvo, a small town in the district of Aveiro, the new factory covers an area of 70,000 square metres and has a production capacity of 40,000 pots per day, with production and logistics working around the clock to produce the most beautiful and sustainable terracotta pots.

Longacres seizes the opportunity

Liam Barrett of Longacres Garden Centres visited the new Artevasi factory in July 2023 and was keen to be one of the first garden centres in the UK to take advantage of the new retail solution on offer. Liam said: "The quality of the Artevasi terracotta is excellent, and the wide range of products available gives us options that will help us to offer something different to our customers that we can't get from our other suppliers, particularly in terms of larger sizes and different colours."

Artevasi fully controls the production process, and because you buy directly from the manufacturer, you are assured of the best prices. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting household disposable income, value for money is crucial, and to offer your customers the best value, you need to buy at the best cost prices. By buying direct from the factory, you can do just that. 

With full production of three collections in recycled plastic, handmade ceramics and terracotta, Artevasi produces all its pots in Portugal, focusing on the quality of the raw materials to create the most beautiful and sustainable pots.

For more information, please contact UK Director Darren Boorman, speak to your local sales agent, or email general@artevasi.co.uk

www.artevasi.co.uk

Dobbies has appointed Stephen Pitcher in a consultancy role, working closely with the gardening and horticultural teams.

Stephen has extensive experience with national UK brands, including Homebase, B&Q and Wyevale, and will be supporting Dobbies’ gardening and horticultural team, headed up by Commercial Director, Andy Hannan. Stephen will focus on ensuring Dobbies’ delivers the best ranges for its customers, as well driving product development, working with the supplier base and partners.

Stephen Pitcher said: “Dobbies is on an exciting journey and I see many opportunities to support the team to build on their already excellent ranges, refining product development aligned with the brand purpose and strategy. It’s an exciting time for the business and I’m really motivated to play my part, bringing my insight and knowledge of the industry to the commercial team.”

Andy Hannan, Commercial Director at Dobbies, said: “Stephen has fantastic knowledge and experience, making him the ideal person for this consultant position. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in UK retail and we look forward to drawing on this experience.”

Dobbies has 77 stores across the UK, employs 3,800 people and has welcomed over 30 million customers in the year-to-date.

Last week after a visit to Dobbies Peterborough over the Easter weekend GTN Xtra asked Dobbies for feedback as we were expecting to see shelves full of stock (as per their comment earlier in March). In the Peterborough store there were still big and obvious gaps in certain product areas and while all other centres we visited over the weekend had their planetaria's brimming with plants, a large area of the Dobbies planteria was still empty.

Here is Dobbies reply in full:

A spokesperson for Dobbies Garden Centres said: “Spring is a very busy time for Dobbies and we have new products landing in stores each week. We closely monitor sales and weather trends across each of our stores to minimise wastage.  

“Dobbies Peterborough plant stock and sales are up year to date. Our colleagues are working hard to ensure shelves are stocked but we also have to be responsive to the weather - with wet and windy conditions over the weekend, we had to consider what was on the shop floor. 

“We are looking forward to showcasing even more new product to customers over the coming weeks and months.” 

Dobbies is trialling ‘quiet shopping hours’ to support customers with sensory sensitivities or hidden disabilities, such as autism. The announcement of the in-store trial which is taking place at Dobbies Tewkesbury, coincides with World Autism Acceptance Week (April 2-8).

Dobbies quiet shopping hours are being trialled from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 10am, and aim to provide a more accessible and calmer shopping experience through reduced stimuli, such as dimmed store lighting and in-store music. During quiet shopping periods there will also be minimum movement of trolleys and baskets, and tannoy announcements will be avoided where possible.

Nick Anderson, Dobbies operations director, said: “We are committed to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all our customers and our quiet shopping hours aim to provide a supportive environment, specifically tailored to the needs of customers that might find a traditional trip to the garden centre overwhelming.

“This initiative reflects our ongoing dedication to our customers and the communities in which we operate. I look forward to seeing the results of this trial at Tewkesbury and hope to roll out the initiative across our store estate.”

Sam Field, general manager at Dobbies Tewkesbury, added: “We understand the difficulties some shoppers may face when coming into a bright, loud store, so I am pleased that customers at Tewkesbury can now enjoy a calmer experience. We hope that by offering these dedicated quiet shopping times, we can support even more shoppers to enhance their garden living spaces.

“We welcome feedback from customers on our trial and will look to consider additional aspects of a quieter shopping experience wherever we can.”

Leading multi-store gift card provider, One4all Gift Cards, has announced a partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres.

Dobbies Garden Centres champion garden living all-year-round offering seasonal own-brand and branded products and expert advice, to help customers enhance their indoor and outdoor spaces, grow their gardening knowledge, and even find the perfect gift for the gardeners in their lives.

The addition of Dobbies Garden Centres to One4all Gift Cards’ range of retailers allows customers to expand their gifting experience with access to an extensive selection of gardening products. From outdoor plants, houseplants and gardening tools to garden furniture and accessories, Dobbies Garden Centres offers everything garden enthusiasts need, no matter the style or size of space they have. There’s also homewares; food and spa gifting; toys and pet essentials.

David Walsh, VP of Original Content EMEA at One4all Gift Cards, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Dobbies Garden Centres to the One4all family. This partnership not only enhances our customers’ gifting options but also provides them with access to expert gardening knowledge from one of the UK’s most trusted names in horticulture.”

Lindsay Docherty, Head of Loyalty, Customer and Digital Experience, comments: “Joining One4all’s wide range of home improvement retailers will allow us to not only boost the gifting possibilities of our customers but expand our offering, allowing everyone to cultivate an indoor or outdoor space they can’t wait to rediscover this spring.”

The One4all Gift Card, ranging in value from £10 to £120, can be purchased at local Post Offices, Tesco, selected Morrisons, Boots, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, and Iceland supermarkets, as well as online at one4all.com.

This new partnership means One4all Gift Cards are now accepted by over 170 brands in-store and online across the UK, including John Lewis, B&Q, IKEA, Argos and many more.

For more information visit one4all.com.

Marcus Eyles has decided to move on from his role as Horticulture Director at Dobbies to pursue a new chapter in his illustrious 40-year career.

Marcus joined Dobbies, in 2017 as Head of Online, before progressing to Purchasing Director, and latterly Horticultural Director.

Marcus’ passion for gardening dates back to his childhood and he started his career at Hillier Nurseries in 1983, progressing to Merrist Wood College in 1985.  After a year in London working for Tropical Plants Display, he then moved into retail with Country Gardens plc in 1989. He was promoted quickly to store manager and then to Head of Plant Buying for the group. In 2001, he started The Garden Store Ltd and grew this business to eight garden centres across the midlands. With his friends and family, he ran the business successfully before selling it in 2014. 

