Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) today announced it has acquired Podington Garden Centre from the Read family.

Located in Wellingborough, Northants, the 60,000 square foot garden centre will complement the Company’s high-quality portfolio and bring the size of the WGC estate to 144 centres. The centre will be renamed Podington, a Wyevale Garden Centre.

Colin and Norma Read started the Centre as a small Nursery in 1976 and built it into the leading multi-purpose Garden Centre in the region with a 25,000 square foot covered shop on 3.4 acres, and a plant area containing over 9,000 varieties.

Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “Podington Garden Centre is a first rate family business, which has been run with real passion and expertise for thirty years. It has provided a significant economic boost to the local area and become a truly important part of the community. This complements our commitment to being a responsible citizen in the communities where we operate and a positive resource for employees, customers and the other people our business touches, and we look forward to carrying on this tradition.”

Lisa Cherry, Director of Human Resources at Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “The top-notch plant quality the Podington centre is known for is a testament to the strong horticultural skills of its team, and they will be an invaluable addition to Wyevale Garden Centres. We recognize that our knowledgeable and dedicated employees are fundamental to our success as a company and we look forward to the Podington centre becoming a part of our apprenticeship scheme, which introduces a new generation of young people to the world of work, as well as the world of gardening.”

Podington’s Colin and Norma Read, together with their sons Philip and Jonathan, said: “We are proud of what we built at Podington and that we have always ensured any developments had our customers in mind. We would like to thank our wonderful team for all they have done for us. Wyevale Garden Centres can now drive the business forward and build on the success the centre has enjoyed.”

Cerys Williams has a huge passion for plants, and now she is a Rising Star from Perrywood Garden Centre who has applied the merchandising techniques learned in the Garden Centre Association Rising Stars Programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, to achieve phenomenal sales increases.

Plant Area Assistant Cerys told GTN Xtra: “I have been surprised by the results.  You wouldn’t think simple changes like just moving a bench somewhere else, like nearer a doorway, would improve sales so dramatically but it really does help.   Just keeping things simple goes so far in trying to sell things faster.  Don’t over complicate things and it makes life a lot easier for sales.”

Cerys joined Perrywood five and a half years ago after gaining a degree in horticulture.  She had worked at Woolworths since the age of 16 and was there at the bitter end.  “Perrywood was the only place that didn’t want extensive experience when I decided I should really get a job in horticultural retailing.  They were quite happy to train you on the job.  Everywhere else wants five years experience which for a new graduate is not always the easiest of things to have.  I’ve been here ever since out in the Plantarea in all winds and weathers.”

Cerys says that the merchandising skills from the Rising Stars Master classes work in the planteria as well as the shop.  “They work no matter what you do.   You have to adapt, I don’t have a roof so that does make certain things difficult to do outside but it’s the same principles.”

Cerys explained that learning on the job at Perrywood has been a great experience.  “There’s only so much Latin you can learn at university and suddenly here there’s so much more Latin to learn. Because you are looking at the plants you can absorb a lot more information.  And a lot of customer’s questions are the same over and over again so you’re teaching yourself as you go along so I’ve learnt a lot more just by being practically in horticulture.”

The management team at Perrywood nominated Cerys for Rising Stars so that they could help steer her passion for plants in a direction to get the most out of her and so she could learn some new things.  “She has really taken on board what they have learned at the workshops, particularly with hot spots, positions of plants and making sure customers can instantly see what plants can look good in their garden,” said Simon Bourne.  “In some of the areas where Cerys has worked the sales increases have been phenomenal.  From selling ten plants in a month to over 100 plants in a month,  the numbers show why it’s been helpful.”

As with the other Rising Stars interviewed by GTN Xtra growing in confidence has been a great benefit for Cerys.  “It has boosted my confidence.  I was always a bit scared of doing anything like this.  I would rather hide in the corner and get on with things but I’ve never had merchandising training even though I’ve been in retail since I was 16 years old so a simple bit of training has opened my eyes to how things should be done, and should be done better and how you can improve your sales dramatically as a result.”

Simon Bourne and Cerys’ colleagues agree: “It’s given her more confidence.  Cerys knows a lot about plants and she’s worked in a retail environment for a long time but this is putting it all together.  Everything relates to the garden centre, it really does work.”

