British Garden Centres confirms acquisition of Dobbies Morpeth
British Garden Centres has today announced the acquisition of the Dobbies centre in Morpeth, taking its portfolio to 69 sites. The Morpeth site hopes to open in early to mid-March and will revert back to its original name of Heighley Gate Garden Centre...
British Garden Centres has today announced the acquisition of the Dobbies centre in Morpeth, taking its portfolio to 69 sites.
The Morpeth site hopes to open in early to mid-March and will revert back to its original name of Heighley Gate Garden Centre, with the group very much wishing to embrace the heritage of the site. British Garden Centres is retaining the existing centre team and looks forward to working with them to build on the existing strengths of the site, ensuring it will become a top destination garden centre.
The centre will look to recruit additional roles into the team to support the growth. The job vacancies will be posted on the British Garden Centres website (www.britishgardencentres.com/careers ) and Heighley Gate's social media pages.
For other updates on the centre and opening please keep an eye on the Heighley Gate Garden Centre’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Charles Stubbs, Founder and Director of British Garden Centres said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Heighley Gate store and teams into the British Garden Centres family. Our priority for the next few weeks is to work with the passionate team to ensure a smooth transition and swift reopening for the local community. We are excited to continue growing and strengthening our presence across the UK as the largest family-run garden centre group.”
British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 69 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
BGC was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018 it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now with 69 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.
The group has a team of 2,700 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.
 |
|
 |
 |
Respected and prominent horticulture industry professional, James Barnes, has been appointed as an advisor to Dobbies Garden Centres, as the team implement their growth plans.
James has 30 years of wide ranging experience in the garden centre industry, and has been Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) since 2018. James led the growth and sale of Dobbies, after transforming the turnover of the business, and now the Dobbies’ team is looking forward drawing on his industry knowledge and wider business expertise.
James Barnes said: “I have a long history with Dobbies, it’s a really fantastic business, and I’m excited to be in a position where I can work with David and his senior team on their robust plans for growth.”
David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies, said: “I’ve enjoyed my meetings with James since joining Dobbies and it’s brilliant to formalise this relationship. James is a hugely respected figure in the industry who is ideally placed to work with us as we accelerate our plans for growth.
“He knows Dobbies incredibly well, and as we start our 160th year of helping British gardeners to grow, it’s great to share the news of his appointment.”
GIMA members have a conversation with Dobbies today (Wednesday 5th February) but we are unable to report on the conversation as the trade media were not invited to attend.
 |
 |

Corby + Fellas has announced that Cranborne Garden Centre has implemented itsacclaimed WinRetail system to run the garden centre and restaurant operations.
Cranborne Garden Centre is set in the walled, former kitchen garden of Cranborne Manor in the beautiful Dorset countryside. The gardens are truly beautiful and the café is not to be missed, along with a stunning garden room.
A spokesperson for Corby + Fellas said: “Many thanks to Claire Whitehead and her team and C+F’s Grant Davis for ensuring a smooth and effortless transition. We look forward to a long and harmonious relationship with Cranborne, almost our 100th customer.”
https://www.cranbornegardencentre.co.uk/
 |
 |
GTN’s Greatest Christmas Award winners revealed
Gold awards for the teams at Harrogate BGC, Brigg BGC, Cook’s, Birkacre, Pugh’s Radyr, Bents, Ruxley Manor Monkton Elm, Pugh's Radyr & Wenvoe, Newquay, Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Gates, Wolseley Bridge BGC, Webbs Wychbold

Harrogate BGC, Brigg BGC, Cook’s, Birkacre, Pugh’s Radyr, Bents have picked up Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Team golds in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, presented at Spring Fair on Monday. Smart Garden - Three Kings walked away with The Greatest Christmas Supplier gold...
See all the photos from the Awards presentations at Spring Fair

Harrogate BGC, Brigg BGC, Cook’s, Birkacre, Pugh’s Radyr, Bents have picked up Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Team golds in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, presented at Spring Fair on Monday. Smart Garden - Three Kings walked away with The Greatest Christmas Supplier gold...
Here are all the winners:
The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team – Sponsored by Woodlodge

GOLD AWARD: Webbs Wychbold
SILVER AWARD: Newquay
BRONZE AWARD: Haskins Snowhill
HIGHLY COMMENDED; Studley BGC; Snowdonia Nurseries
Finalists
- Brigg BGC
- Gates
- Haskins Snowhill
- Klondyke High Legh
- Newquay Garden Centre
- Perrywood Tiptree
- Rutland Garden Nursery
- Snowdonia Nurseries
- Squires Badshot Lea
- Studley BGC
- Webbs Wychbold
The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team - Sponsored by Pelsis Doff

GOLD AWARD
Wolseley Bridge BGC
SILVER AWARD
Coolings Rushmore Hill
Gates
BRONZE AWARD
Pugh's Wenvoe & Radyr
HIGHLY COMMENDED
St Peter’s
Poundbury
Jacksons Boutique
Finalists
- Elleker Lodge
- Gates
- Haskins Ferndown
- Meadowcroft
- Newbridge Blue Diamond
- Pengelly Garden Centre
- Poundbury
- Pugh's
- Wentworth
- Wolseley Bridge BGC
The Greatest Gardening as a Christmas Gift Sales Team - Sponsored by Fandango Fire Tools

GOLD AWARD
Gates
SILVER AWARD
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
Notcutts Rivendell
BRONZE AWARD
Newbridge Blue Diamond
Finalists
- Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
- Gates
- Glendoick
- Newbridge Blue Diamond
- Notcutts Rivendell
- Wentworth
The Greatest Christmas Gifts Team – Sponsored by Museums and Galleries

GOLD AWARD
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
SILVER AWARD
Gates
BRONZE AWARD
Perrywood Tiptree
Finalists
- Brigg BGC
- Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
- Gates
- Glendoick
- Old Railway Line
- Perrywood Tiptree
- Raemoir
- Rutland Garden Nursery
- Wentworth
The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Promotions Team - Sponsored by Glee

GOLD AWARD
Pugh’s
SILVER AWARD
Alton
BRONZE AWARD
Albrighton BGC
Finalists
- Albrighton BGC
- Alton
- Keydell
- Old Railway Line
- Pengelly
- Pugh's
The Greatest Christmas BBQ and Outdoor Leisure Team – The SOLEX Sizzle - Sponsored by SOLEX

GOLD AWARD
Newquay
SILVER AWARD
Polhill
BRONZE AWARD
Alton
Finalists
- Alton
- Cambridge Home & Garden
- Newquay Garden Centre
- Old Railway Line
- Planters Tamworth
- Polhill
The Greatest Festive Retail Food Team – Sponsored by Pleydell Smithyman

GOLD AWARD
Pugh's Radyr & Wenvoe
SILVER AWARD
Gates
BRONZE AWARD
Notcutts Rivendell
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Beckworth Blue Diamond
Finalists
- Beckworth Blue Diamond
- Bow Garden & Aquatics
- Chessington
- Garsons Esher
- Gates
- Glendoick
- Notcutts Rivendell
- Pughs Radyr & Wenvoe
- Ruxley Manor
- St Peters
The Greatest Christmas Wild Bird Care & Pet Team - Sponsored by Marriages

GOLD AWARD
Monkton Elm
SILVER AWARD
Ruxley Manor
BRONZE AWARD
Notcutts Solihull
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Wolseley Bridge BGC
Finalists
- Fairways
- Gates
- Hillmount Ards
- Monkton Elm
- Notcutts Solihull
- Ruxley Manor
- Webbs
- Wolseley Bridge BGC
The Greatest Garden Centre Grotto Team - Sponsored by Smart Garden Products – Three Kings

GOLD AWARD
Ruxley Manor
SILVER AWARD
Gouldings Santa Experience
BRONZE AWARD
Baytree
Finalists
- Baytree
- Chessington
- Coolings Lifestyle
- Gouldings
- Hillmount Belfast
- Keydell
- Rosebank
- Ruxley Manor
- Wentworth
The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Supplier Team – As voted for by the Garden Centre Teams visited by the judges this year

GOLD AWARD
Smart Garden - Three Kings
SILVER AWARD
Festive
BRONZE AWARD
Kaemingk
Finalists
- Coach House
- Festive
- Florasilk
- Giftware Trading
- Gisela Graham
- Kaemingk
- Premier
- Richard Lang
- Seasonal Group
- Smart Garden
The Greatest Group Small Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Woodmansterne

GOLD AWARD
Harrogate BGC
SILVER AWARD
Studley BGC
BRONZE AWARD
Wolseley Bridge BGC
Finalists
- Albrighton BGC
- Brockworth BGC
- Garden King
- Harrogate BGC
- Hemel BGC
- Studley BGC
- Wolseley Bridge BGC
The Greatest Group Large Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Tildenet

GOLD AWARD
Brigg BGC
SILVER AWARD
Notcutts Rivendell
Sanders Blue Diamond
BRONZE AWARD
Arcadia BGC
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Haskins Snowhill
Finalists
- Arcadia BGC
- Brigg BGC
- Haskins Snowhill
- Klondyke High Legh
- Notcutts Oxford
- Notcutts Rivendell
- Ramsgate BGC
- Sanders Blue Diamond
- Squires Badshot Lea
Judges Special Awards

GOLD AWARDS – The Greatest Christmas in Adversity Teams
Pengelly
The Old Well Garden Centres
GOLD AWARD – The Greatest Christmas Outdoor Event Team
Webbs Wychbold

GOLD AWARD - The Greatest Group at Christmas
British Garden Centres
The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Garden Radio

GOLD AWARD
Cook’s
SILVER AWARD
Munro's
BRONZE AWARD
Poundbury
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
Rutland Garden Nursery
Finalists
- Cook’s
- Duchy of Cornwall Nursery
- Munro’s
- Norwich Camping & leisure
- Poundbury
- Rutland Garden Nursery
The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by Kaemingk

GOLD AWARD
Birkacre
SILVER AWARD
Castle Gardens
BRONZE AWARD
Glendoick
Finalists
- Birkacre
- Bosworths
- Castle Gardens
- Glendoick
- Jacksons Boutique
- Newquay Garden Centre
- Silverbirch
The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by MorePeople

GOLD AWARD
Pugh’s Radyr
SILVER AWARD
Garsons Titchfield
BRONZE AWARD
Old Railway Line
Wentworth
Finalists
- Garsons Titchfield
- Hillmount Belfast
- Meadowcroft
- Old Railway Line
- Pugh’s Radyr
- Raemoir
- Thetford
- Wentworth
The Greatest Giant Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Kaemingk

GOLD AWARD
Bents
SILVER AWARD
Perrywood Tiptree
BRONZE AWARD
Gates
Finalists
- Barton Grange
- Bents
- Garsons Esher
- Gates
- Perrywood Tiptree
- Ruxley Manor
- Webbs Wychbold
The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team as voted for by customers

GOLD AWARD: Birkacre
SILVER AWARD: Allbrighton BGC Greatest from a Group
BRONZE AWARD: Keydell Nurseries Greatest in the South of England

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Hillmount Belfast Greatest in Northern Ireland
Newquay Greatest in the South West
Old Railway Line Greatest in Wales - equal
Snowdonia Nurseries Greatest in Wales - equal
Trowell Greatest in the Midlands
Fakenham Greatest in East Anglia
Perrywood Tiptree Greatest in the South East
Pugh’s Radyr
Wolseley Bridge
Bow Garden & Aquatic Centre
Harrogate BGC Greatest in the North
Munro's Nurseries Greatest in Scotland - equal
Trioscape
Mackenzie & Cruickshank Greatest in Scotland - equal
Azure Garden Centre
Brockworth BGC
Bosworths Burton Latimer
Top 30 2024 as voted for by customers – Finalists
- Albrighton BGC
- Alton
- Azure Garden Centre
- Birkacre
- Bosworths Burton Latimer
- Bow Garden & Aquatic Centre
- Braintree BGC
- Bridgnorth BGC
- Brockworth BGC
- Fakenham Garden Centre
- Garden King
- Harrogate BGC
- Hillmount Bangor
- Hillmount Belfast
- Keydell Nurseries
- Mackenzie & Cruickshank
- Munro's
- Newquay Garden Centre
- Old Railway Line
- Perrywood Sudbury
- Perrywood Tiptree
- Planters Bretby
- Pugh’s Radyr
- Pugh’s Wenvoe
- Roxton BGC
- Snowdonia Nurseries
- Summerhill
- Trioscape
- Trowell
- Wolseley Bridge BGC
Watch out for The Greatest Christmas Awards photo tours of the centres in future issues of GTN Xtra, starting this coming weekend and in the next issue of GTN magazine.
 |
 |
LBC Ultralight Clogs are a popular choice
GTN Xtra Promotion

The LBC Clogs are popular for casual wear, gardening, or as slip-on shoes for various tasks, as they are easy to clean and provide good support...

The LBC Clogs are popular for casual wear, gardening, or as slip-on shoes for various tasks, as they are easy to clean and provide good support.
Key features of ultralight Clogs include:
- Lightweight construction: Designed to minimize weight, made from the same EVA lightweight material as our award-winning Ankle Boots.
- Comfort: All have cushioned footbeds & an ergonomic shape for all-day wear.
-
- Easy to clean: Their smooth, durable surface makes them simple to rinse off after outdoor use.