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Marcus’ knowledge and passion for plants and gardening has been instrumental in developing our horticultural range and offering over the last seven years. We wish him all the best for the next chapter of his extraordinary career.”

Marcus Eyles added: “There have been many high points in my time as part of the Dobbies team, including the five-star award and best trade stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show; the development of our own brand peat-free compost which won the RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year award; and best stand at the Garden Press Event. 

“What I am most grateful for is my team, past and present, who have always given myself and the business their conscientious dedication, loyalty and passion to deliver the best trading results possible.

“As I work on the next chapter of my career, I want to wish Dobbies the best for spring and beyond.”

Dobbies has 77 stores across the UK, employs 3,800 people and has welcomed over 30 million customers in the year-to-date.

Commenting on the Common User Charge announcement, James Barnes, HTA Chairman, said: “Whilst it is welcome that it has at last been published, the Common User Charge (CUC) announcement at the 11th hour confirms our fears that in just one month, UK horticulture’s competitiveness will be again hit by a cost hike for no material gain. 90% of our growers import plants at some stage of the growing cycle. Nearly 100% are SMEs and, in theory, subject to 100% checks and charges. Today, they have near 0% access to the easements or alternatives to BCP usage.

“The CUC will levy a fee for every consignment eligible for inspection that enters Great Britain via the short straits route, regardless of whether the consignment is inspected at the Sevington Border Control Point (BCP). The fee is a user fee and will be charged at a rate of £29 per commodity line, capped at £145 per IPAFFS prenotification for all high and medium-risk goods (i.e. plants, seeds, bulbs & cut flowers). Our sector typically has multiple commodity lines per consignment, meaning, in reality, businesses in our sector will be paying the £145 maximum charge. This will be a huge new cost burden for many, hitting SMEs hard, particularly those using groupage. We are now working with our members to understand the details and impacts of the announcement. In due course, we expect to see port operators running commercial BCPs, who have also been awaiting this announcement, to share more information on their charges. 

“While it is a relief that we at last have the headlines of the CUC, we await further detail and guidance. Developed without a full year of robust data set to determine true cost-recovery calculations, it is a policy that feels like it is constructed on the back of an envelope at best. Anyone who understands the seasons and the basics of nature will know what and how much we import differs throughout the year, hence the criticality of an annual data set on which to base this policy. As a sector expecting to be the highest user of BCPs, a majority of which are SMEs already experiencing wider increased cost pressures, we had sought an early announcement for business planning and certainty, a simple and proportionate approach per phytosanitary certificate.

“The CUC, whilst critical, is just one part of the jigsaw of the April border changes, a puzzle that is far from solved. BCPs do not have the capability to handle many of our loads, let alone the volumes, and we have no details on the so-called pragmatic approach. The pragmatic approach lacks any public detail or communication to give confidence or certainty that the lack of capacity or capability of BCPs to handle plants will not cause irreparable damage to an industry hit by extraordinary cost hikes this spring. This CUC announcement and border changes come at the worst time. The charges will undoubtedly increase costs, potentially reduce consumer choice, and increase the likelihood of empty shelves, thereby impacting biodiversity and meeting our nation's environmental targets.”

More details are on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/common-user-charge-rates-and-eligibility

Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre, Crawley, is celebrating the success of restaurant supervisor, Adam Kelly, who recently won the regional heats of Costa Coffee UK’s Barista of the Year competition to progress to the UK and Ireland final.

Adam initially came top of Haskins internal competition, before also emerging victorious in the fiercely competitive Costa Coffee franchise heats. He will now compete against the best baristas across Costa Coffee’s UK and Ireland stores for his place in the International Barista of the Year competition.

Praising Haskins’s contribution to his development, Adam said: “I am thrilled to have progressed to the national Costa Coffee competition, and the support Haskins has provided has been brilliant. One of the biggest reasons I love working here is that Snowhill is one tight unit, we love working together and that puts a spring in your step when coming into work every day. It feels like a family.”

The 24-year-old, who has been a part of the Snowhill team for five years, follows in the footsteps of Haskins’s own Michaela Wilson. Michaela finished third in 2023’s International Costa competition and has been supporting Adam in preparing for the next stage of the process.

Adam continued: “I have a passion for coffee, and love to spend my spare time experimenting with different types of coffee beans and methods. I know better than anyone that having an awful or amazing coffee can make a huge difference to your day. I am so excited to have the opportunity to take part in the national competition and have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills I have developed as a barista.”

Jason Froggatt, Group Catering Manager for Haskins, said: “We have been running our in-house Barista of the Year competition for several years, which is a great opportunity to support our colleagues’ personal development and growth.

“The Snowhill team are proud to have Adam representing the wider Haskins brand in 2024. We’ll all be cheering him on and helping where we can so that he receives the recognition he deserves as he progresses through the Costa Coffee competition stages.”

Haskins is proud to have been a Costa Coffee partner business for over 14 years and is the only garden centre brand in the United Kingdom to serve Costa Coffee within its centre restaurants.

For more information on Haskins Garden Centres and the huge variety of plants and gardening advice available, please visit www.haskins.co.uk.

A team from York-based Johnsons Nurseries, one of the UK’s largest commercial nurseries, has pledged to walk 100 miles each during April to raise money for Kidney Research UK during Move More April, an annual celebration that encourages individuals to move more and sit less in their daily lives. 

Founded over 100 years ago, Johnsons Nurseries is a three-generation family business that has an excellent reputation for supplying high-quality plants, trees and shrubs to landscaping projects and garden centres across the nation. Notable projects include Grantley Hall in Ripon, Thorpe Park in Leeds, and Blenheim Palace Holiday Park in Oxfordshire.

This is the third walking challenge the company has organised during Move More April, having previously raised £736 for Cancer Research in 2022 and £550 for Perennials, the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping those working in the horticulture industry, in 2023.

This year all funds raised will go to support Kidney Research UK, a charity close to the teams’ hearts that has supported their colleague, transport manager Matt Campey, who was diagnosed with kidney disease when he was just two years old.

Kidney Research UK is the largest kidney research charity in the UK that funds cutting edge research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. The disease is thought to affect more than 10 per cent of the UK’s entire population.

Speaking about how the charity has helped him, Matt Campey said: “I was diagnosed with kidney disease when I was two years old. Kidney Research UK has provided new treatments and trials which have helped me be able to live a normal life as possible. I am proud that, alongside the Johnsons Nurseries team, I can support the charity to hopefully enable someone else to benefit from their life-changing support.”

