Overall garden centre sales for the second week of October were down on last year, according to GTN Bestsellers, but above the average for the past six years, so all is set fair for a busy half term week.

With Halloween parties, pumpkin carving and ghoulish treasure hunts being staged at many centres the welcome boost of footfall is sure to drive higher sales.

Within this issue of GTN Xtra you'll find all of the GTN Bestsellers charts for week ending 14th October 2018 in full.  If you'd like to receive the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week you should subscribe here

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 41 

• Garden Products Top 50 – up 4%
• Growing Media Top 50 – up 11%
• Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 16%
• Wild Bird Care Products Top 50 – up 4%
• Christmas Products Top 50 – down 7%
• All Plants index – down 3%
• All Items index – down 5%

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

M&M Timber are leading manufacturers of market leading round timber products and retail merchandising units. The business has over 30 years’ experience in timber manufacturing through automation and technical expertise and is a key UK supplier to the Agricultural, Landscaping, Play, Retail and Commercial sectors.

Manufacturing takes place in Worcestershire where sustainable sources of timber from well managed forests are used.  Timbers are kiln dried and pressure treated with Tanalith E preservative to enhance durability and lifetime.

Up to 20% OFF* Retail Staging Display Range

Call the M&M Timber team on 0333 003 5133

The Retail Staging range features timber merchandising tables and structures providing the ideal solution for displaying fresh plants, trees, shrubs and other seasonal products.  The units are designed for both internal and external use ideal for garden centres, DIY businesses, nurseries, department stores and other retail businesses.

Table Displays
For ground level displays of plants and associated products the table displays can be standalone or interconnected and enhanced with a range of display accessories creating height and segmentation of products. Tables are available as compact short and tall, classic or half octagonal.

Square & Hexagonal Displays

To create an innovative combination of display features these timber structures offer flexibility to create tiered displays of interlocked equal heights or varying heights where space is at a premium.

Tiered Displays
The wooden three and four tier displays enable products to be displayed without using up floor space, creating height and merchandising of a wider product range.

Accessories

To complement the timber display units accessories include pot holders, trellis and feature boxes.

The M&M Timber retail plant staging tables and structures can be delivered flat packed within 48hrs of order or if required they can assembled prior to despatch.  Tailored sizes are also available for volume enquiries manufactured at our Worcestershire sawmill.

Download the brochure or call the M&M Timber team on 0800 333 5133 or click here to email

*Terms: up to 20% off for orders placed before 31 Dec 2018. Minimum order value £250 ex VAT, delivery charges may apply. Offer and prices are correct at the time of print. All products are subject to availability. M&M Timber reserves the right to change prices. E&OE.

Westlands purchase of Gardman last week means they now hold 90% of Wild Bird Care sales as measured by the GTN Bestsellers Wild Bird Care Top 50.  Two years ago, for the same week, Gardman themselves held 90% of Top 50 sales volumes.  This time last year, Gardmans share had dropped to 80% with Westland holding 4%.  Now, after recovering from the fire and the ensuing stock distrubution and availability issues Gardman Wild Bird Care lines account for 81% of the GTN Top 50 and Westland Peckish is up to 9%, giving a total market share for Westland of 90%.

• Mealworm sales jumped last week.  Gardman Mealworm Pouches 800g were the highest re-entry at No 10, just one place below the 1.25kg + 25% Free Mealworm packs.
• Westland Peckish Complete 2kg + 50% Free was the only new entry of the week, in at No 42.
• Gardman’s Poppy Feeder With Stem moved up one place to No 2.  Will the 100^th anniversary of Armistice Day drive sales up to No 1 as they were in 2016?

To see the full GTN Bestsellers Wild Bird Care Chart every week subscribe here

The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association has announced that SOLEX organiser Phil Gibbs has left his position as Secretary of the Association after seven years. His final day was on Friday.

Mark Osborne, LOFA’s Chairman, said:“We would like to thank Phil for all his endeavours during his time with us and we wish him every success for the future.”

With a new look board of Directors, LOFA is exploring new opportunities to enhance the benefits to its members and the UK furniture and outdoor market.