Contact Kevin or Charlie at LBC (Ultralight) Boots kevin@leonbootsco.com or charlie@leonbootsco.com
www.lbcboots.com
01934 315386
 |
 |

Award-winning garden centres, including Barton Grange (above) and Fron Goch (below), have been celebrating their prestigious GCA successes this week.

The winners of the Garden Centre Association’s most prestigious awards including its Garden Centres of Excellence were announced at its annual conference.
The awards ceremony took place at the De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading.
Chief Executive at the GCA, Peter Burks, says: “We had a wonderful evening crowning our overall champion of champions and our ‘Garden Centres of Excellence’ winners. They have all been recognised for their amazing dedication to delivering the very best within our industry and they couldn’t be more deserving of these fabulous awards.
“We were also delighted to announce our Associate of the Year, as voted for by our member garden centres and to present our Worrall Cup to the garden centre the judges’ felt entered the best marketing too.
“We had a great second day at our 2025 conference. I’d like to thank our sponsors for helping make it all happen, especially Taylors Bulbs for sponsoring the day, The Horti House for our stage plants, Davidson Richards for helping keep us well fuelled by sponsoring our morning tea/coffee break, Quinton Edwards for our Tuesday champagne reception and Bon Bon’s for our delicious after-dinner chocolates. They all played a vital role in ensuring our Tuesday went so well, thank you.”
The full list of winners announced on Tuesday, January 28 were:
Destination Garden Centre of the Year:
Winner: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Second & third place winners: Perrywood Garden Centre (above), Tiptree; Bents Garden & Home
Garden Centre of the Year:
Winner: Fron Goch Garden Centre
Second & third place winners: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre; Aylett Nurseries
Local Garden Centre of the Year:
Winner: Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst
Second & third place winners: Poundbury Gardens – The Gardens Group; Klondyke Garden Centre, Burnside
Garden Centres of Excellence:
Aylett Nurseries
Barton Grange Garden Centre
Bents Garden & Home
Fron Goch Garden Centre
Meadow Croft Garden Centre
Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Thurrock Garden Centre
Associate of the Year:
Winner: Lyme Bay Winery
Second & third place winners: Allensmore Nurseries Ltd; Smart Garden Products
The Worrall Cup:
Winner: Pugh’s Garden Centres
Second & third place winners: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre; Poplars Garden Centre
 |
 |

Gates Garden Centre, a family business with over 75 years of history, is pleased to announce the launch of a second location.
From February the 1st Dobbies Stapleton, formerly known as Woodlands Garden Centre, near to Hinckley in Leicestershire has officially been known as Gates Woodlands Hinckley.
This highly popular destination will continue to serve gardeners and shoppers from across the region, with the existing team remaining in place, bringing their expert knowledge and dedication to exceptional customer service. Due to the expansion of the site with additional products and services, there will also be a recruitment drive for new keen, talented team members.
Nigel Gates commented 'The Gates team are excited to collaborate with their new colleagues, enhancing and expanding the existing infrastructure to deliver the signature Gates brand experience at this much-loved Garden Centre.'
Following a brief refurbishment period, the centre will reopen, retaining all shop-in-shop concessions to ensure a seamless and familiar experience for visitors.
 |
 |
Henton and Chattell agrees to acquire Newark site

Henton and Chattell has signed Heads of Terms to acquire the Newark depot from Farmstar Ltd. This acquisition is a key strategic move, allowing Henton and Chattell to enhance its operations and strengthen its position as a leading dealer in agricultural, groundcare, and garden machinery...

Henton and Chattell has signed Heads of Terms to acquire the Newark depot from Farmstar Ltd. This acquisition is a key strategic move, allowing Henton and Chattell to enhance its operations and strengthen its position as a leading dealer in agricultural, groundcare, and garden machinery.
While the Heads of Terms have been agreed, the finalisation of the deal is underway. Plans are firmly in place to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for customers and staff, with uninterrupted service guaranteed throughout the process.
The Newark depot will remain fully operational throughout the transition, with all current staff being retained by Henton and Chattell. This acquisition not only preserves the excellent service already provided by Farmstar Newark but also introduces new product ranges to the region.
Managing Director of Henton and Chattell, Peter Chaloner, stated: "This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for Henton and Chattell to grow while continuing the exceptional service that Farmstar has provided to customers in the East Midlands. The site offers significant synergies for our business and ample space to expand, supporting our growth plans. We look forward to welcoming the Newark team into the Henton and Chattell family and bringing new product ranges to the area."
The Newark site will focus on agricultural, groundcare, and garden machinery, reflecting Henton and Chattell’s commitment to delivering industry-leading products and services. This acquisition aligns perfectly with the company’s long-term growth strategy, further cementing its reputation as a trusted dealer for leading manufacturers such as Kubota, Baroness, and Yamaha.
Further updates will be provided upon completion of the acquisition.
 |
 |

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the re-letting of two Dobbies garden centres in Gosforth and Stratford-on-Avon, as well as the sale of Chelston Nurseries in Somerset.
Christie & Co was instructed by several landlords affected by the Dobbies restructuring process. The centre in Gosforth has been let to British Garden Centres, whilst the Stratford centre will be rebranded ‘Warwick Garden Centre’ and operated by the owners of the nearby Stratford Garden Centre. Both operators are undertaking refurbishments and restocking, in preparation for spring trade.
Chelston Nurseries, located near Wellington in Somerset, has been sold to local garden centre operator Richard King, who owns sites in Sidmouth and Exmouth, trading as Kings Garden and Leisure.
There has been a high level of activity in the garden centre market so far this year, and Christie & Co anticipates a further four sales in February. These transactions and record viewing levels reflect the strong demand for quality sites across the country.
Tom Glanvill, Director – Garden Centres at Christie & Co, said: “We finished 2024 with an exceptional run of transactions, and I am really pleased to see this momentum carry forward into 2025, with garden centres remaining one of the most sought-after trading businesses.”
 |
 |
HTA launches Plant Retail Success Initiative

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the launch of the Plant Retail Success Initiative, designed to support HTA members in maximising plant sales and related categories such as containers, growing media, and garden care through garden centres...

The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the launch of the Plant Retail Success Initiative, designed to support HTA members in maximising plant sales and related categories such as containers, growing media, and garden care through garden centres.
The initiative provides consumer insights, essential e-learning, and practical guidance to help retailers enhance their commercial performance while improving customer success with plant-related products.
Fran Barnes, CEO of the HTA, said: "We’re pleased to have collaborated with the Garden Centre Association and our retail, grower, and manufacturer members to introduce the Plant Retail Success initiative. Plant Retail Success offers valuable insights, research, and training to support the growth of profitable plant retailing. By understanding, inspiring, and supporting the UK’s 30 million gardeners, we aim to provide members with the tools to keep customers engaged, drive repeat visits, and increase average transaction values."
David Denny, HTA Director of Research & Insights, adds: “We’re delighted to be able to work with our members to bring together the knowledge and experience they have to drive strong plant sales. Combined with the consumer research and retail data analysis the HTA can provide, this initiative shares practical examples and ideas for how we can all inspire and support gardeners’ success with plants. And when gardeners are inspired and succeed, the whole supply chain – growers, retailers, and manufacturers of related categories all reap the commercial returns in a challenging economic climate.”
The Plant Retail Success initiative consolidates new and pre-existing materials to equip HTA members with the knowledge and strategies they need to thrive in an evolving market. When plants sell successfully, the entire supply chain benefits—from retailers and growers to manufacturers of related goods such as growing media, fertilisers, and containers.
The HTA has collaborated closely with the Garden Centre Association, HTA’s committees, and individual HTA members to develop the Plant Retail Success initiative. This collaboration underscores the HTA's commitment to bringing businesses together across the supply chain for mutual success.
The Plant Retail Success initiative provides HTA members with access to several key resources which help them to either:
- Improve commercial performance within their businesses
- Enhance customer success with the products they purchase
These resources are designed to serve as flexible guidelines, offering valuable insights without being prescriptive. Members are encouraged to adapt the materials to fit their unique business needs.
All resources within the Plant Retail Success initiative will be available for members to download through the HTA website. For further details visit hta.org.uk/plant-retail-success
 |
 |
How consumers are searching for garden products online
Door4, a specialist in home and garden performance marketing, has conducted an in-depth analysis of current search trends in the gardening sector. This study highlights the categories and products gaining traction among UK consumers while also identifying those seeing a decline in interest.

Door4, a specialist in home and garden performance marketing, has conducted an in-depth analysis of current search trends in the gardening sector. This study highlights the categories and products gaining traction among UK consumers while also identifying those seeing a decline in interest.
“While search volumes have naturally decreased from the extraordinary peaks seen during the UK's lockdowns, many categories have stabilised at levels notably higher than pre-pandemic figures” says Sean Dwyer, Door4’s Managing Director. “This represents a sustained shift in consumer interest rather than a simple decline, with particularly encouraging patterns for equipment suppliers.”
Core garden equipment, such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and strimmers, have remained at a consistent level of interest. But the data shows a rising interest in robot and cordless lawn mowers, where searches for robot lawn mowers have skyrocketed by over 222%, while cordless lawn mowers have seen an impressive 250% increase. These trends emphasise the growing consumer demand for innovative, time-saving, and convenient gardening solutions. Interestingly, the data suggests the "research season" for robot lawnmowers is getting longer each year, with meaningful search volume extending further into summer months in recent years.
Another trend to watch according to the research is how outdoor tiles are outshining traditional paving. While searches for patio and garden paving have shown only modest growth over the past decade, outdoor tiles are emerging as the frontrunner, with search interest steadily climbing. This trend underscores an evolving preference for sleek, modern outdoor aesthetics.
It’s also a positive story for Greenhouse manufacturers and retailers, as Greenhouse-related searches have exceeded pre-Covid levels since 2022, signaling robust and sustained interest in these products among UK gardeners.
Looking at how consumers are laying their lawns, there are some clear trends. Searches for grass seed have gradually risen over the past ten years, and turf remains a consistent favourite. However, artificial grass has seen the steepest decline, reflecting shifting consumer preferences toward natural lawn solutions.
Garden shed searches exhibit pronounced seasonality, confirming that brands need to be on the ball to optimise their spend for these peaks. Awareness campaigns are most effective in early spring, with targeted sales efforts yielding the best results in April. A secondary spike occurs in September, following a quiet summer period.
A final key takeout from the research is how garden brands can broaden their discoverability. While searches for garden-related advice have halved compared to the 2020-21 lockdown period, “garden inspiration” remains the most searched term in this category. The seasonal pattern of inspiration-seeking presents a clear opportunity for brands to engage audiences with fresh ideas, especially during the February to May period when search interest is most active.
“The data underscores the importance of understanding evolving consumer preferences and leveraging search trends to drive business growth in the gardening sector,” says Dwyer.
He adds: “Analysing search trends offers businesses a unique window into the collective mindset of their target audience. By examining what users are searching for, companies can gain real-time insights into consumer interests, concerns and preferences. This data enables businesses to identify emerging trends, seasonal behaviours and shifts in demand – especially valuable in the gardening sector.
“Companies can use these insights to refine their content strategies, ensuring they create relevant and engaging materials that align with current search queries. For example, producing blog posts, videos, or social media content that directly addresses trending topics can improve visibility and engagement. Ultimately, leveraging search trends helps businesses remain agile, data-driven, and consumer-focused, which is critical for long-term success in a dynamic market landscape.”
 |
 |
Mark your diaries now for Glee 2025

Following the resounding success of the 2024 event, Glee is set to return to the NEC Birmingham from 16th to 18th September 2025, promising an even more spectacular showcase of the garden retail sector...

Following the resounding success of the 2024 event, Glee is set to return to the NEC Birmingham from 16th to 18th September 2025, promising an even more spectacular showcase of the garden retail sector.
As the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade exhibition, Glee continues to evolve, and this year’s reconfigured layout in NEC Halls 8-12 ensures an enhanced visitor experience with a fresh and dynamic feel.
With excitement building, Glee 2025 is already seeing an unprecedented level of exhibitor rebookings. From established big-name brands to innovative newcomers, the show floor is filling fast, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to this must-attend event. Visitors can look forward to a wealth of inspiring features, including cutting-edge product launches, engaging educational content, and opportunities to celebrate innovation, debate, and collaboration.
Adding to the anticipation, Glee 2025 is set to redefine the trade show experience with exciting new additions to its line-up. These updates aim to showcase the evolution of trade events, offering fresh perspectives and enhanced value for decision-makers and department heads. With an emphasis on creating meaningful connections and actionable insights, the forthcoming announcements promise to further solidify Glee’s position as a pivotal event in the garden retail calendar.
Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, commented: “The 2024 show set a new benchmark, and we’re thrilled to build on that momentum for 2025. The reconfiguration of the halls is a key step in ensuring we deliver a truly valuable and inspiring experience for exhibitors and visitors alike. We’re looking forward to unveiling new elements that reflect the evolving needs of the industry and highlight the importance of trade shows in driving business growth.”
As Glee continues to expand its offering, exciting additions to the 2025 programme will be announced in the coming months, showcasing the show’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the garden retail sector. For those looking to be part of the action, now is the time to secure your place and join the conversation shaping the future of garden retail.
Find out more
Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth, and promote innovation. To find out more or to register your interest in exhibiting, which will take place 16th – 18th September at the NEC, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
 |
 |

Yorkshire-based lighting and furniture supplier Pacific has announced acquisition of TOBS, which takes immediate effect.
TOBS, formerly known as The Old Basket Supply Ltd, was founded by George Krygier in the 1980’s and originally sold baskets through the street markets in and around London. It was incorporated in 1991 and latterly has been synonymous with supplying quality baskets and garden furniture to many retailers throughout the UK and Europe.
To facilitate George’s well earned retirement, the TOBS brand (along with all its assets, product design rights and employees) will now be part of the Pacific portfolio.
“We are delighted to have acquired such a well-established brand along with their experienced personnel. Although our initial priority will be to maintain “business as usual” we have some very exciting development plans for the future,” said Nigel Lawrence, Sales Director at Pacific Lifestyle.
 |
 |
Would you climb Kilimanjaro for the Greenfingers Charity?

Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? The Greenfingers Charity invites adrenaline seekers and bucket-list enthusiasts to take on an extraordinary challenge – climbing Kilimanjaro, the legendary ‘Roof of Africa’!

Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? The Greenfingers Charity invites adrenaline seekers and bucket-list enthusiasts to take on an extraordinary challenge – climbing Kilimanjaro, the legendary ‘Roof of Africa’!
Conquering Kilimanjaro is no small feat. The journey to the summit takes seven days, with nothing but a tent between you and the wilds of Africa. An elevation of 5,895m pushes bodies to the limit, with an overnight trek on summit day taking you to views that reach for hundreds of miles. It’s no wonder this challenge is often described as life changing.
Earmarked for 2026, this new event will enable fundraisers to take the Greenfingers Charity to the top of the world. Already confirmed to participate is Greenfingers ambassador and fundraising extraordinaire, Kate Ebbens, who is the driving force behind the challenge. Following on from her incredible 366-day fundraiser, Kate is now calling upon others to join her for this once in a lifetime opportunity to take Greenfingers to the highest point in Africa.
Organised by the expert team at Charity Challenge, this guided trek will take participants through Kilimanjaro’s spectacular landscapes. The seven-day route begins in the lush Lemosho Glades rainforest, ascending to the Shira Plateau, where the awe-inspiring, ice-capped Kibo Peak comes into view. From there, you’ll traverse the dramatic Southern Flank, tackle the Barranco Wall, and ascend the Barafu Route before reaching the summit.
This self-funded challenge isn’t just about testing your limits, it’s about supporting the vital work of Greenfingers Charity. From the moment you sign up, the Greenfingers team will be on hand to guide you through fundraising and communication efforts, ensuring you make the most of this rewarding experience.
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “Over the years, amazing fundraisers, like Kate, have proven time and again their unwavering determination to support Greenfingers. This Kilimanjaro challenge is no different. The trek is gruelling, with months of training followed by 7 tough days on the mountain. But the reward is immeasurable. Standing at the summit at dawn, knowing you’ve made a real difference for the children and families who benefit from Greenfingers hospice gardens, will be a memory to cherish forever. We very much hope you’ll join Kate for this unforgettable adventure.”
Get involved
Anyone interested in learning more about this exciting new fundraising opportunity is invited to reach out to Linda Petrons via linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk
Find out more
To learn more about the work of the Greenfingers Charity please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.
 |
 |
The Greenfingers Charity has announced an exciting opportunity for skilled gardeners to become a Garden Ambassadors.
Over the last 25 years, the Greenfingers Charity has designed and created nearly 70 magical gardens in children’s hospices across the UK. These spaces provide a backdrop to those children, families and staff that spend time in hospices. From a place to make memories, connect with nature or remember those we’ve lost, every inch of a Greenfingers garden holds deep connection.
To ensure these gardens continue to thrive as places of comfort and joy, the Greenfingers Charity is launching the all-new Garden Ambassador programme. This new role invites experienced gardeners to support the maintenance and development of Greenfingers gardens in children’s hospices within their local areas, helping them remain welcoming and accessible for hospice communities.
Garden Ambassadors will play a crucial role by working with Greenfingers and hospice teams to ensure the gardens are well-maintained, providing guidance and support (if needed) to hospice volunteers, and overseeing Greenfingers corporate garden volunteering days. Monthly status reports will help identify any issues and ensure the gardens remain usable and vibrant for everyone who relies on them.
This exciting position is ideal for self-employed gardeners who want to use their skills to make a meaningful impact. Applicants should have hands-on garden maintenance experience, strong plant knowledge, their own transport with a full driving licence, public liability insurance, and a DBS certificate. The role requires a commitment of one day per month per hospice garden, with a rate of pay set at £200 per day, including travel expenses.
Neil Sewell, Operations Director at Greenfingers Charity, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to use your gardening expertise to bring joy to families facing incredibly challenging times. Our gardens are sanctuaries of peace and beauty, and by becoming a Garden Ambassador in your local Greenfingers garden, you’ll play a vital role in keeping these special places vibrant and full of life.”
Anyone interested in becoming a Greenfingers Garden Ambassador is invited to send your CV and covering letter, along with a note of their nearest children’s hospice, to Neil directly via neil@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.
Find out more
To learn more about the work of the Greenfingers Charity please visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn.
 |
 |

The much-loved Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk is expanding its line-up this March (Friday 21st) with an exciting third route, as the South-West joins the roster.
Organised by Kate Turner of The Underground Podcast, and supported by Peter Burkes of the GCA, Durston Garden Products, and garden writer, blogger, and HTA Past President Alan Down, the South-West walk will make this fantastic fundraising event more accessible to Greenfingers Charity supporters in the region.
Starting and ending in Dartmoor, the new route will span 12 miles, including sections of the breathtaking Dartmoor National Park. Participants will experience its famous open moorlands, dramatic river valleys, and the iconic Dartmoor ponies as part of the challenge.
This year’s floral theme will be in full bloom throughout the South-West walk. From floral hats and scarves to jackets, leggings, and perhaps even some fancy dress, the day will be a joyful celebration of ‘flower power’, teamwork, and camaraderie.
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communication at Greenfingers Charity, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Kate and the team for bringing the South-West into the fold. Adding regional walks not only allows more people to get involved and increase our fundraising total, but it also helps spread the word about Greenfingers Charity to a wider audience of potential supporters, ambassadors, and donors. This third walk is a fantastic addition to our Garden Re-Leaf line-up, and we can’t wait to see it grow and flourish.”
Let’s make this Garden Re-Leaf Day bloom!
Don’t miss out on this incredible day of fun, fitness, and fundraising. Sign up now at www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/get-involved/garden-re-leaf-day-is-coming-soon and start planning your floral-themed outfit today. For more information, get in touch with the charity’s fundraising team at fundraising@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.
Please note, to help cover costs for medals, t-shirts, and other goodies, participants are asked to consider a £10 donation (or more!) on top of their fundraising efforts. For those who would like to lend a hand but can’t take part in the walk, the Greenfingers team would also love to hear from you about volunteering on the day.
 |
|
 |
 |

Gordale Garden and Home Centre in Neston raised £38,897.86 through its annual Santa’s Grotto with the money going to local charity The Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
The grotto operated from Saturday, November 30, 2024, until Monday, December 23, 2024 and The Hospice of the Good Shepherd directly benefited from all ticket sales from the event
The grotto was constructed by the in-store team of elves at Gordale before being handed over to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, who staffed it with dedicated volunteers.
Gordale Garden and Home Centre has become a beloved part of the community, offering a welcoming coffee shop with homemade treats, free parking for over 500 cars, and a strong commitment to local causes.
The grotto was a key component of the Gordale Gives Back campaign to support the community during the festive season. In addition to the Charity Grotto, the friendly Gordale team organised a collection for the local food bank.
Peter Nicholson, Managing Director of Gordale Garden Centre, said: “We are proud to host the Charity Santa’s Grotto at Gordale, which is always a popular event. For many visitors, it has become an annual tradition - families enjoy the magical experience whilst supporting a local charity during the season of goodwill.”
Sam Eastwood, Community and Events Fundraiser at Hospice of the Good Shepherd, remarked: “The funds raised will have a positive impact on our patients and their families. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Gordale, our volunteers, and everyone who visited.”
 |
 |

Alan Down, immediate past president of the Horticultural Trades Association, declared the newly refurbished houseplant area at Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil to be open.
Throughout January, the houseplant area was cleared to make way for a new polycarbonate greenhouse roof and automated ventilation system and has been fully restocked with a new and larger selection of houseplants.
More durable than glass and allowing for better climate control, UV protection and air flow, the new greenhouse roof, which was installed by Newspan, has helped the dedicated team create the perfect conditions for their wide range of houseplants. In keeping with The Gardens Group’s environmental and sustainability initiatives, Brimsmore Gardens is growing its range of peat free and British grown houseplants, with varieties from The Horti House and Opperman Plants among the products on offer.
Adam Wallis, site manager at Brimsmore Gardens, said: “This is an exciting development for Brimsmore Gardens as we continue to operate in a more sustainable and eco conscious way. We’re thrilled with this new greenhouse roof, as it means that we can give these plants the best conditions to thrive in, while reducing our impact on the environment. The polycarbonate helps shield plants from the sunlight, so leaves don’t get scorched, and helps with insulation, so we don’t need to use energy to heat the room unnecessarily.”
Brimsmore Gardens, which is part of The Gardens Group, is open seven days a week.
 |
 |
 
Town & Country has unveiled the launch of its new Greenhouse collection, complementing its growing range, which includes products such as the popular potting and growing trays. These practical greenhouses provide gardeners with several benefits that enable them to control the growing process and produce higher yields per plant, compared to traditional outdoor growing methods.
The range includes a tomato greenhouse, three tier, four tier, extra wide four tier, five tier and a walk-in greenhouse to meet the varying needs of gardeners and available outdoor space. Each greenhouse is made with a powder coated steel frame, a unique low profile shelf clip for easy assembly and practical usability, PE protective covers and heavy-duty twin zips for easy access.
Tomato Greenhouse
Tomatoes are one of the country’s most popular cultivated crops, making tomato greenhouses a popular choice for gardeners. Measuring 100x50x150cm and with a slanted roof for water to easily drain off, it is designed to fit growbags for quick and easy plant growth.
3 Tier Greenhouse
The 3 Tier Garden Greenhouse is perfect for propagating seeds, protecting young plants and improving growth. It has a pitched roof which provides additional room for plant growth and is easy to assemble without the need for tools. Measuring 69x49x125cm, it is ideal for small gardens, patios and balconies.
4 Tier Greenhouse
The 4 Tier Greenhouse is durable and practical, with a pitched roof and a cover that provides UV protection. Built on a robust steel frame, the four lightweight shelves have secure, easy to install fixings. Measuring 69x49x158cm, it is ideal for starting off and protecting young plants.
4 Tier Extra Wide Greenhouse
At 80cm in width, the 4 Tier Extra Wide Greenhouse provides more growing space suitable for wider trays to fit. The domed roof also allows for more growing height while keeping the weather off precious plants, aided by a reinforced mesh and PE cover with UV protection and heavy duty zips.
5 Tier Greenhouse
The taller structure makes more room for plant protection and growing space, without taking up too much space on patios or back gardens. The five shelves and domed roof increase growing height and keep rain or debris from sitting on the structure.
Walk In Greenhouse
Measuring 143x73x195cm and designed for convenience and functionality, the Walk In Greenhouse offers ample space for cultivating a wide variety of plants, from delicate seedlings to towering vines. The greenhouse is easy to assemble and has a wide opening which is easy to roll up for easy maintenance. The cover allows sunlight to permeate while providing protection from harsh weather conditions, ensuring plants receive the optimal environment for healthy growth and thriving yields.
To find out more contact your local Barrus Area Sales Manager, call on 01869 363674 or email customerservices@barrus.co.uk.
 |
 |
 |
 |
75th Spring Fair opens on Sunday
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9am with Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen

Spring Fair, the UK’s largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion at the NEC Birmingham, opens on Sunday 2nd February celebrating 75 years heritage as well as double digit growth in exhibitor numbers for this year’s show, delivering unmatched newness, diversity and inspiration...

Spring Fair, the UK’s largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion at the NEC Birmingham, opens on Sunday 2nd February celebrating 75 years heritage as well as double digit growth in exhibitor numbers for this year’s show, delivering unmatched newness, diversity and inspiration.
38,000 visitors expected to attend during the four-day show will experience sensational new exhibitors and show-stopping products, make invaluable connections, listen to high-profile keynote speakers including Jeff Banks, Theo Paphitis, Kate Hardcastle MBE, and Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, and be absorbed by mesmerising masterclasses and insight sessions with experts from Google, Faire, Kantar, Fabacus, Canva, ACID, and TikTok.
Leading names, including TJX Europe, Hoopers, English Heritage, River Island, BrandAlley, Morleys Group, Next, F Hinds, Beaverbrooks, Fenwick, ASOS, John Lewis, Dunelm, Habitat, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Blue Diamond, Barker & Stonehouse, Robert Dyas, Whittard of Chelsea, Very, Lidl, Asda, Costco Wholesalers, N Brown, British Museum, Matalan, Currys, Waterstones, Historic Royal Palaces, Longleat Enterprises, WHSmith, Ryman, and Hamleys UK, as well as thousands of independent retailers across the UK and Ireland have already registered to attend.
The 75th anniversary show promises to be an immersive experience packed with unforgettable experiences, events and activations designed to inspire buyers and exhibitors alike. With 14% growth year on year in exhibitor numbers, over 1,200 brands - including 400 first-time exhibitors and over a third showing exclusively at Spring Fair - will showcase over 1 million new products and the world’s most popular licensed brands destined to be retail’s next bestsellers.