Sales estimator, Hannah Reilly, who was instrumental in organising this year’s challenge, added: “This charity is important to me as my mum donated her kidney to her brother back in 2015. He was on dialysis beforehand and now his life has changed so much due to the transplant. I can’t wait to get started with our April challenge and give something back to this wonderful charity.”

Forty Johnsons Nurseries employees are taking part in this year’s challenge including Matt Campey, Terry Cooper, Marcin Czajkowski, Kata Dacre, Adam Davis, Chris Edgar, Matthew Falokun, Aaron Ferraiolo, Rob Forrester, Tom Gillam, Ed Greaves, Sarah Greenwood, Harry Helman, Rebecca Hill, Freya Lamacq-Wigham, Paul Lawrence, Michael McConachy, Steve Morton, Steph Newell, Vicky Newell, Dmytro Orlov, Martyn Osborne, Rolanda Peleckiene, Filipo Pellizzon, Sarah Perry, Chris Pitwood, Adrian Price, Matt Reid, Hannah Reilly, Ellie Richardson, Paul Richardson, Rachael Richardson, Rob Richardson, Levi Riley, Louise Roberts, Ashley Robinson, Gary Sutton, Matty Swales, Tom Watkins and Mark Weatherill.

To support Johnsons Nurseries’ efforts and donate, visit the JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/johnsons-nurseries-1710944102166

St John’s Garden Centre in North Devon has changed hands after being acquired by two  long-standing employees.

Jason Mellet and Mark Toon are the new owners after buying the garden centres in Barnstaple and at Ashford from the Oliver family, who have operated the hugely well-known garden centre and landscaping business for 66 years.

Admin manager Jason and Landscape Manager Mark became the official owners of St John’s on Friday 29th March.

Jason told GTN Xtra: "The opportunity came about after other sales of the business fell through.  Knowing the business inside having been involved in all aspects for 35 years, we sought out backers and advisors who would be as excited and pro-active about the opportunity as us.  Nat West Bank have been 100% positive and helpful.  By the end of our first meeting they were as enthused as us about the possibilities."

Jason joined St Johns in 1989 when their first computer system was installed and Mark has headed up the Landscape business for the past 15 years after starting at St Johns as a Saturday lad.

“We are delighted that Mark and Jason are taking over,” said former joint owner Nick Oliver. “They have been long serving members of our staff and understand the business ethos and our commitment to serving customers.”

Nick’s parents, David and Patsy Oliver began the nursery in 1958 as a smallholding at the site at the bottom of St John’s Lane in Newport, Barnstaple, where the garden centre is today.

The family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts, gathered at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth to celebrate the successes of its colleagues across all 19 garden centres nationwide. The event, attended by over 140 colleagues, Notcutt family members and sponsors, marked the culmination of a year of hard work and dedication.

Awards were presented by Caroline Notcutt, Vice-Chairman and great-granddaughter of Notcutts’ founder Roger Crompton Notcutt, alongside Chairman Bridget McIntyre, to celebrate team and individual achievements over the past year.

Award categories recognised Notcutts teams across all areas of the business, including ‘Best Garden Centre Performance’ which was won by Notcutts Maidstone, and 'Best Restaurant', awarded to Notcutts Oxford. New for 2024 was the ‘Pet Excellence’ category, won by Notcutts Ashton Park near Manchester for their outstanding pet department. The awards ceremony also recognised garden centres for their commitment to sustainability through the ‘Environmental Action Award’ won by Notcutts Ashton Park, and the ‘Community Hero Award’ won by Notcutts Brampton near Huntingdon for fostering meaningful connections within their local communities.

Colleagues from each of Notcutts’ 19 garden centres and the support office were recognised with ‘Frontline Hero Awards’ for demonstrating their commitment to Notcutts’ values of Passion, Inspiration and Expertise. Furthermore, the ceremony paid tribute to longstanding commitment, with several colleagues receiving 'Long Service Awards' for 25 or 40-year milestones in their careers. Colin Dale, Category Head of Plants and Gardening at Notcutts and Stephen Lonergan, Operations Manager from Notcutts Maidstone were amongst those proudly presented with ‘Long Service Awards’ for 40 years of dedication and expertise. 

Nick Burrows, Chief Executive at Notcutts Garden Centres, said: “Each year our conference and awards shine a light on the fantastic work that our incredible teams do on the ground, every day, at our garden centres across the country and in our support office. It’s always an inspiring occasion and I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to all our winners and thank you to our sponsors for supporting the event.”

The Notcutts annual awards and conference was sponsored by key suppliers: Birketts, Brakes, Catit, Char-Broil, Darlac, Esprit UK, Evergreen Garden Care, Far Logistics, Hozelock, Kettler, Leisuregrow, Mr Fothergill’s, Pelican Procurement Services, Smart Garden Products, TNP and Westland.

For more information about Notcutts visit notcutts.co.uk.

After successfully introducing the Cramer brand of professional battery-powered tools to the UK through Handy since 2021, Cramer is now ready to launch its own subsidiary, scheduled to go live on 8th April.

With new offices and a new warehouse based in the Swindon area, Cramer is now geared up to support its 82v commercial products across the UK. A new dedicated team of back-office staff, sales team and demonstration teams have now been in place for several weeks. Cramer UK is now set to demonstrate the performance and quality of its 82v range for the commercial market, share its battery knowledge and capabilities, present the best charging solutions and, most importantly, demonstrate the cost efficiency for ownership over petrol, for a better world.

Mark Moseley, Handy Sales and Marketing Director, extends his congratulations to the new UK Cramer team as they embark on this exciting new chapter: “With their dedication and expertise, we look forward to their continued success and making significant contributions to the industry.”

Globe Technologies expresses gratitude to Handy's team for their dedicated efforts over the past three years in establishing Cramer as a leading brand in the commercial battery sector within its dealer network. 

Jean-Christoph Durot, Vice-President of Cramer division Europe, says: “The UK is one of the key countries to establish our own Cramer organisation to deal directly with dealers, to support them with the transition from petrol to battery for commercial users. Globe Technologies will be making substantial investments in Cramer in the UK to launch innovative products, like battery Zero-turn mowers as well as robotics (boundary wire and wireless) for commercial users. The 82V commercial range is already a big part of this product innovation plan.”

Please contact the Cramer UK team for more information and to arrange a demonstration via email customerservice.uk@globetech.com

The 2024 GIMA Charity Golf Day will be returning to Belton Woods Hotel and Golf Course on Thursday, 6th June to play the Woods Course.  The annual event is always a great way to spend time with colleagues, customers and friends rounded off with a BBQ outside (weather permitting).  