Having already successfully launched the LOFAssured initiative, other current activities are being reviewed and further details will be revealed in due course.

For further information on the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, call 02392 258844 or visit https://www.lofa.co.uk and https://www.lofassured.co.uk.

Autumn planting activity is bringing a significant boost to growing media sales with volumes up 14% on last year for the past three weeks. That’s great news for all garden retailers as high levels of core gardening activity is sure to generate more plant and garden product sales next spring.

• Kelkay RHS Horticultural Potting Grit was the highest chart climber of last week, moving up 25 places to become a Top 10 Bestseller for the first time at No 7.
• Westland Bulb Planting Compost 10L saw the biggest percentage increase to re-enter at No 38.
• Taylors Bulb Fibre 10L moved up 6 places to No 8.

To see the full GTN Bestsellers Growing Media Chart every week, subscribe here

It’s less than three months since Kelkay formally acquired Anchorfast but it’s clear that the teams have been working together for many months. At Glee they unveiled the exciting new WOODSHAW brand of high quality, durable timber garden furniture and decorative structures.

The products, the merchandising and the commercial approach for this significant new opportunity have all been given the unique Kelkay treatment. From January 1st, garden centres will be able to combine their aggregate, paving, water feature and wooden outdoor product orders into one – simplifying the supply chain and deliveries.

New bespoke merchandising and display solutions are promised to help drive category growth and the new WOODSHAW brand has been developed to reflect the hand crafted quality of this British-made product. The range extends to swing seats and arbours, table sets and seating, gazebos, arches and planters.

Group Marketing Director Sarah Winn said: “True to the Kelkay approach, the Woodshaw brand has been crafted to offer the wooden garden product category a sophisticated new look and in turn, retailers and consumer a greater depth of choice. We’re excited about the fantastic early response we’ve received from existing and new customers – so watch this space for further developments.”

According to the latest HTA trend report (Peak Plastic? Changing consumer perspectives of plastic and recycling) 95% of consumers agree that it’s important for businesses to design products that have less plastic in. 

A pertinent issue for the garden industry, highlighted recently on BBC Gardeners’ World, the topic features on the programme at the forthcoming Cultivating Retail Conference which takes place on 13 November at East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

There will be a panel session on plastics in horticulture picking up on topics such as the recycling of pots and packaging, the introduction of new taupe pots, labelling and the development of alternatives.

Panellists include:  David Chilvers from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Andy Merrick from Farplants, Adam Wigglesworth from Aylett Nurseries, Mark Portman from Evergreen and Nick Mathias from Floramedia.

Joining the programme is environmental campaigner and charity ambassador, Trewin Restorick. Founder of Global Action Plan and the founding CEO of Hubbub, a charity which makes environmental issues fun, Trewin’s history of working in environmental change and his ability to actively engage his audience makes him well placed to discuss green issues.

A frequent media commentator on environmental issues Trewin was formerly Recycling Co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth where he established the first blue box kerbside recycling scheme in the UK and created Paper Round, an office-based recycling scheme in London which has a turnover of £3 million. Trewin will highlight some of the projects used to engage communities and businesses in environmental issues – many of which can be used in a garden centre environment.

The HTA trend report, ‘Peak Plastic?, which looks at what is driving concern about plastics, and what consumers expect from business in terms of packaging and plastic can be downloaded from the Cultivating Retail page on the HTA website - https://hta.org.uk/event_listing/cultivating-retail.html

Cultivating Retail is for retailers, growers and suppliers and covers issues and opportunities across the garden supply chain. Hosted by Channel 4 news presenter by Cathy Newman further sessions cover topics such as ‘Is your supply chain millennial ready, mobile advertising, supply chain learnings from the fresh produce sector, supply chain panel session and innovative and experiential retail.

The day after the conference there is the opportunity for delegates to do a self-guided tour of Blue Diamond’s East Bridgford site to view their Christmas experience in full flow.

