Laburnum anagyroides Yellow Rocket® from Frank P Matthews has been crowned this year as Best in Show at the New Plant Awards on the opening morning of the HTA National Plant Show at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry.

Laburnum anagyroides Yellow Rocket® is a fantastic form of the already popular spring flowering Laburnum. It is a columnar growing tree with a very narrow upright habit so perfect for any size of garden and even patios and balconies. The bright sunny yellow pendant flowers adorn the tree in May creating a beautiful sunny effect and perfect for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. It is also winter hardy and heat resistant.

The New Plant Awards, sponsored by the RHS, are the beating heart of the show and create an area bursting with inspiration for our visitors.

Judging Panel member Sabatino Urzo from RHS comments, “We really were spoilt for choice with this year’s plants with all the category winners really bringing something different to the market. It was a unanimous decision that the Laburnum won overall – perfect for gardens of all sizes with its compact nature and bright yellow flowers.”

The winners are:

Annuals

Gold and Best in Category –  - Helianthus annuus SUNBELIEVABLE BROWN EYED GIRL Sunbeliv01’ from Thompson & Morgan (pictured below)
Gold - Cobbins Nursery Ltd - Helianthus Hybrida Sunfinity®

Silver - Syngenta UK Ltd - Impatiens walleriana Imara
Silver - Thompson & Morgan - Isotoma axillaris FIZZ N’ POP GLOWING PURPLE ‘Tmlu1301’
Silver - Newey - Dahlia Hypnotica Icarus
Silver - Newey - Dahlia XXL Calaya
Silver – Earley Ornamentals Ltd – Pansy Freefall XL Bright Yellow
Silver - Thompson & Morgan - Begonia x tuberhybrida FRAGRANT FALLS ORANGE ‘Tmbg1307’

Bronze - Javado UK - Dianthus – Hilkaylee
Bronze - Newey - Petunia Sweetunia Miss Marvelous

Herbaceous Perennials

Gold and Best in Category – Eryngium Magical Blue Globe from Allensmore Nurseries Ltd

Silver - Allensmore Nurseries Ltd - Eryngium Magical Blue Lagoon
Silver – Farplants - Digitalis 'Firebird'
Silver – Farplants - Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walberton’s Gold Fountain’
Silver – Farplants - Salvia ‘Rockin Deep Purple’
Silver - Seiont Nurseries Ltd - Heuchera Isabella
Silver - Whetman Pinks Ltd - Bridal Star
Silver - Whetman Pinks Ltd - Flutterby
Silver - Kernock Park Plants - Heuchera Primo 'Wild Rose’

Bronze - Lovania Nurseries Ltd - Ligularia Pandora
Bronze - Lovania Nurseries Ltd - Ajuga tenorii Princess Nadia '
Bronze - Seiont Nurseries Ltd - Heuchera Madison Bride
Bronze - Wyevale Nurseries Ltd - Salvia Kisses and Wishes
Bronze - Wyevale Nurseries Ltd - Veronica Pink Passion

Houseplants

Gold and Best in Category – FICUS ELASTICA PETIT MELANY from Plant Partners

Silver - Javado UK - Zantedeschia Frozen Planet
Silver - Profitplant UK & Batchmere Ltd - Hydrangea Macrophylla Campino

Bronze - Javado UK - Cambria
Bronze - Javado UK - Cambria RENAISSANCE® CORAL
Bronze - Javado UK - Heliconia psittacorum Curaçao
Bronze - Javado UK - Chrysanthemum (Indicum Grp) Yin Yang
Bronze - Javado UK - Phalaenopsis Indian Summer 501371
Bronze - Plant Partners - Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Marble Planet’
Bronze - Plant Partners - Phalaenopsis Little Kolibri Orchids Lausanne
Bronze - Profitplant UK & Batchmere Ltd - Begonia Elatior Pigonia

Shrubs and Climbers

Gold and Best in Category - Rose ‘Timeless Purple’from Whartons Roses            

Silver – Farplants - Spiraea japonica 'Walberton’s Plumtastic'
Silver - Hillier Nurseries Ltd - Hydrangea aspera ssp sargentiana 'Gold Rush' (GIEL)
Silver - Lovania Nurseries Ltd - Hydrangea paniculata Polestar
Silver - Lovania Nurseries Ltd - Berberis thunbergii Orange Sunrise
Silver - Seiont Nurseries Ltd - Diervilla splendens Diva
Silver - New Leaf Plants Ltd - Clematic Prince Louis

