Garden centre staff throughout the Garden Centre Association’s East region are celebrating after picking up awards at a presentation at British Garden Centres, Northampton.

The Garden Centre of the Year winners were Perrywood Tiptree (above) in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category, Poplars (below) in the Garden Centre (GC) category and Pennells Grimsby for the Local Garden Centre (LGC).

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our East regional awards meeting was highly informative and brilliant fun. It was lovely to see so many people there. I’d like to thank all our member garden centres and their teams who attended.

“We’re very grateful to our excellent hosts for the afternoon and evening – the team at British Garden Centres, Northampton. We all received a brilliant warm welcome from them and we’re very grateful for their hospitality.

“We’re also very grateful to our Inspector, Colin Farquahar for his presentation and very useful insights discovered during his visits to this area’s centres. Members were taking down his invaluable insights so they could chat them over with their teams back at their centres.”

Colin was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the East area across a 12-week period where he made unannounced visits.

He explained: “I was delighted this year to get the East region to inspect. Each centre showed off plenty of good practice, as well as offering quality plants and gardening and lifestyle products that were displayed well. This was all enhanced by good customer service. Every member should be proud of their 2025 results.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the East region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

DCG

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Scotsdales Garden Centre
3. Blue Diamond, Bicester

GC

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
3. Meadow Croft Garden Centre

LGC

1. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford
3. British Garden Centres, Charlbury

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

1. British Garden Centres, Tring
2. Hertfordshire Garden Centre
3. Blue Diamond, Bicester

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Bell Plantation
3. Aylett Nurseries

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
3. Meadow Croft Garden Centre

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity:

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Poplars Garden Centre
3. Meadow Croft Garden Centre

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Scotsdales Garden Centre
2. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
3. Blue Diamond, Great Amwell

GC

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre and Webbs Millets Farm – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Aylett Nurseries

LGC

1. British Garden Centres, Charlbury
2. British Garden Centres, Horncastle, British Garden Centres, Harrow, and Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. British Garden Centres, Hitchin

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Blue Diamond, Great Amwell
3. Blue Diamond, Bicester

GC

1. Aylett Nurseries
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre
3. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury

LGC

1. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
2. British Garden Centres, Upminster
3. British Garden Centres, Harrow and RHS Hyde Hall – JOINT THIRD PLACE

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Blue Diamond, Bicester
3. Scotsdales Garden Centre

GC

1. Meadow Croft Garden Centre and Poplars Garden Centre – JOINT FIRST PLACE
2. Thetford Garden Centre
3. Thurrock Garden Centre

LGC

1. Rutland Nursery
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford
3. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

1. Blue Diamond, Bicester
2. Blue Diamond, Great Amwell

GC

1. Coton Orchard Garden Centre
2. Poplars Garden Centre
3. Bell Plantation

LGC – please note there is only garden centre in this category

1. Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Blue Diamond, Great Amwell
3. Scotsdales Garden Centre

GC

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Aylett Nurseries
3. Bell Plantation and Meadow Croft Garden Centre – JOINT THIRD PLACE

LGC

1. British Garden Centres, Upminster
2. British Garden Centres, Horncastle
3. British Garden Centres, Hitchin

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Blue Diamond, Great Amwell
3. Blue Diamond, Bicester

GC

1. Poplars Garden Centre
2. Squires Garden Centre, Shepperton and Sunshine Garden Centre – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Blue Diamond, Peterborough

LGC

1. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
2. Rutland Nursery
3. Pennells Garden Centre, Sleaford

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose):

DGC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
2. Blue Diamond, Bicester
3. British Garden Centres, Brigg

GC

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
2. Poplars Garden Centre
3. Aylett Nurseries

LGC

1. British Garden Centres, Charlbury
2. Pennells Garden Centre, Grimsby
3. RHS Hyde Hall

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

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

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

It’s was a truly unforgettable week for Greenfingers Charity as the Greenfingers Charity Together Garden took centre stage at the RHS Flower Show at the stunning Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

This marks the charity’s second show garden of the summer, following its highly praised debut at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, and once again, the response from visitors has been overwhelming.

Designed by Phil Hirst and Jo Charlton, the garden offered a moment of calm and reflection through its soft, serene planting and thoughtful layout, providing a peaceful oasis amid the excitement of the show.

Jo Charlton said: “It’s been an honour to be able to help even in a small way.  To give parents the opportunity to have this oasis of calm where they can take a moment to reflect, be with nature and be caressed has been wonderful and the reception at the show has been phenomenal.”

Visitors were moved by the story behind the garden, which celebrates the power of togetherness, memory, and support; values at the heart of the work Greenfingers does in children’s hospices across the UK. That emotional connection deepened when visitors learned that the garden’s story is far from over. It will soon begin a new, profoundly meaningful chapter at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield, where it will become a lasting sanctuary for families spending precious final moments with their child.

In addition to resonating so strongly with show visitors, the garden was also recognised by the RHS judging panel with a Silver Gilt Medal, a highly deserved honour warmly received by the garden’s designers, Phil Hirst and Jo Charlton, as well as Jus Landscaping who brought the vision to life. 

Speaking about the show, Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chair of Greenfingers Charity, said: “What a week it’s been! To see the Together Garden resonate so strongly with visitors has been incredibly special. My sincere thanks go to everyone involved, from our generous sponsors to the amazing volunteers from Deco-Pak, Primeur, Meadow View Stone and Yorkshire Garden Centre, who gave so much of their time, and of course the incredible Greenfingers team. Without their tireless dedication and passion, none of this would have been possible.”

Following the show, the garden will now be carefully dismantled and transported to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, where it will be rebuilt outside the Forget Me Not Suite, a private space used by families as they say goodbye to their child. The rebuild is expected to take around four weeks, meaning it won’t be long before families can begin to spend time in this peaceful space during the most difficult days of their lives.

For more information about Greenfingers Charity visit: www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to discuss ways to support the charity at future events.

In the meantime, you can also follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.

Altico Garden Products is thrilled with the exceptional success of its Pot Topper Range, which has quickly established itself as a firm favourite among garden enthusiasts and retailers alike.

Designed to inspire creativity and enhance plant displays, the range continues to deliver strong sales across the UK.

Building on the booming popularity of houseplants and container gardening, the Pot Topper collection includes two distinct formats that tap into key gifting and impulse trends:

The Jar Range

Featuring approximately 1kg of premium decorative toppers presented in elegant jars with lids, these eye-catching designs are perfect for gifting or adding flair to any plant display. The Jar’s show off the natural beauty of premium decorative glass and stones effortlessly, making them a great addition in any retail setting. With an array of colour options from Oyster Pebbles to Ocean Blue Glass Pebbles and prices starting from £2.99, Pot topper Jar’s offer a unique impulse purchase proposition next to the Houseplant area.

The Pouch Range

With lightweight resealable pouches, the Pouch Range is ideal for quick plant makeovers and topping up terrariums or small pots, making them a popular pick-up product for plant lovers browsing the aisles. Supplied in a larger size of approximately 4kg, there are six popular varieties with natural tones, ideally suited to enhancing outdoor plant displays. Retailing at £5.99, they are a great addition to any landscaping retail area, with weather -proof packaging to withstand the elements.

Supporting Impulse Purchases

For the ultimate in store presence, Altico has also supported the range with bespoke merchandisers tailored to each format, helping garden centres maximise visibility, storytelling, and seasonal merchandising opportunities. These displays can be dual sited and have played a pivotal role in the success of the Pot Toppers by encouraging impulse purchases and positioning them as must-haves for stylish plant care.

Ideal as giftable treats or personal touches for garden projects, Pot Toppers continue to thrive as one of Altico’s most engaging and versatile accessory ranges. With a range of stylish colours and textures, they add the perfect finishing touch to any plant arrangement indoors or outdoors.  

Speak to the Altico team today to find out about becoming a stockist of this must-have range - salesoffice@altico.co.uk.

Meadow View Stone has appointed Tomas Narusevicius as the new Sales Manager for East Anglia, strengthening the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to garden centres across the region.

