If you’ve ever wondered how Wyevale Garden centres can sustain its spending spree, there’s a clue on the grapevine this week.

WGC has managed to grow its garden centre portfolio to more than 150 through an aggressive acquisition programme funded by the deep pockets of its equity capital owners, Terra Firma.

The interest in acquiring garden centres businesses in the UK is currently intense, with multiple offers chasing each ‘for sale’ announcement. As a result, prices have been pushed up and up, to the delight of their owners, as the buyers with the fattest cheques seal the deals. More often than not, it’s WGC. 

But not even Terra Firma’s pockets will be bottomless. After all, the group has a large and diverse portfolio of interests with many calls on its assets and challenging scenarios to face (as browsing the investment press will reveal).

So the news this week that Wyevale Garden Centres has completed £91m worth of sale and leaseback deals on eight garden centres may help to explain how it is still able to buy highly-valued garden centre businesses and pay top dollar for them.

In December 2015 Orchard Street Investment Management bought and leased back Altrincham, Gosforth, Nantwich, Leicester, Huntingdon, Braintree, Woking and Osterley properties on behalf of St James's Place Wealth Management. WGC has signed new 25 year leases on them – and meanwhile has £91m more cash in hand to spend on acquisitions.

Until recently Wyevale held more than 70% of its sites on freehold, but, having seen how much interest was created by last year’s sale of La Salle Investment Management’s £110m Garden Centre Fund (which featured six WGC prime sites, including Bicester Avenue) to Black Rock, it may be sizing up further sale and leaseback as an increasingly attractive route to growth.

• Who’s likely to be next on the Wyevale hit list? Send us your bets to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Jack Fillingham, Sunshine Garden Centre

Kath Bailey, Barton Grange Garden Centre

Sam Clark,Cowells Garden Centre

Matt Tanner, Squires Badshot Lea

Sophie Leibthal, Coolings Garden Centre

Will Clark, Barton Grange Garden Centre

All six finalists will be making a presentation to the full GCA Conference audience on Monday afternoon, 25th January and then conference delegates will vote to decide who should be crowned as the Rising Star of 2015.  The result will be annouced at the 50th anniversary GCA Annual Dinner on Tuesday night, 26th January.

Keith Nicholson of Westland said: “There are some great success stories here – huge efforts put in from all finalists with their projects. It will be great to see who the Conference chooses as overall winner. The Rising Stars Programme will be extended this year with Regional Masterclasses, and also a new programme in Ireland”.

Iain Wylie, CEO of GCA added “Well done to everyone in 2015 Rising Stars. The standard was so high we could not select five – that’s why we ended up with six finalists. Good luck to them all and may the best one win!”

Ian Boardman, Director IBBIS (UK) Limited, Rising Stars Facilitator told GTN Xtra; "to my mind they are all winners. Reading their stories is very rewarding – to have helped in a small way in their personal development is very satisfying to me."

GTN Xtra will bring you the result along with all the news LIVE from the GCA Conference every day from Monday next week, make sure you are signed up to receive your own copy of GTN Xtra every issue using this link

The Horticultural Trades Association has arranged an inspirational Study Tour to the Netherlands in February 2016 and there is still some limited availability for this opportunity.

As well as visiting some creative garden centres and a tour of Edelman, the Study Tour will also take in the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 5thEdition, including the event’s gala dinner.

Event Background: Retail reality is forever changed. Consumers are empowering, well informed and hypermobile due to their smartphones and tablets. They are looking for entertainment, hospitality and experience, shopping 24/7 and expects the widest range at the best price.

How do you translate these developments to the shop floor and how can you actually sell more? How do you deal with the new consumer? And how can your business remain profitable in the garden industry in the near and far future? The GARDEN RETAIL EXPERIENCE offers inspiration and answers and helps in the transition to a new shopping model.

As well as exclusive access to the Retail Experience our tour party will also attend the Retail Gala on Wednesday 17 February. The full tour itinerary is as follows …

• Wednesday 17 Feb 2016 –Fly out in the morning to Amsterdam –from airport begin tour of creative Garden Centers in the Netherlands throughout the day. Tuincentrum Osdorp and a second De Bosrand in Alphen a/d Rijn. In the evening attend the exclusive Retail Experience Gala in Boskoop including speakers and entertainment.
• Thursday 18 Feb –Attend Retail Experience with full expert guided tour. www.gardenretailexperience.com
• In the evening attend a locally based meal for additional networking opportunities.
• Friday 19 Feb -Visit to Intratuin Zuidplas followed by a Tour to Edelman, lunch and in the afternoon fly home to the UK.