Bronze - Fairweathers & Darby's Nursery Stock - Lavandula Fairy Wings Blush
Bronze - Plant Partners - Loropetalum chinense Ruby Snow (‘Iwai’PBR) EU 20152503
Bronze - The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Seiont and Lowaters- Hebe 'Starlight'           
   
Trees and Conifers

Gold and Best in Category –  Laburnum anagyroides Yellow Rocket® from Frank P Matthews Limited

Silver - Frank P Matthews Limited - Apple Eden®                                                    

This year’s judging panel included Ken Cox from Glendoick Garden Centre, Sabatino Urzo from The RHS, Val and Steve Bradley from The Sun Gardening Correspondents with HTA’s Martin Simmons overseeing.

All the entries were validated by Joy of Plants.

In addition to the formal announcement in the New Plant Awards area on the opening morning of the show there was also a seminar session for visitors highlighting the award-winning plants and the benefits that they bring to help bolster plant sales.

All New Plant Award entries can be viewed at the show and visitors too can have their say by taking part in the Visitor Vote Awards, sponsored by Floramedia. The winner of the Visitor Vote Award will be announced on the afternoon of Wednesday 20 June.

Haddonstone, a leading UK manufacturer of fine architectural stonework and garden ornaments, has acquired the Blanc de Bierges brand.

Haddonstone’s experienced team has previously worked with Blanc de Bierges to create high quality cast stonework for homes, gardens and landscapes. Haddonstone will continue to provide a dedicated design and manufacture service for the Blanc de Bierges brand.

For over 40 years, Blanc de Bierges has been synonymous with the highest standards of cast stonework.

The Blanc de Bierges story began when a husband and wife team entered a competition to redesign the centre of their town Bierges in Belgium. They won, and with that Blanc de Bierges was born.

Since then, Blanc de Bierges has become an established name in the industry, both in the UK and internationally. Blanc de Bierges’s innovative paving sets have been used across the world, from the British Embassy in Doha, Qatar to Georgian farmhouses in the English countryside.

With the continued good weather, don’t let your stocks run too low, by re-ordering your favourite products from Bathgate Horticulture.

We provide an extensive range of quality products for professional growers, landscapers, garden retailers and dedicated horticultural enthusiasts.

Whatever your requirements, you can be assured that we only use the finest ingredients combined with the latest technology, to produce consistent, high quality products every time.

Deliveries can be made nationwide, from a single pallet to a full load. All Bathgate horticultural retail products are attractively packaged in conveniently sized, recyclable bags.

Malcolm Scott Consultants has successfully slashed a London garden centre’s Community Infrastructure Levy by £83,000 in a landmark appeal for the sector.

Acting on behalf of a garden centre on the outskirts of London, the business appealed against a £96,000 CIL liability equating to £315 per sq m, a charge calculated based on high street rental value.

Chris Primett of MSC said: “Ever since the Community Infrastructure Levy was introduced in 2010, it has caused concerns to many garden centre owners looking to implement their planning consents.

“This tax is levied on certain types of approved new development, including retail development, and the general belief has been that the charge is a ‘fait accompli’ in that the rate applied cannot be challenged.”

The rate originally applied by the Planning Authority to the client’s approved development amounted to £315/m², including the Mayor of London’s charge, resulting in a CIL liability of £96,000.

Chris, who was tasked with submitting an Economic Viability Assessment on the centre’s behalf explained: “A high street retailer such as Tesco might not blink at such a charge, but with the planning conditions imposed by the Planning Authority on what the centre could sell meant that it simply wasn’t reflective of the centre’s rental value.”

MSC’s assessment demonstrated that the charge had been calculated based upon unrestricted A1 use high street and shopping centre rental values per sq metre, which were up to 12 times higher than the garden centre’s rental value.