Tomas joins Meadow View Stone with over a decade of experience in garden retail, having worked at Poplar Nurseries for the past 10 years, working his way up to Deputy Manager. During his tenure, he developed a strong reputation for customer engagement, operational efficiency and problem-solving; qualities that will prove invaluable in his new role.

Bringing with him a deep understanding of how garden centres operate day-to-day, Tomas is uniquely positioned to anticipate customer needs and offer tailored support. His initial focus will be on visiting customers, ensuring continuity and building strong, long-term relationships.

“Having spent many years on the retail side of the industry, I understand first-hand the challenges garden centres face,” said Tomas. “I’m excited to begin this new chapter, and I look forward to working closely with our customers to ensure they get the support, products and service they need to succeed.”

Sarah Hill, Managing Director of Meadow View Stone, welcomed the appointment, saying “We’re thrilled to have Tomas on board. His knowledge of the garden centre sector, coupled with his customer-first mindset, makes him a real asset to the business. This appointment reinforces our ongoing strategy of investing in people who truly understand our customers and can help them grow.”

Tomas’s appointment reflects Meadow View Stone’s continued focus on delivering service excellence and building lasting partnerships with customers.

Having firmly established themselves as an important supplier to the garden centre café market Magrini are exhibiting at Glee for the first time this year.

Their coffee and milk machines are a common site in many garden centre cafes across the U.K. including Notcutts, Hillier and Klondyke who are now serving consistently great coffee even at peak times.

The Magrini range includes traditional espresso machines with automatic tamping and milk foaming and stand-alone automatic milk texturing machines which enable café staff to make barista quality coffee with minimal training.

Amazing coffee will be served by the expert baristas at 200 Degrees Coffee and Magrini staff will be on hand to help solve your individual coffee issues.
Magrini believe they can help you eliminate queues, increase productivity and reduce expensive milk waste and will explain how clever use of automation is key to solving current industry challenges.

Magrini Ltd

www.magrini.co.uk

Glee – Stand 11E110

Corby + Fellas has successfully installed their Cucina restaurant system at Charnley's Home & Garden.

This offers full table service, using the Cucina Go App, with embedded payments, printing, scanning of vouchers and all connected seamlessly to the C+F Restaurant platform.

Powered by Kitchen Portal for real time ordering and management of allergens, ingredients, and real time stock availability. If this is something you are interested in, please contact sales@corbyfellas.com

Pictured above: Sam Proctor, MD of Charnley’s and Jacob Parker, C+F’s Mr Cucina!

Cloverleaf will be celebrating in style at PATS 2025 as it marks 40 years of dedicated service to the aquatics industry this year.

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 28-30 September 2025, where the Essex-based company will be showcasing its product ranges on stand L40/M39 in the Aquatics Zone. 

Since its launch the popular brand has become a trusted name among pond and aquarium hobbyists, fish breeders, landscapers, and aquatic enthusiasts throughout the UK and around the world.

The journey began 40 years ago with the creation of the iconic Cloverleaf shaped filters, an innovation that not only shaped the company name but also laid the foundation for its reputation as a pioneer in aquatic solutions. Over the decades, the business has expanded and evolved, becoming a renowned designer and developer of water treatments for both indoor and outdoor aquatic environments.

Cloverleaf’s specialist fish foods are formulated with high-quality ingredients to promote optimal health and growth in all species of fish, whether kept in ponds or aquariums. Alongside this, its targeted water treatments and medications are trusted for their effectiveness in managing a wide range of aquatic health conditions.

“Cloverleaf’s strength lies in our commitment to development, quality, design, and customer support,” says CEO John Roberts. “Our long-standing team, including several family members, brings decades of industry knowledge and hands-on experience to everything we do. This continuity provides our customers with confidence in our products and trust in our advice.

“We are especially proud of our UK-based Help Desk, located at our Essex headquarters. This direct line of support is a unique benefit for both retailers and end users that sets Cloverleaf apart from others in the market.

“Cloverleaf had a hugely successful PATS show in 2024 and we were thrilled to take home the outdoor new product showcase winner with ‘All Season Blanket Answer’ – a revolutionary treatment for blanket weed that’s effective all year round.

“Even better, the event also brought in new customers who placed their first pre-season orders, setting the stage for a strong year.

“A big thank you to everyone who visited our stand in 2024, and we look forward to reconnecting with you at the 2025 show.  We will be unveiling our latest showcase product for 2025, which we have successfully developed and tested over the past year. Could it be our next award-winner? We can’t wait to share it with you.”

Here’s to 40 years of excellence – and the exciting future ahead!

For more information about all Cloverleaf products visit https://cloverleaf.uk.net

Following a strong spring season for garden centres, the Horticultural Trades Association Market Update for June trading reveals a cooling in sales momentum as the UK entered one of its hottest Junes on record.

Garden centre sales in June 2025 dipped by 5% compared to the same month last year, marking a clear slowdown after a strong spring. The earlier spell of good weather saw many consumers investing heavily in their gardens, meaning much of the seasonal demand had already been met by the time June arrived. This contrasts with 2024, when poor spring weather pushed more gardening activity into the summer months.

Sales of gardening products felt the slowdown most sharply, falling 8% year-on-year and down 19% compared to June 2023. That said, June 2023 was an outlier, being the hottest on record and following a particularly wet spring, perfect conditions to drive garden sales.

Despite the dip in gardening-related spending, other categories held up well. Non-gardening sales proved resilient, rising by 2% on both 2024 and 2023 figures, continuing their strong performance throughout 2025. Garden centre cafés also continued to thrive, with sales up 2% from last June and an impressive 16% ahead of 2023, reflecting a steady appetite for hospitality among garden centre visitors.

June’s weather was mixed, with wet and stormy spells early in the month due to low pressure. Nevertheless, it was officially the UK’s second hottest June, with England experiencing its hottest and Wales its third hottest June since records began. Despite the heat, consumer confidence showed signs of improvement, rising two points since May 2025 to -18, marking the highest score of the year so far, though still low in historical terms.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented:

"This month’s market figures reflect a natural market slowdown following a very strong spring for retail. This comes at a time when the ever-present issue of water resilience hits the headlines, with regional water restrictions being implemented. These restrictions serve as a stark reminder of the need to take water scarcity more seriously. It is essential to invest in infrastructure that supports our ability to grow and, in turn, directly impact consumer and gardener confidence.

"As evidenced by this week’s State of the UK Climate Report, there is an urgent need for the UK to adapt to cope with future extremes, and we need to prepare for the impacts this will have on the weather we experience, from floods to drought. We urgently need to focus on water storage and distribution systems that help manage these increasingly uneven rainfall patterns. This isn’t about short-term fixes. It requires a long-term national strategy. Demand for water will only increase as our population grows and sectors that support it, such as ours, expand. Plants are thirstiest when water is scarcest, and growers can’t afford to be left high and dry.

"Water resilience must be a government priority. We urge policymakers to support those businesses ready to invest in water storage and efficiency solutions. This is not just a concern for growers, but for the health of our environment, food supply, and green spaces across the country."

The HTA continues to monitor the impact of dry conditions, is actively engaged in regional water strategies, and is part of the Environment Agency’s National Drought Group. Members can find the latest updates and water resilience advice at hta.org.uk/water.

HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on our website.

The Greenfingers Charity has announced that its inaugural Floral Ball, held on Thursday 26th June 2025 at the breathtaking Coombe Abbey, raised a phenomenal £60,000 – a fundraising milestone that will help propel the charity into its next 25 years of creating magical, therapeutic garden spaces for children’s hospices across the UK.

The sell-out event took place under glorious summer sunshine, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening of celebration and generosity. Guests were welcomed with a champagne reception and a surprise performance by the London Show Choir, before making their way into a beautifully decorated marquee for a sumptuous three-course dinner. Throughout the evening, stories and memories from Greenfingers’ inspiring 25-year journey were shared. Fundraising was in full swing thanks to a lively auction and raffle, while the night itself was filled with love, laughter, and a powerful sense of shared purpose.