The iconic retail event showcases the latest in gifts, homeware, fashion, beauty, and much more. Hundreds of retails’ most sought-after brands including Coach House, Portmeirion, Hill Interiors, Gallery Direct, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Ty UK, Big Metal, Chalk UK, Powder Design, Sass & Belle, Emotional Rescue, Hot Tomato, AX Paris, Nova of London, Scream Pretty, Sifcon, Orange Tree Toys, Joe Davies, Puckator, Candlelight Products, and Talking Tables will set up shop in the NEC over the four days.
Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Spring Fair says, “With double digit growth, and year on year growth in new brands, Spring Fair 2025 boasts more brands, more newness, more speakers and content, more inspiration, and many more networking opportunities and experiences. We have joined forces with Pure London to create Moda x Pure offering the best of both shows under one roof, reimagined The Summerhouse into the pinnacle of design as The Summer House Edit, expanded the growing gift sector into Hall 5, and so much more.
“For over seven decades, we have proudly stood as the UK’s largest retail trade show, bringing together a diverse community of home, gift and fashion brands and buyers from across the retail industry. As we reflect on our history, we’re dedicating this year’s celebration to the people, brands and businesses who have shaped Spring Fair into the trusted event it is today. Our aim is to put buyers at the forefront of retail and to help set them up for buying success – Spring Fair has everything you’re looking for when it comes to new products, insights and experts.
“Everyone, from the Spring Fair team to partners and exhibitors, has put a huge effort into making the Spring Fair experience one to remember – there are revamped entrances, a gorgeous anniversary fragrance, an interactive timeline celebrating the history of the show, special collaborations with partners, a celebration of the 5 senses in the Buyers Lounge, and lots more. We can’t wait to open the doors on Sunday and welcome buyers to be a part of Spring Fair’s 75thand the future of retail.”
The Summerhouse has been reimagined as The Summer House: Home, Gift & Lifestyle Edit creating a uniquely inspiring and immersive environment for discerning buyers and interior designers. The new look will be unveiled on Sunday offering a beautiful, curated space featuring high-end furnishings, décor, and gifts, with a host of new members including Portmeirion and Bedeck.
Moda x Pure makes its highly anticipated debut at Spring Fair 2025 to create the new fashion destination. This dynamic event will bring together the best of both show under one roof with four sectors - Womenswear, Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories, and Jewellery & Watch - alongside a rich programme of inspiring content, establishing itself as the ultimate destination for fashion buyers and industry professionals.

The Moda x Pure Catwalk will present three shows daily, bringing key trends to life. The theme of this season’s catwalk, Modern Love, will showcase comprehensive looks from exhibitors, offering unparalleled inspiration and highlighting the season's must-have styles.
Spring Fair Entrance Takeovers
Spring Fair has revamped its entrances, creating eye-catching high-street displays showcasing incredible brands and products. Meet brand representatives and experience product samples from the moment you enter the show in each of these immersive areas.
The show will be opened at 9am on Sunday by Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen at the Hall 3a entrance.
To navigate the show once inside, look out for the colour-coded maps, signage, show guide and show carpet to help you navigate your way to the product sectors you’re after, which include: Home, Living & Décor, The Summerhouse: Home, Gift & Lifestyle Edit, Housewares, Gift, Beauty & Wellbeing, Christmas, Festive & Floral, Greetings, Party & Celebration, Kids, Toys & Play, Moda x Pure Clothing & Footwear, Moda x Pure Fashion Accessories, Moda x Pure Jewellery & Watch, and Everyday.
Spot the Mascot
A new Spring & Autumn Fair Mascot will be unveiled at the show, with a Name the Mascot competition running onsite.
5 Product Pavilions Championing Newness
Spring Fair also plays host to New Business Pavilions, the popular #SBS Village, the Cardgains Village, GCA Debut Pavilion, Gift Of The Year Showcase and Pavilion, and the ongoing collaboration with online marketplace Faire.
New Business Pavilions - An unmissable opportunity for small businesses and first-time exhibitors to make a big impact, the New Business Pavilions are the place to go for products totally new to the marketplace. Buyers will find the New Business Pavilions in each of the following sectors:
Home, Living & Décor – Hall 6, Row H
Discover Ecampbell Elearning Solutions, Sarnia Shores Beach Art, Ecohome Style, and Manor Road.
Gift, including Kids, Toys & Play – Hall 5, Rows D & E
The Way To You, Hampshire Candles, Grass & Air, Chi Cup, XO-CU, New Forest Candle Company, Sam Jayne Design, Making Ideas, CwaZyLeigh CreaTions, Soy Wax Village, Paper Shoot Camera, Hilltop Houseware Company, The White Peacock Company, Sussed Card Games, Fab Dab Do, History Heroes, and Shoulder Buddies.
Beauty & Wellbeing – Hall 3, Rows T & U
Musketeers, Nede Hair & Skin Care, RayEssence Skincare, Skyn Bakery, Aura Clarity Glasses, Freshcia Beauty Ltd, La Suzy, and The Busy Bee Boutique.
Greetings, Party & Celebration – Hall 3, Row K
Studio Thie, Meraki Notebooks and Diaries, mjdr Ltd, addSQUIRREL, and Avorium Limited
Moda Clothing & Footwear – Hall 2, Rows F & G
Azure Fashion, Industry of Sweden, Jaybz Signature, Rebelo, Style and Suit, JLITE by AVWEARS, Rose & Nancy, Bella Donna, Lenie Boya, and Red Equipment
The Cardgains Village, situated at heart of the Greetings, Party & Celebration destination, showcases the latest range of brand-new greetings cards and gift designs. This year’s stand will feature several of the association's members including UK Greetings, Sarunds, Words 'n' Wishes, IC & G, Jacksons, Woodmansterne, Rainbow Designs, The Gifted Stationary Company, Smart Toys and many other must-see brands.
Providing a launchpad for the Greeting Card Association members who have never exhibited before, the GCA Debut Pavilion creates an opportunity for start-up gift card businesses to showcase their products to the industry.
#SBS Village - In collaboration with TV Dragon and business owner Theo Paphitis, the Small Business Sunday Village creates a space for emerging businesses to exhibit at Spring Fair. 12 deserving winners are handpicked for their business models and product offerings, giving buyers the opportunity to discover more new products and partnerships.
Children’s tableware company Chomp is making its debut, launching a new product designed to support the baby weaning stage, with the support of entrepreneur and inventor Sara Davies. The innovative mealtime essential, the Bop Baby Suction Plate, features on BBC One’s new programme “The Big Idea Works”. Amber Taylor, owner of Chomp says, “I am proud to premiere our new product the Bop Baby Suction Plate at Spring Fair as part of Theo Paphitis’s Small Business Sunday Network. Retailers have an amazing opportunity to be one of the first to stock this innovative new product from a fresh, British brand.”