Having negotiated with the Council, it was agreed that the retail restrictions had reduced the rental value of the centre in question and the appeal was accepted, with the rate being dropped to £45/m², resulting in a saving of £83,000.

Chris said that while he was delighted with the result, centres seeking to replicate the appeal should give careful consideration to the key restrictions that led to its success.

“We were extremely pleased with the outcome of this appeal – such high charges can present significant financial difficulties for garden centres, but it is worth noting that those sites with an unrestricted A1 use it will find it much more difficult to challenge the CIL rate.

“CIL regulations do allow relief on a very limited range of development proposals but it is down to each individual Council to set their own rules on such relief. Over a period of several years the CIL paid may even out against the enhanced sales achieved from a wider range of non-garden related products, but owners face the dilemma of continuing to sell a typical range of garden centre goods or accepting a higher development tax should they choose to expand their shop space.

“My advice to anyone wanting to challenge a CIL Liability Notice would be to lodge an appeal as soon as it is received and focus on the Economic Assessment case, but this success story does show that those centres with sales restrictions in place have a starting point,” he added.

Sales volumes dropped off as we moved into June but it was a much better start to the month than last year.  Compared to 2017, week 23 saw volumes up by 32%, driven mainly by plant sales and growing media.

If gardeners keep being active, then there is still time to get sales back closer to parity by the half year.  In a year of such dismal retail news from the ‘high street’, sales performances for garden centres close to static year on year are testament to the strength of our entrepreneurship and unique offerings.

Fleet of foot decision making by management teams who are very close to the business will have been the reason garden centres will have made more of May and early June trading than big groups, DIY and supermarkets who because of their size are slower to react to market changes. We will be watching their trading statements over the coming weeks.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 23)
Garden Products - up 32%
Growing Media - up 54%
Veg-2-Gro - down 7%
Wild Bird Care - down 7%
All Plants Index - up 51%
All Items Index - up 32%

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

Plant sales were up 51% compared to last year for the first week of June pushing overall plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers data to a position of up by over 5% year to date.

• Roses were the star performers with sales more than doubling to move up 10 places to No 5.
• Hydrangea were the highest chart climber, up 13 places to No 25.
• Chrysanthemum sales also jumped to re-enter the Top 50 at No 46.

All Plants volume sales change: Week on week DOWN 23.2%.  Year to date UP 5.3% on 2017

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

Smart Garden Products Ltd have been included in London Stock Exchange Group’s “1000 Companies to Inspire Britain” report.

The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses across the UK.

To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers. More detail on the methodology can be found in the report online at www.1000companies.com.   

“We’re both flattered and delighted to be included in such a prestigious report” stated Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director of Smart Garden Products.

“The business has grown fourfold in as many years, and we are focussed on trying to double the business in size again over the next 3-5 years.”

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange Plc said: “We warmly congratulate all of the companies identified in this year’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report. Five years on, the report continues to demonstrate the strength and diversity of British businesses across the country.

"These dynamic companies are the backbone of our economy, playing an important role in the UK’s ability to innovate, export and grow.

"This report is a significant part of London Stock Exchange Group’s broader campaign to support UK high growth companies. We are committed to championing British businesses and Britain’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.”

To find out more about Smart Garden’s market leading product offering please visit www.sgpuk.com

Garden centres across the country saw a boost in May sales thanks to the good weather and two Bank Holidays according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) report.

After a rollercoaster April, outdoor plant sales rose by 27.93% in May compared to the same month last year. Furniture and barbecue sales were up 31.32% and seeds and bulbs sales were up 26.37%.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “Garden centre owners and suppliers had their fingers well and truly crossed towards the end of April for some good weather and it certainly paid off as May approached and we were treated to some of the hottest temperatures during the month for a century, as well as two Bank Holiday breaks, which allowed people to get back out into their gardens.

“The superb sales are definitely our reward for a disappointing start to the year. We just hope the good weather will continue into June as many gardeners will now be playing catch-up.”

Houseplants sales were up 17%, garden sundries were up 17.69% and pets and aquatics sales were -1.47%. Hard landscaping sales were up 13.54%.

Sales in non-traditional categories such as gifts were up 1.17%, food hall and farm shop up 7.62% and clothing up 16.76%.

