Two Yorkshire entrepreneurs, whose businesses include a successful farm shop in the county, have bought Tong Garden Centre, near Bradford, in a multi-million pound deal.

Tom Megginson and Mark Farnsworth say they have substantial redevelopment plans for the garden centre and are both looking forward to injecting all their experience into their new venture.

Tom Megginson stated: "We have been looking for a new site and having been introduced to Tong Garden Centre by Ernest Wilson, it allows us to harness our previous business experience and take Tong Garden Centre from a successful business to a multi million pound turnover business which will not only provide a fantastic destination for our customers but will also increase the number of employees helping the local economy."

The sale of Tong Garden Centre was handled by Ernest Wilson Business Agents, based in Leeds.

Former owner Ron Harker appointed Ernest Wilson to find a purchaser for the 17-acre site following his decision to retire having owned the business since 1984. Following a serious fire in 2000 the garden centre was completely re-built incorporating a range of buildings including retail sales, restaurant, warehousing, glass houses and poly-tunnels extending to over 110,000 sq.ft. with car parking for 700 vehicles.

Tom Megginson and Mark Farnsworth own several businesses, including Williams Farm Kitchen, situated in Hornsea, and GWE Biogas in Driffield.

Jonathan Holmes, of Ernest Wilson, said: “As one of the largest independently owned businesses in West Yorkshire it has been a pleasure to act on Mr Harker’s behalf in the sale of Tong Garden Centre and ensuring Ron now enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

“The purchasers have some very exciting plans which I believe will really put this business on the map as one of the best garden centres in the region."

Tom Megginson and Mark Farnsworth pictured with Jonathan Holmes, of Ernest Wilson, outside Tong Garden Centre.

Planners have imposed a limit on how much outdoor clothing and footwear can be sold at Wyevale Garden Centres’ Heighley Gate site in Northumberland.

The centre had previously been allowed to sell none-core items on up to 5,000 sq.m. of the site, but the limits for each category had never been set – a situation some councillors believed was difficult to enforce.

Now, following concerns expressed by local retailers about the impact on trade in Morpeth Town Centre, Northumberland County Council’s north area planning committee have said clothing and footwear must be restricted to 2,000 sq.m. Only 1300 sq.m. is currently used.

In a close vote, the planner said the new proposals gave the council some control over the amount and type of clothing sold.

The centre hosts concessions for Cotton Traders, Edinburgh Woollen Mills and Pavers Shoes.

Delegates who attended the Garden Centre Association’s 2015 conference in January may recall a prediction from leading economist Roger Martin-Fagg about the result of the General Election.

His personal view, he said at the conclusion of a speech on prospects for the economy, was that the Conservatives would win with a majority of five to 10- seats.

As this issue of GTN Xtra is put to bed, it turns out he was pretty much spot on!

In the light of this canny accuracy, perhaps we should remind ourselves of his other predictions, which included:

*Oil prices will stay low for up to three years. He said last winter’s collapse of oil prices represented a bonus of about £600 a year for the average UK family – and the cash would probably be spent. “If you were to get 10% of that, you would have a great year,” he said. (Editor’s comment: high-ticket garden furniture sales in many garden centres this season may well back up that idea).

*Despite a £25 billion increase in mortgage lending in 2014, there was no chance of another house price bubble, because the government wanted to restrict mortage payments to around 9% of household income.

*Interest rates would not rise this year and probably not next and over a period of  three to seven years were likely to reach no more than 3%.

*Price and wage inflation would remain low for the time being.

The May Bank Holiday looks like being a repeat of Easter – not so good weather on Saturday and Sunday leading to sales being down on the previous week when hopes had been for growth, and then better sales on Bank Holiday Monday itself as the weather improved significantly.

Despite the drop from the previous week, customer numbers and transactions held up enough for April’s sales totals in the GTN Bestsellers All Product index to be better than both 2013 and 2014.

If May shows the same improvement through to Whitsun then we could still get to the half-year up on previous years.

Reports are also coming in that garden furniture sales are doing very well this spring. That means turnovers are likely to be up year on year even if total volume sales may be down.

What is your furniture bestseller at the moment? Are your teams cross-selling packages of suites and gazebos together with outdoor lighting and other decorative garden items?

Garden centres supplying EPoS data to GTN Bestsellers certainly appear to be doing so – Gardman Solar Rock Spotlights are the No 1 Garden Product bestseller this week!