For further details about Cultivating Retail and to book your place please visit www.hta.org.uk/cultivatingretail

Garden Product sales are now running at 7% up on last year over the past four weeks as gardeners continue to be active in their gardens.  Planting in pots, lawn renovation after the summer, decorative lights and ornaments were the big areas of sales increases.  High winds meant there were plenty of distress purchases of tree ties and tree stakes.

• Woodlodge’s Wall Mounted Butterfly was the highest new product chart entry at No 17.
• Garland 48cm (19") Tree Ties saw an incredible sales increase to debut in the chart at No 28.
• Smart Solar Glow Orb Light almost doubled sales to re-enter at No 19.

To see the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Chart every week subscribe here.

Glee 2018 was a thriving hub for the garden retail sector. Featuring a bigger, bolder and brighter event, the visually impactful show welcomed more exhibitors, exciting new content, a new footprint and and a strong visitor contingent that delivered across the board and drew praise from all corners of the sector.

To find out more, we catch up with Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein, to discuss the vital role Glee plays as both an exhibition, and networking hub for the industry it represents.

Bigger, brighter and more vibrant

Glee 2018 was all about arming retailers and suppliers with the tools, inspiration and knowledge to grow their businesses. From a new look with engaging entrances that excited visitors from the moment they entered the show, new inspirational and educational features, bigger stands and a new footprint that incorporates five halls of the NEC, we curated a show that built on the success of previous years, and more importantly, responded to the needs and wishes of our visitors.

This latter change – a new footprint – was one change that added extra vibrancy to the event, and helped retailers to walk the show differently, enabling them to source new suppliers and exciting new products along the way – reflective of how retailer change their shop floor each season to keep content fresh and exciting for customers.

In total Glee 2018 welcomed in excess of 5% new brands to the show compared to 2017, and a 7% growth in our show footprint.

We also introduced a much more in-depth programme of content that helped cut through the noise regarding latest consumer trends, merchandising techniques and the future of garden retailing. It was all about future proofing businesses and arming them with tangible and inspiring ‘takeaway’ content; content that can be implemented in their own stores immediately. 

Quality visitors eager to do business

We all know that one of the key contributing factors to the success of any exhibition is the quality of its visitor demographic. This year, Glee welcomed more of the ‘big players’ than ever before. Almost every single GCA member was in attendance, with supermarkets and DIY giants as well as leading high street stores all making time to visit the show, many bringing bigger teams to ensure all corners of Glee were covered.

Not only this but revisits continued to increase, with more revisits taking place across the Tuesday and Wednesday when compared to last year. With visitors staying longer, more business could be done, which is why we have heard of many brands breaking their own Glee sales records. It’s knowledge such as this which makes it all worthwhile.

Record breaking rebookings

Happy exhibitors mean a bright future for the exhibition, and what better measure of this than the onsite rebooking process. As exhibitors experience a thriving show, they are keen to secure their space at the event the following year. In 2017 we saw a record breaking 54% onsite rebooking figure, however 2018 set the bar incredibly high with over 60% of the 2019 floorplan already booked. Not only does this stand Glee in good stead but it also demonstrates the strength that the industry is in as we enter the 2019 season.

Features that deliver

Glee prides itself on providing added value content that doesn’t distract from the main show but enhances the experience. From a whole library of seminar sessionsto choose from, a must-see New Product display and an enhanced Retail Lab – in association with The HTA – visitors to Glee needed only to take 30 minutes out of their day in order to get inspired, see exciting showcases of the latest innovations from across the show, or simply to learn something new.

This year’s seminar programme featured everyone from Charlie Dimmock, Skinny Jeans Gardeners, Annabelle Padwick of Life at No.27, Lee Bestall to Royal Canin, the RSPCA, the HTA, Romeo Sommers of ByRomeo, Glee’s Retail Lab Trend Forecaster and Concept Developer, and AMA Research.