Iain added: “Overall sales for the month were up 19.01% and while the year to date change is down -2.66%, it is still considerably better than the figure we saw in April.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

Mike Burks, Managing Director of The Gardens Group, said: “It has felt like a good old-fashioned spring, with an accentuated peak in May, and our garden centres have certainly felt the benefit catching up on what was lost earlier in the season.

“All departments were busy throughout the whole month, as well as the two Bank Holidays, with the hardy and bedding plants departments leading the way. Good weather certainly inspires people to get outside and encourages those less experienced to get into the garden, which is great news for us. 

“Of course we are usually at full stretch in May anyway, so this peak put huge pressure on our systems, staff and suppliers, but everyone came together and pulled out the stops, which is a testament to the people we work with. We have an ethos of building long term internal and external relationships throughout the business and the support shown by our suppliers really demonstrated the importance of this, which is very much appreciated. June has started very positively compared to a very poor start in June 2017.”

 

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Exhibitors and organisers of the trade fair look back on a successful first edition of Garden Trials and Trade. The international visitors, the novelty showcase and the compact and well-organised exhibition floor made the trade fair a very worthwhile experience, according to both exhibitors and visitors.

The atmosphere at the trade fair was very positive. The trade visitors were very enthusiastic about the novelties presented and took their time to view the new assortment and chat with exhibitors.

International visitors

The trade fair was visited by a very international group of trade representatives. Apart from all of the major European sales countries, visitors also came from as far afield as the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Colombia, India, South Africa and Israel. There was also a striking number of groups among the visitors.

Participants enthusiastic

The participants in this first edition are satisfied with the results. "The trade fair lived up to our expectations," says Janneke Sterrenburg from Forever & Ever BV. "There were more visitors than we originally expected."  Boomkwekerij Roos: "We had a high number of very good trade visits and took some nice orders. We will almost certainly take part again next year."

Exhibitors are already discussing the next edition of Garden Trails and Trade. After a full evaluation of the first edition, the organisers will decide whether to hold a second edition.  If so, it will be held from 14 to 16 June 2019 in the Plantarium building, Italiëlaan 4, 2391 PT Hazerswoude-Dorp.

TV, film and stage actor Stephen Mangan has been announced as the host of the 2018 GIMA Awards.

Best known for his role as Sean in the hit transatlantic comedy series Episodes and Guy in surreal comedy-drama Green Wing, his most recent work includes highly acclaimed TV dramas Bliss and The Split.

As a RADA trained stage actor, Stephen has performed all over the world, most recently appearing in The Norman Conquests (at the Old Vic and Broadway) for which he was nominated for a TONY.  His films include Billy Elliot, the James Hunt biopic Rush, and Festival - for which he received a BAFTA nomination.

GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall said: “I’m very excited to announce Stephen Mangan as our host this year. A warm, welcoming and fun character, last year he hosted the BAFTA TV Craft Awards so we’re very lucky to have him host our awards this year.”

Stephen will host the awards ceremony, sponsored by Glee, entries for which are now closed.  The winners will be announced at the GIMA Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 12th July, once more held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport South Wales.

To find out more about how to book one of the few remaining seats at the GIMA awards 2018 please visit http://gima.org.uk/gima-awards/. Why not also join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #GIMAAwards18.

Fleuroselect, the international organisation for the ornamental plants industry, has announced that the FleuroStar Award 2018/19 goes to Osteospermum ecklonis Purple Sun from Selecta one.

Breeder Maike Boxriker accepted the prize from FleuroStar Committee Chairman Heike Gronemann and Fleuroselect President ad interim Jean-François Ignasse.
 
Osteospermum Purple Sun from Selecta one was competing against Begonia Bossa Nova Night Fever Papaya (Floranova), Fragraria Summer Breeze Rose (ABZ Seeds), Salvia Mysty (Florensis) and Tagetes Little Duck Orange (Ameriseed).

Heike Gronemann, Chairwoman of the Jury:"Purple Sun convinced the jury with its impressive visual impact at point of sale and commercial potential. Purple Sun will be a true Winner with the Wow Factor for the entire industry."