The cost for the entire trip is £380 per person, this covers accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as lunch and Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening but the HTA request those attending the tour to make their own way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport as travelling from all over the UK and attendees can then organize as best suited to their location.

The tours intended start time is 11am from Schiphol airport and once in the Netherlands Martin Simmons of the HTA will host alongside, GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Retail Experience Experts and Edelman and as such have been able to keep any related costs for this to a minimum.

If you would like to book on to the event or need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact the HTA – events@the-hta.org.uk

The Garden Retail Experience is a truly inspirational event, see the GTN Xtra picture gallery from last year to give you a flavour of the ideas that will stretch your thinking and give you a head start as you prepare to meet the demands of the garden centre customer of the future...

With over 20 years’ experience in the professional and consumer horticulture sector, Daniel will concentrate on driving the business forward, growing it both organically and through acquisition. 

“Over the past few years Vitax has gone from strength to strength, and Daniel’s appointment confirms our commitment to the brand and our customers,” says Paul Gooding.

“With an already experienced and well respected sales team, Daniel will be well supported as he looks to consolidate Vitax’s position in the market and expand into new areas.”

Daniel joined the company eight years ago following the acquisition of the Nutrel Group. 

As the former owner and Managing Director of Nutrel, Daniel continued with the business as Commercial Director, responsible for its growth both nationally and internationally.

“Vitax has experienced growth year on year and we need to keep that momentum going. 2016 will see a range of new products hit the market and plans are already well under way for the 2017 season,” says Daniel. 

“The challenge is how to take an already established brand and build on its success. Vitax already has a first class reputation, we just need to continue to innovate and work with our customers to ensure we have the right products to meet demand.”

Daniel has been replaced as Nutrel’s Commercial Director by Chris Norris, who has been promoted from Operations Director. Both Vitax and Nutrel are part of the Synchemicals Group.

• Westland Jack’s Magic All Purpose Compost 60 litres moves up from No 23 to the top spot.
• Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes 56 litres remains at No 2.
• Westland Ericaceous + John Innes 30 litres is the highest mover, up 30 places to No 14.

Wyevale Garden Centres have acquired Woodcote Green Garden Centre, based in Wallington, Surrey.

WGC say they aim to maintain and enhance the business’s reputation for excellence in garden products retailing and customer service.

In 2015, Woodcote Green was awarded the Best Retail Outlet of the Year at the Garden Retail Awards and was also recognised for its commitment to employee development. “WGC intends to work closely with the existing Woodcote Green Garden Centre team on the development plans for the future of the centre,” the announcement said.

Welcoming the Woodcote Green team to Wyevale, chief executive Kevin Bradshaw said it would be “very much business as usual” while WGC took time to learn from all its new colleagues.

“We are extremely pleased that our colleagues and senior management team will be staying and are committed to helping us plan the centre’s development,” he added. “We will work hard to retain the legacy and heritage of this unique site, which has significant roots and has served its community for almost 60 years. It will help to strengthen our national presence and will reinforce our position of providing the ‘very best of local and national’ in garden centre retailing.”

Chris Milan of Woodcote Green said: “WGC’s commitment to investing in its people and providing excellent quality of service and products makes me optimistic that the group will serve our community with the same heart and passion that our team has had for decades. Their pledge to conserve our diverse offering, to work closely with our management team and their promise to invest in the centre in the coming years, leaves me confident about the future of Woodcote Green.”

• Gardman Stainless Steel Colour Changing Marker Lights are a new entry, straight in at No 1.
• DLF Trifoleum Johnsons Anytime Lawn Seed 250g is another new entry at No 6.
• Gardman Extra Wide 4 Tier Grow Arc debuts in the chart at No 20.

• Mr Fothergills Beetroot Boltardy is the highest placed veg seed at No 4.
• Taylors Onion Sets Stuttgarter are the first Veg-2-Gro No 1 of the year.
• Pink Fir Apple, 2.5kg packs, from Taylors are the early seed potato front runners at No 5.