If you’re a regular at the GIMA Golf Day we’re returning to our original format of a team of 4 playing for the trophy.  The format will be a 4 ball, better ball and all score cards will be collected at the end of play.  Your scores will be added  to give an overall team result.  Don’t worry if you don’t have your own team of four as we’ll make up the teams with either individual players or pairs that enter.

This year, the GIMA Charity Day will be raising funds for Greenfingers, the 2024 chosen charity of GIMA’s President.

100% of the money raised on the day, will be given to the charity, enabling them to build even more beautiful gardens at children’s hospices throughout the UK.

Book now by clicking here.

GTN March 2024. In this issue:

• Gift Packaging from Woodmansterne
• Group Commitment – GTN Interview with Caroline Owen, Chair of the Tillington Group
• New retail solutions from Artevesi
• What’s Hot in 2024 – New products launched at the Garden Press Event
• Maximising seed sales at Mr Fothergills
• 25 years of Greenfingers FUNdraising
• Garden Re-Leaf Day 2024
• Strictly Blue Diamond – Exclusive Awards coverage
• New at Solex for 2024
• Products to delight from Spring Fair
• Be the best plant specialists – GTN Planteria special report
• A brighter shade of green – LOFA Column
• Three days of PATS in September 2024
• Celebrating 125 years – HTA Column
• The start is everything – GIMA Column

Jardinopia Limited is a rapidly growing privately owned multi award-winning designer and manufacturer of home and garden gift products, headquartered in Martock Somerset, and with operations in Virginia USA and Jodhpur India. We are looking for two experienced Senior Sales Account Managers/New Business Generators for both the North and South Regions of the UK to help take the business to the next level. 

We are open to looking at a flexible working model whereby you can work remotely (from home and on the road) as well as from our HQ in Martock Somerset as necessary. This is though largely a field-based role, and you will be expected to be on the road at least 4 days a week.

Reporting directly into the UK Sales Manager based in Martock, the North Territory is comprised of all English counties north of Birmingham, which we are calling ‘North’ (Cumberland, Northumberland, Westmorland, Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire). An ideal base might be somewhere in the middle of the Territory like Yorkshire or Nottinghamshire, reducing your journey times to customers where possible. 

The South Territory is EVERYTHING ELSE! An ideal location might be Oxfordshire or Berkshire?

You will be expected to support, nurture, and develop the existing Agency Team in place and your own House Accounts that we currently have within the Territory, as well as driving new business sales across the garden centre, gift shop and bricks and mortar retail environment generally. You will be separately targeted on both retained and new business.

As well as our own award-winning brands, we are also partnered with Penguin Books (Peter Rabbit & Beatrix Potter), Laura Ashley, Iona Buchanan & Emma Lawrence as their strategic garden products partner!

We sell our products directly to Trade (Garden Centres, Gift Shops, High St Retailers, Catalogues, Tourist Destinations, Supermarkets, Florists, eTailers and Charities), to Distributors & Wholesalers overseas, at Consumer Shows such as RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as through e-Commerce sites and 3rd party marketplaces. We also have a rapidly growing 'White Label' business where we design and manufacture exclusive ranges of garden products for some of the UK's biggest and most exclusive businesses, as well as an Indian Sourcing Service – where we manage the end-to-end procurement of a wide range of products for our customers. We opened our first High St shop in April 2023, which is thriving. 

We are seeking very experienced Senior Regional Sales Account Managers/New Business Developers that know the garden and home industry intimately, are extremely well connected with their own long list of customer relationships within the Garden Centre world, and are keen to deliver and grow a world class service to our Bricks and Mortar customer base in the UK. Our customers are as varied as Kew Gardens, Buckingham Palace, RNLI and Next - to the corner florist and gift shop! We currently have 500+ Garden Centres in the UK that we work with. This is a field-based role, and you will also be expected to travel from time to time to Trade Shows and to the HQ for meetings. Most of your time will be spent on the road visiting customers and driving new business sales.

We are looking for professional sellers with an excellent track record of growth and retention over a sustained period in the Garden Gift /Garden Centre Sector. You need a good telephone manner, first class written and oral communication, a hard-working business ethic, and can work independently alongside our customers to understand their needs, support them with product and merchandising knowledge and grow our business with them. Customer growth and retention are key to this role! You will also be confident and successful selling to new customers and can demonstrate a long track record of doing so within the Garden Center Sector. You will be familiar with Sales Administration and Data Management tools (we use Blue Alligator and Zen Desk).

We have around 2,000 products that are unique to us, and this is continuously growing. We are launching 10 new Ranges this year alone. You must be an expert in applying sales tactics, running the administration processes needed to support the sale, and data gathering for the business. You will be able to quickly drive growth through the integrated use of upselling and safeguarding existing accounts & finding new business. We need you to have your own car to use for the first year in the role.

In exchange for your experience, world class skill sets and dedication to driving customer account retention and growth, we are offering a market leading and uncapped remuneration. The compensation will be c£50K dependent on experience, and an uncapped commission scheme on all Bricks and Mortar Sales in the Territory. We would expect you to quickly earn a 6-figure salary if you are successful. We are also offering a life changing opportunity to secure a percentage of our business!

You will be particularly interested to us if you have a strong background in selling garden gift products to the Garden Centre Sector, have or are selling to garden understand Zen Desk and Blue Alligator, have managed a large Territory previously, working with and maye as an Agent, and can show us that you fully understand this sector and are well networked within it.

This is an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity to work with and alongside some of the world’s biggest companies on innovative new product launches, and to work in a fast-paced dynamic business team that sell their products to some of the biggest companies in the world. Agencies and Companies need not apply. We are looking for individuals in the UK only that are prepared to own the Bricks & Mortar sales strategy in the Territory and the ongoing success for our company.

If that's you, and you can demonstrate a strong understanding of all of the above and be prepared to show us what you've achieved in your career so far with clear unambiguous examples - then we want to hear from you straight away. 

Please contact Tony in the first instance at Tony@Jardinopia.com who would be delighted to hear from you.

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The Wildlife and Birdcare Nature Recovery Project (WBC), a  specialist British designer and manufacturer of wildlife habitats, feeders and food, has been licensed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to produce a wooden habitat home collection for a variety of garden wildlife.

This is a striking, high-quality range intended for wild birds, insects and wildlife, with an RHS-inspired dark green and natural oak colour scheme that is not only beautiful but also adds an identity and vitality to garden decor.

All the habitats are eco-friendly, non-chemical-based and built with sustainability in mind. FSC UK-sourced larch wood is used, while ingredients for the insect hotels are foraged and carefully selected by hand when each product is made. No glue is used in any of the construction; this means parts can be easily replaced when necessary.

The RHS Supporting Nature range is available for garden centres, pet stores, farm shops and other retail outlets across the UK, including at RHS Retail, as well as online, to stock now. RHS branding will be on product wraps, packaging and associated wildlife information. 