The Retail Lab also returned for its second year, with visitor numbers to this area increasingly significantly. Created in association with the HTA, Romeo Sommers, Paula Parker, and supported by our amazing sponsors - Woodlodge, Hozelock, Scheurich, Capi Europe BV., Elho, Kaemingk, PTMD, Ivyline, Meadow View Stone, Key Essentials, Barking Bakery, Burgon & Ball, Bord na Mona, Gardena, Link Shelfing, Neudorff, Prices, Seedcell, Sound Leisure, Taylor Made Design, Zest 4 Leisure, Premier Decorations, Profit Plants, Air So Pure, Beanworks, Tea from the Manor and Tea by Me– this dedicated area of inspiration showcased the future bestsellers and new product innovations, exciting in-store experiences and merchandising displays.

What next for Glee?

The 2018 exhibition may be over, but the plans for Glee in 2019 are picking up apace.

Glee at Spring Fair (3rd – 7th February, NEC Birmingham).

Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. A second addition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes.  Glee in February will also provide garden buyers with the latest concepts and trends for 2019, helping them to direct their buying.  Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining.

The spring edition will also provide Glee exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, and an additional touchpoint to meet with new and existing customers, whilst also enabling Spring Fair to benefit from having a dedicated garden centre hub at its heart. Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, alongside the complimentary DIY section.

Tong, the award-winning Yorkshire garden centre, has doubled the size of its toy department after joining a specialist buying group.

The centre has teamed up with Birmingham buying group AIS (Associated Independent Stores) to offer an increased range of quality toys, including leading brands like Lego and Playmobil.

Commercial Director Sharon McNair is delighted with the partnership: "Membership of AIS gives us access to brands like Lego that are difficult for garden centres to get hold of and represents future opportunities to expand the cook shop with access to prestige brands like Le Creuset.

"Families come from all over Yorkshire to experience the wonder of Tong's Christmas Grotto and now they will also be able to pick up some traditional board games and toys when they visit."

In addition to Lego and Playmobil, the extended toy shop will stock a range of TY and Jellycat soft toys, Play Doh and Depeche brand, Top Model products.

Perennial’s Festival Dinner brought in over £36,000 for the charity that looks after everyone in the horticulture industry. The event took place at the five-star Langham Hotel in central London and was hosted by James Alexander Sinclair.  The total raised was made up from ticket sales, event sponsorship and money from the auction and raffle. 

The auction alone raised over £16,000 and included a fabulous choice of luxury lots, among which a week’s holiday for four in Tuscany attracted the highest bid. Other popular lots included a private dining experience for 12 at Roux at The Landau, a VIP cricket package at Lord’s and a spa break at Barnsley House.

The black tie event revived Perennial’s annual festival dinner, which was a tradition that dated right back to Perennial’s origins. Back in 1839 the Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution was founded at the inaugural dinner, attended by gardeners, nurserymen and wealthy estate owners. It became a prestigious annual fixture and during the 19th and early 20th centuries drew high society. In 1852, Charles Dickens presided over the ninth festival dinner and in 1867 it was the turn of Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern police force.

Anita Bates, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Perennial, said: “We are thrilled to have revived the Perennial tradition of an annual Festival Dinner so thank you to everyone who attended, gave so generously and made it a spectacular evening. The funds raised will make a real difference in allowing us to continue to offer our services, which are a lifeline to those in need. We are already planning next year’s Festival Dinner which will celebrate the 180th anniversary of Perennial.”

The 2018 Perennial Festival Dinner was sponsored by the London College of Garden Design and the Landscape Show. Guests enjoyed entertainment from Simon Bates on saxophone and Harry the Piano. Flowers for the event were provided by Judith Blacklock Flower School and Agrumi provided topiary to dress the room. A cheque for over £19,000 was also presented on the night from the Great British Card Company for money raised for Perennial through sales of cards.

The 180th Anniversary Perennial Festival Dinner will take place on Friday 11th October 2019 at the Corinthia Hotel, London with special guest speaker Alan Titchmarsh, President of Perennial.

Early bird tickets are already available at: https://perennial.org.uk/events/festival-dinner-2019-black-tie-event/  

Details can be obtained from Darlac sales agents or direct from the company – info@darlac.com or 01753 547790.

The Company:

Apta is the leading supplier of quality flower pots and accessories to the UK garden trade, under its own brand and iconic UK brands, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Laura Ashley.