Purple Sun, a warm summer glow in the garden
Like the summer sun setting over the ocean, such is the colour play of the latest Osteospermum ecklonis Purple Sun from Selecta one's FlowerPower series. Several shades of orange fade into a deep purple ring that surrounds the heart of the flower. Growers will love the good branching and the easily controllable plant habit. Purple Sun can perfectly be integrated in any existing Osteo production scheme and the enchanting orange-purple colour combination will genuinely shine at point of sale. Consumers will love the non-fading colours and excellent outdoor performance.

FleuroStar Evening - Breeding meets Retail
The new 'Winner with the Wow Factor' was announced at the FleuroStar Evening on Thursday 14 June at Florensis in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (NL). Attended by approx. 120 persons, the second edition of the event was a big success. Jean-François Ignasse, President ad Interim of Fleuroselect: "Tonight, I saw breeders, young plant producers, distributors and retailers exchanging views on the latest pot and bedding introductions. FleuroStar truly connects the entire industry, a beautiful evolution indeed." 

Jardiland joins FleuroStar Jury
Laurent Foucault of the French garden centre chain Jardiland joined his colleagues from the Dutch Intratuin and German Obi in the 2018 FleuroStar jury. In total, over 30 professionals in breeding, production, trade and retail evaluate each entry on point of sale attractiveness and commercial potential.

Marketing boost
The new FleuroStar winner will receive considerable marketing support. Next to conducting an international press campaign, Fleuroselect promotes the new winner at trade fairs and industry events. Contest sponsors Pull Position, a marketing agency specialised in retail promotion, offers a tailor made marketing project whereas DeschPlantpak dedicates a full spread in its next lifestyle brochure to the new winner. Stokvis, the production house behind various Dutch gardening television programmes, offers a free product placement feature in its star show 'de Grote Tuinverbouwing'.

Selecta one does it again: Richard Petri, Andrea Dohm, Maike Boxriker, Henk Dresselhuys and Belinda Mager.

The first week of June delivered a massive uplift in Garden Product sales compared to the same week last year but not up to the levels of early June in 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Rose related products, feeds and pest control were the category with the biggest movement while Solar light sales also picked up.

Highlights this week were:

• Scotts Miracle-Gro Rose & Shrub Concentrated Plant Food, 1 litre, was the highest new entry of the week, in at No 28.
• Smart Solar’s Eureka Omega Solar Light makes an immediate impression on the GTN Chart at No 35.
• Doff Slug Killer, 800g + 200g Free, leapfrogs above Neudorff Sluggo to No 2 as the bestselling slug product last week.

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

A bumper week of growing media sales at the start of June has reduced the year on year deficit to less than 4% now as top soil and bark products increased sales week on week while compost sales dropped.

Highlights in the chart this week were:

• Scotts Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Premium Garden Soil, 25 litres, increased sales by 4% and moved up to No 3.
• Scotts Levington Essential Top Soil, 35 litres, was the highest re-entry at No 36.
• Westland Top Soil (Value Bag), 35 litres, moved up seven places to No 7.
• Westland Landscape Bark, 100 litres, moved up nine places with a 5% sales increase.
• Westland Decorative Mini Bark, 100 litres, was the highest new entry.

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

BBC’s Springwatch has had a positive effect on Wild Bird Care sales at the start of June 2018. 

Sales for the past two weeks have been 20% higher than the average for the previous 12 weeks despite all the ‘bad’ weather during March and early April. Sales are, however, still down on last year, but the gap is closing.

Highlights were:

• Gardman get back to holding nine of the top 10 places in the GTN Bestsellers chart with Fat Snax, packs of 50, back at No 1 for the 4th consecutive week.
• Tom Chambers Insect Suet Treat is the highest re-entry of the week, in at No 30.
• Smart Garden Chapelwood Everyday Seed Mix 1kg is the only new entry, in at No 50.

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

Veg plant sales continue to be the most hit plant sales area as a result of the late start this year.

Our GTN Bestsellers Top 50 index now sits at 24% down year on year.

Highlights were:

• Nursery Fresh Plants Strawberries in 9cm pots hold on to the No 1 spot for the third week.
• Quantil Runner Bean White Emergo Strips, last year’s No 1 Bestseller at this time of year, stay at No 2.
• Farplants Tomato Tumbling Tom Red, 1 litre pots, are the highest new entry at No 23.