The RHS Supporting Nature range was launched at Spring Fair, in early February where it attracted a very positive response and a large number of enquiries. The WBC and its collection will also appear at a variety of RHS shows, including RHS Malvern Spring Festival, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Products will feature within planting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

WBC is a Community Interest Company – a not-for-profit organisation that manufactures a wide range of  wildlife habitats for wild birds, insects and wildlife.

It also provides work opportunities for people with learning disabilities: all of its products are made with the help of young adults with autism and additional needs. As a Department for Education (DfE)-recognised and licensed training provider, WBC runs a skills and learning centre in Stoke-on-Trent which teaches industry skills to young people who are in their last year of SEN college. 

CEO Sammy Holman, who is autistic and disabled herself, developed, created and launched WBC to tackle social imbalances and increase work opportunities for young SEN students by developing other ways to teach, learn and prepare young people who are neurodiverse to become more industry skilled.

WBC’s work is now part of a roll-out programme offered to educators and other training providers who can become franchisees, making WBC’s teaching available both in the UK and in the USA.

Sammy Holman says: “We’re enormously proud of these handcrafted wildlife habitats and delighted to have worked on this project with the RHS, an organisation that shares our love of nature, our devotion to quality craftsmanship and our concern for sustainability. The support of the RHS is also invaluable in helping to further our work in encouraging acceptance and support of those who are autistic or diverse.”

Cathy Snow, RHS Licensing Manager adds: “The WBC-RHS habitat range is not only useful, beautiful and sustainable but well-made and sturdy with a strong focus on being fit for purpose that makes it ideal for the wildlife we are trying to support and encourage into the garden. But there’s even more to this partnership. It enables the RHS to support WBC’s skills and learning programme, an important part of WBC’s aims to be a social enterprise supporting business for good.  We’re delighted to be working with WBC.”

A two-month campaign by BHETA on postal services’ age verification policies reference the delivery of bladed items has led to a climbdown by Royal Mail on its original proposal to cease such services.

Such a move would potentially have financially crippled many UK housewares sellers of legitimate products such as kitchen knives, pen knives and cutlery, and encouraged more unscrupulous suppliers to sell bladed articles without age verification.

Royal Mail had originally proposed the termination of its current low-cost age-verified service which would have left smaller UK suppliers and retailers with no financially viable alternative means of delivering legitimate product safely to age-verified customers.  Alternative delivery companies either charge prohibitive rates for age verification or impose minimum quantity criteria which are too high for smaller suppliers and retailers to use.  

BHETA was made aware of the disastrous possible impact for the UK home improvement and home enhancement industries two months ago.  It immediately communicated with Adrian Baker - UK Products Director Royal Mail and raised the issue in a meeting with the Minister for Policing and OFCOM at the Home Office, as well as providing members with the means to lobby their MPs on the subject.

Royal Mail has now backed down and pledged to continue its age-verified postal delivery service, along with a new policy that from 7^th May, it will no longer handle any newly prohibited items, this placing clear distance between legitimate bladed products for household use and other items which could pose a danger to the public.

BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones explained, “BHETA has long campaigned on behalf of suppliers and retailers of legitimate bladed household items to distinguish products such as secateurs and cutlery from the kinds of bladed items associated with the scourge of knife crime.  

“When were we made aware at the start of February that Royal Mail was planning to terminate its age verification service from 22^nd April this year, we moved swiftly to ensure this did not happen.  Following a combination of communications with Royal Mail direct, lobbying via members’ MPs and a meeting with the Home Office, BHETA is delighted to confirm that the Royal Mail age verification service has been reinstated.

“Had it gone ahead, not only would the cessation have posed a massive commercial threat to UK suppliers and retailers of kitchen knives and cutlery, as well as inconveniencing consumers who would no longer have been able to return such products easily, but it would have opened the doors to unscrupulous and unregulated overseas suppliers of potentially dangerous products to enter the UK market without checks or safeguards.  On all fronts therefore – commercial, consumer and in terms of societal responsibility, BHETA is delighted that Royal Mail has seen sense on this issue.”

Steve Richardson, BHETA’s Marketing Director added, “A key role of a trade association is to lobby on the industry’s behalf and we are so pleased to have campaigned on an issue where real change has been made for our members and the wider industry. It is very heartening to see what businesses can achieve when they work together.”

Alastair Fisher, Managing Director of BHETA member and kitchen knife supplier, Taylors Eye Witness, said: "This is wonderful news which comes as a great relief for many of our smaller customers.  It is thanks to BHETA and the many businesses that made their views known.  Special mention also to Sheffield MPs Paul Blomfield and Clive Betts."

For more information about BHETA lobbying and BHETA services, visit the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk or contact BHETA Member Services on 0121 237 1130.

The design and care of gardens is more diversified than ever today: Innovative, multifunctional garden tools, environmentally-friendly care methods, CO2 neutral and recycled products as well as the growing popularity of subsistence gardens are uniting efficiency and sustainability when it comes down to garden work. From 16 to 18 June 2024, the largest garden and BBQ trade fair in the world will present precisely these trends in the theme world "garden creation & care".

International exhibitors will give insights into their latest developments and products from the garden care section - from plants and their cultivation, to optimal care, through to the appropriate tools and machines. A look at some of the current garden care trends.

All in one: multifunctional garden tools
Today, the garden is a space that fulfils multiple purposes and as such the tools needed for its care are becoming increasingly versatile. New electrical appliances offer numerous attachments and can be used as a brush, grout cleaner, lawnmower and edge trimmer. There are also quick-change systems for new mist blowers for the vertical and horizontal wetting of plants. The power for alliance initiative also contributes towards today's versatility: More and more companies are joining initiatives that enable the operation of the diverse tools of different manufacturers and the use of the same battery. For their storage, new tool sheds are individually designable and extendable.

Gentle care: Garden work for more variety
To protect the flora and fauna more and more regional, natural protection and care products are being used when gardening. For example, modern fertilisers are made from clover or sheep's wool. Using one's own compost as a fertiliser also promotes environmentally-friendly plant care. Large and small models of practical composters are available for this purpose. Weeds are also eliminated without the use of chemicals, for example at the push of a button with electronic ignition burners. Endangered plant species, which belong to the line-ups of many garden centres today, contribute towards maintaining the biodiversity.

Own harvest: Trend towards self-sufficiency
Growing one's own herbs, fruit and vegetables started to become increasingly popular even before the food prices went up. Even if only limited space is available, their cultivation is being made easier with the aid of small greenhouses, plant towers and pyramids. Stackable trays enable space-saving storage. Furthermore, easy-to-operate and compact tools are being offered, especially for urban gardening. And in case it gets too hot on small outdoor areas, plant pots protect the greenery up to temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius. There are water butts with integrated plant holders that offer additional cultivation areas.