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

• Garden Products – down 27%
• Veg-2-Gro Products – up 20%
• Growing Media – up 1%
• All items index – up 5%

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

With your customers buying more and more garden lights to enhance their gardens, here’s a great idea for easily adding light to your product displays.

Candor Europe were using their plug-and-play under-shelf LED lighting system at The Garden Retail Experience in Holland earlier this year.

The lights worked really well under some wire racking of a pot display giving both up and down lighting.

GTN Bestsellers are arranging a trip out to The Garden Retail Experience 2016 from Feb 17th to Feb 19th. If you’re interested in joining us email trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

The Candor Europe lighting system and MICA pots lit from above and below. For more details contact joel@candor-europe.com or visit candor-europe.com

Wyevale Garden Centres launched an exclusive Clematis Princess Charlotte, named after the Royal Princess, this week. This tribute follows the popularity of 'Clematis George' with gardeners across the country following the birth of the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – Prince George – in 2013.

The limited-edition pale blue double flowering Clematis went on sale across all 147 Wyevale Garden Centres priced at £14.99.

Only 5,000 have been made available, and Wyevale's plant buyer David Mitchell expects them to sell out within the next fortnight.

“In 2013 the Clematis George was our fastest selling Clematis of the year with many of our customers asking if we would honour the newest Royal in the same way," said David. 

"We are proud to have sourced a one-of-a-kind double flowering Clematis to honour Princess Charlotte, keeping a British tradition alive, and in turn making history.

"We expect this limited edition variety to make a popular collectors' item for Royalists, those seeking a unique gift for friends or any Clematis enthusiast seeking something exclusive."

The fitting floral tribute to Charlotte follows a long history of Royals being honoured in Britain's gardens, including her older brother:

• Prince George - Clematis George - stunning white flower
• Diana Princess of Wales - Clematis Diana - beautiful pink flower
• HM The Queen - Doriaenopsis Elizabeth II Orchid

Keeley Hyatt, aged 10, with a rare bred of Clematis named in honour of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

Liz Harnsworth from Cheltenham, a Wyevale Garden Centre, celebrating the arrival of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana with a rare bred of Clematis named in her honour.

QUICK OFF THE MARK!
Hillview Garden Centres CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies tells us that, before opening last Sunday morning, all nine of his stores had put up displays like this (below) with posters, celebrating the arrival of the Royal baby, Smart work!

Dutch police launched a social media campaign to track down a newly-wed couple who were posing for photographs in a field of blooming tulips at Voorhout last week-end.

The couple were photographed from a police helicopter and police wanted to hand the pictures over to the happy couple.

“Which bridal pair are by chance on the police helicopter picture?” their Twitter message read.. “Saturday 2/5 15.40 Voorhout. The pictures are yours.”

Reactions to the police campaign were generally been warm, although some people questioned why the police were taking aerial photographs of the bulb fields in the first place…

Last week’s illustrated GTN Xtra story about how a community garden centre in Manchester celebrated National Naked Gardening Day prompted Scott at Merryhatton Garden Centre in East Lothian to mark the occasion in his own special way.

“As you know, at Merryhatton we’re always happy to try out new gardening techniques and to spread the joy of gardening in all its forms to our customers,” Merryhatton’s Lorraine Hunter told us, “so thought you’d be interested to see our post to our Facebook fans on Saturday….!”

Britons spend £123 a year and an average of two days a month on their gardens – but then hardly use them, according to a new survey by discount retailer Poundstretcher.

The news might give added point to the current HTA-driven Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign, which aims to encourage 25-45-year-olds to make better use of their outdoor spaces.

Poundstretcher, which operates more than 400 stores and stocks 1,000-plus garden products,  estimates we spend barely an hour a day in our gardens…and that’s only if the weather’s fine. More than 10% don’t spend any time out there.

Poundstretcher MD Ian York, a keen gardener himself, said: “We were sad to find out that despite the nation spending £3.3 billion a year on their gardens, people still aren’t using them.”

Nearly a quarter of all people surveyed said they used their garden as somewhere to dump unwanted possessions or as a spaced for their rubbish bins. Glaswegians, apparently, are the most likely to use gardens their gardens as tips

Parties and barbecues in the garden are enjoyed by 53%, and sunbathing by 50%. It seems you’re most likely to find the sunbathers in Newcastle…

Some 10% of people have never weeded their garden, 13% have never cut the grass, 15% have never sown seeds and 22% have never potted containers or watered garden plants, the survey reports.