The company has achieved very considerable growth and now wishes to strengthen its merchandising team with the recruitment of a motivated and ambitious Product Merchandiser.

Job title: Product Merchandiser

Area: Gloucestershire and surrounding areas

Salary: Very attractive salary, bonus, company vehicle.

Progression: There will be opportunities to progress within the company

The Role of Product Merchandiser:

Building upon strong partnerships with existing customers

Working with the sales team and head office to ensure that customer experience is always exceptional.

Planning and working to an effective journey plan, maximising customer contact.

The person for this Product Merchandiser opportunity:

We are looking for a fit and healthy additional member to join our team of merchandisers. The main duties will involve setting up display benches and  displaying our products within garden centres in your allocated area, mainly covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Wales and surrounding areas. The ideal applicant will live central to these areas ideally in Gloucestershire. Other locations within reasonable proximity will be considered.

This is an outdoor job involving heavy lifting and only applicants whom are fit, healthy and willing to work long hours during our main season should apply. A company vehicle is provided for all work duties along with a fuel card and mobile phone.

A full clean driving licence is required and applicants need to be 23 + years of age.

This is a full time salaried position (£23,000+ after training) with immediate start.

Applications should be sent by email with your CV and covering letter to Brian Cobb, Merchandising Manager, brian.cobb@apta.co.uk or telephone 07968 153418 for any other details.

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Another 15 new products feature in the early GTN Bestsellers Christmas Products Chart. That means a total of 42 new for 2018 Christmas lines are already Bestsellers.

Hanging tree decorations feature heavily in the chart this week as customers prepare to refresh their Christmas Tree decorations.

Highlights were:

• Kaemingk’s Purple Tube Bead Bauble is the highest placed new entry at No 17.
• Konstsmide’s Water Filled Dickensia Lantern is the highest re-entry, back in at No 26.
• Christmas crisps feature in our chart for the first time – Mackies Pigs in Blanket Crisps are a new entry at No 49.

To subscribe to the weekly GTN Bestsellers Christmas Products chart subscribe here

Christmas roses, Helleborus and Roses saw the biggest sales growths last week in the GTN Bestsellers Plants Chart. 

Instant Autumn colour continues to sell well with Cyclamen almost outselling Pansies 2 to 1.

• Helleborus climbed 21 places up the chart to No 13.
• Rose sales more than doubled to move up to No 17.
• Tillandsia, air plants, proved popular with sales increasing to re-enter our Top 50 at No 31.

To see the GTN Bestsellers Plants Chart in full each week subscribe here

Forming part of an extensive programme of GIMA Knowledge Exchange Workshops will be a special one-day session entitled ‘Presentation Skills’, focusing on how presentations can become an enjoyable experience, not one filled with nerves and discomfort. With places filling up fast interested parties are urged to book their place now to avoid missing out. 

Open to both GIMA members and non-members, the ‘Presentation Skills’ workshop will focus on the different ways to make presenting a more enjoyable and less nerve-wracking experience — whether it’s a one-person pitch, showing slides in a meeting or giving a talk to hundreds of delegates at a conference.

By practising the processes and skills that sit behind developing and delivering great presentations this workshop - led by the team from business development and training experts, Cedar Associates - will help delegates to build confidence and skill, enabling them to get their points across effectively to influence and persuade their audience.

All GIMA Knowledge Exchange Workshops will take place on 31st October at Horticulture House, Didcot, OX11 0RN.

Further information about Knowledge Exchange workshops can be found at www.gima.org.uk. Open to both members and non-members, GIMA is urging interested parties to secure their place now as space is limited. Bookings can be made for individual workshops (GIMA Members: £195 + VAT / Non-members: £225 + VAT) or as a suite of two or more workshops (GIMA Members: £175 + VAT / Non-members: £205 + VAT).

VegTrug Limited has recently appointed two additional team members to support growth of VegTrug Europe GmbH – Petrus Lahm, Sales Representative, and  Rebecca de Winter, Inside Sales Manager.

Rebecca said: “I am looking forward to playing a key part in VegTrug’s expansion in to Europe. We are poised to grow the business successfully and create lasting relationships with customers. I am excited for this new career venture.”