Cerys, along with the other four finalists for 2014, will be presenting at the GCA Conference in January.  Delegates will then be able to vote for the winner of Rising Stars 2014.



The five finalists of the Garden Centre Association Rising Stars Programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, are: Kirsty Clark (Perrywood GC), Matthew Fay (Stewarts Garden-Lands, Christchurch), Lisa Waim (Haskins Snowhill), Hannah Mason (Chessington) and Cerys Williams (Perrywood) have all made it through to the final challenge, where they will present at the GCA Conference in Chester on 26 January. The overall winner will be chosen by conference delegates.

The results are the culmination of an eight month programme in which candidates attended three merchandising Masterclasses run by IBBIS director and training facilitator Ian Boardman. Thanks to Ian’s efforts, many of the Rising Stars went on to increase sales in their departments by keeping hotspots fresh, creating clear signage and organising themed displays throughout the year.

Ian Boardman said: “All the Rising Stars who took part in the programme were top notch and I’d like to thank every single one of them for their efforts and praise them for the progress they have made. The results of their achievements in their workplace prove they are all stars in their own right!”

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “On behalf of Westland I’d like to congratulate the Rising Stars finalists for getting this far. We now face a very exciting GCA conference final where delegates will get the chance to vote for the winner – Rising Star of the Year 2014.”

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: “The five finalists have some really exciting presentations prepared for delegates. It is always the highlight of the GCA conference and this year will definitely not disappoint.”

Twenty-eight of the most aspiring young representatives of the horticultural industry kicked off the Rising Stars Programme earlier this year.

The original list of 28 was whittled down to 10 in September before the final five were chosen.

GTN Xtra will be featuring a spotlight on all five over the coming weeks.




Aftercut Even-Flo, guarantees ‘lawn satisfaction’ every season

AFTERCUT Even-Flo technology delivers perfect results, all year round, ensuring gardeners can get ‘lawn satisfaction’ with minimum fuss.

Using pioneering ‘ball design’ spreader technology, the Aftercut Even-Flo range has revolutionised lawncare, delivering the perfect even spread of granules across any sized lawn.

 With the introduction of Aftercut Autumn All In One earlier this year, there’s now an Even-Flo spreader for every season, making it even simpler for consumers to pick the best Aftercut product, whatever the time of year.

Available in All in One, Lawn Thickener, 3 Day Green, Patch Fix and new for 2014, Autumn varieties.

Find out more from your Westland sales representative or by logging onto the Westland trade website http://trade.gardenhealth.com/

Use pesticides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Westland Aftercut All In One contains 2, 4-D, ferrous sulphate and mecoprop-P. Aftercut Autumn All In One contains ferrous sulphate.

Horticultural celebrities from TV and radio are busy recording questions for the 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz at the moment, and garden centres who sign up to take part in what is set to be the biggest and best quiz yet can take advantage of the ‘early bird’ entry fee of just £50 - if they sign up before 1st January 2015.

Popular stars of TV and radio Christine Walkden and Chris Beardshaw are currently recording questions for the quiz, along with their BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time colleague Eric Robson and BBC weatherman Peter Gibbs. Other well-known gardening experts such as Anne Swithinbank, Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Matthew Biggs and Matthew Wilson (Greenfingers Chairman) are also contributing to the esteemed quiz.

All monies raised from the quiz, with questions this year written by Andy Bunker of Altons Garden Centre and produced in the studios of Garden Radio, will once again go to the Greenfingers ‘Rosy Cheeks’ campaign. The campaign aims to provide much needed gardens for children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens and outdoor spaces for them to relax in and enjoy.

The 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz is available to all garden centres, gardening societies and other organisations and is the perfect way to participate in the fourth, annual Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day, which takes place on 27th March 2015.

For the £50 early bird rate (£100 after 1st January 2015) participants will receive a pack containing all they need to host the quiz – it includes a special CD or Mp3 download of pre-recorded questions (and answers) to play to the audience, everything needed for the picture round, and a bonus pack of fundraising ideas, hints and tips.

Bosworth’s Garden Centre in Burton Latimer were one of the many garden centres that received great interest in last year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz. Marketing Co-ordinator, Jonathan Biggs, said: “The quiz was so easy to run, our teams were delighted to hear celebrities’ voices asking the questions, and the ‘heads and tails’ game was great fun.”