A particularly special moment of the night came when Greenfingers Founder, Richard Jackson MBE, recently recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List, addressed guests with a few heartfelt words about the origins and growth of the charity. His presence served as a poignant reminder of the vision and dedication that have shaped Greenfingers from its humble beginnings into a national cause close to so many hearts.

As the evening unfolded, the celebrations continued well into the night, with dancing and a lively silent disco bringing the night to a perfect close.

Speaking after the event, Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications, said: “The Floral Ball exceeded all our hopes and was a truly magical evening of celebration, generosity, and heartfelt moments. Raising £60,000 is an extraordinary achievement and a powerful reflection of the kindness shown by every guest, sponsor, and supporter. On behalf of all of us at Greenfingers - and the many children and families who will benefit from time spent in our gardens - thank you. Your generosity means the world to us.”

Boyd Douglas Davies, Greenfingers Chair added: “What a night! We are so grateful to everyone who helped make the first-ever Floral Ball such a roaring success. The atmosphere, the generosity, the laughter, it all worked to create a night to remember, and a perfect way to honour Greenfingers’ 25th anniversary. Here’s to the next 25 years. We look forward to celebrating with you again next year!”

Greenfingers is set to return to Coombe Abbey in 2026

Following the overwhelming success of this year’s event, the Greenfingers Charity is thrilled to confirm that they will be returning to Coombe Abbey next year, the date for the diary is Thursday 2nd July 2026.

For more information about Greenfingers Charity or to register your interest for the 2026 Floral Ball, please visit: www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or email

linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

In the meantime, you can also follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.

View the Floral Ball photo gallery

You can relive the magic of the night through our photo gallery: https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/photo-albums/72/floral-ball-2025

As part of its ongoing programme of workshops, masterclasses, and sharing of best practice via the Nursery Network group, Horticultural Trades Association members had the opportunity to join a three-day study tour in Denmark, visiting a series of growers and businesses.

HTA members toured five nurseries, from 8 to 10 July, which produce a range of field-grown ornamental and forestry crops, container-grown trees, shrubs, roses, and herbaceous plants. They saw first-hand some of the latest products and practices being adopted by Danish businesses and discussed the challenges they face in adapting to customer needs, labour costs, technology and the control of pests and diseases.

Wayne Brough, Technical Horticulture Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

“I was delighted to lead this month’s HTA Danish study tour. These visits provide a fantastic opportunity to get off the nursery, network with like-minded people within the group, and explore new ideas and ways of thinking.

“We took in five nurseries whilst we were in Denmark, and it was good to see how they are addressing their own issues, such as high labour costs, extensive restrictions on the availability of plant protection products, and the requirements of marketing into several other countries, not just their own.

“I hope our members benefited from the visit and were able to exchange ideas and views with our European counterparts. I look forward to seeing some of the ideas and equipment implemented in the UK as a result.”

Simon Scarth from Chew Valley Trees, said:

“The HTA study tour to Denmark was a valuable and inspiring experience, with the biological control of pests and the efficiency of the nurseries particularly impressive. It was fascinating to see how Danish growers combine innovation with sustainability. A well-organised trip that offered both learning and networking opportunities.”

Alex Bell from Crowders Nurseries commented:

“An informative tour covering a wide range of ornamental horticulture with different operations and perspectives. The HTA arranged transport and timings to maximise our stay and travel in comfort. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to connect with different people and have informative conversations. I would recommend this trip to more people.”

Ray Jenkins from RJ Trees and Hedging added:

“The HTA study tour offers a fantastic insight into the knowledge sharing between so many different growers. I have always found them well supported by growers, and hopefully, many future tours will be supported by the HTA.”

HTA members can access online resources that support growers with networking, learning, and developing their businesses, as well as find out about upcoming events. The HTA’s Grower Technical Support also covers various areas, including crop protection, sustainability matters such as peat-free growing and water use efficiency, cultural and crop production issues and the latest research and news.

Excitement is mounting across the garden industry as bookings for the 2025 GIMA Awards (6 November, Celtic Manor Resort) surge well ahead of expectations.

With strong support from new and returning members, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most well-attended celebrations in recent history.

With tables selling fast and places filling up significantly quicker than in previous years, GIMA is encouraging members and industry colleagues to secure their spots now to avoid disappointment. The annual gala, a highlight of the garden retail calendar, will once again shine a spotlight on the most innovative products, marketing campaigns, and business achievements from across the sector.

Commenting on the positive response, GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “We’re thrilled with how the industry has rallied behind this year’s awards. The pace of bookings reflects both the strength of our membership and the enthusiasm to come together and celebrate another year of hard work and creativity. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic night, but we urge you to move quick to secure your ticket before they sell out!”

In addition to the high-profile product and marketing award categories - where this year’s judging is now complete – there is still time to get involved. Entries remain open for two prestigious categories: Supplier of the Year and Export Achievement, with a deadline of 15th August. GIMA is also calling on members to cast their vote for Associate of the Year, recognising exceptional service and partnership within the supply chain.

To enter, vote, or book your place at this year’s event, visit: https://gima.org.uk/gima-awards/

The Greenfingers Charity Dragon Boat Race made a triumphant return to Grendon Lakes on Sunday 6th July, with thrilling races, fierce competition, and plenty of family fun.

Topping the leaderboard and taking home the winner’s title for the second-year running were the Westland Warriors, led by Simon Mulholland, who stormed to victory with a final race time of 56.14 seconds – also securing the fastest time of the day with a blistering 55.95 seconds in an earlier heat.

It was a tightly contested final, with Evergreen’s Miracle (G)rowers, which included Colin Stephens, finishing a close second with a time of 58.18 seconds. In third place were The Notorious BGC, one of two teams fielded by British Garden Centres, who turned heads all day long with their commitment to fancy dress and face painting, joined by their fellow BGC paddlers, The Iconic Duo.

The 2025 event saw a colourful and eclectic mix of teams take to the water, including the brilliantly named Law & Oar-der from Franklins Solicitors, and the FlOARal Flyers, a team made up largely of Greenfingers’ Event Fundraiser, Kirsty, and her family, who brought bags of spirit and sunshine to the day, fully embracing the Greenfingers cause.

As ever, the atmosphere was electric with laughter, encouragement, and cheering from the lakeside, as teams got to grips with their oars, ready to race in support of the Greenfingers Charity.

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Greenfingers Charity, said: “What an amazing day! We had such brilliant competition, and so much heart from every team who joined us. The Westland Warriors were phenomenal again this year, but every team gave it their all.

“These events not only bring our industry together in the most fun way, but they also help fund the beautiful gardens we create for children’s hospices across the UK. Thank you to everyone who rowed, supported, dressed up, donated, and helped make the day such a success – we’ll see you next year!”

Find out more

If you are interested in any future Greenfingers Charity events, please reach out to the team for more information by emailing linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

In the meantime, you can also follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.

Premier Decorations has joined forces with David Domoney to promote the beauty of Christmas with many inspirational videos, social media and print showcasing the latest technology behind Christmas decorations, how they create the enchanted magic and save money too. 

The growth in advancement in both decorative lighting, innovative product ranges and energy-saving power is fuelling a surge in more dramatic family Christmas displays both inside and outside the home. However, homeowners are still unaware of the many features and ever-evolving features of Christmas ranges. This is where our partnership will benefit the whole product industry.

Christmas decorations hold a deep cultural, emotional, and social significance in the UK.  They are far more than just festive flair; they reflect tradition, creativity, and togetherness. Decorations are a key part of British Christmas customs, going back to Victorian times when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert popularised indoor trees and ornaments.

 John Athwal, OBE, Managing Director of Premier Decorations Ltd says "As a well-established name synonymous with Christmas, we are looking forward to collaborating with David in his role as our Christmas Ambassador. Combining our innovation and expertise in product development with David’s passion and pioneering spirit, we are confident that together we will bring magic and seasonal inspiration to millions of families across the country."

David has been one of the leading television presenters promoting family engagement with Christmas, not only on his TV shows, such as ITV's This Morning and Love Your Weekend appearances, but also on his own YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 300,000 followers. He also founded Illumination Street, promoting Christmas community displays; his combined social media following of all platforms totals over a million.