Greener industry: CO2 neutral and recycled products
Overall, the green industry is becoming "greener". Many suppliers use wind power and green electricity for the production of their garden products in the meantime. Remaining emissions are compensated for by promoting reforestation or climate protection projects. Many new garden products are 100 percent recyclable or CO2 neutral. Renewable raw materials such as wood from sustainably managed forests are increasingly being used for the materials for greenhouses or plant growing aids. Furthermore, plant pots are often made out of other natural materials like seaweed, reused wickerwork or recycled plastic.

About spoga+gafa 
spoga+gafa is the biggest garden and BBQ fair in the world. As an international trade fair at the location in Cologne, it sets impulses for the entire garden world. At the leading global trade fair, the green industry talks about the line-ups and trends of the coming season and presents solutions for current and future challenges. The focus of spoga+gafa lies on trends and innovations from the sections garden bbq, garden creation & care, garden living and garden unique. The unique range of offerings turns the trade fair into the place-to-be for the purchasing managers of all trading forms. The Industry Garden Association e.V. (IVG) is the industry sponsor of spoga+gafa. 

The coming edition of spoga+gafa is being staged from 16 to 18 June 2024 under the key theme "Responsible Gardens". To learn more about the event, visit www.spogagafa.com.

Koelnmesse – Global Inspiration for Living, Contract and Public Spaces
Koelnmesse is the world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of Living, Contract and Public Spaces.
At the trade fair hub of Cologne, in addition to imm cologne and interzum, other trade fair formats such as ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, FSB and aquanale are among the internationally renowned and established industry meeting places. These fairs comprehensively represent the interior and design segment, the furniture and interior construction industries' supplying sections, the kitchen world, all topics for the modern working world, garden lifestyle as well as public space, sports and leisure facilities and also sauna, pool and ambiente.

In addition to the events in Cologne, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio in key growth markets around the globe like with the successful shows ORGATEC TOKYO in Japan, interzum bogota in Colombia and interzum guangzhou in China and interzum forum italy.
Further information: https://www.spogagafa.com/trade-fair/spoga-gafa-2024/industry-trade-fairs/

The highest honours in horticulture, the Victoria Medal of Honour and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour have been awarded to six worthy recipients by the Royal Horticultural Society.

At a special award ceremony held at Lindley Hall, London on Tuesday 26 March 2024, Chris Lane and Neil Lucas received the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) and Rosie Atkins, Charles Dowding, Jan Pennings and Chipper Wichman received the RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour (EMH).

The Victoria Medal of Honour is awarded to British horticulturalists and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour is awarded to non-horticulturalists who have made an outstanding contribution to horticulture and gardening. They are awarded as part of the RHS People Awards that recognise and celebrate the achievements and hard work of individuals in horticulture through the award of eight special honours.

Chris Lane and Neil Lucas received the award of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour. Chris Lane is a renowned plantsman and nurseryman and is celebrated for his practical skills and knowledge of woody plants, sharing his experience through formal training, his books and holding five national plant collections.  Neil Lucas is an exceptional champion of ornamental grasses both as a designer and nurseryman. He is an author, exhibitor and judge and has developed Knoll Garden’s charitable foundation to increase our understanding of naturalistic planting and garden wildlife.

Rosie Atkins, Charles Dowding, Jan Pennings and Chipper Wichman received the RHS Elizabeth Medal of Honour. Rosie Atkins is an outstanding ambassador for horticulture, she launched the ground-breaking Gardens Illustrated magazine and became Director of Chelsea Physic Garden transforming their public engagement. She is a RHS committee member, RHS Vice-President and member of several trusts. For over forty years Charles Dowding has researched and developed his techniques of ‘no-dig’ pioneering the concept of improving soil quality organically whilst maintaining productivity and benefitting biodiversity. Charles continues to share his experience through lectures, courses, articles and several gardening books.

Jan Pennings has been unwavering in his pursuit of excellence in bringing his knowledge of daffodils and other bulbs to a worldwide audience. He is a tireless ambassador for the RHS and growers worldwide supporting plant breeders by taking up new cultivars of daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and crocuses to bring new and improved plants to the gardening world. Chipper Wichman dedicated his career in botany and gardens with the National Tropical Botanical Garden as the organisation’s president and chief executive officer. Under his leadership, the National Tropical Botanical Garden has become a recognised global leader in discovery, scientific research, conservation and education focused on rare and endangered plant species.

At any one time only 63 horticulturists hold the VMH and 70 non-horticulturists will hold the EMH to mark the length of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II’s respective reigns.

The RHS People Awards are held annually and are open to everyone to make a nomination. This year’s nominations will open in June 2024. All nominations are assessed by experienced horticulturists from across the industry. The strongest applications are then assessed by the RHS Horticulture Board and the RHS Council.

Keith Weed, RHS President, said: “This year’s recipients of the Victoria Medal of Honour and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour – the highest honours in horticulture, have made an immeasurable contribution to horticulture and have inspired designers, growers and gardeners of all levels of experience. Their passion and enthusiasm shines through in every avenue of horticultural activity they undertake, and our gardening knowledge has been greatly enriched by their achievements.”

For further information and full medal details please visit: RHS People Awards / RHS Gardening

AIPH presents the 18 members of the world-renowned jury who will vote to select the winners of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2024.

Boasting high-level members with extensive professional knowledge, experience, and influence in the global green city space, AIPH introduces the members of the esteemed Jury:

• Bill Hardy, President, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), Chair, AIPH Green City Committee, and Chair of the 2024 Jury- Canada
• Dr. Zhimin Wu, Director, Forestry Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)- China
• Gulnara Roll, Head, Cities Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)- France
• Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI and Regional Director, ICLEI Africa- South Africa
• Gil Penalosa, Founder and Chair, 8 80 Cities and World Urban Parks Ambassador- Canada
• Jennifer Lenhart, Global Lead, WWF Cities- Sweden
• Bruno Marques, President, International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)- New Zealand
• Pietro Elisei, President, International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP)- Romania
• Dr. Radhika Murti, Director, Global Ecosystem Management Programme, and Director, Centre for Society and Governance, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)- Switzerland
• David Maddox, Founder and Editor, The Nature of Cities- United States
• Karen Tambayong, AIPH Board Member, Asia and Chairperson, Horticulture Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce- Indonesia
• Prof Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk, Director, Nature Based Solutions Institute- Netherlands
• Felix Loh, CEO, Gardens by the Bay- Singapore
• Dr. Thomas Elmqvist, Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University- Sweden
• Damian Tang, Founder, URDX, Chairman, Circular Cities Summit, Chairman, IFLA Asia Pacific Advisory Board- Singapore
• Tim Badman, Head, Heritage, Culture and Youth, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)- Switzerland
• Harmen Kraai, Horticulturist and Aquacien, The Urban Jungle Project- Netherlands
• Rob Adams, Director, Adams Urban- Australia

To find out more about the members of the Jury, click here.