Garden centres wanting to take part should register on the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day website, and can also take advantage of free publicity for their events, by filling in the simple form online at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event. Once registered, each individual event appears on the site’s ‘events’ section, and is searchable by area to help the public find their local participating garden centre.

The quiz is just one of many ways to raise funds for Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day. Other retailer participation ideas include in-store sponsored cycle rides, as well as fun family day activities such as making cress heads and sowing Sunflowers – the Home Garden Association’s plant of the year for 2015. Suppliers can also get involved with the Loose Change promotion.

To ensure maximum exposure for your event, make sure to register soon via www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event. To order your 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day quiz pack, explore other opportunities for supporting the 2015 event as a supplier, or participate as a retailer, email info@gardenreleaf.co.uk.

The quest for The Greatest Christmas teams is on.  The expert team of judges are now out and about visiting all of the teams nominated in this years The Greatest Christmas Awards.

You’ll find out who are The Greatest at Christmas this year by joining us at the first awards event of 2015, The Greatest Christmas Awards Christmas Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations, on the night of Sunday January 11^th at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.

Our annual awards presentation and Christmas party is an event not to be missed whether you are visiting the Harrogate Christmas and Gift show or just want to have another great Christmas Party with some great garden centre people.

Tickets are now on sale for the party, which includes reception drinks, a 3 course meal with wine, the awards presentation and dancing the night away to a live party band.

Early Bird discounts apply for all tickets purchased before December 7th.

Early Bird Ticket prices for The Greatest Christmas Awards Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations.

Please call The Greatest Christmas Awards team on 01733 775700 or e-mail harry.sinclair@tgcmc.co.uk to book your Early Bird tickets today – before November 28th or buy on-line using these links:

Prices below include VAT

Tickets

1 Ticket £96.00 GBP2 Tickets £192.00 GBP3 Tickets £273.60 GBP4 Tickets £364.80 GBP5 Tickets £432.00 GBP6 Tickets £518.40 GBP7 Tickets £604.80 GBP8 Tickets £691.20 GBP9 Tickets £777.60 GBPTable of 10 £816.00 GBP

Our client is a well-known Nursery stock grower who are looking for an experienced candidate to come and joint their team.

The role will be to:

• Plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate activities of workers at all stages of growing, harvesting, packing, distribution and selling to the highest standards of quality.
• To be responsible for the provision of timely and quality support at a time and place which meets the requirements by ensuring there is a safe and adequate provision of materials and equipment, to budget and in consultation with the Nursery manager.
• To be co-responsible for coordinating Health and Safety issues, such as risk assessments within the Horticulture unit. 

The work is increasingly complex, requiring managerial, business and IT competence.

A good background in commercial production is essential.

Any of Fire Safety Trained, First Aid Certificate and FEPA P.A 1&6 would be advantageous but not essential.

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Dianne Saunders or apply with your CV quoting reference #DS6907 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is looking for an experienced manager to head up their domestic landscaping division. As the General Manager of this unit you will  report to the Sales and Marketing Director and will be responsible for the general running of that division 

The General Manager will:           

• With the Sales and Marketing Director and the Managing Director, agree an annual budget for the division that is achievable and in-line with the aspirations of the Company.
• Working with the Sales and Marketing Director, agree a Marketing Plan for the division that is capable of generating the level of sales expected for the division.    
• Be responsible for the financial control of the Division in line with the Division’s budget. 
• Act as the first point of contact for all enquiries received by the Division.           
• Where appropriate, arrange for design and costing skills to be contracted in by the Division in response to such enquiries.
• Ensure that an appropriate, costed, quotation is  provided by the Division in reply to each enquiry received.              
• Ensure that all such quotations maintain the Division’s expectation of margin on labour and materials costs              
• Co-ordinate and control the Division’s labour resource to ensure that work is carried out in a timely and efficient manner, in line with the costings relating to each job.       
• Ensure that the purchasing of materials is controlled and in line with the costed budget for each job undertaken              
• Ensure that adequate records are kept to allow complete control of all work undertaken and that such record keeping is acceptable to the Company’s Finance Director. 
• Ensure that staff working within the Division do so in accordance with the Company’s policies, including those of Health and Safety and Environment.
• Ensure that all machinery and equipment used by the Division is used and maintained safely and responsibly and in accordance with any related policies of the Company, including those of Health and Safety
• Ensure that all staff disciplinary issues are conducted in accordance with the Company’s employment policies  
• Ensure that all staff working for the Division do so in a way that will uphold the good reputation of the Company.