David will be creating aspirational displays and demonstrating how to create the ‘wow’ this Christmas. He will also be demystifying both Christmas decorations and educating on how artificial trees can look not only like the real thing, but also how to store them to make them last for years.

David Domoney says, “I’m delighted to be working with Premier Decorations and their Christmas ranges. In today’s world, Christmas and family gatherings are more important than ever. Decorating the tree is my family ritual, and I remember fond moments from my childhood. I believe it fosters joy and creativity, passed from generation to generation. Twinkling lights and colourful ornaments create a sense of comfort and cheer, especially during the cold UK winter. I’m proud to be working with the professional team at Premier to promote something that creates a shared sense of magic in winter, celebrates tradition and sparks joy at Christmas across Britain. Switching lights on marks the start of the festive season, and I cannot wait to start choosing baubles, hanging stockings, and creating more life moments with Premier.”

Filming starts in a couple of months and will be released in October.

Westland Horticulture is encouraging retailers to make sure their store is set up for success during expanding the hosepipe ban, and support gardeners navigating the drought conditions. 

Westland is reporting an increase in consumers searching for water-wise gardening tips on gardenhealth.com by over 49x, demonstrating that demand for practical solutions if rising rapidly as more counties implement the hosepipe ban. Following the driest spring in over 100 years, hosepipe bans are now active in areas such as North Yorkshire, York, East Riding of Yorkshire, and parts of Kent and Sussex. More regions may follow as water companies closely monitor conditions, and Thames Water yesterday (14^th July) announced a temporary hosepipe ban set to impact Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire from 22^nd July.

Gardeners are turning to Westland’s online resources for expert guidance on how to maintain their gardens without a hosepipe. Tips include installing water-efficient irrigation systems like the Flopro SoakerFlo, alongside advice on drought-tolerant plants and smart watering techniques.

To help meet this growing demand, Westland is encouraging retailers to stock up on water-saving products. Within its range, Kent & Stowe offers a range of beautiful metal watering cans, which allow consumers to effortlessly water plants in style. Furthermore, the innovative Flopro Quick Fill & Flo watering can connects directly to a hose, enabling fast, convenient filling without standing by the tap holding heavy cans, yet still providing the gentle precision of a traditional rose. 

Alex Banham, Senior Brand Manager, at Westland, commented: “We’re expecting more parts of the country to announce a hosepipe ban in the coming weeks, so now is the time to place an order via the convenient Westland Live platform and make sure your garden centre is stocked up with our watering solutions to cater for the peak demand.”  

Order now via Westland Live, where you can place an order directly from your smartphone 24/7.  If you don’t yet have a trade account with Westland Live, call +44 (0)28 8772 1080 to have your account set up, or speak to your account manger. 

Durstons is celebrating one of its most successful seasons to date, as garden centres across the country turned to the trusted supplier at a time when others were unable to fulfil growing media demand.

The extended spell of warm, dry weather has seen consumers dedicating more time to their gardens, investing in plant care and refreshing outdoor spaces throughout the summer months.

With customers seeking high-performing compost that could withstand this extreme heat while delivering consistent results, Durstons proved to be the go-to solution. The company’s independently trialled and tested growing media performed exceptionally well during the critical summer period, and thanks to strong stock availability and reliable distribution, garden centres were able to meet demand without delay.

Sales Director, Dan Durston said: “It’s been an incredible season. While many suppliers faced challenges keeping up with orders, we had stock on the ground and ready to go. Our delivery times remained consistent at five working days throughout the summer, and that reliability brought a wave of new customers our way. We’re so grateful to those who trusted us to fulfil their needs, and from the feedback we’ve had, there are a lot of happy customers out there. For us, this is just the beginning. We’ve got some exciting developments in the pipeline, and we’ll be revealing everything at Glee this September. We can’t wait to share what’s next.”

Durston’s unique compost formulation has been independently proven to outperform not only its peat-free rivals but even professional-grade peat-based alternatives. In trials, plants grown in Durston compost were over 70% larger than those grown in a leading peat-reduced competitor.

This performance is driven by a powerful combination of excellent water retention - vital during a hot summer - and a comprehensive fertiliser package that delivers 14 essential plant nutrients for strong, healthy growth. The addition of a stabilised wood fibre also ensures optimal moisture control without the risk of Nitrogen lock-up, helping plants thrive even in the most challenging conditions.

With a clear focus on consistency, performance, and dependable service, Durstons has proven itself as a partner garden centres can count on. As the company looks ahead to the next chapter, all eyes will be on Glee at the NEC Birmingham from 16th to 18th September, where Durstons will unveil what’s coming next.

Find out more
Visit www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or call 01458 442688 to find out how Durstons can help your business thrive.

Autumn Fair has announced the launch of The Little Black Book, the essential buyer’s guide packed with everything you need to plan your visit to Autumn Fair 2025.

Your Ultimate Preview to Autumn Fair 2025

With over 800 brands and 500,000 products across Gift, Home, and Fashion sectors, The Little Black Book makes navigating the event effortless. This beautifully curated guide offers:

• Exclusive product previews showcasing standout new and returning collections
• Planning tools including floor plans, travel tips, and A-Z exhibitor lists to help you find navigate with ease
• Trend insights and must-see innovations to keep your business ahead of the curve
• Show highlights including a run-down of the must-attend talks, product trails and networking opportunities allows you to discover what's on the show and maximise your visit.

Trusted by Buyers, Loved by Suppliers

For years, buyers from independent retailers to major chains have relied on The Little Black Book as their go-to resource for Autumn Fair. More than just a guide, it’s a vital tool that inspires and informs, helping retailers refresh stock, discover best-sellers, and uncover exciting new brands.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Autumn Fair says: “The Little Black Book has become the buyer’s bible – a sought-after publication that helps them curate best-selling collections, discover thousands of new products, and be inspired. Autumn Fair 2025 promises to be the ultimate seasonal buying showcase, so we encourage all buyers to register now for their free copy and get a head start on planning their visit.”

Register Now to Secure One of Only 10,000 Printed Copies Delivered to Your Door!

With only 10,000 copies available, this is a must-have resource for anyone serious about making the most of the show. The Little Black Book Week runs until Sunday 20th July but, while stocks last, buyers who register by 29th July 2025 will also receive a limited-edition printed copy of The Little Black Book sent straight to their home.

Register here to claim your copy →

With so much to explore at Autumn Fair 2025, The Little Black Book is the key to spending less time searching and more time discovering. Register by 29th July to secure your FREE printed copy delivered to your door. Copies will be delivered in early August. Digital copies will also be sent to all registrants.

EGO Power+ has extended its lifestyle range of battery-powered equipment with the launch of its first outdoor speaker.

One of the most powerful portable speakers on the market, the 180W RMS hi-spec speaker (SK1800E) is designed for premium sound quality. Boasting seven advanced speaker transducers and with an IPX4 protection rating, it can set the beat for any event – whether indoors or outdoors.

A must-have for music lovers, connect any playback device via Bluetooth, or 3.5mm audio jack. Bigger sound can be delivered using the Bass Boost function or Party Mode, allowing you to connect up to 100 EGO speakers, providing an impressive sound for bigger events. 

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO, comments: “The outdoor speaker is a fantastic addition to our range and is perfect for the summer months – whether it’s parties in the garden, camping trips or even larger-scale events that require multiple speakers to be hooked up.

“Pushing the boundaries of innovation is at the core of our product development. While our lifestyle range enables us to be creative with product solutions, we are committed to maintaining the high quality, power, and performance we are known for.”

Multifunctional, the speaker can charge phones or power laptops via the integrated 100w USB-C PD or USB-A port and can even be used to charge EGO’s 56V ARC LithiumTM batteries when connected to a USB-C PD power supply (not included).

EGO’s SK1800E Outdoor Speaker retails at £339, batteries are available separately.

Find out more about the speaker at: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/lifestyle/sk1800e-outdoor-speaker

A new nationwide survey released by Spring & Autumn Fair, in partnership with SaveTheHighStreet.org, has uncovered the mounting pressure facing independent retailers across the UK, from dwindling footfall and surging costs to a sharp decline in confidence that government is listening and doing enough to help.