 

It was Gardman’s second appearance at Harrogate Christmas & Gift this week, and they had more than tripled the size of both their stand and product offering; underpinning the company’s growing reputation as a key player in the festive market.

Gardman’s 2016 Christmas Emporium is a truly one-stop for your Christmas shop, with highlights on their stand including a brand new collection of 50 ultra-realistic artificial Christmas trees and over 200 decorative lines:

• Pre-lit LED decorations in a choice of four festive themes; Rustic Rattan, Sparkling Silver,  Berry Red and Novelty
• Indoor and outdoor lighting
• Flameless LED candles and candle lanterns
• Festive wreaths
• Christmas themed doormats and doorstop
• Pre-lit LED wall art and canvases
• Topiary and artificial plants
• Artificial trees, garlands and tree stands.

The range was enthusiastically welcomed by visitors to their stand, with many looking to recreate their very own show-stopping festive emporium in –store for Christmas 2016.

“Buyers loved our new tree selection and also our range of decorative products, packaging and point of sale material,” said Gardman category management director Tim Goff. “if the trade’s reaction at Harrogate leads is anything to go by, then we will see a significant increase our market share this year!”

On show again … Gardman will be showcasing their Christmas collection along with their stylish Garden & Home Co. décor and gifting ranges at International Spring Fair at the NEC Birmingham – 7-11 February 2016, stand 2G50-H51.

Superfish says it has many reasons why you should make the company your trade partner for your pond supplies

• Complete range of accessories
• Ongoing investment in new product development
• Professionally designed and developed over many years by aquatic experts and enthusiasts
• Established and recognised brand backed up by a comprehensive marketing support programme
• Excellent service - product delivered from stock quickly and efficiently, allowing easy replenishment
• Aquatic sales team providing after sales support and staff training

Superfish’s merchandising solutions include:

• Durable construction with striking, full colour, informative POS
• High impact, eye catching, co-ordinated displays
• Flexible ranges - create a display that meets your stocking needs
• Easy to merchandise and easy to shop = higher sales
• Easy to maintain and replenish

Point of sale

• Header boards – clearly identify the pond fixture as well as reinforcing the brand
• Shelf edgers - highlight key products, educate consumers, and aid self selection by providing practical and technical information
• Shelf edge strips - reinforcing branding and to accept EPOS ticketing
• High quality metal racking – strong and versatile, quick and easy to assemble

For more information about Superfish Pond Merchandising Solutions contact Pedigree Wholesale Ltd  on0115 982 3900, email sales@petproducts.co.uk or visit www.petproducts.co.uk

He was instrumental in developing the concept of the “Garden Centre”, as a destination in its own right, a place where a family could go and enjoy a day out, which was a revolutionary idea back in the 1960’s.  Having left war-torn Holland in 1946, he met Thea Warmerdam when he came to work for her Nurseryman father, whose family had settled in Goffs Oak during the War, where they grew tomatoes and cucumbers. They married in 1953 and started the business in Broxbourne, on the old A10, while at the same time raising 6 children.  A placard in the window bore the words “Always Open”, and the Car Park had room for 7 or 8 cars, at a pinch.  One of the Weekend Juniors at Broxbourne was a young man called Geoff Hamilton, who was, legend has it, ticked off by Cornelius for “talking too much.”  If ever there was a case of the pot calling the kettle black, this must surely have been it.

From small beginnings at Broxbourne, with the landmark Windmill Garden, which Cor planted up himself, coming alive every Spring with hundreds of daffodils and tulips, in 1971, the business relocated to Great Amwell, to the site of a former Rose Nursery, known as Chaplin Brothers.  With the words “The Gardeners’ Paradise” boldly emblazoned across the front, the brand new Centre was opened by Percy Thrower, and with both Thea and Cornelius in attendance virtually 7 days a week, became instantly successful, attracting thousands of visitors each week, as well as Garden Centre Operators from as far afield as Holland, France and Italy.

Although retired, he maintained a keen interest, and saw the business that he and Thea had founded take root and grow, to include award-winning Garden Centres at Chenies in Buckinghamshire, and Peterborough, as well as the flagship site at Great Amwell.