Suitable candidates will have experience in:         

• The practical aspects of landscape construction
• Compiling quotations for landscaping projects                
• Management of staff in landscape construction  
• Cost control in a management position
• Face to face negotiate and discussion with clients 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: 

• basic understanding of business finance and  familiarity with Profit and Loss accounts.    
• strong  management and organizational skills      
• good communication skills         
• understanding of the high quality standards required of high-end domestic contracting     
• the ability to work well with colleagues and other members of the management team in a larger organization.

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Dianne Saunders or apply with your CV, quoting reference #DS6861 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is looking for a dynamic Chef for their busy garden centre

Key Responsibilities are to:

• Assists the Head Chef to plans menu to achieve and maintain the budgeted food cost / gross profit. 
• Ensures that all equipment and fittings are cleaned and maintain in a safe and proper manner and record on the cleaning schedule.  
• Keeps work stations, surrounding work surfaces and floor, clean, tidy and organized at all times. 
• Adheres to the company’s Purchasing Policy. Ensures supplies are properly issued, used and accounted for. 
• Carries out stock takes and food rotation procedures under the supervision of the Head Chef.
• Maintains records relating to food production activities and supplies information as required by the Restaurant Manager and Head Chef.
• Prepares and participates in special functions, which may be outside normal working hours.
• Have a hands-on approach for all Kitchen staff and to get involved in many aspects i.e. cleaning duties etc.  
• Report any issues with food quality and freshness to the Head Chef / Restaurant Manager
• Follow the Stock Labelling and Rotation System to ensure the products are identifiable and used in the correct order
• Help to establish the Kitchen area as a positive work environment for all

.  Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Dianne Saunders or apply with your CV, quoting reference #DS6902 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client runs a small design and build landscaping company that also carry out garden maintenance of the landscapes that they build and due to expansion of the business they are now looking for an experienced Hard & Soft Landscape Operative

Working on residential and commercial throughout Kent. As an experienced Hard Landscape Operative you would be responsible for carrying out a wide range of manual landscaping duties under the guidance and direct supervision of the person you are responsible to.

Whilst you will generally be working with others you will at times need to work under your own initiative without close supervision. The work is physically demanding and you would be working outside in all weathers.

We have teams that undertake hard landscape works, soft landscape works and grounds maintenance operations. The contracts that we undertake are very varied and the industry is seasonal by nature and so whilst you will primarily be involved in hard landscape works, there are likely to be occasions when you will be required to undertake soft landscaping and garden maintenance.

KEY TASKS

At all times: 

• Promoting the company's professional image on site and working in accordance with the Company Health and Safety Policy.
• Work to a high standard without constant supervision.

The key tasks of the position can be broadly summarised as follows:

• Hard Landscaping
• Undertaking minor demolition works.
• Assisting in the construction of stone or brick walls, retaining structures, laying kerbs, timber edgings, setts, slabs, stone paths/surfacing's, concrete slabs etc.
• Erection of various garden structures
• Assisting in the erection of various types of fences and timber structures
• Assisting in the installation of land drainage and surface water drainage systems
• You may be required to use a wide range of power tools such as disc saws, drills etc. and to operate many different items of plant including mini excavators, dumpers, rollers and the like whilst undertaking the above works.

Soft Landscape Works

• The cultivation and preparation of ground for turfing, seeding or planting.
• Taking delivery of and planting trees, shrubs, ground cover and herbaceous plants.
• Mulching planted areas with bark, mushroom compost, manure or similar materials.
• Completing turfing and seeding works.
• Lawn mowing
• Hedge cutting
• General garden maintenance

Working Hours

• The basic working hours are 08:00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday with a half an hour lunch break (unpaid) and a 15 minute unpaid morning and afternoon break.