The Gift Of The Year Showcase profiles The Gift Of The Year winners, a respected industry accolade that recognises the best new products across the gift industry each year. This showcase puts the most prestigious products in gifting front and centre, giving buyers a chance to discover this year’s esteemed winners. The new Gift Of The Year Pavilion is a launchpad for The Giftware Association members who haven’t previously exhibited at the show, to offer an opportunity for new giftware brands to present their products.
Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards Showcase - Located near the Inspiring Retail Stage this area will spotlight all the 75 Years of Excellence Awards finalist products. Showcasing these ranges the entire show and giving buyers the chance to discover excellence in retail.
Faire – Seamless Sourcing All Year Round. Faire has an expanded presence at Spring Fair, with a dedicated stand for brands and retailers to browse products, connect with the Faire team, and learn how to maximise the benefits of this hybrid wholesale model. Plus, Faire will be presenting 2pm, Sunday 2nd Feb in the Masterclass Studio and 12:15pm, Tuesday 4th Feb on the Inspiring Retail Stage - offering inspiration, sharing tips on trends, and providing insight into how you can maximise the benefits of online-offline wholesale.
Faire will also offer access to its new 2025 Forecast, revealing four major consumer and product trends set to transform how independent retailers can connect with shoppers.
Retailers attending the show will have access to exclusive discounts and benefits, including 50% off first orders (up to £100) for new Faire users and free shipping with promo code 'SPRINGFAIR' at checkout - addressing the top pain point for retailers buying at trade events.
Elevate Your Show Experience
Explore the exciting content areas, buyer experiences and products, designed to inspire, engage and lead you to incredible products. Learning from industry experts is vital so don’t miss seminars and trend forecasts from industry leaders like Google and more.
With three stages and a plethora of industry-leading businesses and speakers like Theo Paphitis, Jeff Banks, Kate Hardcastle MBE, Kantar, Deliveroo, and Canva, buyers can dive into expert talks packed with actionable advice to help improve your business, big or small - all for FREE.
Masterclass Studio
Get hands-on with the year’s most pressing challenges in retail through panel discussions and practical workshops. With sessions tailored to real-world issues retailers are facing this year, gain practical skills, participate in Q&As, and have the chance for one-to-one guidance with experts after each talk. The Masterclass Studio is all about providing the tools and confidence to tackle your next business steps.
Highlights:
Sunday
- 10am Tess Cope, Leadership Coach at The Transformation Agency leads a dynamic session on Empowering Women in Retail and Entrepreneurship, tackling leadership challenges
- 11.30am Instagram content creator Rachel Henderson offers actionable advice on The Art of Visual Selling: How to Create Eye-Catching Content That Converts on Instagram.
- 12.45pm Digital Trends For SME Retailers to Plan For in 2025 - Join leading digital experts Lucy Hall (Digital Woman), Lucia Dello (Dello Insights), and Niki Hutchison (Enjoy Marketing) as they reveal the essential digital trends that SME retailers need to embrace in 2025.
Monday
- 10.30am Exceptional Shopper Experiences: Delivering Short and Long-Term Impact. Through in-depth analysis and real-world examples with David Wall and Jauneen Tarin from Kantar.
- 2pm Andrew Xeni, Founder & CEO - Fabacas & Nobody's Child on Digital Product Passports: The Future of Connected Commerce.
- 3pm End of The Line for Barcodes: Are You Ready for 2027?
Tuesday
- 10am Empowering Independent Retailers: The Future of E-Commerce and Consumer Experience with Thomas Wintle E-commerce Leader, TEMU
- 1pm Supercharge Your Creativity with Canva. In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover how Canva's Magic AI features can boost your productivity and simplify your design process.
- 3pm Find Customers with Google Maps with Christine Braithwaite, Lead Trainer - Google Digital Garage. This session unveils strategies to leverage Google Maps, target local customers and drive foot traffic to your business.
Wednesday
- 10am A practical workshop by Anti Copying in Design (ACID) and McDaniels Law titled Taking on the Copycats offers guidance on protecting intellectual property in the gifting industry.
- 12.30pm Join Elliott Webb, CEO of Urban Farm It for a live demo and learn how he’s putting sustainability at the heart of product development.
Inspiring Retail Stage
Step into the future of retail with daily catwalk shows, high-profile keynote speakers, and trend talks designed to spark new ideas and strategic thinking. This stage is your go-to for visionary insights, whether hearing from industry leaders or catching up on the latest trends. Each session is crafted to inspire ambitious thinking and equip you with actionable insights to scale and future-proof your business.
Get a front row seat to upcoming fashion trends at the Moda x Pure Catwalk located on the Inspiring Retail Stage. Curated by Cult of Fashion, these shows bring the season’s latest collections to life, with exciting brands presenting their best edits and a special feature from Graduate Fashion Week.
Highlights:
Sunday
- 10.30am Keynote - Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen on Unleashing Creativity: Licensing, Art, and Designing for Retail Success. 10.30am, Inspiring Retail Stage
Monday
- 10.30am Keynote - Andrew Xeni, Founder & CEO - Fabacas & Nobody's Child on Scaling Sustainability: Growing an E-commerce Brand in a New Retail Era.
- 12.15pm Keynote - Jeff Banks on Licensing, Branding, and the Keys to Lasting Success. Join Jeff Banks as he reflects on 60 years of success in the world of licensing, branding and design.
- 2.15pm Join Ron Sachs, Shopping Director at Deliveroo, for From Click to Customer: Deliveroo's Cross-Sector Journey in Digital Retail Excellence.
- 4.15pm AW25/26 Homeware & Festive Celebrations Trends: “From Modern Modular to Raw Minimal”.
Tuesday
- 10.30am SS26 Homeware and Outdoor Living Trends: “Evolving Households: Balancing acts and Waste-Nots” with Trendhub’s Head of Creative Terrie Isaacs.
- 12.15pm The Faire Forecast: What To Buy For Your Shop This Year. Join Charlotte Broadbent as she shares Faire's global data and the latest trends from independent retailers.
- 2.15pm Keynote - Theo Paphitis shares his expertise in Small Businesses, Big Impact, Thriving in a World of Giants.
- 4pm Fireside chat with Keplin Group and influencer, reality star, and business owner Olivia Bowen
Wednesday
- 10.30am Keynote - Kate Hardcastle MBE delivers The Science of Shopping – what consumers want next, a dynamic keynote speech exploring themes from her upcoming book, The Science of Shopping.
Licensing Lab
Spring Fair is bringing the licensing industry together with the launch of the Licensing Lab in partnership with Fabacus. This dynamic space is dedicated to networking, knowledge sharing and driving growth for licensors, licensees, retailers and service providers in association with Licensing International.
The Lab will feature an exhibition space for businesses to showcase their services and expertise, a networking lounge bar designed by Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen as well as thought leadership seminars on the Lab stage led by industry experts.
Andrew Xeni, Founder & CEO, Fabacus & Nobody's Child says, “We are delighted to participate and support, Spring Fair, as an official partner of the Licensing Lab. We’re excited to drive conversations on innovation and the evolution of licensing and retail. Myself and Wajih, will be delivering sessions on Digital Product Passports, licensing as a growth driver, and scaling e-commerce brands, leveraging data and technology for new opportunities, supported by GS1 UK. It’s shaping up to be an action-packed day, so please feel free to connect with me and the team on the ground!”
Highlights:
Sunday
- 11.30am Key Trends in Licensing for 2024 - Explore the emerging trends shaping the licensing industry in 2024 with Steve Manners, Licensing International.
- 2pm TikTok 2025: Leveraging Next-Gen Trends to Elevate Your Brand.
Monday
- 10.30am Join Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen for key insights into design and the Garden of Pattern.
- 12pm Lunch and learn at the Licensing Lab. Expanding Horizons: Licensing Success and Diversification at Nobody’s Child with Andrew Xeni, Chairman of Nobody’s Child, CEO Fabacus.
- 3pm Jeff Banks on Unlocking the Power of Licensing in Fashion and Beyond. Join legendary designer Jeff Banks to discover how strategic licensing partnerships can elevate brands, expand market reach, and create enduring success in fashion and beyond.
Tuesday
- 11.30am Unlocking Licensing Potential: Standards and Solutions with GS1 and Fabacus. Discover how leveraging standardised data and innovative technology can create new licensing opportunities, streamline operations, and enhance brand partnerships across industries.
- 3pm Using Data to De-Risk Decisions and Maximise ROI in Retail Licensing with Tom Williams, CEO, Insights Family. Licensing IP for retailers is a high-stakes venture.
Licensing Lab Drinks - Network with licensing buyers, speakers and industry leaders.
- Sunday 2nd February, 4:30pm in Partnership with Licensing International
- Monday 3rd February, 4:30pm in Partnership with Fabacus
- Tuesday 4th February, 4:30pm in Partnership with Max Publishing
Cultural Enterprise Day
On Tuesday 4th February, Spring Fair will host the Cultural Enterprise Day in partnership with the Association of Cultural Enterprises (ACE). This special day will highlight the crucial role of retail within museums, galleries, and heritage sites while celebrating the expert buyers and merchandisers to carefully select unique, story-driven products for these extraordinary institutions. Bringing 45 new cultural enterprise organisations to the show and offering tailored resources to enhance their sourcing experience, visitors will benefit from guided tours, sector-focused educational sessions, and exclusive goody bags.
Student Partnership
Spring Fair has partnered with City of Stoke-on-Trent 6th Form College, giving Business T-Level students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the world of retail and live events at Spring Fair. Students will be helping out with tasks like collecting survey responses and gathering onsite testimonials, while also attending inspiring industry talks to expand their understanding of retail business practices. You’ll spot them in their special letterman jackets, sponsored by Advance Apparel, eager to listen and learn. If you see them, take a moment to share your insights and be part of their learning journey.
Engage and Refresh
When you’re walking every aisle of the show, it’s important to have a place to unwind. Locate the Christmas Café, Moda Café and Summerhouse Café’s dotted around the Spring Fair halls for a chance to take a break and network. Relationships are key to successful buying so make the most of your networking experience with Spring Fair’s Happy Hours and other exciting events.
Raise a glass to a successful day of buying with Spring Fair’s Happy Hours. From 4:30 - 5:30 Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, the halls will be filled with fun! Look out for the roaming drinks trolleys, immersive live entertainment, giveaways, music and more.
Buyers Lounge
Step into a world that sparks all five senses in the Buyers Lounge. Located in Hall 3, this immersive space brings the energy of a high-street experience to life. Whether you’re shopping, sipping, or discovering something new, every corner of the lounge is designed to captivate and delight.
Immerse yourself in the pop-up mini–High Street created by N Smith and comprising five different shops including The Art of Sampling where visitors can explore something new with sampling sessions from exhibitors:
11:00 – 11:45: The hair necessities: A styling session from byEloise
12:00 – 12:45: Sloe down & unwind tasting sessions with Craft Your Own
13:00 – 13:45: Sip back & relax – the art of alcohol-free indulgence with Nocrudo
14:00 – 14:45: Fr'umbelievable rum tastings with Fr'um Rum Co.
15:00 – 15:45: A little taste of joy with Joypots
Meet the Perfumer - 10:00 – 11:00, 11:30 – 12:30, 14:30 – 15:30
Join Quintessence Fragrances at their shop to meet the talented team behind Spring Fair’s signature scent Heritage 75. Discover the creative process of Quintessence Fragrances’ multi-talented perfumers and development team and learn about the importance of a signature scent for your business and how it can elevate your brand.
The Ambience Clinic shop with Stephen Spencer + Associates will provide 1:1 appointments with their experts to explore ways to maximise revenue from your visitor experience. Ambience Clinics are available for all buyers and exhibitors and you will come away with immediate actions to implement that will boost productivity and enhance your return on investment.
Visit Cloak & Bag Co, a 3D cloakroom for buyer use only, and The Coffee House offering buyers complimentary tea and coffee.
Buyers can also take advantage of daily buyers’ tours from the Buyer’s Lounge.
Greeting Cards Association Lounge
Join in the fun of sending cards by stopping by the Greeting Card Association Lounge! Pick up free retailer Spring POS kits to help get your shops ready for the spring season occasions – Valentine’s, Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. Also take your pick from a wide selection of greeting cards and make someone's day brighter with a thoughtful note. With cards and postage provided at no cost, spreading love and joy through the simple act of sending a card has never been easier. Thanks to The Art File for supporting the sector by covering the postage fees.
Celebrate Spring Fair’s 75th Anniversary
Join in the festivities marking 75 years of retail excellence. In honour of this exciting milestone event, Spring Fair is hosting several events to ensure it’s an occasion to remember!
Heritage 75
Spring Fair’s exclusive signature fragrance, Heritage 75, created to commemorate the show’s 75th anniversary will float through the aisles. The scent, crafted in collaboration with fragrance experts Quintessence Fragrances and home fragrance experts Sebnini, will bring a multisensory dimension to the event. Heritage 75 captures the spirit of the show, blending tradition and modernity, and reflecting the excitement of the anniversary while symbolising 75 years of heritage.
Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards
On Sunday at 5pm, Spring Fair celebrates the very best of the retail industry at the Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards. This special evening is dedicated to recognising the passion, creativity, and dedication that make the community thrive.
From honouring new and innovative exhibitors to applauding the enduring excellence of long-standing participants, these awards celebrate the incredible contributions that have shaped Spring Fair’s legacy over the past 75 years.
Spring Fair Looks Back in Time
Take a look back at Spring Fair’s incredible journey! Discover the history of the show, the people that shaped this iconic retail event and the unforgettable products that have passed through the halls. Be part of the Spring Fair story by taking and sharing your own snaps at the photo wall areas located along the timeline display.
Visitors will also be able to watch the 75th Anniversary Retail Insights podcasts here. Putting the faces of the Spring Fair community front and centre, the podcast highlights the brands and people who have contributed to Spring Fair’s long-standing success - from family-run business owners to industry icons, these are the people who embody the spirit of Spring Fair’s success. Interviews are hosted by legendary designer and TV personality Jeff Banks.
Send your biggest anniversary wishes
Get involved in celebrating 75 years of retail and look out for our Giant Cards which you can you write a message on, situated in the Piazza and on the GCA Lounge in the Greetings, Party & Celebration destination. Supported by The Art File and the GCA.
Spring Fair at Night - Tuesday 4th February, 18:00 – 20:00
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Spring Fair with your colleagues and network! Spring Fair take over Temple Street in Birmingham city centre with discounts and bar tabs at selected restaurants along the street.
12 Unmissable Product Destinations
Save time by sourcing all your collections at once. Explore 12 diverse product destinations offering the biggest and broadest array of high-quality new products under one roof.
Licensing has played a massive part at Spring Fair throughout its history and buyers will continue to find the biggest selection of licensed products across all 12 destinations of the show. Chart topping new and historic licensed brands including Disney (Frozen, Marvel, Star Wars, Disney Classics), Harry Potter, Pokémon, Barbie Super Mario Bros, Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers, Spider-Man), DC Comics (Batman, Wonder Woman), Peppa Pig, Paddington, Bluey, Minecraft, Orla Kiely, Mary Berry, will be on display from suppliers including Enesco, Widdop & Co, Paladone, Rainbow Designs, Blue Sky Studios, Half Moon Bay, Cardology, Muddleit, DKB Toys, Whitehouse Leisure, House of Marbles, Keplin Group, The Noble Collection, Peers Hardy, The Crafty Kit Company, and many more.
Gift
Having grown by over 60%, the Gift destination, encompassing Gift, Beauty & Wellbeing, Kids, Toys & Play, and Greetings, Party & Celebration, sold out in Hall 4 months ago. The destination has expanded into Hall 5 to meet increasing demand, accommodate more brands, and brands who have booked much bigger stands such as Heaven Sends, The Milford Collection, Fulton Umbrellas, and English Ladies Co.
Covering all your bases, from classic to contemporary, licensed, eco-friendly, and British-made at all price points, there is no better place to source all your giftware needs and next bestsellers with everything from licensed and design-led gifts, candles and pampering products, children’s toys and gifts, to party suppliers, books, collectibles and craft kits.
Discover all the biggest and best names in gifting including Sifcon, Joe Davies, Puckator, Candlelight Products, Talking Tables, Portland Living, Cereria Molla, The Chocolate Gift Company, My Little Eco Bag, Sow Easy, Widdop & Co, Sass & Belle, Kikkerland, Powell Craft, Chalk UK, Gift Republic, Enesco, Rex International, Shoeless Joe, Forever England, Burstenhaus Redecker, History & Heraldry, Fountasia, Heaven Sends, Elgate, Lesser & Pavey, Gingko Design, Legami, Boxer, Half Moon Bay and many more.
A host of brands have flocked back to the show including Jomanda, David Fischoff, Sophie Allport, Lifemax, Rachel Lowe, Potters Crouch Candles, Little Spring, The Original Metal Sign Company, Melamaster, Elements of Fragrance, Oaktree, Turnaround, Boompods, Rainstick Trading, Meg Hawkins Art, and Welsh Connection.
The food and drink section of Gift has continued to grow, with it set to become a dedicated section for Spring Fair 2026. Look out for the striking display of home-grown mushrooms from Urban Farm-It.
Greetings, Party & Celebration
Spring Fair is the only destination to find the best party suppliers in the UK. The new Greetings, Party & Celebration destination in Hall 3 also now brings together the most creative, fun and colourful greeting cards, wrapping papers, stationery, and paper decorations into one vibrant, dedicated space.
Hall 3 will be buzzing with exciting brands and special features. Visitors will find the Buyers Lounge, The Greeting Card Association Lounge, Cardgains Village, the GCA Debut area, New Business Pavilion, The Masterclass Studio and the Faire Genius Bar. At the entrance of Hall 3, The Art File has designed two gigantic Birthday cards to celebrate the 75th. The Art File are also supplying cards for all visitors and exhibitors to write and send to encourage card sending, and the GCA Lounge will have post boxes designed and built by N Smith.
Party brands to look out for include Anagram (who are designing and installing balloon arches in the Atrium and Piazza), Procos S.A, Kalisan, Gemar SRL, and debut exhibitors Glitter Paper Design, Table Fun, Riethmuller, and Balloonify.
In Greetings, Ling Design, with five stands, are now the largest greetings exhibitor in the sector since adding The Gifted Stationery and Hey Hugo to their portfolio also featuring Ling Design, Penny Kennedy, and The Great British Card Company. Visitors will also discover Cardology, M!NT, Museum & Galleries, Paper Salad, Emotional Rescue, Ohh Dear, Roger La Borde, Paper Rose, Maria B, and Raspberry Blossom. New brands include Wendy Jones Blackett, Ink & Ivy, The DM Collection, Sunshine Lane, Good Tuesday, Robert James, Hull, Sweary Card Lady, Kassa Products, Ink & Snail, and Bold & Bright, with first timers Emily Nash Illustrations, Lucy Almey-Bird Art, Zoe Rose Art, Tony Fernandes Design, and Lydia Mae featuring on the GCA Debut space.
The Cardgains Village, situated at heart of the Greetings, Party & Celebration destination, showcases the latest range of brand-new greetings cards and gift designs. This year’s stand will feature several of the association's members including UK Greetings, Sarunds, Words 'n' Wishes, IC & G, Jacksons, Woodmansterne, Rainbow Designs, The Gifted Stationary Company, Smart Toys and many other must-see brands.
Beauty & Wellbeing
From beauty staples, fragrance and hair care to the best licensed skincare, sustainable, organic, and wellness products, discover beauty and wellbeing products from Bomb Cosmetics, Luxscents, Heathcote & Ivory, The Somerset Toiletry Company, Scottish Fine Soaps, Upper Canada, Haramain, Ace Beauty Group, Rainbow Cosmetics, Murray Health & Beauty, and The English Soap Company. No More Nasties makes its debut with its hypoallergenic, vegan, non-toxic, natural make up range, and scented and unscented nail polishes.
The sector also offers the opportunity to engage with UK and international distributors of various pharmacy products offering a range of skincare, cosmetics, wellness and accessories.
Kids, Toys & Play
Home to the finest, most magical children’s toys, gifts and gadgets, tap into the hottest trends and elusive Christmas hits at the Kids, Toys & Play destination. All the major players will be there including Kandy Toys, Keel Toys, TY UK, Aurora World, House of Marbles, Wilton Bradley, Henbrandt, Whitehouse Leisure, Orange Tree Toys, and The Noble Collection. Exciting newcomers and returning brands include Clementoni, Ravensburger, HTI Toys, Rachel Lowe, and Destination.
Home: Discover Exclusive Home Brands
Explore must-see brands and dive into trends you won’t find anywhere else across Home, Living & Décor, The Summerhouse, Christmas, Festive & Floral and Housewares destinations. Your next bestsellers and endless inspiration await from bellwether brands including Coach House, Hill Interiors, Gallery Direct, Pacific Lifestyle, My Gifts Trade, The Libra Company, Kaemingk, Edelman, Lotus Imports, Captivate Brands, Casa Verde, Hot Tomato, Bloomingville, One World, Garden Trading, Fifty Five South, Mindy Brownes, Ulster Weavers, DRH Collection, Sofia Toscana, Stoneglow, Malini, Torres Novas, Treelocate, Floral Silk, PMS, Ultimate Products, DM Brands, Bronte by Moon, Ian Mankin and John Spencer, and Richmond Interiors.
The Summerhouse has been reimagined as The Summer House: Home, Gift & Lifestyle Edit creating a uniquely inspiring and immersive environment for discerning buyers and interior designers. The new look will be unveiled on Sunday offering a beautiful, curated space featuring high-end furnishings, décor, and gifts, with a host of new members including Portmeirion and Bedeck.
With their biggest stand ever and celebrating 20 years at Spring Fair, Gallery Direct is launching 850 new products for the season across furniture and upholstery, homeware, wall décor, art, textiles, rugs and accessories. Showing solely at Spring Fair, this is the only opportunity to see their SS25 collection, their largest and most diverse collection yet.
Yorkshire-based lighting and furniture supplier Pacific have recently acquired TOBS (formerly known as The Old Basket Company) following founder George Krygier’s retirement. Its range of high-quality baskets and garden furniture will be presented alongside the Pacific portfolio.
Nigel Lawrence, Sales Director at Pacific Lifestyle says, “We are delighted to have acquired such a well-established brand along with their experienced personnel. Although our initial priority will be to maintain “business as usual” we have some very exciting development plans for the future.”
MODA x Pure – The ultimate fashion destination
Moda x Pure is set to make its highly anticipated debut at Spring Fair 2025 to create the new fashion destination. This dynamic event will bring together the best of both show under one roof with four sectors - Womenswear, Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories, and Jewellery & Watch - alongside a rich programme of inspiring content, establishing itself as the ultimate destination for fashion buyers and industry professionals.
The Moda x Pure Catwalk will present three shows daily, bringing key trends to life. The theme of this season’s catwalk, Modern Love, will showcase comprehensive looks from exhibitors, offering unparalleled inspiration and highlighting the season's must-have styles.
The Womenswear, Clothing & Footwear destination will welcome new exhibitors such as LA- based brand Trixxi, luxury label Lenie Boya, Liberosis Paris, Nova of London, Girl In Mind, Urban Bliss, MOO CHUU, Luxtyle, AX Paris, Foreva Young, Angeleye, Genet Collection, Mafi Mafi and Bella Donna, alongside Yumi, Finding Friday, Pistachio, Lighthouse, Jessica Graaf, Sunco, Goose Island, Luella and Lunar.
Within the Fashion Accessories destination, discover MOPAK, Kris-Ana, Jess & Lou, ByEloise, Miss Shorthair, Nova Leathers, Miss Sparrow, Powder Design and Alice Wheeler London.
In the Jewellery & Watch destination, standout collections include female founded, award winning Scream Pretty, as well as Mosart Diamond, Big Metal, Zsiska, Daughters of the Ganges and Dainty London Jewellery.
Source Home & Gift
One ticket gives you access to two shows. Spring Fair’s co-located show, Source Home & Gift is the only international sourcing platform of its kind. Source unites global manufacturers who pride themselves on responsible manufacturing and sustainable production, with key retailers, brands and contractors who care about how great products are made.
Thank You
A big thank you to other partners including:
Flight Club – Offering chances to win prizes and play games with Flight Club around the show. Visit them in Hall 5 stand 5F48
Moda Abode - Offering free interior colour play in The Summer House and the chance to win prizes. Stand 8E65/8D64
Koko Blossom - Produced the bags being handed out to buyers on the entrance points, and for hosted buyers and speakers. Stand 6G61
Fantastico Fans - Providing the DJ during the happy hours and exhibitor party nd personalised fans for hosted buyers and speakers. Photo opportunities in front of their giant fans. Stand 5E33-E37
Sebnini - Collaborated with Quintessence Fragrances on bringing Spring Fair’s Heritage 75 fragrance to life through its candles and diffusers.
Still Time to Register
Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the past, present, and future of retail. Register now for an unforgettable experience at Spring Fair 2025 and discover what’s next in home, gift, and fashion.
To register to attend visit https://www.springfair.com/visitor-registration.
 |
 |