Above: products on the Poundstretcher website.

Wholesaler Stax is to open a sixth branch in Glasgow at the end of August. The new dual purpose distribution centre and cash & carry will be the company’s second depot in Scotland. It opened a branch in Edinburgh in September 2011.

A former distribution site on the Easter Queenslie Road Industrial Estate in East Glasgow is being refurbished to create a state of the art warehouse. It is aiming for turnover of  £12 million.

The 7.2 acre site with 80,000 sq ft warehouse is three miles outside Glasgow city centre near junction 10 of the M8.

It will be the first branch designed to support a fully delivered operation in addition to the traditional cash & carry option.

A dedicated marshalling area of more than 10,000 sq ft and parking for up to 100 vehicles at the front of the building will also be created.

Inside, the 8-metre high four-level storage, together with the goods in storage capacity, will mean the depot can carry the full range from all current Stax suppliers, including a growing gardening inventory to cater for its expanding garden centre trade. The site will enjoy 500 bays, 42 promotion ends, 10 checkouts and a kitchen and bathroom showroom the same size as the Manchester branch.

Operations director Nigel Wright said Stax were investing £5 million in the site, which will have a full service cafeteria and a full length loading canopy. Branch and office staff will benefit from modern offices designed specifically for a high tech environment, with scope for future expansion.

The branch is due to open with an extensive multi-channel marketing campaign before hosting this year’s Scottish Big Brands show in September.

We’ve seen some great displays of Chimneas in recent garden centre visits, plenty of red flame effects – but none to rival the display at The Garden Retail Experience in Holland earlier this year.

What made that Chimenea display so enticing was the addition of a scent machine blowing out the smell of a wood fire burning.

It really did make you stop and look to see which Chimenea was actually alight!

Adding scent to display works so well in the candle department so what’s to stop you adding it to other displays and store areas. The sense of smell can really stimulate buying decisions.

The company adding scents to displays at The Garden Retail experience were ScentAir.

In the UK they can be contacted via: jr@scentairuk.com

GTN Bestsellers is arranging a trip to The Garden Retail Experience next year from 17-19 Feb 2016. If you’re interested in joining us, email: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Writtle College students will be part of a team of young people taking over the largest exhibit in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s Great Pavilion. The inaugural Young Hillier Day on May 22 is the brainchild of staff at the 150-year-old Hillier Nurseries and aims to showcase horticultural careers and what horticulture offers young people.

For the first time, a show-manning team of 14 Hillier staff, trainees and apprentices, along with Writtle College students will take over the Great Pavilion’s showcase exhibit.

From 8am to 8pm, the younger generation will be managing the exhibit, fielding gardening queries from show visitors, maintaining the plant material and sharing information and advice with gardeners.

They will also help to stage the 24x24m Hillier exhibit, which is a series of interlinking gardens on the theme of ‘Crossing Continents’. Hillier is chasing its record 70^th consecutive RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal.

The five Writtle College horticulture students are Ben Francis, Michelle Fisher, William Innes-Taylor, Hamish Porteous and Melissa Jade Griffiths.

Ben Francis(From Southampton, second year BSc (Hons) Horticulture, son of Hillier Garden Centre director Chris Francis)

“Horticulture for me is the essence of all that is good in this world, and I love the joy of spending time outside in the natural world, especially wandering around the grounds at Writtle in the spring when all the trees are in blossom.

“My experience with Hiller on their stand last year has made me fall in love with Chelsea, and I hope I am here for many years to come. This year I look forward to working on the stand in partnership with the wonderful people from Hillier, including their new group of management trainees, and look forward to seeing everyone who shares my passion for horticulture.”

Michelle Fisher(From Norwich, first year BSc (Hons) Horticulture)

“I have had an interest in horticulture from a young age, sowing flower seeds in my nan’s garden. This sparked a passion, and I began growing and selling my own vegetable plants. My first big experience within horticulture was working on a wholesale nursery during work experience in year ten, and since then I have completed a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture, volunteered on a care farm and worked in a commercial nursery.

“My main interests are in production horticulture, and, after completing my degree, I am hoping to gain a career within horticulture trials.”