She will be working from the VegTrug office based in Essex on behalf of VegTrug Europe GmbH.

Petrus Lahm will be working directly from Germany to meet with customers regularly.

With VegTrug products due to be available online in Europe from 2019 on VegTrug.com and with supply contracts into major European retailers already agreed, it has been a priority to ensure that all team members and operations are fully prepared and ready for a growth in sales.

Joe Denham, CEO of VegTrug, said: “The launch of VegTrug Europe GmbH has gone very well, with the new team in place we are now well positioned to counter any negative impact from Brexit and continue to expand. We are currently preparing for 2019 with the launch of our new Grow Care range and VegTrug are excited for the future”.

Further information on VegTrug and current products can be found at www.vegtrug.com or by calling the UK office on 01206 230025. Email for inquiries is sales@vegtrug.com.

With Halloween just around the corner, shops are soon to be filled with pumpkins. One that won’t fit into the local supermarket however is this 174 stone pumpkin grown in Westland compost in Lymington near Southampton which has been crowned a world record holder!

The pumpkin has been grown by Ian and Stuart Paton at Pinetops Nursery, which traditionally grows pot plants. However, the twin brothers have a passion for growing supersized pumpkins and have become prolific record breakers with their pumpkins having previously broken UK and European records multiple times. This weekend, the pumpkin broke the record for biggest circumference, measuring in at 20ft! 

Pinetops Nursery is supplied by Westland Horticulture and Westland’s compost is used across the nursery, including in the pumpkin patch, to grow the very best produce. The brothers tend to the pumpkins for four hours per day and use 100 gallons of water; at peak times the pumpkins increase in weight by 60lbs per day!

The brothers also received the “Grower of the Year” title. To achieve this, they had to grow three different pumpkins, and have them weighed in three different locations. Weigh-ins were held in Holland and France, with the final one taking place this weekend.

For more information please visit https://www.gardenhealth.com.

Westland Horticulture says it’s ‘business as normal’ following its acquisition of one Europe’s leading consumer garden product firms.

Westland Horticulture has acquired Gardman Group and has immediately taken them out of administration. The purchase includes all trading assets, stock, infrastructure and Gardman brands, which include Cole and Bright, Grow It, Moulton Mill and Gardman Wild bird care.

This acquisition will bring much needed stability for our customers and to the Gardman business. The immediate focus will be to work with all customers to provide as much continuity as possible and ensure a smooth transition over the coming weeks.

The purchase of Gardman provides the opportunity to put a greater focus on core gardening by joining together the product strengths in Westland and Crest with those of Gardman. The growth of wildlife, the increased interest in the outdoor space and the opportunity to re-energise propagation and growing were factors in purchasing the business.

Edward Conroy, Managing Director at Westland, said: “We have always believed that Gardman is an important part of the gardening landscape, and we are committed to maintaining this for the long term.

“Gardman is fundamentally a strong business with good products. Our focus is to work together with all customers to make the transition simple and clear to all. It is imperative that in the coming days we keep our lines of communication open with customers and stakeholders alike. Westland is focused on delivering a strong future for Gardman categories which can only thrive from being part of the Westland family. For now, it’s very much business as usual for all concerned.”

For more information about Westland please visit www.gardenhealth.com.

The owner of a Norfolk garden centre this week started a four year jail sentence for stealing almost half a million pounds from his elderly mother.

Gary Woodley, of Norwich Road, Aylsham, stole £480,000 from 89-year-old Kathleen Woodley to pay off loans and fund his lifestyle between 2013 and 2016.

Norwich Crown Court heard how the 66-year-old, who owns Aylsham Garden Centre, is now “likely” to lose his business as a result of his actions.

Sentencing Woodley on Thursday, Judge Katharine Moore said he had not shown a “shred of remorse” for what happened.

Woodley, along with his brother, became a power of attorney for his mother’s property and financial affairs in 2013 after she was moved into a care home.

But the court heard how Woodley’s brother raised concerns and invoked his power of attorney in February 2016 after significant withdrawals were taken from the victim’s bank accounts over a number of years.