The survey, which collected insights from over 250 independent retail businesses, paints a stark picture of Britain’s high streets in 2025, where even the most experienced and passionate shop owners are questioning their future. Yet amid the challenges, the survey also uncovers a clear path forward, and a resilient sector still determined to fight for its place at the heart of British communities.

Key Findings

The survey reveals that over 50% of independent retailers have considered closing their business. The biggest challenges they face include reduced customer spending and footfall (63.4%), competition from online giants (57.4%), and rising wage and employment costs (39%). Other major concerns include rising rent and property costs (21.1%), high business rates (14.7%), and a lack of sufficient funding for high street regeneration (22.7%).

Reflecting a growing sense of frustration, 84% of independent retailers said they lack confidence that the government is doing enough to support them. Most are small operations, 89.4% run a single store and 86.3% employ fewer than five people, highlighting just how vulnerable they are. Despite their resilience, with 62.8% trading for more than three years and 36.7% for over a decade, many now find themselves at a crossroads.

What Retailers Say They Need

When asked what would make the biggest difference to their business, independent retailers sent a clear and coordinated message, targeted support and practical action are urgently needed. The most common request to government was increased grants or funding for small businesses (39%), followed by a freeze or reduction in business rates (26.7%). Retailers also highlighted local improvements that would have a tangible impact on day-to-day trade, including better high street infrastructure (49.4%), more community-focused events to drive footfall (49.8%), affordable parking (46.6%), and stronger marketing support (76.9%). This isn’t a cry for help, it’s a detailed, data-backed blueprint for how to revive Britain’s high streets.

The Hidden Role of Independents in British Life

The findings highlight the vital role independent retailers play in their communities beyond commerce. 64.1% described their shop as the “social heart” of the area, while 57.4% offer services that national chains often can’t, including personalised advice, special orders, and local expertise. Many also support vulnerable residents, preserve the unique character of their high streets, and provide the foundation for future regeneration.

A High Street in Crisis – But Full of Potential

“This data shows how much independent retailers are struggling – but also how much they matter,” said Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director at Spring & Autumn Fair. “The high street is more than a place to shop. It’s a space for connection, culture, and community. If we want thriving towns, we must start by backing the businesses that hold them together.”

Alex Schlagman, Founding Partner of SaveTheHighStreet.org, added: “These findings reveal just how critical it is to remove the barriers holding small retailers back. Through smarter support, local partnerships, and focused innovation, we can level the playing field and ensure independent businesses thrive in a changing world.”

Time for Government to Step Up

The message from Britain’s independent retailers is clear, they are ready to adapt, innovate, and lead the rejuvenation of their high streets, but they can’t do it alone. While some government initiatives, such as pedestrianising high streets and localised regeneration pilots, show there is awareness of the problem, they simply don’t go far enough to address the scale and urgency of the crisis. Spring & Autumn Fair and SaveTheHighStreet.org are urging policymakers to listen to what retailers are telling them and take immediate, practical steps to ease the burden on small businesses. That means urgent action on business rates, targeted funding, and investment in infrastructure that helps footfall grow again. Without meaningful support, the cost of inaction will be measured not just in closed shops, but in lost communities. The future of Britain’s high streets depends on swift, coordinated efforts from government, industry, and communities alike.

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Caption: (l-r) Jon Kay, Alan Roper, Natalie Boynton and Colin Stephens

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced that a panel of experts, chaired by BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay, will take part in a 'Business Leaders and Business Efficiency' session at this year’s Horticulture, The Conference, on Thursday 25 September at the Barbican Centre in London.

Today’s horticulture leaders need to strike a balance between resilience and reinvention, so panellists Alan Roper - Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, Natalie Boynton - Sales Director at Happy Plants, and Colin Stephens - Managing Director of Evergreen Garden Care, will explore what makes a modern leader effective, from strategic thinking and infrastructure planning to people management and communication.

The panel will be chaired by BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay, who has been a journalist for more than thirty years. In that time, he has covered a wide range of stories from crime scenes to courtrooms, riots to red carpets. He has worked as a correspondent in Los Angeles and Washington and has interviewed the Prime Minister inside 10 Downing Street. 

Elia Johnston, Director of Marketing at the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“This panel looks set to offer real insight into how businesses can navigate both growth and challenge with clarity and purpose. We look forward to hearing a range of perspectives and practical experiences from across the industry.

“We’re also delighted to have Jon Kay facilitating the session; his thoughtful and engaging approach will help bring the discussion to life.”

Alan Roper, Business Leaders panellist and Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, commented:

“I am looking forward to explaining that success is achieved through clear, simple principles delivered through a focused consistency, and that failure is often born of ignorance and corporate time-consuming processes that slow down decision making."

The HTA has already confirmed other conference speakers, including:

• Dr Tim Leunig, Economist and Policy expert
• Josh McBain, Global foresight expert
• and Jeremy Vine as the After-Dinner Speaker

More speakers and details about Horticulture, The Conference will be announced in the coming weeks.

Early bird pricing and group discounts:

HTA Members are invited to take advantage of exclusive early-bird rates, with group discounts available for bookings of three or more from the same company, starting at just £99 per person. The early bird offer is available until 31 July.

For more information and to secure tickets, visit hta.org.uk/conference.

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has appointed Anthony Meadowcroft  as its new Regional Director to lead the Retail & Leisure brokerage team in the North of England and Scotland.

Anthony joined Christie & Co’s Retail & Leisure team in 2023, with several years of previous business brokerage experience.  Anthony comments, “I am really proud to be stepping into the role of Regional Director, leading our fantastic team across the North of England and Scotland, especially as we celebrate Christie & Co’s 90th anniversary. I’ve been working in business brokerage since 2015 and since joining Christie & Co I’ve had the chance to work with some fantastic clients and colleagues on several high profile transactions.

“I’m especially looking forward to building on that by focusing on two key areas: strengthening collaboration across our business to enhance the service we offer our clients, and developing our regional markets within convenience retail and roadside. It’s a great time to be part of Christie & Co and I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

Steve Rodell, Managing Director, Retail & Leisure at Christie & Co comments, “Anthony’s appointment is an important step in the continuing development of the Retail & Leisure team which continues to grow in stature within Christie & Co as we seek to develop the team and diversify our offering.

“I believe Anthony has the drive, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to help the team succeed individually and as a group and I look forward to working with him.”

On Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 August 2025, the Autumn Edition of PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt will take place in Hazerswoude-Dorp/Boskoop. This leading trade fair brings together national and international buyers, retailers, and wholesalers with top growers from both the Netherlands and abroad. With hundreds of stands, thousands of directly orderable sample lots, and a focus on product introductions, it’s the key meeting point for the green sector at the start of the autumn season.

A unique entrance and atmospheric setting
Visitors this edition will be welcomed through a special entrance: a living ‘hedge’ of dozens of new products through which everyone literally walks. This immediately immerses visitors in the latest offerings and innovations for this autumn. The fair layout follows its proven format: on one side of the central path are hundreds of exhibitor stands, and on the other, thousands of sample lots from GROEN-Direkt.

This edition’s styling theme is “Dutch Masters” – a nod to the creativity, craftsmanship, and exuberance of the nursery stock sector.

Mr Plant Geek’s Hype Train
Michael Perry, known worldwide as Mr Plant Geek, will once again be present at PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt. New this year is his interactive presentation concept: the “Hype Train.” Here, he highlights a selection of remarkable products and explains why these deserve to be hyped. The Hype Train is located at the Plantarium Green Future Hub and offers visitors practical insights into consumer trends, product innovations, and smart presentation formats.

Roundtable on branding in the sector
At the Green Future Hub, industry magazine De Boomkwekerij will host four roundtable sessions. These discussions will explore all facets of branding in the green sector – a theme growing in importance.

Other highlights
As is tradition, GROEN-Direkt will feature its major Christmas tree show, where European retailers purchase their trees. At the Wall of Fame, growers will present their award-winning products, and visitors can once again vote for their Visitor’s Favourite. The KVBC has selected the Best Novelty, and early on the first day, a jury of European retailers will announce the winner of the Green Retail Award for Best Market Innovation.