Will Innes-Taylor(From Grantham, third year BSc (Hons) Horticulture)

“I began to love horticulture after being brought up by a keen and talented gardener, my mother, who introduced me to the workings of Geoff Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens and the works of ‘Capability’ Brown at Burghley House. My most favoured plant has to be the Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku', simply for its unique bark and incredible leaf colour. My favourite flower would have to be the stunning Echinacea purpurea ‘Rubinstern’, which always thrives in sunny conditions. Horticulture is a unique and talented industry - everyone wants to help you succeed.”

Hamish Porteous(From Lymington, first year BSc (Hons) Horticulture)

“Horticulture provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in an interesting and progressive industry. The different aspects of horticulture present a variety of challenges creating stimulating working environments. I thoroughly enjoy the connection to the environment that comes from working with plants and from the positive influences that this sector has on the world around us.

“I am very enthusiastic to work in as many roles as possible within my career to provide myself with a broad range of experiences. The roles of horticulturalists are rewarding and certainly one of the most fulfilling careers anybody could have.” 

Melissa Jade Griffiths(From Buckinghamshire, first year BSc (Hons) Horticulture)

“After seeing how rewarding it can be to work with plants during a short period of work experience in a commercial nursery, I have developed an interest in the growing and breeding of cut flowers and large scale bulb production. This has led me to begin studying for a degree in Horticulture at Writtle College. Seeing how practices can be improved and how existing issues can be dealt with is very intriguing to me. I am interested in how horticulture can be used as a form of therapy by either improving people’s surroundings or through physically participating.”

Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre director and Ben’s father, said: “Many youngsters often tell me their perception of Horticulture is one of a subject that is full of stuffy, boring older people who speak in a strange language and appear to talk down to those who may have less knowledge and experience. Of course, as you get to know most of these people you see that is far from the truth, and many have an amazing passion for the subject, but it is important for the future of our industry that we change our image and younger people see how diverse and exciting the horticultural industry is.

“It is therefore very important that those of us who are in influential positions within the industry make use of our positions and give opportunities to those younger people who have chosen horticulture as a career and ensure they become the face of our industry, hopefully encouraging more youngsters to become involved.

“At Hillier we are lucky enough to be in a unique position at Chelsea and in the horticultural world with an exhibit that anyone starting out in the industry could only dream to be involved with. Therefore this year we have decided to use that position to allow the (very excited!) Young Hillier and Writtle students a unique opportunity to exclusively man our exhibit for the day and, as well as have a day they will remember for years to come, with their youthful enthusiasm hopefully inspire others to see Horticulture as an industry that is fun, exciting and full of opportunities.”

Job title          Garden Centre Manager

Salary              C. £35,000 per annum (includes outer London weighing allowance)

Location         Morden Hall Park, Morden, London

Contract         Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week)

Job ref            IRC24757

There’s something unique about this opportunity. As the first Garden Centre owned, managed and within a National Trust property, this is an exciting chance to drive transformation at Morden Hall Park, through visitor engagement and commercial development of the Garden Centre.

About the role

Morden Hall Park is a stunning setting for a garden centre, in the middle of a London Borough, but its own tranquil world, Morden is used by locals on their way to work, walking the dog, spending time with family, as well as visited by National Trust members as a beautiful space in London, and it’s free to enter, for everyone for ever.

As the Garden Centre Manager at Morden you’ll be responsible for developing a fantastic new acquisition to our commercial portfolio. A garden centre in the middle of a park is a great opportunity in itself. There’s so much potential to build on the current visitor experience, creating a day out around our space, introducing our garden centre as a way to interact with our visitors.

We want you to bring your vision for the garden centre, to see what else we can do that we haven’t already considered, and see how we can improve the visitor experience to Morden Hall with a visit to the garden centre.

The garden centre will turn over £1.5 million per year, and those sales are yours to drive and push further. You’ll be responsible for sharing your vision with your team and making sure that everyone is delivering fantastic customer service aligned to our values and behaviours. We want our customers to understand it’s a National Trust garden centre, underpinned by our conservation philosophy and with our look and feel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t surprise or delight them with something new.

About You

You’ll be a confident leader with a dynamic approach to change management and team building. You’ll be working with a team of 18 staff and support the growth of volunteers in the team.  Your business acumen means you’ll be adept at analysing and driving sales, performance and profitability, your financial reporting will be decisive and timely and you’ll confidently articulate your vision for the garden centre.