This season sees the launch of Mr Fothergill’s Enriched Seed Compost, formulated to ensure success when growing from seed with displays designed to locate the compost alongside seed stands in garden retail stores, promoting linked and impulse sales.

The compost is 100% peat free being a blend of coconut husk fibres (a waste by-product of coconut processing) with added slow-release nutrients to ensure healthy seed germination and seedling development. The formula also includes powdered seaweed, a natural growth stimulant and source of micronutrients.

Mr Fothergill’s Enriched Seed Compost is supplied as a dry, compressed block making it light and convenient for shipping, display and purchasing. The blending and forming process means it is free of weeds and pests. To rehydrate to its 10 litres usable state it just needs 4 litres of clean water to be added in the bag provided. In just 5 minutes the water is taken up and with a little mixing is ready.

“The compost formulation is the result of months of trials and testing to get the blend of coir and balance of nutrients just right for seed germination”, says Ian Cross, Head of Retail Marketing. Adding, “our trials team have been very impressed with this compost, from the texture to the results they are getting”.

Each compost block has a suggested retail price of £4.99 and is supplied in trade cases of 20 units. The display stand is available free of charge with any order of 4 outers or more and is designed to fit alongside any run of Mr Fothergill’s seeds, placing it in the ideal location.

The compost was officially launched at the Garden Press Event in late February and has already been listed in over 450 garden centres, Robert Dyas and B&M stores.

Contact david.turner@mr-fothergills.co.uk if you would like a sample of this new compost to try for yourself.

Ben Harrison, who is Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres, is stepping into the role and will become Chairman at the GCA’s annual conference in January 2026.

Ben says: “I’m delighted to be taking on this prestigious position, having previously been the organisation’s Treasurer. I’m really looking forward to my chairmanship. I’m so grateful to be following in the footsteps of our current Chairman, Will Blake, who is showing excellent leadership and is inspirational in his approach and energy.

“In my tenure, I hope to continue our ongoing drive to recruit more new members, while ensuring we support all our current ones and focus on the core benefits of our membership, including delivering a motivational 2026 members’ conference, promoting the importance of our regional meetings and our vital standards-driven inspection process. 

“It’s important we’re there for our members, not just to help them with their businesses and any issues currently affecting them, but also as a valuable voice in the industry and by offering opportunities for socialising and networking with each other. Through sharing and spotlighting best practice, we’re stronger together.”

As Chairman Elect of the GCA, and also when he’s Chairman, Ben will work closely with the GCA Executive and full Board of elected directors.

Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, says: “I am thrilled Ben has agreed to be our new Chairman Elect. I would like to congratulate him on being elected by our members during our last AGM meeting.

“I am really looking forward to working with Ben this year as he heads up several of the work streams we are currently working on.”

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

Phil Thomas has joined Dobbies, as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Phil joins from Costa Coffee, where he has been CMO for the last 3 years.

Phil brings to Dobbies over 30 years of wide-ranging marketing experience in both retail and consumer goods. Before serving as CMO of Costa he similarly was CMO at Greene King, and prior to that held numerous marketing roles in Reckitt Benckiser and Procter & Gamble, both in the UK and internationally.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Phil will be responsible for all of Dobbies’ customer and marketing activity. He will leverage the company’s renewed brand purpose and values to create engaging communication and customer experiences, and bring an increased focus on customer insight and data analytics.

Phil will lead the teams responsible for all marketing activity and brand innovation; for developing the instore and digital customer experience, as well as ongoing seasonal campaigns and events. He will also lead all communications including internal and external stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, ESG and consumer media relations.

In addition, Phil will have responsibility for super-charging the award-winning Dobbies Club, which has over 1.3 million members, increasing its appeal to both existing and new members.

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We are building an incredibly strong senior leadership team and recruiting Phil is another positive step in achieving our ambitions. Phil is a very experienced marketing operator who will drive our goal of communicating our focus on garden living through all of our marketing. Phil’s extensive knowledge of UK retail and product marketing will be invaluable to delivering on our strategy.”

Phil Thomas, CMO of Dobbies, added: “Dobbies is a wonderful brand with an amazing 159-year heritage of helping people enjoy their gardens, and an equally great future ahead.

“I’m excited to be joining, and look forward to working with David, the leadership team and all Dobbies’ colleagues to help grow the business by building the brand and further enhancing our customer experience - and so delight more and more customers every day.”

Phil’s appointment comes as Customer Director, Louise Niven steps down from her role to go on maternity leave.

David added: “I’d like to thank Louise for her ten years at Dobbies, including six years at the helm of the marketing team, building our brand; delivering award-winning campaigns, positive PR and community engagement; and outstanding growth of our loyalty scheme to more than 1.3 million members. Everyone at Dobbies wishes her all the very best for the future.”

Dobbies has 77 stores across the UK, employs 3,800 people and has welcomed over 30 million customers in the year-to-date.

GTN Xtra Comment:  After a visit to one Dobbies centre over the Easter weekend, expecting to see shelves full of stock (as per their comment earlier in March) GTN has asked Dobbies for an update on their stock supply situation.  In the store we visited there were still big and obvious gaps in certain product areas and while all other centres we visited over the weekend had their planetaria's brimming with plants, a large area of the Dobbies planteria was still empty. As soon as we get a response we will bring you an update.

The demands of modern gardening have evolved as consumers search for more convenient and efficient methods for an array of tasks, from planting and pruning to garden watering.

This year, Hozelock has expanded its’ extensive hose storage offering with the launch of the brand-new Auto Reel Mobile 35m, which builds on the legacy of the popular Auto Reel and is the first of its kind on the market.

While offering many of the same features and benefits found in the traditional Auto Reel, the new Auto Reel Mobile boasts the additional advantage of portability, eliminating the necessity for wall-mounting and allowing the user to effortlessly cover a wider area. This is an optimal solution for those who don’t wish to mount to the wall for aesthetic or practical purposes, as well as catering to those who rent their home. 

With the inclusion of an ergonomically designed handle and large wheels, the Auto Reel Mobile is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and suitable for most terrains, including grass, gravel and concrete, making it extremely versatile. 

The integrated auto-rewind system ensures a smooth, controlled rewind of the premium hose, with no kinks or tangles, and the multi-functional 3-in-1 Nozzle means the Auto Reel Mobile can be used for a variety of tasks.