Practical information
Dates: Wednesday 27 August (07:00 – 17:00) & Thursday 28 August 2025 (07:00 – 16:00)
Location: Noorwegenlaan 37, Hazerswoude-Dorp/Boskoop
Admission: Free for trade visitors via pre-registration at plantariumgroendirekt.nl
Facilities: Free parking, extensive mostly free catering, and a relaxed atmosphere with ample networking opportunities

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) is proud to announce that a record number of entries have been shortlisted for next year’s APL Awards.

Held on 13 March 2026 at the Brewery in London, the awards recognise and reward the high standard of landscape contracting carried out by APL registered members. With the addition of two new categories this year, Outdoor Living and Waterfalls & Pond Features, there have been a total of 141 entries, the highest number ever received.

The judges will begin their visits over the summer, with the final judging taking place across three days, on 30 September, 1 October, and 2 October 2025.

The APL is renowned for being one of the largest landscape associations in the UK. With an esteemed reputation for quality and landscaping excellence, it is proud to support and champion the professional landscaping community across the UK.

Phil Tremayne, General Manager of the APL, said:

“Congratulations to all our members who have been shortlisted. The APL Awards are a highlight of the landscaping year and the highlight of mine. Entering the awards showcases our members’ commitment to quality landscaping and keeping their customers completely satisfied. The record-breaking number of entries this year proves how much talent, dedication, and creativity we have within our industry.”

The premium gardening and lifestyle retail brand, Sarah Raven, has been acquired by its original founder and creative director, Sarah Raven.

Founded in 2008, SarahRaven.com has dispatched tens of millions of plants, bulbs, seeds and horticultural products to nearly a million gardeners and enthusiasts from Shetland to Land’s End. It is the first online garden retailer to achieve B-Corp certification, the business has been a thought-leader in the role gardeners can play, not just in creating beautiful and enjoyable spaces, but as custodians of the natural landscape and biodiversity of the UK.

As a business, SarahRaven.com has been committed to achieving success and doing business well during the toughest of trading conditions as experienced across the British horticultural industry over the last five years. Once the COVID boom retreated, the business suffered a 35% drop in sales but has since rallied to return to growth. At the end of 2023, the business embarked on a digital transformation and earlier this year SarahRaven.com achieved a 15% year-on-year increase in net sales and a 25% uplift in new customer growth, driven by continued investment in e-commerce development, product innovation, and an integrated marketing strategy.

However, post-COVID financial pressures have been compounded by significant cost inflation, increased employers National Insurance, unseasonal weather patterns and the challenges of introducing new ERP operating systems. Combined with the arrival of a significant and unexpected VAT demand from HMRC (which is under appeal) this has forced the business to engage advisors to seek restructuring options. Following the completion of this process Sarah Raven, founder and Creative Director, along with a small group of backers, has successfully acquired the assets of the business, enabling continuity for customers of SarahRaven.com, saving jobs and providing a stable platform for the future of the brand.

Speaking openly, Sarah Raven explains:

“Building this brand has been my life’s work, with the ambition to bring all the pleasures and impact of colour-drenched and environmentally friendly gardening into green spaces across the country. The past few years have been challenging for British horticultural retailers, suppliers, and entrepreneurs, and despite all of our hard work, this is a necessary restructure of SarahRaven.com to guarantee the ongoing viability of the business.

A new injection of capital will facilitate the transition to a new, simpler operating model, focusing on core profitable categories and third-party fulfilment. The acquisition seeks to preserve a much-loved brand, protect jobs, and to enable the business to achieve its ambition to bring quality, environmentally friendly, and uniquely curated products into gardens across the UK.

On the future, Sarah says:

“My ambition is to continue with everything we love about the best of gardening for our hundreds of thousands of loyal customers, for our dedicated and talented team, and for our network of suppliers, large and small, across the UK and beyond many of whom I know have found this period as difficult as we have.”

As soon as the Company experienced financial difficulties, the board of Directors appointed restructuring experts Begbies-Traynor Group (BTG) to advise and have worked with legal advice from Osborne Clark who evaluated all possible options and outcomes and independently concluded that the acquisition by Sarah and management would deliver the best outcome for all creditors, customers and staff.

Alison Doherty (CEO) and Gavin Street (CFO) will both be leaving the business. Stuart Hudson has been promoted to Managing Director, and Dominic Rose will be moving to Executive Chair. Jake Newbould remains as Marketing Director and Sarah Raven as Creative Director.

White Cottage Greenhouses, specialist craftsmen of exquisite, historically authentic Victorian and Edwardian greenhouses, has recreated Benthall Hall’s historic Walled Kitchen Garden Victorian greenhouse.

The new White Cottage greenhouse is just over 12m long and 4.5m wide, includes cold frames running along its full length and sits on the original base wall – the only remaining part of the previous structure which dated back to the early 1900s.

Its reinstatement is an important piece of the National Trust’s careful restoration of the property’s horticultural history – both in terms of the greenhouse’s classic, Victorian architecture and its function within the garden.

The new Victorian greenhouse is open to the public and will allow the National Trust property to increase the range of plants grown in the garden and revive the Plant Biologist George Maw's Victorian plant collection - including his historic crocus collection.

The new White Cottage Victorian greenhouse has been in the planning for three years, and the determined hope of Gardener in Charge, Nick Swankie, for over two decades. Glasshouses played a central role in Benthall Hall’s original garden ecosystem and history, created by tenants George and Arthur Maw who lived and gardened there from the 1860s. George made frequent plant collecting trips to the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Morocco and the Atlas Mountains, collecting over 3,000 plant species along the way. Many were planted at Benthall which he used as a trial garden to pioneer the cultivation of these new hardy herbaceous plants for English gardens. Even in November, it was said, the garden had “plenty to enjoy” with the garden’s Victorian glasshouse being integral to Maw’s endeavours to control the Shropshire climate.

The greenhouse will enable Benthall Hall to expand its horticultural legacy, by propagating a greater range of plants and reviving many of the species originally introduced by George Maw. Nick Swankie said; “More than a century has passed since the last of Maw’s crocus bloomed in its original bed, but the reinstatement of the glasshouse is an important milestone in the journey Benthall Hall’s team are on, to restart the work he began. This includes recreating the collection of crocus he describes in his monograph (including Crocus danfordiae and Crocus tauri,) and reintroducing other alpine plants described as being in the garden by William Robinson in his visit in 1881.”

Reimagined according to White Cottage’s proprietary Victorian specification, the new design and build replicates the original Benthall glasshouses, replaced more than once since Maw’s heyday. The Victorians used a wide variety of timbers in their greenhouses, but almost always then painted them white to maximise light reflection. The National Trust have selected an off-white (Ivory is one of White Cottage’s standard colours) to maintain its original spirit whilst allowing the new structure to sit comfortably in its historic surroundings.

“We want our greenhouses to feel like they’ve always been there” said Tori Tomlin, Director at White Cottage.

A key element of the reinstatement are the expansive cold frames which extend the full 12m along the greenhouse’s south-facing side and are unusually wide. The new cold frames will benefit from modern technology in the form of discreet gas struts which will make opening and closing the huge lids a lot easier than it was 100 years ago and will house a display of Saxifrage – another species Maw was a pioneering collector of and an intrinsic part of Benthall’s horticultural legacy.

The National Trust said; “The general aesthetic is consistent and recognisable to visitors of National Trust properties and their glasshouses but with the intricacies of Benthall Hall intertwined. The existing character has been maintained, ensuring the changes are sympathetic to the overall historic context, character and appearance. White Cottage’s unique combination of Accoya™ timber frame and aluminium roof will ensure the longevity of the glasshouse and will help with lifecycle maintenance of the elements usually difficult to access.”

Inside, the layout replicates how the previous structure was organised, according to the National Trust’s archaeology report. A central partition divides the growing space into two zones where optimal growing conditions can be controlled and maintained for the plants on display there. Original Maw & Co encaustic tiles, made at the company’s Benthall Works, a field away from the greenhouse, salvaged and returned to Benthall recently, decorate the floor.