You’ll be an experienced senior retail manager, preferably from the garden centre sector. We’ll give you the right people with technical knowledge to support you, but you will need to be team focussed and able to inspire and motivate people to deliver exceptional service every day.

We also want you to have an entrepreneurial spirit, we’ve got our own spirit of place, we know what we offer to our visitors at Morden Hall Park, but we want you to bring us fresh ideas and passion for managing and developing a significant commercial offer as part of a National Trust visitor experience.

Unique to Us

• Work in some of the most beautiful, iconic and unique locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Staff card entitling you to free entry to National Trust properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18).
• 20% off in our retail and catering outlets.
• Discount of up to 35% off National Trust holiday cottages.

Looking after you

• Subsidised Health Cash Plan with a range of options to cover you and your children.
• Salary exchange pension scheme, with employer contribution match up to 10%
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous holiday entitlement.

Looking after your career

• Grow your career with a range of professional training courses.
• Learning opportunities from eLearning to job shadowing and secondments.
• Annual pay review linked to values and behaviours with a commitment to progression.
• Ill-health benefits including group income protection.

There are lots more at www.nationaltrustrewardsandbenefits.org.uk

Apply  

For further information about this role and to apply, please visit www.nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and search using keyword IRC24757.

Closing date: Wednesday 13^th May 2015.

Interview date: TBC.

Or click to apply here

Committed to equal opportunities. Registered charity number 205846

Shop Manager (ref:BP7301)

Location: Berkshire
Salary: 20k per annum
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

I am currently looking for a talented retail manager to join the team of an established garden centre.

This garden centre is part of a large chain of garden centres and sits in an affluent area of the country.

I am keen to find an experienced retail manager that has ambition to be part of a growing group.

• You will be a strong man manager with at least 1 year of retail management experience. This could be made up for a supervisory role but the preference is for experience in the sector.
• I am looking for a candidate who has had management experience in a garden shop environment.
• This role will allow the applicant to take on store wide duty management and join a busy that is keen on progressing their candidates throughout their large web of stores

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

Garden Centre Manager (ref:BP7302)

Location: Bedfordshire
Salary: 25 to 30K per annum
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

I am currently looking for an garden centre manager for a small centre based in Bedfordshire. 

• My client a small garden centre group with sites across England, they are currently expanding and are looking for a site manager for one their centres.
• The ideal candidate will be an experienced retail manager with buying experience that is looking for a new challenge.
• The successful candidate could be a department manager of a large centre who is looking to step up,
• Applicants should be self-starters the client is looking for someone that can run autonomously.

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

Assistant Production Manager - Nursery (ref:DS7045)

Location: Herefordshire
Salary: Up to £30,000pa
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Our Client is grower of quality Nursery Stock destined for the major multiples and garden centre chains. They are currently seeking a driven production person who can assist in the culture of quality stock. 

The SUCCESSFUL candidate will be responsible for:

• Assisting within the nursery carryout various cultural tasks including potting, growing and watering etc.

The IDEAL person will possess:

• Knowledge and training within a horticultural discipline
• A commercial production background is preferred
• A strong team builder and player with initiative, drive and enthusiasm who can progress within the company.

Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further call Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929 013910

Nursery Supervisor (ref:DS7086)

Location: Bedfordshire
Salary: Up to £24,000pa DOE
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Our client is an established House Plant and Bedding Grower who is seeking an experienced and dedicated production supervisor with knowledge of growing under glass to join their team.

The successful applicant should have knowledge of growing ornamental's under glass and ideally some knowledge of growing poinsettia or other house/pot plants. Formal training is a must as are Pa1 & 6 spray certificates. Good man-management / supervisor experience is desirable.

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

The star performers in this week’s GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart are lighting lines from Gardman.

• The Gardman Solar Rock Spotlight jumps 45 places to the top spot.
• Also from Gardman, the Solar Copper Glass Marker Light is the highest new entry at No 5.
• Another new entry is Westland’s Resolva Lawn Ready to Use (1 litre) at No 45.
• The highest re-entry is Gardman Bamboo Canes 1.8m, pack of 10, at No 28.

Young tomato plants continue to dominate the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart with seven varieties in the Top 10.

But this week’s No 1 seller is Runner Bean White Emergo, which moves up six places.

Courgette, which held top position last week, drops to No 8.