For added stability and ease of use, the Auto Reel Mobile boasts a front kickstand, that effortlessly folds away for compact storage. Its adjustable handle caters for various heights with ease, offering user comfort. 

Enhancing convenience, the rear basket provides a handy storage solution for small accessories and garden tools, to keep everything needed within reach. 

The Auto Reel Mobile, which is now available, has an RRP starting from £219.99. 

For more information, visit: https://www.hozelock.com/product/auto-reel-mobile-with-35m-hose/

Corby + Fellas has announced another two garden centres have joined its growing customer portfolio.

Bradley Fold and Summerseat Garden Centres, owned and run by the Ainscow family, have implemented our acclaimed WinRetail EPoS, Stock Control and Retail Management system at their two centres at Bolton and Bury, Lancashire.

Both centres will benefit from Corby + Fellas extensive functionality, including the Customer Experience APP, e-commerce systems,  accounting integrations, as well as the restaurant modules, and of course benefit from real time, powerful, management reporting tools.

We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Jonny, Joe, Jack , Sarah, and the team.

Please look out for further updates as we reveal our very latest products and new customers, on our social media channels – please contactsales@corbyfellas.com if you are interested in working with us – we would love to hear from you.

Leading British peat-free growing media manufacturer, RocketGro, was presented with an award for Supplier Innovation at the Klondyke Plant Show and was praised for developing “genuine innovation in our industry.”

RocketGro is celebrating its win at the annual Plant Show organised by independent garden centre chain, Klondyke. More than 30 suppliers exhibited at the show, which was hosted at Aintree Racecourse and attended by the group’s 22 plant managers and horticultural buying team. 

As well as allowing the buying team to plan for the 2024 season, the event featured an awards presentation, which recognised a handful of key suppliers and several of Klondyke’s centres.

RocketGro Managing Director, Toby Thomas collected the Supplier Innovation Award from Klondyke Group Chief Executive, David Yardley, and was delighted with the win, having only started supplying supplied the Group in January 2022.

David Yardley commented: “It was a pleasure to attend out recent plant show at Aintree Racecourse and see all of the wonderful plants that will be coming to centres soon. We also invited along some of the key sundries suppliers who provide us with plant-related products and it was wonderful to see some new products and real innovation in this category. 

“There were a number of awards presented at the evening dinner and it was great to be able to hand over this year’s Supplier Innovation award to Toby from RocketGro. Ever since I first met with Toby and his business partner, Tim, at Glee in 2021, I have been impressed by their passion and professionalism in developing what is a genuine innovation in the industry, and becoming one of our key suppliers in such a short period of time.”

Managing Director, Toby Thomas said: “Building a relationship with David Yardley and the management team at Klondyke has been a cornerstone of the development of RocketGro as a business and as a brand. I feel that our relationship is a true partnership and goes way beyond being just another supplier. Working hand in hand with Mary and Andy at Klondyke to build our brand presence in the stores has helped us grow stronger every year. 

“Klondyke and RocketGro share the same values and both sides have invested significant time into genuinely understanding each other’s business to enable the relationship to really thrive. We are thrilled to have been given the Supplier Innovation award and thank Klondyke for recognising our significant progress and contribution to the industry in this way. We look forward to innovating further, year after year, and growing our rewarding relationship with Klondyke.”

RocketGro boasts an impressive 24-strong portfolio of premium peat-free growing products, including its flagship Magic Mulch, best-selling Fruit & Veg Compost, Seed & Cutting Compost, and Multi-Purpose with added John Innes.

All RocketGro products are chemical free, 100% organic approved, British grown, sourced and manufactured, and are the by-product of renewable energy production. Packaging is also 100% recyclable. 

Find out more

If you want to learn more about RocketGro or are keen to discuss adding its product portfolio into your 2024 offering, please contact Toby Thomas (hello@rocketgro.co.uk /07936 928 981) or Andy Abraham (andy@rocketgro.co.uk / 07446 937902). View the full range and discover more about the RocketGro story at www.rocketgro.co.uk

SOLEX Exhibition, the premier event that gathers the best and brightest of the outdoor leisure industry, has announced an Awards Ceremony & Afterparty to kick off the excitement of the summer event on the Tuesday 9 July. Marking its 16th year, SOLEX Exhibition has curated a night of celebration, networking, and a thrilling football-themed evening to coincide with the highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals.

With a captivating football-themed setting, the stage will be set with tv screens and hot food, as industry players gather, attendees can look forward to not only the prestigious SOLEX Awards but also to the electric atmosphere as the evening blends business recognition with the shared love for the beautiful game.

Adding to the excitement, former Ex - England footballer Dion Dublin will be joining us for the event to share insights and predictions ahead of the semi-final clash, (which we hope will feature England) as well as taking part in a Q&A session. The evening begins with a Welcome Drink and Hot Buffet, leading into the hotly awaited match on the big screen. The SOLEX Awards will be presented by Dion at half time. The afterparty, will be a chance to mingle outside the usual professional environment and promises to be as thrilling as the game itself.

The evening won't just be about football. We will have delicious food and drink, exciting entertainment, and a chance to unwind and socialize with exhibitors and visitors. So even if you're not a fan of the beautiful game, we've got you covered.

Don't miss out! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW

Ready your grills, sharpen your knives, and stoke the fires! SOLEX Exhibition 2024 is about to welcome back the crowd-pleasing, taste-bud-teasing Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening incorporating our BBQ Competition, which is set to light up the evening with charm and flavour.

Scheduled for Wednesday 10 July, the evening now in its second year, is the event that celebrates not only the mastery of the grill but the communal joy of al fresco dining.

Attendees eagerly anticipate the BBQ showdown, where teams of both exhibitors and visitors will vie for the prestigious BBQ Trophy. The stakes are high.  Each team aims to impress the judges, including industry experts with a signature dish.

Competition is set to heat up under the open skies outside Hall 5, be it under a radiant sun or cheering each other on beneath the shelter of gazebos, all competitors and spectators are poised to make beautiful bites of every challenge.

The essence of the evening is more than just the BBQ prize it embodies the thrill of the grill and the unifying spirit of good food shared.

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In order to ensure that everyone can fully immerse themselves in the Exhibition and exciting SOLEX Evening Events, we have secured Special Hotel Rates For Visitors who wish to attend these events and stay overnight on Tuesday 9th or Wednesday 10th July.

For the exclusive price of £100 per room, per night, SOLEX visitors can take advantage of this offer and enjoy a comfortable stay while attending the exhibition and events. This offer is not to be missed!

Don't miss out! Follow the link to book your stay BOOK NOW

or scan this QR Code:

N.B. Hotel rooms are subject to availability. Offer ends 30 April 2024.