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

Wyevale Garden Centre CEO Roger Mclaughlan has revealed to GTN Xtra that it’s “business as usual” while the company considers offers on its 145 centres.

Owner Terra Firma announced last month that the garden centre group was officially up for sale either as a whole, as sub groups or as individual garden centres. Christie & Co, the agents handling the sale,  have placed a June 26 deadline for first round bids.

Wyevale Garden Centres achieved record-breaking sales figures during May, and Roger Mclaughlan was quick to point out the centres were performing well in the current climate.

How pleased are you with the way the group is performing at the moment?

We are very pleased with our performance. Customers are reacting well to the changes we have made, and we are delighted to have delivered a record breaking May performance.

Is there a danger that this level of performance could drop during 'for sale' process?

Our focus is 'business as usual'. We are well set up for peak trading, and all colleagues are focused on ensuring we continue to deliver best-in-class retail experiences for our customers.

How are you keeping staff morale high during a period of uncertainty?

Great people are at the heart of our business. As part of our turnaround strategy, we've invested in our colleagues and our customers are already seeing the difference. We believe that any future owner would see the value in our colleagues. We have held conversations with our colleagues across the business since the sale was announced and very much believe in the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with them to ensure any concerns they may have are addressed directly.

Do you have a current winning formula throughout your portfolio of garden centres?

Our current strategy is focused on building and strengthening the fundamentals of our business and delivering a more compelling customer proposition and experience. We have improved ranges, increased stock availability, and delivered exceptional garden centres standards. This has been delivered through the focus on our strategic goals of investing in people, upgrading systems and controls as well as improving the supply chain process.

How important will it be for any prospective buyer(s) of your garden centres to take this formula on board in future?

We believe that any prospective buyer will see the value in the strategy we've set out and implemented over the last two years, including investment in our people, the core infrastructure, systems and processes of the business.

Is your main focus still on driving the business forward until any sale is agreed?

Yes, we are very much committed to continuing the implementation of our turnaround strategy and running our business for the benefit of our colleagues and customers. Our focus is 'business as usual' and customer experience sits at the heart of our strategy and that has not changed.

Do you hope to remain with the business in future?

Together with Anthony Jones, Chief Financial Officer, I will continue to lead the business.

Full details of all Wyevale centres can be accessed via a website: www.wyevalegardencentres.christie.com. By registering on the site and completing a Non Disclosure Agreement, interested parties will have all the relevant information about the sites so that offers can be placed by the end of the first round process on June 26th.

Cowell's Garden Centre in Woolsington, Newcastle, has been saved after the family business bought its site from the landlord.

The future of Cowell’s Garden Centre, at Woolsington on the edge of Newcastle, had been put in doubt with its lease on the site coming to an end and the landlord pursuing plans to sell it for a housing development.

The multi-award winning garden centre was originally set up by Alan and Mavis Cowell in 1978, and a search for a new home for the business had been launched in 2012 by current companies co-directors: Alan and Mavis’ children, Martin Cowell and Jane Keating.

By 2017, however, the family were still struggling to find a new home for the business and the company brought in a team of advisors who suggested the business offer to buy the land from the landlord.

That offer has now been accepted and the company has been saved form closure.

In their local paper, The Chronicle, Martin Cowell said: “We are delighted to have been able to safeguard the future of the business and our employees’ livelihoods as we celebrate four great decades, and we look ahead to the next 40 years, and beyond.

“Securing the site forms a key part of our strategic growth plan which will allow the business to thrive, as we further expand our range of plants and nursery products over the next three to five years, whilst creating new jobs.”

The decision to buy the site was suggested by consultants at Gordon Brown Law Firm. It was negotiated by Gerald Eve, who was supported by accountants Tait Walker. HSBC provided the finance for the acquisition.

Mr Cowell added: “Following a long period of uncertainty for the business, we can now call Woolsington our permanent home.

“We are extremely grateful to our team of trusted advisors at GBLF, Tait Walker and HSBC who all worked seamlessly as a team to help us navigate what was a complicated process. Working in such a collaborative way was integral to ensuring we were able to acquire the site.