Star performers include:

• Lettuce Little Gem, the highest re-entry at No 18.
• Tomato Totem is the highest climber, jumping 23 places to No 20.
• The highest new entry is Melon at No 50.
• Other re-entries include Radish, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Marrow and Cucumber Mini.

Growing Media Top 50 Bestsellers sales volumes dipped from the previous week’s figures but there were still signs of activity in the garden, boosting sales of multipurpose compost, decorative bark and growbags.

Star performers this week include:

• Scotts Miracle Gro Moisture Control Bark, the highest re-entry at No 28.
• Scotts Levington Multi Purpose Compost (50 litres), jumping 34 places to No 9.
• Westland Gro-Sure Tomato Gro-Pack (22 litres) is the highest new entry at No 49.

Cranborne Garden Centre in Dorset has re-opened following a major revamp.

Owners Claire Whitehead and John Fellows have been working tirelessly with their committed team to secure Cranborne Garden Centre a reputation for inspiration and expertise.

“Cranborne Garden Centre is what first brought me to the village well over a decade ago, and I have been a customer ever since," said Claire.

"Rest assured, we have every intention of retaining its essential spirit and will continue to offer the high quality plants, gifts and customer service for which it has been known, and we will, of course, continue to specialise in roses."

For more information  visit www.cranbornegardencentre.co.uk

Deepdale Country Stores at Barton-upon-Humber is to open an expanded garden centre next month. It will be launched on Father's Day (21 June), when a free pint of beer and a burger, cooked on Kadai fire bowls, will be offered to each customer.

The 4,500 sq.m. garden centre will stock 20,000 plants, have a new café plus equestrian, hardware, country wear, wild bird, pet food and smallholder sections.

The beer-and-burger Father’s Day promotion was devised by garden retailing consultant Doug Stewart.

* The Squires group is promoting Father’s Day with a gift list for customers stuck for ideas.

The list includes

• ‘Champagne Afternoon Tea’ at selected centres
• Racing Car wash bag
• Motoring Memories jigsaw
• Super Dad Beer Selection
• Ultimate Dad Stuff book
• DIY Essentials tin
• ‘Growing Clematis Successfully’ talk and demo by clematis expert Raymond Evison

Wildlife World UK is now working with Travelling Books, the UK’s leading independent school Book Fair company, to offer its range of wildlife habitats to schools across the UK and Ireland.

Travelling Books take their Book Fairs into around 9,000 schools each year with the schools receiving sales commission to spend on new books for the classrooms and library. They have been looking for additional top quality products which would work well alongside their book range and the products from Wildlife World fit perfectly.

Schools can now use their sales commission to purchase a range of Wildlife World products perfect for outdoor education and designed to monitor wildlife species and their habitats. The choice includes the Insect Pyramid Hotel, Nest Box Camera System, Educational Solitary Bee Nester and the Crittacabin.

James Allan, Marketing Manager at Wildlife World UK, commented: “We are working closely with schools across the UK to help children learn more about wildlife. By partnering with Travelling Books more schools will now be able to benefit from the use of wildlife habitat products.

"Our products are very interactive and allow children to see for themselves the nesting habits of a range of species’ and this will hopefully encourage schools to teach children about the importance of wildlife conservation.”

Further information is available from Wildlife World on 01666 505333, by emailing james@wildlifeworld.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.wildlifeworld.co.uk

Writtle College has made four more appointments to its Board of Governors.

Fergus HowieFergus is a partner of Howies & Sons, his family arable and pig farming business based in Essex.  Fergus specialises in pig farming and has launched and manages the Wicks Manor brand, involved in the production sales and marketing of award-winning pork products. He also has experience of training and Apprenticeships. 

Iain Hutton-JamiesonIain, who lives locally, has a range of qualifications including three Masters Degrees from the University of London, covering History of Art, History of the Book and Garden History. He has lectured at a number of London Higher Education Institutions and currently works as a Designer/Art Director while running a marketing and design practice based in London.

Patrick SwanA former Horticulture student of the College, Patrick runs a horticultural consultancy, specialising in the management and development of heritage gardens. He is now a Gardens Consultant, for the National Trust in Wales and the South West. He has been Head Gardener at a number of special places, including Arley Hall, Walsingham Abbey and the National Trust property Coughton Court. He has interests in agriculture, environmental conservation and rural history, as well as classic cars. 