He leaves 6 children and 12 grandchildren, and he will be sorely missed. His sense of humour, love of all things horticultural, and zest for life, will be remembered and celebrated by everyone who knew him.

The funeral service will take place on Monday 8^th February at 11 am,  at St Augustine’s RC Church, Hoddesdon, Herts. All Welcome.

John Brian Edmonds, father of Nicci Gow - Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre - died on January 8th after a long illness.

GTN published an article 12 or so months ago about Nuffield Scholarships of which he had been a recipient. Both Nicci and Neil Gow have asked that we help spread the word of his death within the trade that he was still working in daily age 85.

Neil writes:  "While not known to many in the horticultural retail field of today the work John was doing back in the 1960's, 70 and 80's with growing plants in containers and Bransford Nurseries set many of the trends still being followed today. A leading light in the agricultural and horticultural world, being NFU country chairman and setting up one of the first regional HTA groups with Mike Dunnett, Johns' innovative thinking, along with many others like Eddie Topping and Peter Seabrook still shapes much of what we know today.

"The processes of growing plants to a retail standard needed innovation as well as tenacity and often those processes required 'invention. That was where Johns' engineering ability also came into play constructing things from 4 wheel nursery trailers to conveyor belts and sand beds to potting machines."

Primrose Hospice is delighted to announce that it will be entering a show garden into the RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May 2016. 

Designed by award winning designer Martyn Wilson the garden called ‘Time is a Healer’ represents the bereavement journey that many children find themselves on when losing a parent or other family member.

The bereavement journey can be a confusing and challenging time and areas in the garden represent the various feelings and moods commonly experienced.

The garden has been made possible by the generous support of a number of sponsors. Kendrick Homes kindly agreed to sponsor most of the build costs for the garden thanks to the support of their Managing Director James Rennison. Other sponsors include Hillview Garden Centres, represented by their CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies and The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, represented by Director Geoff Caesar. The landscaping will be undertaken by award winning Shaun Bennett Gardening & Landscaping and the benches in the garden have been designed by Nik Burns, a local Shropshire sculptor. The main central ‘clock face’ has been generously loaned by Ella Mae Sibley Sparling, a graduate of Hereford College of Arts . Hedging and topiary will be generously provided by ReadyHedge a specialist grower from near Pershore.

The garden designer Martyn Wilson is a graduate in Spatial Planning and Environmental Management who studied Professional Garden Design at the Cotswold Gardening School. He developed his passion and knowledge of garden design working in the Cotswolds, Vale of Evesham and working in the beautiful grounds of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Martyn has previously designed two RHS award winning show gardens one of which was featured on Gardeners World last year by Monty Don.

Martyn says:  “I am really excited to have been invited by Primrose Hospice to design a show garden for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2016. The Hospice offers so much wonderful care and support for those at the end of their life and those who remain.

The space explores the journey that the bereaved travel and the mixture of emotions experienced in this traumatic period and is designed to help counsellors explore this with children. The emotions experienced at times of bereavement are not the same for everyone or the time taken to heal. In ‘Time is a Healer’ this is symbolised by the central sculpture akin to a clock face and by the four exits which enable the bereaved to enter and exit the garden at the ‘time’ that is right for them.

As you move around the garden the planting explores the emotions of bereavement from periods of depression, shock and anger hopefully to one of calm and acceptance. The bespoke central sculpture and benches crafted by local artists offer opportunities for quiet thought or contemplation.   

We look forward to start building the garden in April and to supporting Primrose Hospice in raising awareness of the great work it does in the community – see you there!”

Helen Briscoe Chief Executive of Primrose Hospice says:

“We are delighted to be working with so many talented and generous people and look forward to taking part in the Malvern Festival in May. The garden gives us a perfect opportunity to promote the services we offer.  Many people do not realise that a Hospice does much more than care for people at the end of their life. Last year we supported over 900 people through our services many of whom were children losing a parent or close relative. Children are not always able to understand or express their emotions and working with a specialist children’s worker helps them to communicate their feelings through specific activities and play. Our children’s worker has been funded for the last three years by Macmillan as we do not receive NHS funding for this necessary work but this money runs out in 2016 so we are keen to gain financial support for this crucial role. By showcasing the bereavement pathway through a visual interpretation in a garden we hope to raise both awareness and funds”