“We are also very thankful to our dedicated team, which has remained loyal to us, as well as the local community who have supported us over the years.”

Suppliers and retailers from the garden retail industry came together for a day of fun, team building and networking at the GIMA Charity Golf & Activity Day in Telford, raising funds for Greenfingers and Acorns Hospice...

It was the second year the event was opened to other activities like archery, laser clay pigeon shoot, kwik cricket, opening the event up for more industry colleagues to get out from behind their desks for a day of team building and fun.

On the golf course, the biggest prize on the day was over the 18 holes. It was a fiercely fought competition but it was the team from Hartman (below) who took home the winners’ trophy. Coming up a close second was Woodlodge, with the GIMA team following behind in third position.  A team from Bathgate picked up the wooden spoon.

As always, the golfers had not just their handicap to beat, but a number of other prizes up were for grabs keeping the competitive juices flowing. The ‘Beat the Pro’ winners were Anthony Barrett, Phil Hards, Robert Stubbs, Stuart Miller, Paul Facey, Alwyn Williams, Phil Burgoyne, Nigel Wallis, Jai Bunker, Phil Swainston, Keith Laird, Tony Dedman, Jamie Cobb and Phil Hodges.

There were also several spot prizes available. The winners were:

Nearest Pin 8th Hole – James Mitchell

Nearest Pin 11th Hole – Paul Handier

Nearest Pin 16th Hole – Chris Owen

Longest Drive 14th Hole - James Mitchell

Longest Drive 18th Hole – Paul Whitehead

Longest Ladies Drive – Alison Novell

Activity Day (Archery, laser clay pigeon shoot, kwik cricket)

Overall winners: Team A led by Chris Ramsden 247 points.

Team B led by Richard Pyrah’s scored 232 points.

Archery:

First: Andrew Peers

Second: Neil Simms

Third: Mike Cook

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2016 as well as 2017 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The £1 million botanical-style restaurant at a Dorset garden centre has been unveiled.
 
Malcolm Scott Consultants prepared detailed plans for the structure at Groves Garden Centre in Bridport, ensuring that it boasted an eye-catching design while remaining in-keeping with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it is located in.

The restaurant, constructed by Smiemens Projecten of Holland according to detailed drawings prepared by MSC’s architectural technologist Alexandra Ginés Heiwegen, has now opened its doors to customers.

Malcolm Scott Consultants gained permission for the 176-cover facility and other site developments and had a number of specific considerations to overcome in preparing the concept designs.

Chris Primet, of MSC, said: “Groves Garden Centre is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we had to ensure – and reassure planning officers – that our proposed structure wouldn’t have a negative impact on that.

“There were also strict height guidelines in place - the Environment Agency had instructed the centre to raise the internal floor level of its coffee shop to a minimum of 4.3m AOD above the existing ground level – meaning that our final design was going to be tall in order to fulfil those requirements.

“In other words, it had to be both eye-catching and sympathetic to its surroundings,” he explained.

The finished designs were created to catch the eyes of the thousands of drivers and passengers travelling along the A35  - located just 10 metres away - and will utilise curved glass panes to complement and reflect the surrounding area.

The building is positioned to curve away from the A35 rather than presenting a vertical elevation, a concept MSC had used at a previous centre, enabling the team to demonstrate how effective the end result would be to officers.

“We felt that a curved glasshouse would convey a horticultural message, both in the way the surrounding tees are reflected in the glazing, and by way of the fact that diners can see through it to the landscape beyond,” Chris added.

Charlie Groves, of Groves Garden Centre, said: “We have had a fantastic response from customers.  Along with everyone else we have had a record breaking May and the boost in restaurant sales has been the icing on the cake!

“The design and positioning of the restaurant has been the standout triumph of the project and the light airy space combined with the wonderful outdoor seating has meant we have been able to make the most of the great early summer weather.

“We have already had business breakfast meetings and children’s workshops during half term.  We also have a couple of wedding receptions booked in and some more evening parties in the future.  None of these were advertised for; they are all due to the unique design of the building, led by Alex and Chris, making it stand out from the rest of the town,” he said.