Wyevale Nurseries is sponsoring a wood near its site in partnership with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to help save the habitat which was originally given to the charity by the company’s founder.
The collaboration surrounding Wyevale Wood marks a significant step in the Hereford-based business’ journey towards sustainability and community involvement and reflects its ongoing commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship.
Chairman of Wyevale Nurseries at Kings Acre, Heather Williamson explains: “Harry Williamson, my grandfather, donated the wood to the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust in 1990, so when the opportunity for sponsorship came up, due to concerns regarding ongoing funding of the woodland’s management, we leapt at the chance to step in and help. We’ve also now joined the Trust as an Investor in Wildlife and are delighted to be supporting nature’s recovery in our county.
“To back the ongoing maintenance and preservation of Wyevale Wood, which is a nature reserve close to us, we have proudly donated £1,000. This contribution is dedicated to ensuring the health and vitality of the woodland, benefiting both local wildlife and community groups, who enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
“We believe in the power of collective action and will be encouraging our staff to engage with the management and maintenance of Wyevale Wood. By participating in conservation activities, our team will not only have a chance to contribute to the wellbeing of the environment but will also gain invaluable experience and insight into the importance of sustainability.
“Our sponsorship of Wyevale Wood highlights our commitment to weaving sustainability into the fabric of our community initiatives.”
By partnering with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Wyevale Nurseries’ aims to:
- Enhance biodiversity by supporting the diverse species that call Wyevale Wood home.
- Educate and inspire by providing opportunities for community education around conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
- Foster community engagement by encourage those living nearby and the company’s staff to actively participate in preserving natural habitats.
Heather concludes: “Together, with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and our dedicated team, we’re excited to contribute to a sustainable future of Wyevale Wood. We look forward to the positive impact our efforts will have on the environment and the local community.”
Wyevale Nurseries is also collaborating with the Trust to improve habitat along parts of the Yazor Brook within the tree nursery site as part of the ‘Wye Adapt to Climate Change’ project.
Planned action here will protect the brook from the impacts of livestock such as poaching and erosion, reduce nutrients entering the brook, and provide Natural Flood Management (NFM) benefits by slowing the flow of surface water runoff.
On other parts of the site, woodland and wetland features will be created. Connecting areas of existing habitat or developing habitat corridors enables wildlife to move across the landscape in response to extreme weather events such as flooding, drought and wildfires.
Heather adds: “We recognise that we have a significant role to play in contributing to the greening of our landscapes and gardens, while operating sustainably, making a valuable contribution to our people and community, as well as our shared environment.
“We’ve recently created a new reservoir to help capture, store and recycle more water. It will attract and provide habitat for wildlife, as well as helping to alleviate local flooding risks and providing water storage to protect against drought.”
Wyevale Nurseries is planting a native hedgerow and wildflower meadows by the reservoir. The site will also be enhanced with new bat and bird boxes, insect blocks and a hedgehog nesting box. Three hibernacula, which are underground shelters for reptiles and amphibians, will be constructed too.
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Head of Nature Action, Frances Weeks says: “We’re delighted to be working with Wyevale Nurseries. Our mission is to put nature into recovery, reversing the declines in the abundance and diversity of native habitats and wildlife. The Trust, however, can’t do this alone. We need collaborations like this with landowners, communities, schools and businesses to create a wilder, greener and more sustainable Herefordshire.”
Wyevale Nurseries is a family-run business that has nine decades of horticultural heritage to its name. Established in 1930, it’s celebrating its 95th anniversary this year as a leading wholesale supplier of British sown and grown trees and plants.
Its main business is to supply landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters, landowners and garden centres with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.
Due to its strong emphasis on biosecurity, it has maintained its own propagation facilities and cultivates most of its stock from managed plants and responsibly sourced, certified seeds, rather than relying on imported stock.
The company also has a non-wholesale ecommerce site www.wyevalehedges.co.uk for customers who don’t need wholesale volumes. This resource is a valuable tool for making informed decisions about hedging requirements as it allows consumers to access valuable information, such as whether a plant is evergreen, produces berries or fruits, and/or the type of soil it’s most compatible with.
For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk. More information on ways businesses can support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust can be found at https://www.herefordshirewt.org/takeaction/business
 |
|
 |
 |

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox. The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.
Subscribe for free using this link
 |
 |
The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation has created a series of podcasts ‘Cultivate Your Future’, which raises awareness around the shortage of people seeing horticulture as a viable career.
The podcast series speaks to people from the wide variety of roles in the industry. Listeners can hear about what they do, how they got into the job and the opportunities that they see ahead for their career.
If people even ‘think plants’, they probably think ‘gardening’, that chore that has to be done, and unlike the washing up or ironing it has to be done outside in the cold, wet and mud! Modern horticulture is not like that. A wealth of interesting, often high tech and varied roles, in exciting vibrant businesses requiring a multitude of skills at a huge range of levels.
Add to this the opportunity often to work outside, amongst plants and the natural environment, in touch with the seasons and the benefit of reduced levels of stress (not always!) Horticulture as a career in the UK is a truly sustainable career.
As an industry we need to help people understand what modern horticulture, as a professional career, is about. Your customers may be thinking about a new career for themselves, know somebody who is or have a family member starting out in life who seeks inspiration. Your customers need to know about the podcast series Cultivate Your Future. After all they may even be a candidate for one of the Foundations scholarships in the future if that person really is inspired to see Horticulture as the career for them.
If you need further information, have an idea on how we can do more to support you, or you would like something custom prepared to help you promote careers in horticulture to your customers, please speak to one of the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation Trustees you may already know or get in touch via www.colegraveseabrookfoundation.org.uk
 |
 |
“Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh” channel to launch on YouTube in April 2025 to celebrate Alan’s horticultural legacy whilst providing a platform for a wealth of tips and ideas.
Alan Titchmarsh is one of the most recognisable names in gardening and the new channel will see the horticultural legend pass on his vast knowledge and experience in a series of videos aimed to inspire gardeners around the world.
These weekly YouTube episodes will offer viewers a mix of entertaining ‘how-to videos’, informative tips, specific masterclasses and helpful and accessible advice from Alan, becoming an exciting and fresh online resource for new and experienced gardeners.
To maximize engagement with the audience, Alan’s videos will be published simultaneously on newly created YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts. His ambition for the channel is to reach a broad spectrum of gardeners from first time novices to experienced gardeners from around the UK and globally. By encouraging more people to garden, Alan also hopes the channel will help promote the UK horticultural industry and there will be potential for brand tie-ins and product placements within the videos.
Alan Titchmarsh said: “I’d never have guessed that I would become a 75-year-old influencer and be hosting on the world’s biggest streaming platform. I’ve been gardening for more than 60 years, and this is the perfect place to pass on that knowledge to an international audience of all ages. YouTube has become the go to platform for people wanting to learn new skills so where better for me to inspire new gardeners and help experienced gardeners hone their skills”.
“Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh” is produced by Middlechild Productions, an independent production company based in London and Brighton. Executive Produced by David Sumnall and Matt Young.
Matt Young is one of the most experienced producers of gardening content working in the UK. He was the Executive Producer of “Love Your Garden” on ITV with Alan for over a decade and was also the creator and Executive Producer of “Garden Rescue” for the BBC (now in its tenth year).
 |
 |