Experience Required

• Ideally the successful applicant will have gained previous experience within the landscape industry however applications will be welcomed from candidates who have gained relevant experience through working for building, groundwork's or civil engineering contractors.
• training and qualification is hard landscape, patios, paving and fencing

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Dianne Saunders or apply with your CV, quoting reference #DS6832 to info@morepeople.co.uk

STV has pledged a further £1,000 of fund-raising support to the Greenfingers ‘Rosy Cheeks’ Appeal – or a £1 donation for every one of its FSDU displays delivered to UK garden centres this side of January-end pre-season, the company says.

“We’re expecting to deliver at least a 1,000 FSDU display units to garden centres before the end of next month,” says managing director, Edwin Allingham.  

“And this is a great opportunity to focus our team and garden centre customers on our short term sales and delivery target, as well as to raise extra money for such a worthwhile cause as the Greenfingers Rosy Cheeks Appeal.”

The STV team has already taken on a raft of Greenfingers fund-raising initiatives since the summer, including 5km, 10km and half marathon charity runs and company quizzes.

All told STV has raised an impressive £1,500 and the company is aiming to almost double this amount by the end of January 2015.

STV’s pre-season offer on FSDUs features key seasonal lines and proven best-sellers, all priced exceptionally competitively.  “We’ve focused on the big sellers,” says Edwin Allingham.  “And the featured products are all problem-solvers with an attractive money-off consumer offer built into the deal.”

STV’s pre-season offer ends 31^st January 2015 and is available to order direct, or through Stax and Decco wholesale branches.  For more information visit STV’s trade website at www.stvpestcontrol.com/trade or contact the STV customer service team on 01953 881580.

A professor who has helped celebrities complete various physical challenges will be sharing his secrets on achieving the seemingly impossible at the Garden Centre Association’s annual conference in January.

Professor Greg Whyte OBE, who has led 18 Celebrity Comic Relief Challenges raising more than £33 million for charity, will be speaking at the conference on Monday, January 26.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “We are really pleased Greg will be joining us and sharing his secrets on achieving the seemingly impossible. He’s had a fascinating career, working with some well-known celebrities including training David Walliams for the cross-channel and Thames swims and helping Eddie Izzard run 43 marathons in 51 days.

“During his presentation Greg will be showing us that success is rarely a chance event and that it is all about having the right strategy as well as delivering to plan. We can’t wait to hear what he as to say.

“We’ve also been told that he may reveal what happened when he led Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, formally known as Cheryl Cole, and Gary Barlow to the summit of Kilimanjaro.”

In addition to his work with celebrities, Greg is Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University and a Director at the Centre for Health & Human Performance on Harley Street in London.

He has also served as Director of Science & Research at the English Institute of Sport, and on the British Olympic Association Performance Management Group and the Commonwealth Games Advisory Panel.

Early in his career Greg represented Great Britain in the Modern Pentathlon, which involves fencing, running, shooting, show jumping and swimming. He competed at the Barcelona and Atlanta games and at ten World Championships.

The GCA conference, which is sponsored by Scotts and Westland Horticulture, takes place in Chester from January 25 until 28. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend.

Iain continued: As always our conference will provide attendees with pertinent information on key aspects of the garden centre industry to assist members in achieving their business goals.

“The information shared will focus on a wide range of topics, including merchandising, marketing and management. There will also be plenty of opportunities for delegates to network and socialise.”

The GCA annual conference will take place from January 25 until 28, 2015 at the De Vere Carden Park in Chester. To book a place, please visit the members’ area on the GCA website via www.gca.org.uk.

Anyone who books a full conference attendance including accommodation before November 30 will benefit from a 10% discount off the total price.

There have been a few changes in the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart this week with 12 products re-entering the Top 50 and two new entries.

The highest re-entry is Cambark Mini Nugget Bark, returning to the chart at No 21.

Westland Soil Conditioner (60 litres) also returns at No 23, and Arthur Bowers Houseplant Compost Reduced Peat (10 litres) is back among the bestsellers.

Other star performers this week include:

• Westland Gro-Sure Rose, Tree and Shrub Compost & 4 Month Feed (50 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 17 places to No 25.
• Westland Aquatic Compost (20 litres) is the highest new entry at No 41.
• Arthur Bowers John Innes No 1 (25 litres) is the other new product to enter the chart this week.

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto 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 Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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.