Of the new project, Tori Tomlin, Director at White Cottage Greenhouses said; “It was a privilege to recreate this beautiful, Victorian glasshouse which was so integral to the garden of Benthall Hall’s long history of botany, cultivation and taxonomy. We’re passionate about making greenhouses that are truly synonymous with the Victorian and Edwardian eras; periods which marked a golden age of greenhouse design and where the efficacy of growing under glass was combined with aesthetic elegance and innovative engineering. Our Victorian specification offers the perfect platform for a sensitive and authentic reconstruction of the Benthall Hall structure.”

The new Benthall Hall Victorian greenhouse will be open to the public from mid-July. Visitors can experience how George Maw was using his glasshouses, over 150 years ago, to showcase his extensive plant collection including, in early spring, some of Benthall’s potted crocuses.

White Cottage Greenhouses is a family-run business, based in Sandbach Cheshire, that has been making its handcrafted, period greenhouses for 45-years. It is already the greenhouse maker of choice for those in the know, with glasshouses in some of the UK’s most esteemed gardens including RHS Bridgewater, RHS Wisley and the National Trust. Classic Victorian and Edwardian models are made to order using traditional methods, quality materials and period detailing. The business provides a uniquely crafted and truly bespoke offering within the greenhouse market. A close team ensures a personal, hands-on service, and with greenhouses starting from just over £7,000, White Cottage Greenhouses are within reach for even the smallest gardens.

White Cottage Greenhouses offer a unique design solution for those looking for the traditional warmth, look and feel of wood, with the maintenance-free benefits of aluminium. All White Cottage Greenhouses have a painted Accoya™ timber frame, and a matching powder coated aluminium roof. Accoya timber offers unparalleled stability and durability (guaranteed against rot for 50 years) meaning coatings last twice as long. Virtually maintenance-free aluminium roof components are coated to match - achieving an authentically period-looking structure that will last a lifetime. This distinctive, innovative design is unique within the greenhouse market.

For more details and to explore White Cottage Greenhouses’ full range of handcrafted period greenhouses, visit www.whitecottage.co.uk.

The Garden Centre Association’s North region members met yesterday afternoon and evening at Moss & Moor at Ilkley in Yorkshire for their Area Award presentations.

Destination Garden Centre of the Year, (DGC) was presented to Barton Grange (above), the Garden Centre (GC) award went to Fron Goch Garden Centre (below) and Local Garden Centre (LGC) to Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO said: “Our North Area Awards Meeting was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event. It was brilliant to see so many members and their teams listening so keenly to what our Inspector Alyson Haywood had to say and taking on board her feedback.

“Well done to all those centres who won awards too. We’re indebted to the team at Moss & Moor for hosting us so brilliantly and providing such a warm welcome, and to Alyson for visiting the centres and presenting her findings in such an engaging way too. It was great to see lots of notes being taken!”

Alyson made unannounced visits to member garden centres in the North area across a 12-week period.

She said: “It’s wonderful to see how well GCA member garden centres in this region have performed this year. Each centre should be very proud of its achievements. It’s also lovely to see members embracing the inspection process and using the feedback they receive in a positive way to drive their businesses even further forward.”

The full results, including runners up, where relevant, for the North region GCA area awards are as follows for the DGC, GC and LGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year:

DCG

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Cowell’s Garden Centre
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont
4.  

LGC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre:

1. RHS Harlow Carr
2. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers

The Paul Cooling Award for Environment and Sustainability:

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Fron Goch Garden Centre

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service:

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Moss & Moor

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose):

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Gordale Garden Centre

GC

1. Cowell’s Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont
3. Simpsons Garden Centre, Inveness

LGC

1. British Garden Centres, Harrogate
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer:

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Gordale Garden Centre
3. Bents Garden and Home

GC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stokesley
2. Cowell’s Garden Centre
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont

LGC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant:

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Gordale Garden Centre
3. Barton Grange Garden Centre

GC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Astbury
2. Klondyke Garden Centre,Wilmslow
3. Yorkshire Garden Centres, Tingley and Fron Goch Garden Centre – JOINT THIRD PLACE

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Howdens, Klondyke Garden Centre, Holland Arms, Anglesey, Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside and Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers – JOINT WINNERS

Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer:

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Hayes Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, High Legh

LGC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
2. RHS Harlow Carr
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Stringers

Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer:

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre 
3. Hayes Garden Centre

GC

1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Houghton Hall, Klondyke Garden Centre, High Legh, and  Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont – JOINT RUNNERS UP
3. Moss & Moor and Notcutts Woodford Park Garden Centre – JOINT THIRD PLACE

LGC

1. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside

Food Hall/Farm Shop Award

DGC

1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden and Home
3. Tong Garden Centre

GC

1. Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Polmont
3. Klondyke Garden Centre, Houghton Hall and Notcutts Rivendell – JOINT THIRD PLACE

LGC – please note, there are only two garden centres in this category

1. Dunbar Garden Centre
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Beverley

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity:

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Fairways Garden Centre, Macclesfield

Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer

DGC

1. Bents Garden and Home
2. Barton Grange Garden Centre
3. Hayes Garden centre

GC

1. Cowell’s Garden Centre
2. Simpsons Garden Centre, Inveness
3. Fron Goch Garden Centre

LGC

1. Klondyke Garden Centre, Daleside
2. Klondyke Garden Centre, Weaver Vale
3. RHS Harlow Carr

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market Pillaton Garden Centre, a family-run garden centre near Penkridge in South Staffordshire.

The 5.5-acre site is immaculately presented and contains well-specified plant growing facilities, a large covered external retail area, a popular tea room/restaurant which serves around 100 covers, outside seating, and a circa 140-space car park. The site’s characterful buildings have been sensitively refurbished and modernised over the years, and the centre is known for offering a unique high-end retail experience and for its excellent tea room.

The centre is well-known for its home-grown bedding plants and shrubs produced in poly tunnels, some of which are heated by a recently installed ground source heat pump which significantly reduces energy costs.

Situated in a prominent position on a busy road between Stafford and Wolverhampton, the centre offers considerable scope for further growth under new ownership, such as the development of the plant sales side of the business, introducing new concessions to add revenue streams, increasing the outside seating space, and hosting more events on-site.

The centre has been owned and run by Paul and Sarah Heathcote for many years. Sarah commented, “We have had the best time at Pillaton Garden Centre, creating a luxury centre for everyone to enjoy where almost everything is home grown, and in the tea room, everything is homemade by us! 

“Every year, the garden centre has grown in footfall, and our customers are so loyal, they come back year after year. Everything we have done is aesthetically pleasing to the highest standard – it has taken a lot of time and work to achieve this, but when you walk into the centre or tea room and see it buzzing with people enjoying themselves, it’s well worth all the hard work. 

“Pillaton was just a piece of land before we started, and now it is a fantastic, profitable business that we are so proud of. A huge thanks go to our conscientious staff who have helped us grow into the business we are today. 

“The business now needs to move on to the next level, with further investment to grow even more. We look forward to seeing who will take on this fantastic garden centre and go on to create their own dreams and aspirations. The centre is a super investment, and with the fantastic staff we already have, you need very little knowledge of garden centres to succeed. It will run itself!”

Tom Glanvill, Director at Christie & Co, is managing the sale and said, “Pillaton garden centre is a charming site offering top-quality plants and top-quality team rooms. The site has huge potential to grow the horticultural and garden centre sales, as well as the opportunity for more events to make the most of the large grounds around the centre. It would be an ideal bolt-on for an existing garden centre operator looking to expand, as the business has a strong and experienced team. It would also be an ideal opportunity for a buyer looking to enter the sector. In 2024, almost 50% of the garden centres we sold were purchased by people who were new to the industry, many of whom are now looking for a second site!”

The centre freehold is on the market with price on application. To find out more, visit: https://www.christie.com/4211101/

SOLEX 2025, which took place at the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday until Thursday, has been hailed as a great success, with exhibitors and visitors alike agreeing it had been a memorable show.

The hot weather brough crowds of visitors to see the latest products in the outdoor leisure and bbq sectors.