Sophy AitkenMarketing Director at the independent Felsted School, Sophy has senior level marketing experience, including at JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management, and has been an Examiner for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is a keen sportswoman, particularly tennis, netball, hockey, sailing and skiing, and is a former British University Ladies and Team Slalom Ski Champion.

Meanwhile, Paul Downer, a Writtle College governor, was also recently elected as National Vice Chairman (Chair Elect) of BALI (the British Association of Landscape Industries).

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 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 Veg-2-Gro 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.

The sixth HTA Catering Conference 2015 will take place on June 9-10 at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The two day conference, complete with conference dinner and exhibition, and sponsored by Vision Commercial Kitchens, will cover hot topics that impact garden centre catering. 

Trevor Pfeiffer of Garden Trade News, will chair a panel session each day which will focus on areas such as whether to use concessions on not, self-service versus waitress service, chefs versus cooks, family favourites versus new trends and the convenience of ‘grab and go’ offerings. 

Will Armitage, Managing Director of Armitage’s Home and Garden, Ron Bent of Bents Garden and Home, Helen Joyce of Thirsk Garden Centre and Anthony Hester (pictured), Head of Restaurants at Dobbies Garden Centres, will all join the panel on day one. 

Throughout the two days, there will be plenty of time for networking, with the conference exhibition providing a great opportunity to meet with catering product suppliers. 

To book now and take advantage of the Early Bird booking rate, which expires on Friday, May 15, go to www.cateringconference.co.uk    

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre has opened its new Elm Tree restaurant to the public.

The new build, which has a footprint of nearly 1,000 sqm and a brand new kitchen with state-of-art equipment, seats 350 people and offers Taunton diners greater choice.

Andrew Pitman, from the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, explained: “We were thrilled to recently open our brand new restaurant. It has been a long time in the making but it has so far been very successful and filled with visitors of all ages.

“The new restaurant comprises of a modern coffee lounge, a large serving island, which includes a deli counter and juice bar, and a self-service drinks area. There is even a crepé station and kid’s corner where little ones can pick up special snack boxes.”

Diners are able to see into the main cooking area where the chefs work and there is lots of seating outside too.

The restaurant also includes a feature wall, which includes scenes from across Somerset. One of the pictures, the steam train at Bishop’s Lydeard, was taken by member of staff, Matthew Vowles, who is a photographer in his spare time.

Andrew added: “Visitors also won’t fail to spot the giant leaves that are the focal point of the restaurant and our snazzy, over-sized light shades.

“It has been great to have everyone visit us and check out the new restaurant. While it is already open to the public there will be an official launch celebration at the end of June.”

The restaurant build was managed by in-house Project Manager, Steve Butterworth, and jobs such as electrics, plumbing and woodwork, were sub-contracted to Westcountry businesses.

The garden centre was able to take on 10 new employees across the whole business, which already employs around 90 staff, as a result of the new build and to supplement the existing, original restaurant staff.

There is also a new function room available for events and to be booked out for business meetings, private parties, anniversaries and even wakes.

For more information visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/Monktonelm or follow the company on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/Monktonelm.

Pictured above: The main serving island in the Elm Tree Restaurant.

Below: Denis Guillemin, Operations Manager, at the crepé station in the new restaurant.

Cotswold Fayre has been appointed by Todhunter, designer of bespoke food gifts and hampers, as the major distributor for its new range of beautiful National Trust gifts and hampers.

Created by Todhunter in partnership with the National Trust, each item in the collection has been individually crafted and inspired by the special places the National Trust cares for.

Customers of Cotswold Fayre will be able to choose from 16 products in the collection including five themed willow hampers; A Country Life Christmas, A Day at the Beach Picnic, A Day in the Orchard Picnic, A Day in the Country Picnic and A Day by The River, all crammed with delicious National Trust treats, gourmet goodies and more.

The collection also boasts beautifully presented gifts for gardening enthusiasts and tea fanatics.

Paul Hargreaves, Founder of Cotswold Fayre, says: “We are incredibly excited to offer these beautiful hampers and gift sets as part of our gifting range. The National Trust is one of Britain’s most loved charities and we are positive that these unique gifts will really resonate with consumers who are looking to purchase something special for friends and family.”

The collection will be available in the fine food distributor’s Christmas catalogue, with a percentage of every sale supporting the National Trust’s work looking after special places for ever, for everyone.

To contact the team to order a catalogue and arrange a meeting with a member of the team call 03452 606060 or email sales@cotswold-fayre.co.uk