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is on from 5^th – 8^th May 2016 at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern. There will be hundreds of exhibitors selling everything from plants to food as well as a giant floral marquee. Celebrities who will be taking part include Alan Titchmarsh, Carol Klein, Valentine Warner and Mary Berry. More information can be found at http://www.threecounties.co.uk/rhsmalvern/

For more information about Primrose Hospice or to make a donation go to  www.primrosehospice.org or telephone 01527 871051

The annual Groen-Direkt Spring plant fair takes place at Hazerswoude, Boskoop on February 2nd and 3^rd. For twenty years their formula has been synonymous with quality and reliability. Groen-Direkt continues to evolve as a unique event for the European plant sector. 

To outline its global theme, more than 1,000 m2 of Mediterranean imports will be on show. In 2016 there is a new and practical expansion to current buying options. They will offer plant buyers the possibility of ordering per half layer – a change prompted by the rapidly changing purchasing behaviour of European consumers.

Today’s consumers are more impulsive, more subject to changing trends and more focused on the way things look. The option of ordering half units grants customers more flexibility, and the possibility of responding adequately to those changes in purchasing behaviour.

Large choice of options

Around 150 nurseries have a stand and show their products, including avenue trees, ornamental plants and hedging plants. Check out the website for availability. Orders can be secured on smartphones, tablet apps or order forms, all for delivery within 48 hours.

This is the first in a series of 29 events throughout 2016. www.groen-direkt.nl

Paresh Raithatha from Ansell Garden Centre in West Drayton, Middlesex will be running the Virgin London Marathon as part of his fundraising efforts for Perennial this year. 

Paresh told GTN Xtra; “I am fortunate to work in the industry I love and have grown up in. I realise that many of my industry colleagues are not so fortunate and face the daily challenges of illness, injury, hardship and unemployment. My London Marathon campaign is my way of giving something back to the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture and doing something to directly help those in need."

Paresh’s fundraising will form part of the HortAid total for 2016. Last year HortAid raised over £80,000 to help UK horticulturists. 

Chris Crooker, Events Manager at Perennial says, “We are grateful to all those who choose to fundraise for Perennial and rely on their support to continue to provide our free and confidential services. Paresh is aiming to raise £2,500 by running the London Marathon, a truly heroic effort! We will be there to cheer him on and will be supporting his fundraising campaign this year as he paves the way for HortAid 2016.”

If you'd like to sponsor Paresh for his run in the Virgin London Marathon 2016, here is a link to his fundraising page.

    

Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day is set to take place on Friday 18^th March 2016 - but already the fundraising has begun!  Twitter has already started buzzing with those looking to lose weight after the festive period, and Greenfingers is inviting them to feel even better about themselves by raising money to help create more children's hospice gardens.

The idea is that for each pound participants lose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day, they can collect a pound from their sponsors, to be donated to Greenfingers after the 18th March.

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers, Debs Skilicorn, Director of Greenfingers and GTN's very own Trevor Pfeiffer are all bravely taking part and want to encourage others to step up to the challenge.

You can sponsor Trevor on his target to loose 2 stone between the GCA Conference and Garden Re-Leaf Day by clicking: https://www.justgiving.com/Trevor-Pfeiffer.

If you are interested in taking part, here are a few pointers to help you get started:

• If you find it hard to lose weight then don't go overboard - aim for a realistic target
• On the other hand, don't aim too low - challenge yourself and encourage sponsorship!
• Let others know you’re trimming down so you can rely on them to hold you to account.  Post on social media, using the hashtag #Pounds4Greenfingers what you plan to do and why you are doing it.  Why not post before and after photos too?  You'll be surprised at just how much motivation it will give you knowing others are keeping an eye on your progress!
• Take up a short term gym membership, -.   or join a local sports or slimming club - there are tonnes of support group options at this time of year so you needn't be alone!

Garden Re-Leaf 2016 has already attracted eight top industry figures who will be staging 24 hour Plant-athons in garden centres beginning  their Plant-athons on Thursday 17th and finishing on Friday the 18th.  Poplars, Adrian Hall and Sunshine Garden Centres have all recently confirmed they will put on Garden Re-Leaf events in store.