As SOLEX 2025 came to a close, LOFA Chairman, Steve Millington, reflected on another very successful event.

SOLEX 2025 was Steve's second show as LOFA Chairman as he is now halfway through his three year period at the helm of the organisation.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has attended SOLEX this year and the exhibitors which we've had more than 2024. It's been a great show, which I think has been helped by the weather this year and it appears the surplus stock from previous years has now all sold through. So that led us into SOLEX in a great position where buyers could come and look at all the new products and place their orders for 2026.

"As Tom Chambers we've picked up at least four new businesses who've placed container orders at the show which is very encouraging.

"I now hope the good weather continues for soe more great outdoor leisure in the garden.

"I'd like to thank everyone who attended our F1 event on Tuesday night which was a massive success. After last year’s inaugural Euro 2024 event with Dion Dublin, “Crofty” from Sky Sports was a brilliant presenter. Not only did he engage with people on the stage, but he was also quite comfortable with engaging with them off stage and spending the whole evening with us. Right through to the finale of the simulator challenge which he commentated on. It was just an absolute absolutely brilliant evening, something for us to build on for 2026.

"The dates for SOLEX 2025 are 7^th to 9^th July, back here in Hall 5 at the NEC.  I look forward to seeing everyone back here then.  Thank you."

LOFA's General Manager and SOLEX Event Director Gina Hinde revealed she has been overwhelmed with the response from exhibitors and visitors to the show. Find out what she had to say about this year’s event.

Gina said “We've had a really, really good show this year. I think the weather's helped a lot. It means we've had a beautiful spring and summer and the stands at SOLEX have all looked absolutely fabulous. There have been loads of new products, loads of new colours, textures, fabrics and barbecues, The exhibitors have all pulled out all the stops. There have been ten new exhibitors here that we haven't had before, which is amazing. And from what feedback I've heard it has been an absolutely brilliant show. Some people have even taken orders, some of the very big orders.

"We've had new visitors and different visitors as well. We've tried to make sure that we're appealing to a different genre of customers which has hopefully been reflected by the visitors that have come in this year.

"My highlight of SOLEX is getting to see all the LOFA members in one place, speaking to them all, making sure they're all okay. Making sure they’re having a good time. Getting to see everybody in one place and getting to talk to people that I wouldn't normally get to talk to, and then seeing all the visitors, that's what I like about the show."

Eco Fuego, Kadai, Zest, Broil King, HEX Living and Hartman were announced as the winners of the SOLEX 2025 Awards, which were presented at the NEC this evening.

The honours were announced at the SOLEX Awards Ceremony & F1 Afterparty – a night of celebration and networking after the first day of the show hosted by Sky Sports F1 commentator David "Crofty" Croft.

The winners were:

Best Eco-Friendly Product

Winner: Eco Fuego – El Grande Fire Pit

Judge’s comments: “Great design, great fuel idea, practical.”

Best BBQ

Winner: Kadai – Plancha

Judge’s comments: “Visually stunning and simple design, unique vents for creating heatspots, excellent use of volcanic beads for improving insulation.’

Best Individual Product

Zest Outdoor – Ludlow Corner Pergola

Judge’s comments: “Good design and colour, and practical for today’s market.”

Best Furniture

Zest Outdoor – Terraza Kitchen Island Set

Judge’s comments: “Overall great product.”

Best Small Stand

OMC Barbecues/Broil King

Judge’s comments: “Excellent branding, POS and overall presentation.”

Best Medium Stand

HEX Living

Judge’s comments: “Clean, modern planters and planting make a difference – lovely fragrance. Stand open and not cluttered, room to move about. Clean and modern looking.”

Best Large Stand

Hartman

Judge’s comments: “A fabulous stand with a great variety of garden furniture to suit any age and pocket.”

After the awards "Crofty" kindly auctioned the cardboard F1 drivers to the audience raising over £2,500 for Greenfingers and Perennial charities.

The Green Heart at Glee 2025 (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham) is flourishing with fresh energy and an outstanding line-up of leading plant and nursery specialists.

Returning favourites – including Darby Nurseries, Grafton, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Pond Plants UK, New Leaf Plants, Craigmarloch Nurseries, Gardeners Kitchen and Anglo Aquatic – will once again take centre stage, joined by exciting new names such as Lovania, Golden Grove, HSK, and Farplants. Together, they’ll transform this much-loved zone into a lush, vibrant hub bursting with seasonal inspiration and horticultural excellence.

Anglo Aquatic Plants, crowned Best Stand Winner in 2024, returns this year to defend its title – a testament to the high calibre of displays that define the Green Heart and set the tone for quality plant retailing across the show.

Also returning in 2025 is the Green Heart Café, offering a relaxed, welcoming space for plant buyers and retailers to pause, connect and take stock. Nestled among a stunning array of plants and greenery, the café provides the perfect spot to rest, regroup and soak up the atmosphere of this thriving marketplace.

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Sipcam Home & Garden is proud to announce that its pioneering ecofective® garden care Spray Pouch range has been recognised with a prestigious Environmental Packaging Award - a win that celebrates innovation, sustainability, and meaningful change at shelf-level and beyond.

ecofective® won the Environmental Packaging Awards - Household Goods category, with stiff competition from top tier brands such as Shark.

Launched in 2024, the ecofective® Spray Pouch range introduced a ground-breaking packaging concept never seen before in the garden care market: a flexible pouch paired with an integrated spray nozzle.

The Spray Pouches have proved to be super easy to use in a one-handed operation, offering both convenience and conscious consumption. By using up to 55% less plastic than conventional rigid bottles, ecofective® Spray Pouches provide gardeners with highly effective results, while dramatically reducing environmental impact.

The award-winning range includes four core formulations that reflect ecofective®’s promise of eco-friendly performance:

• Slug Stoppa - an eco-way to shield edible and non-edible plants from slugs and snails, without hurting them and the winner of the 2024 GIMA Sword of Excellence. 
• Bug Stoppa - Physical control of a wide spectrum of pests including greenfly, blackfly, spider mite, and scale insect.
• Disease Stoppa - Shields plants from common diseases like powdery mildew by creating an invisible protective barrier.
• Rose Defender - Dual-action protection and nutrition for bright, healthy blooms, free from bugs and mildew.

ecofective® aims to bring to market products that not only provide effective solutions to common gardening problems but do so without negatively impacting the environment. All products are pesticide-free, wildlife friendly and safe for use around children and pets.

Beyond their environmental credentials, the spray pouches offer standout in-store presence. Their full-surface branding creates eye-catching, seamless packaging design, while their weather-proof construction allows for merchandising both indoors and in undercover outdoor spaces—ideal for secondary placements and link sales.

This award recognises not only packaging excellence but a vision for a better, more responsible future in home and garden care. ecofective® is honoured to receive it and is proud to lead the charge towards a greener tomorrow. 

The accolade reinforces support for the ecofective® brand breaking the norm of plastic bottles and giving retailers a wonderful opportunity to support sustainable solutions. 

Speak to the Sipcam Home & Garden team today about how you can encourage UK gardener’s to ‘Bin the Bottle’ and pick up a pouch! Email – enquiries@sipcmhg.co.uk

Corby + Fellas is delighted to announce our partnership with Highfield Garden World, a truly prestigious institution in the horticultural world.

Highfield Garden World's story began in 1920 as The Western Forestry and Willow Company, a specialized nursery in Pembrokeshire. Over the decades, it evolved, adapting and expanding, even earning multiple gold medals at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show for their exceptional fruit gardens. In 1992, they opened their current garden centre site in Whitminster, which has since grown significantly, adding new buildings, an expanded plant area, and even developing their food service with ‘The Restaurant’. Celebrating its centenary in 2020, Highfield Garden World stands as a testament to enduring quality and innovation, with three generations of the founding family still actively involved.

We are incredibly proud to be working with such a respected and long-standing business. The implementation of our cutting-edge WinRetail will further enhance Highfield Garden World's operational efficiency and customer experience.

We look forward to a successful partnership with Highfield Garden World, supporting their continued growth and commitment to excellence.

For more information on Highfield Garden World, please visit their About Us page