La Gaitana Farms, a Colombian carnation grower, has been awarded the title of International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) 2025 by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH).
The coveted ‘Gold Rose’ award was presented to La Gaitana Farms by Daan de Vries, CEO of Headline Sponsor MPS, at the AIPH IGOTY Awards Ceremony 2025 on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at IPM Essen, Germany.
Founded in 2009, the AIPH IGOTY Awards recognise best practice in horticulture by the top ornamental production nurseries from around the globe, celebrating the expertise and energy they give to horticulture.
La Gaitana Farms cultivate a wide variety of blooms with the utmost respect for the environment and communities. The family-owned, independent company grows carnations and produces bouquets from its 43 hectares of cropping area. Their commitment to sustainable practices, technological innovation, and social responsibility has positioned them as a trusted supplier in international markets.
Camilo Bleier of La Gaitana Farms said: “It’s a big challenge to step into these shoes and keep improving every day, but we’ve done our homework. It’s a pleasure to be in this industry, it’s fun every day, and you can never grow tired of nature.”
In addition to the Gold Rose Award, La Gaitana Farms also won the Cut Flowers & Bulbs category, presented by Remko Muntinga, CEO of Chrysal, and the Sustainability category, presented by Sarah von Fintel, Key Account Manager for GlobalG.A.P. and G.G.N. Label.
The IGOTY 2025 Jury commented: “Growing in Colombia and distributing globally has pushed La Gaitana Farms to elite status in the production of Carnations. The company’s focus on sustainable practices in everything they do will help lead them to a strong and successful future. La Gaitana Farms utilises strong selection, implementation, and evaluation processes to ensure quality products. They continuously adopt new innovations in all areas and their efforts towards sustainability and adapting to climate change have borne results.”
The IGOTY 2025 category winners are:
Young International Grower of the Year
- Winner: David Marin (Colombia)
- Finalist: Thomas Reeves (Brazil)
- Finalist: Stuart van Staalduinen (Canada)
Cut Flowers and Bulbs
- Winner: La Gaitana Farms (Colombia)
- Finalist: Soex Flora PVT. LTD. (India)
- Finalist: Yunnan Yuntianhua Huajiangpu Technology Co., Ltd (China)
Young Plants
- Winner: Plant Select (Belgium)
- Finalist: Könst Alstroemeria B.V. (Netherlands)
- Finalist: Qianxinan Green Edge Animal and Plant Technology Development Co., Ltd. (China)
Finished Plants and Trees
- Winner: VIVERCID (Spain)
- Finalist: Stolkbrothers (Netherlands)
- Finalist: Taizhou Suzhong Horticulture Co., Ltd (China)
Sustainability
- Winner: La Gaitana Farms (Colombia)
- Finalist: Fitoralia (Spain)
- Finalist: Yunnan Yuntianhua Huajiangpu Technology Co., Ltd (China)
- Finalist: Taizhou Suzhong Horticulture Co., Ltd (China)
In addition to the category winners, AIPH recognised the efforts of three producers with Certificates of Merit. Although these entries did not reach the finals, their commitment to the industry is worthy of acknowledgement.
- Chengdu Lvwo Agriculture Co., Ltd (China)
- Javoy Plantes Pepinieres (France)
- Kaset 32 Farms (Thailand)
For more information about each of the winners, take a look at the digital Winners Brochure.
AIPH thanks Headline Sponsor MPS, Host Partner IPM Essen, Category Sponsors Chrysal, GLOBALG.A.P., and Verticalle, Event Sponsor Vitro Plus, Support Sponsors Landscape Istanbul Fair and MyPlant&Garden, and Founding Partner FloraCulture International for their continued support of the awards.
Entry for IGOTY 2025 is now open! Find more information and begin your entry here.
 |
 |

David Marin, a Director at Deliflor Americas S.A.S., Colombia, received the Young International Grower of the Year Award at an International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) awards ceremony held on Tuesday 28 January 2025 in Essen, Germany.
This award is part of the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards 2025, which celebrates the best of the best in ornamentals production. The Young IGOTY category recognises vibrant individuals, aged 25-40, who will lead the industry into the future. Entrants were participants of Jungle Talks’ Pro Manager Mastercourse.
David joined Deliflor in 2019. During his time with the company, David has been involved in implementing horticultural practices to optimise resource usage and minimise environmental impact. These practices include efficient water management and plant nutrition, as well as the incorporation of technologies that facilitate real-time monitoring.
“It’s a symbol of hard work, teamwork, and passionate work,” David said. “This award will inspire the company and the team, it will let them know that everything is possible.”
David, along with the other finalists, presented his ideas to an international jury of horticultural professionals. The judges were: Leonardo Capitanio, President of AIPH and owner of Vivai Capitanio, Italy; Colin Fernandes, Past YIGOTY winner and Trial Site Coordinator for Marginpar, Kenya; and Puck van Holsteijn, CEO of World Horti Center and CEO of HortiHeroes, Netherlands.
Leonardo Capitanio commented: “David stands out as an exceptional example of balance and expertise in the floriculture industry. The jury was particularly impressed by his ability to merge innovation with a broad understanding of the sector.
“David's ambition to develop sustainable markets, alongside his focus on commercial expansion and enhancing customer experiences, highlights his technical and commercial expertise. His ability to build high-performing teams and foster balanced growth demonstrates a rare long-term vision, making him a truly inspiring leader and a deserving winner of this prestigious award.”
For more information about David and each of the IGOTY 2025 winners, take a look at the digital Winners Brochure.
AIPH thanks Headline Sponsor MPS, Host Partner IPM Essen, Category Sponsors Chrysal, GLOBALG.A.P., and Verticalle, Event Sponsor Vitro Plus, Support Sponsors Landscape Istanbul Fair and MyPlant&Garden, and Founding Partner FloraCulture International for their continued support of the awards.
 |
 |
Speaker line up announced for Garden Press Event
The speaker line-up for the Collaboration & Innovation Zone at the 2025 Garden Press Event has been revealed. The event takes place on Tuesday, 18 February, at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

The speaker line-up for the Collaboration & Innovation Zone at the 2025 Garden Press Event has been revealed.
Over 400 members of the garden media have already pre-registered to attend this highly anticipated event which takes place on Tuesday, 18 February, at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.
Jointly organised by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and GIMA, the Garden Press Event marks the start of the spring gardening season and offers a unique opportunity for businesses to connect face-to-face with members of the garden press, showcase new products, and share industry stories.
Speaker Line-Up in Collaboration with the Garden Media Guild
The Collaboration & Innovation Zone will feature an impressive line-up of speakers, including:
Introduction from Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive Officer and Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director
Michael Perry: Gardening’s original 'Mr Plant Geek'
Michael Perry, widely known as "Mr. Plant Geek," is arguably one of gardening’s first true digital influencers. We are delighted that he has agreed to share insights about his journey and his perspective on the future of influencers and content creators.
‘A conversation with British Garden Centres’ - Amy Stubbs
British Garden Centres is growing! Amy Stubbs will be discussing all things business growth and opportunities for this year as they are now the UK’s largest garden centre group
BBC Gardeners' World events - what's new for 2025? - Nick Bailey
Join BBC Two Gardeners’ World presenter Nick Bailey as he shares exclusive insights into his Headline Show Garden for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025. Hosted by Gardeners’ World Magazine editor Kevin Smith, the session also features the team from Young People in Horticulture who will unveil their new Begonia that'll debut at the Show. Plus, updates on the new Hillier Experience Garden at the Spring Fair.
‘David Austin Roses – The News’ - Liam Beddall
Liam will discuss the lasting appeal and significance of English roses, exploring their place in modern horticulture. He’ll also provide an update on developments at David Austin Roses, focusing on the company’s ongoing work to both preserve and evolve the legacy of these iconic blooms.
Bronte Heritage Collection: Professional Products for Professional Results - Martin Donnely
Bronte Heritage collection will be presenting six new professional grade products which have been tried and tested commercially and are now available to the gardening public. All six products are designed to be used in conjunction with peat free growing mediums.
‘Introducing Hota. A fresh approach to plant design on your smartphone’ by Toby and Hannah Gale
Co-founders Hannah and Toby will walk through the inspiration and evolution of the new plant recommendation and design app Hota. From Soil ID, plant recommendations and design to their recent partnership with Proctors Nursery.
Awards and Recognition
The event will also include the announcement of the 2025 New Product Awards voted for by the visiting press and media, and Best Stand Display. Exhibitors are invited to showcase their latest innovations and enter the New Product Awards for an exclusive opportunity to gain recognition in front of the gardening media.
For more details about the show, visit www.gardenpressevent.co.uk.
 |
 |

A 12.26-hectare planting project in Staffordshire is underway to enhance biodiversity and restore historic woodland areas.
Landowner Jonathan Capener, a third-generation steward of the land, is leading the project in partnership with Robinson Forestry and Tubex, supported by T W Hardesty Forestry & Rural Services, Hatton Contracts Ltd, and Cheviot Trees.
The site, which was once a racecourse in the early 1900s, is being transformed through a programme of woodland creation and restoration. The project is reconnecting fragmented ancient woodland and replanting areas lost to clearance around the Second World War.
One of the key efforts of the programme is the restoration of Bentilee Wood, expanding it to its historical extent, alongside the replanting of Oxhay Wood, a 6.7-hectare area felled in the 1940s.
Together, these efforts aim to enhance biodiversity and provide continuity between woodland habitats with a mix of native species such as oak, field maple, hazel and Scots pine.
While conifers are carefully planted outside the ancient woodland areas, the primary focus remains on native species to support local ecosystems.
The project is also expected to contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, with estimates suggesting it will absorb approximately 3,500 tonnes of carbon over the next 100 years.
 |
 |

The Spring Edition 2025 of PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt takes place in Hazerswoude/Boskoop on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 February 2025.
This event offers an overview of the latest garden plant trends and current developments in the sector. It targets garden centres, retailers and wholesalers from Europe who buy here and international growers who present their offerings for the new season.
With around 175 exhibitors specialising in garden plants, and the simultaneous GROEN-Direkt sample fair, presenting 5,000 direct-order sample lots from 500 growers, this fair offers a complete overview of what is on offer in the green sector this season.
Focus on trends and sustainability During the fair, the focus is on innovation and sustainability. The Green Retail Award and the Wall of Fame present the most outstanding products and concepts. In addition, the Green Future Hub provides a stage for experts and pioneers to discuss solutions and current topics. This year's theme is "Does a brand work?".
Visitors can also join a guided tour with Michael Perry, known as 'Mr Plant Geek', who will provide practical insights into product innovations, consumer trends and product presentation through a tour of the show.
The combination of PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt and GROEN-Direkt creates a powerful synergy that sets the fair apart from other events in the sector. The presence of thousands of sample lots from hundreds of growers alongside the hundreds of exhibitors creates a relationship fair with an immediate trade opportunity and makes it a must-visit for anyone active in the green sector with an emphasis on European garden plant buyers.
Practical information The Spring Edition will take place on 4 February (07:00 - 17:00) and 5 February (07:00 - 16:00) in the GROEN-Direkt building at Noorwegenlaan 37, Hazerswoude-Dorp/Boskoop. The Greenport region of Boskoop is known as an important centre of the European tree nursery sector.
For trade visitors:
- Free entry for trade visitors via pre-registration at plantariumgroendirekt.nl.
- Excellent accessibility with free parking.
- Opportunities to network with colleagues and suppliers.
- Comfortable facilities, including extensive catering.
Autumn Edition 2025 In addition to the Spring Edition, the date for the Autumn Edition has also been set: Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 August 2025. More information on registration and details are available on the website.
Contact and registration Trade visitors can register free of charge via the website: plantariumgroendirekt.nl. For additional information, please contact:info@plantariumgroendirekt.nl or +31 172 235 029.
 |
 |
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
 |
 |
Blue Diamond has acquired Yarnton Home & Garden, a thriving garden centre located north of Oxford, which has undergone significant investment and transformation.
Yarnton Home & Garden stands as a flourishing, high-end, multi-award-winning centre and Blue Diamond is looking forward to building on these strong foundations to lead the centre into a successful future.
Alan Roper, CEO of The Blue Diamond Group, commented: “Yarnton Home & Garden is a business that is much loved by its customers. The team there has worked incredibly hard to transform the centre into what it is today, and I look forward to driving the business on into the future and welcoming it into our portfolio.”
Glen Sheldrake, MD of Yarnton Home & Garden, said: “With a strong and entrepreneurial team, we have positioned the centre as a key destination in the area. The time is now right for new ownership, and I am delighted to pass the reins to Alan Roper. Alan is highly respected in the industry and truly understands the best way to take the business forward”
The acquisition of Yarnton Home & Garden reflects Blue Diamond’s ongoing strategy to expand its portfolio of high-quality garden centres. With this addition, Blue Diamond reinforces its commitment to offering exceptional customer experiences and further strengthening its presence in the UK garden centre market.
Blue Diamond is one of the UK’s leading garden centre groups, known for its focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The group operates 48 garden centres across the UK and is dedicated to enhancing the gardening and lifestyle experience for its customers. https://www.bluediamond.gg/
Yarnton Home and Garden is a multi-award-winning garden centre that is host to a beautiful Magic Garden in-door play area, café and home and garden shop. It is a destination store with customer service and quality at its core. https://www.yarntonhomegarden.co.uk/
 |
 |
See all of the Gala Dinner Awards winners
Barton Grange: Destination Centre, Fron Goch: Garden Centre, and Millbrook Staplehurst: Local Garden Centre, were the big winners at the GCA Gala Dinner and Awards on Tuesday night at the GCA Conference 2025, held at Wokefield Estate, Reading.