Work began last week on recreating the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show garden designed by Matthew Wilson at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight.

After 6 months of planning the relocation team, led by Craig Ratcliff of C.A.R Gardens, broke ground this week and set to work rebuilding the garden so children and families who benefit from services at the hospice can enjoy a beautiful outdoor oasis away from the rigours of their care.

Earl Mountbatten was chosen as the proud recipient of the 2015 Royal Bank of Canada show garden in recognition of its work developing services for children and their families on the island. Although the hospice has previously focused on adult hospice care, it has expanded its services to local children who need hospice care, along with their families, who have previously needed to travel to the mainland for treatment.  The relocated garden will form part of the hospice’s offering to young patients giving them a beautifully designed outdoor space in which to relax.

Gemma Blamire and Aaron Rolf, whose daughter Sophie was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012, have spearheaded the need for children’s hospice services on the island.  The provision of children’s care on the Isle of Wight, which the Chelsea garden will add to, is part of Sophie’s ongoing legacy to help other children with life limiting conditions.

Emma Hanford, Garden Projects Manager for Greenfingers, commented: “We are delighted work is now underway on site to recreate the stunning Chelsea Flower Show garden here at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.  To see this beautiful garden rebuilt here will be extremely rewarding, particularly as it will be such a lovely outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.”

Nigel Hartley, CEO at the hospice, said:“We are all so pleased to see the Chelsea Garden beginning to take shape at the hospice. As I have said before, this garden is for the Island, so we are hoping it will be a reason for many to come and visit us, enjoying the garden as well as the rest of the facilities in the John Cheverton Centre”

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

• You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
• You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.
• You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.
• You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

• You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
• You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
• A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.
• You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

• A proven track-record in the industry along with good management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent plant knowledge and a good background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role as they offer over 3 acres of quality plants from their own nursery as well as choice plants sourced from a variety of other suppliers.

Bedding Department Head - Full time, including alternate weekends

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

• You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Twickenham Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
• You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. 
• A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 
• You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site
£ Competitive

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.

• The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and energetic, have a passion for plants and an eye for creating exciting detailed displays.
• Horticultural experience or equivalent qualifications desirable.
• The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Matt Tanner, Assistant Manager at Squires Badshot Lea

Matt Tanner was “over the moon” to be nominated on Rising Stars by Squires HR Manager Jo Ripley.

Starting as a schoolboy weekender in 2002, Matt has worked at Squires for 13 years in different stores including department head in sundries at Woking, furniture head at West Horsley, Cobham as Assistant manager and now Badshot Lea as Assistant manager

“The best things about Rising Stars are the chance to go to centres I wouldn't normally get the chance to visit and stealing ideas from other guys on the course and implementing those, everything is so positive,” Matt told GTN Xtra.

Matt’s MD at Squires, Denis Espley added “every section of the training has been very useful to him.   Everybody in Squires likes Matt.  He is assistant manager at our biggest centre so that shows how much we rate him.”

Sophie Leibthal, General Shop Assistant at Coolings Rushmore Hill

“I love having more responsibility”.  That’s the driving motivation for Sophie Leibthal who joined Coolings 6 years ago, starting as a Saturday girl while at sixth form.  From being “just a till operator” to a Rising Stars finalist it’s been quite a journey for Sophie.

Sophie explained “as a result of Rising Stars now I've got confidence to do more and I know my ideas could be successful.   We got sales increases so everyone happy with the changes and the results, even Shop Manager Brian Archibald.”

Coolings MD, Garry Carvasso said: “Sophie has grown, she shines.  Rising Stars has made her more receptive to new ideas, we are seeing a big difference.  Thank you to Westland who have made it all possible.”

Will Clark, Planteria Supervisor at Barton Grange

Will Clark saw the Rising Stars presentations at the GCA Conference in Blackpool two years ago: “I never thought I would be up there myself.  I was so surprised when nominated and it has brought me a lot of confidence.” With a keen interest in plants since really young, Will has worked at Barton Grange  for 5 years and now has responsibility for 17 staff in the planteria

“It’s been one big friendly bunch,” explained Will. “I’m aiming to improve other categories next year after the experience of Rising Stars.  Other departments here at Barton Grange have got behind me, given me plenty of help and we've achieved great results.