Police were informed and Woodley was arrested on September 15, 2016. 

He was charged on December 19, 2016 with one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of theft

His mother, Mrs Woodley died during the investigation on March 24, 2017.

Woodley pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Norwich Crown Court to fraud by abuse of position and theft.

Judge Moore said Woodley used £250,000 to pay down loans secured to his own property.

She said £159,000 from the sale of his mother’s bungalow was used to pay off a mortgage on the garden centre.

Full story can be read on the Norwich Evening News website by clicking here

Picture: Norfolk Police

The Windsor Observer has reported that the expected closure within weeks of Squires Garden Centre in Windsor has reopened controversy over the Royal Borough's plan to allow houses to be built on or around the Green Belt area where the business is based.

Squires announced at the start of the year it would close the centre, blaming Green Belt planning constraints that had restricted its ability to expand.

This week Cllr Ed Wilson, Conservative councillor for Clewer South ward on the Royal Borough expressed regret to the Windsor Observer about the closure.

He said: "Having lived in this area for more than 25 years I have always known a garden centre on this site. It’s a great shame that Squires are going especially for their staff and suppliers.

"Squires cafe is used as a meeting place for many residents. Dedworth needs more community facilities with or without our garden centres."

A statement from Sarah Squire, deputy chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, this week removed any lingering hope the centre would stay on its present site.

She said: “Many of the team have already found alternative employment in the local area. Some have chosen to engage in further study or travel. We are obviously keen for our colleagues to stay with Squire’s where possible at our other centres and we are in constant touch as opportunities arise.”

For the full Windsor Observer story click here

Christmas 2018 has opened with a bang again, just behind last year in terms of Top 50 volume sales, but well ahead of the previous three festive seasons.

This week sees our first GTN Bestsellers Christmas Products chart and now is the key to delivering early impulse sales. Over half of the Top 50 lines are new to the chart and it’s the same story in the Top 10 too.

And interest in Christmas hasn’t deterred people from buying core gardening lines. The Bestsellers Garden Products, Growing Media and Wild Bird Care charts all show volume sales increases – up on the same week last year.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 40)

• Garden Products - up 6%
• Growing Media - up 5%
• Veg-2-Gro - down 16%
• Wild Bird Care - up 6%
• All Plants Index - down 6%
• All Items Index - down 6%

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

Richard Pyrah, AMES UK Group Sales Director has announced the creation of a new sales structure designed to support the planned growth strategy for the business. In recent months, the acquisitions, firstly of La Hacienda, Kelkay and more recently Anchor Fast ,have resulted in an overlapping network of sales representatives.

So, to streamline the organisation and ensure efficient and effective communications, the team has been restructured to create a single unified sales team dedicated to garden centres. This 22 strong team will represent all the brands – Kelkay, including Easy Fountain and Borderstone, as well as La Hacienda and Woodshaw – providing a single and efficient point of contact for all garden centres.

Richard said “At AMES UK, we have some ambitious plans for the future including the introduction of several new major categories. The creation of a single garden centre sales agency team is going to be critical for efficient communications and will ensure we continue to provide an excellent service to our customers”

Richard also announced the promotion of Al Sheppard (above left) to the role of Sales Director with responsibility for developing the garden centre channel for all the AMES UK businesses and the recent appointment of Scott McCabe (above right) has also joined the garden centre team.

“Al has been driving garden centre sales alongside me for the last three years, and with over 30 years of experience in the industry, he brings a wealth of expertise to our growing business. The addition of Scott to the team will help to further increase our presence in the channel and continue to strengthen customer relationships.”

For more information on The AMES Companies go to http://global.ames.com

To find out more about Kelkay  go to www.kelkay.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01405 869333

Kelkay The Old Airfield, Heck & Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, DN14 0BA

To find out more about La Hacienda go to www.lahacienda.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01285 762060

La Hacienda Ltd., Hangar 27, Site C, Aston Down Airfield, Nr. Stroud, GL6 8HR

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 Wild Bird Care Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products 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 receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.