Barton Grange - Destination Centre of the Year

Fron Goch - Garden Centre of the Year

Millbrook Staplehurst - Local Garden Centre of the Year

Lyme Bay Winery - Associate Member of the Year, The Haskins Stewart Cup

Pughs Garden Village - Worrall Cup winners for Marketing Campaign of the Year
Garden Centres of Excellence (pictures below in the image gallery)
- Aylett Nurseries
Barton Grange Garden Centre Bents Garden & Home Fron Goch Garden Centre Meadow Croft Garden Centre Old Railway Line Garden Centre Perrywood, Sudbury Perrywood, Tiptree Ruxley Manor Garden Centre Thurrock Garden Centre
Watch out for more GCA Conference coverage and all the pictures from Tuesday's conference sessions, the Associates Exhibition and the Gala Dinner in GTN Xtra over the coming days.
 |
 |

Garsons Garden Centre Esher (Destination Garden Centre), Castle Gardens (Garden Centre) and Pughs Wenvoe (Local Garden Centre) have been recognised as the national winners of the Garden Centre Association’s Gisela Graham-sponsored annual Christmas competition.

The garden centres were judged to have the best festive displays in the country by the organisation and will receive their awards at its annual conference in January 2025.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks said: “Well done to the team at Garsons Garden Centre, Esher in Surrey, who took the top spot nationally in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category for the third year running. Also, congratulations to Castle Gardens in Dorset, who were national winners in the Garden Centre (GC) section once again this year. Pughs Garden Village Wenvoe are our first winners in our new Local Garden Centre category and their displays were excellent.
“Garsons won last year and the year before and are consistently good performers in this area. While Castle Gardens are part of the Gardens Group and its three garden centres in the Westcountry are consistently high scorers in their categories for Christmas. All these centres and our other runners up are well worth a visit this December for members who would like some great ideas for best practice in this area in 2025.
“The standard was off the scale this year, with amazing displays and superb retail practices. I’m very much looking forward to hearing what our Inspector Phil McCann has to say when he presents his findings, and the ideas and images, from his visits at our annual conference in the Reading in January. He will be giving tips to all garden centre delegates – sharing good practice and helping them further develop their displays and Christmas offerings for 2025.”
In the DGC category, Gates Garden Centre came second and in third place was Barton Grange Garden Centre.
Second place in the GC category was Pugh’s Garden Village Radyr and The Old Railway Line Garden Centre came third.
In the LGC section, Brimsmore Gardens in Somerset came second and third place was awarded to Poundbury Gardens in Dorset, both are part of the Gardens Group, which includes the overall GC winner Castle Gardens.
Peter continues: “All the entrants were judged on general ambience, creativity, stock range, flow and tidiness. Customer service was also taken into consideration. Everyone who entered created some fabulous displays this year and really showed some flair. Those I saw on my travels were very impressive and had a real ‘wow factor’.”
Regional winners:
South
DGC
1. Garsons Garden Centre Esher
2. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
3. Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown
GC
1. Ransoms Garden Centre
2. Garsons Garden Centre Titchfield
3. Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
LGC
1. Knights Garden Centre Betchworth
2. Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst – Garden Centre
3. Squires Garden Centre, Reigate
North
DGC
1. Barton Grange Garden Centre
2. Bents Garden Centre
3. Hayes Garden World
GC
1. Fron Goch Garden Centre
2. Creative Gardens Donaghadee
3. British Garden Centres Arcadia
LGC
1. British Garden Centres Harrogate
Midlands, Wales and West
DGC
1. Gates Garden Centre
2. Webbs of Wychbold
GC
1. Castle Gardens
2. Pughs Garden Village Radyr
3. Old Railway Line Garden Centre
LGC
1. Pugh’s Garden Village Wenvoe
2. Brimsmore Gardens
3. Poundbury Gardens
East
DGC
1. Perrywood Tiptree Garden Centre
2. Brigg Garden Centre
GC
1. Haddenham Garden Centre
2. Sunshine Garden Centre
3. Bell Plantation
LGC
1. Parkers Garden Company
 |
 |
Pyle Garden Centre, South Wales, was among the winners to receive their awards at the GCA conference, picking up the Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre...

Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Creativity and Innovation
Perrywood, Tiptree

Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre
Pyle Garden Centre

Customer Service Award
Perrywood, Tiptree

Environment & Sustainability Award
Castle Gardens

GIMA Award – Best Garden Products Retailer
LGC: Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst (pictured above)
GC: Klondyke Garden Centres, Mortonhall
DGC: Perrywood, Tiptree

Catering Award
LGC: Rutland Nursery
GC: Thetford Garden Centre
DGC: Bents Garden & Home and Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

Indoor Lifestyle
LGC: Rutland Nursery
GC: Squire's Garden Centres, Woking, and Squire's Garden Centres, Wokingham
DGC: Bents Garden & Home

Outdoor Living
LGC: Pugh's Garden Village, Wenvoe
GC: Garsons, Titchfield
DGC: Garsons, Esher

Foodhall/Farmshop
LGC: Pugh's Garden Village, Wenvoe
GC: Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre
DGC: Gates Garden Centre

Indoor Plants
LGC: Knights Garden Centres, Betchworth
GC: Castle Gardens
DGC: Perrywood, Tiptree

GROW Training Award
Squire's Garden Centres, Reigate
 |
 |

Ben Clarke from Knights Nags Hall Garden Centre was named as the winner of 2024 Westland Horticulture-sponsored Rising Stars programme at the Garden Centre Association’s 2025 Conference.
Ben was declared the best Rising Star after his presentation received the most votes from delegates at the conference in Reading where applications also opened for this year’s programme.
Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “I would like to congratulate our other finalists, Dan Furley from Millbrook Garden Centre – Gravesend, Josh Rigg from Klondyke Garden Centre – Wilmslow and Gayna Barnard of Bents Home & Garden, for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout. They should all be justly proud of their achievements.
“We had four brilliant presentations, so it was very hard deciding who to vote for but, in the end, Ben came out top.”

GCA garden centre members can now nominate staff for the 2025 Rising Stars programme and all the details are on the organisation’s website.
The closing date for entries is March 7, 2025.

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 and to nominate a Rising Star for 2025, please visit www.gca.org.uk.
 |
 |

A group of 30 GCA delegates got their their conference 2025 experience off to a stimulating start with a Retail Safari in central London.
Led by Matthew Brown from Echo Chamber, the Safari started with a trends’ presentation in Bermondsy central London. Followed by a fascinating tour of various retail venues, including Spitalfields and ending up in Control Room 3 at Battersea Power Station for dinner before returning to the Conference venue, De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading.
"With conference so close to London, this was an opportunity not to be missed," explained organiser and GCA Vice Chair Ben Harrison of haskins Garden Centres. "The day has been particularly inspiring and stiulating. It was good to see many great examples of retailing not in garden centres for once. Sharing opinions with others in the group was particularly interesting."
See a selection of photos taken on the Retail Safari by the delegates below.
The GCA Conference starts on Monday morning with the AGM and closes on Tuesday night with the GCA Annual Dinner and Awards.
Watch this space for news and pictures from conference...
 |
|
 |
 |
GTN Xtra Special from IPM Essen in German

The 2025 German international garden trade show IPM Essen, has taken place welcoming visitors from around 50 countries. GTN Xtra's Anisa Gress was there to bring you all the action...

The 2025 German international garden trade show IPM Essen, has taken place welcoming visitors from around 50 countries. GTN Xtra's Anisa Gress was there to bring you all the action.
A highlight of the horticultural calendar, it covers eight halls with plenty of retail ideas and too many new plants to mention hinting at a positive year ahead.
Here's just a sample of what GTN found of interest for UK garden centres.

Combining a love of dinosaurs with plants, Mediflora Lehrhuber has created a range of 14cm houseplants sold with a child-friendly cover. Together they tell the story of Flora, a curious girl who makes friends with five different dinosaurs. The story continues on the Dino Snack website where it helps to nurture a creative interest in plants and nature.
 |
 |
Flexible hotspot solutions for retailing plants in colour
Flexible hotspot solutions for retailing plants in colour come from Colour Your Season. Behind the printed boards are three stacked pallets topped with a plastic tray to hold flowering plants and provide a useful reservoir. They are easy to make and dismantle in a short space of time...
Flexible hotspot solutions for retailing plants in colour come from Colour Your Season. Behind the printed boards are three stacked pallets topped with a plastic tray to hold flowering plants and provide a useful reservoir. They are easy to make and dismantle in a short space of time.
DecoWraps is offering a range of pot covers to instantly turn a pot plant into a gift. In a range of sizes, the retail prices start at 50cents for tiny tots up to 2.20 euro. Currently this line is not available in the UK.
A real showstopper, Poinsettia Fantasy Star Orange has been introduced by SelectaOne for Christmas 2025 sales. Fantasy Star Red is also available and in the pipeline for 2026 is Fantasy Star Pink.
Lewisia 'Sunset Glow' was entered into the show's new plant competition and also found on the Kientzler GmbH & Co stand which included many other new introductions under the Proven Winners brand. It's being grown in the UK by Kernock Park Plants.
 |
 |
Two new hellebores from Allensmore Nurseries

Allensmore Nurseries is going to be growing UK stock of two new exceptional hellebores. Both part of the Winter Ballet series, Frilly Ruby and Frilly Rose are the result of crossing Christmas and Lenten roses...

Allensmore Nurseries is going to be growing UK stock of two new exceptional hellebores. Both part of the Winter Ballet series, Frilly Ruby and Frilly Rose are the result of crossing Christmas and Lenten roses and are said to flower from October through to March.
 SelectaOne created an inspirational display to show off its new Fantasy Star poinsettias.
 A jolt of colour came from Belgian breeder Rudy Raes with his new Primula Flamenco Mix in bold tones and with ruffled petals.
Battery powered, pedestrian machine for lifting heavy stock
German engineering company Seed 2 Soil has created the MiniJack, a battery powered, pedestrian machine for lifting heavy stock and lining out container plants. The front section can be changed depending on the job needing to be done and the software has up to six different presets to ensure consistent spacing.

German engineering company Seed 2 Soil has created the MiniJack, a battery powered, pedestrian machine for lifting heavy stock and lining out container plants. The front section can be changed depending on the job needing to be done and the software has up to six different presets to ensure consistent spacing.
Feldborg Growers in Denmark has created the easycare brand for its houseplants and developed a novel way of presenting them in the retail situation. Easy to shop, the concept also includes and easyscore of growing so those new to being houseplant carers and those with more experience can choose plants with which they will succeed. The concept has recently been adopted by British Garden Centres and should be appearing in some stores soon.
A must for every wild bird care department is the feed Advent calendar. Created by baza house of seeds which is looking to break into the UK market.
 |
 |

We are familiar with wax coated amaryllis but now hyacinths have been given the same treatment from Jansen's Overseas.
 In varying heights and colours with an inventive collection of different plants, the containers on the Kientzler stand were real eye-catchers and brilliantly arranged. They were a great draw with visitors taking photos no doubt to create in their own homes and businesses.
 Four new vibrant Dahlia Labella Grand Chocolate make up a new collection from Beekenkamp. Bold flowers are offset with dark foliage and pictured is Rose.
 |
 |

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Groundbreaker Blush’ from Diderk Heinje Pflanzenhandelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Edewecht (DE) was awarded the Show Your Colours Award IPM 2025 during the IPM 2025 in Essen on Thursday 30 January.
The prize was presented by Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf on behalf of the IPM organisation, in the BIZZ Holland stand. Sebastiaan Heinje stated upon receiving the award that ‘Groundbreaker Blush’ is the result of an international collaboration between growers and breeders. It is wonderful to win this award together. The jury was also enthusiastic about this robust ground-covering Hydrangea. With its compact growth and long flowering period, it is a great and beautiful solution for planting areas.
Second and third place
Second place went to Hydrangea serrata 'Magic Pillow', which was submitted by Plant Select (BE). Fragaria x ananassa Duch Queeny, submitted by ABZ Seeds (NL), finished in third place. The other plants nominated included Dino Snack - Mediflora Lehrhuber GmbH, Helleborus ‘Winter Sparkle® White’ - Colour your Season, Hydrangea arborescens 'BAIful' EUPBRAF - FlowerWOW® - First Editions® (Bailey Nurseries International), Nordic Garden Beauties® - Gebr Seuren Kwekerijen B.V., Rhododendron Hybrid 'Maximus' en Rhododendron Hybrid 'Hercules' - Leybaert bv, Rosa Hybrid Sweet Home Roses® - Roses Forever ApS en Sarcococca hookerinana 'Winter Gem'® - Kwekerij Roos.
Judging
The plants and concepts nominated were exhibited in the BIZZ Holland stand in Hall 8 at the trade fair. The visitors had until Thursday morning to vote for their favourite plant/concept using special coins. A professional jury consisting of Sytse Berends, Blunt Communicatieadvies, Johan Debrabandere, category manager groen GRS Inkoop, Jos van Lint, Proba BV and Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf from IPM Essen, judged the entries on Thursday afternoon. The jury's verdict and the votes cast using coins resulted in the Show Your Colours Award IPM 2025 going to Hydrangea paniculata ‘Groundbreaker® Blush’.
The Show Your Colours Award IPM 2025 is a collaboration between IPM Essen and BIZZ Holland.
 |
|
|
|