“Will's a good young lad,” added Guy Topping, MD at Barton Grange.  “Hopefully one day will be running he whole department.  Rising stars has really improved his retailing skills and given him a lot of confidence.”

Jack Fillingham, Leisure Duty Manager at Sunshine Garden Centre

Jack Fillingham has worked in every part of Sunshine Garden Centre after joining on their Graduate Training Scheme and after a year landed on the leisure department and a nomination for Rising Stars 2015.

Jack applied for the Sunshine Graduate Scheme after studying Business Economics at the University of Leeds, “I was looking for a career in retail and found this opportunity on the milk round,” Jack explained.   “Meeting other people in same situation as me, sharing experiences have been the high points of Rising Stars, As a group we have all helped each other. Colleagues have always wanted to know about Rising Stars, hoping they can get some new ideas too.”

Patrick Loughrey, HR Manager at Sunshine told GTN Xtra: “Jack has come back from any Rising Star seminar much more confident and you can just tell through his body language he's really trying to initiate things in the business to improve things so it’s been a great success.”

Kath Bailey, Assistant Manager in the Cookshop at Barton Grange

Kath Bailey moved to Barton Grange 5 years ago as a result of her husband’s job re-location.  She started in outside sales but after a year moved back into familiar territory, she had worked in Debenhams before, in the Cookshop at Barton Grange.

The Cookshop team of eight think that Kath’s involvement in Rising Stars has been really good.  “They’ve been encouraging me all the time and we've been doubling sales as a result of Rising Stars, explained Kath.  “The most important thing I’ve learned is about planning and setting goals.  Rising stars is quite nerve wracking but at the end of it you feel very motivated.  It is a fantastic course to go on.”

Barton Grange MD, Guy Topping was also full of praise for Kath; “She is aiming towards being the department manager in that section.  With great enthusiasm Kath has improved the standards throughout. We started with 5 candidates from Barton Grange and two have made the final.  They've put so much into their projects and gained fantastic results I'm sure they must be the two best candidates in the final.”.  

Sam Clark, Perennials Supervisor at Cowells Garden Centre

After joining Cowells 8 years ago as a dogs body around all departments, Sam Clark was “chuffed” when nominated for Rising Stars by his centre manager Martin Cowell.  “It’s been brilliant meeting new people in the same situation, exchanging ideas, getting different influences from around the country. Everything we've learned has been brilliant,” Sam enthused about his Rising Stars experiences.

“I’ve learned about stock rotation, always pushing your bestsellers and been on top of everything a lot more this year.”  As to the future, Sam says: “Martin and Dylan, my department manager, both come into work every day full of beans, if I can stay happy that will keep me fine, learning a bit new every day.”

“Sam has come back from Rising Stars full of enthusiasm and new ideas,” added centre manager Martin Cowell.  All of the staff have wished him well. Rising Stars has pushed him out of his comfort zone and made him grow as a person.”

“I made a £50 wager with Adam Wigglesworth from Aylett Nurseries that our Sam would get to the final.  I look forward to passing on the £50 win to Greenfingers at conference in Brighton.” 

Finalists:

• Dunbar Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Langlands Leeds
• Langlands Sheffield
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Pughs Radyr
• The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Waresley Park Garden Centre

Silver: Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre

Silver: Perrywood Garden Centre

The Greatest Grotto Team 2015

Finalists:

• Arcadia Garden Centre
• Baytree Garden Centre
• Brigg Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• Gouldings Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Silica Lodge Garden Centre
• Whitehall Lacock
• Wyevale Worlds End

Regional Winners:

• South West: Chaplins Superstore
• North West: Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• North East: Woodbank Garden Centre
• Wales: Pughs Radyr
• Northern Ireland: Hillside Garden Centre
• Scotland: Hetland Garden Centre

Bronze: Chessington Garden Centre     

Silver: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

The Greatest Festive Plants Team 2015

Finalists:

• Burston Garden Centre
• Cowells Garden Centre
• Gordale  Garden & Home Centre
• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Munros Nurseries
• Newbank Halifax
• Pughs Radyr
• Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Wyevale Gosforth
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• London: Aylett Nurseries
• East: Perrywood Garden Centre
• Northern Ireland: Creative Gardens Donaghadee
• Midlands: St Peters Worcester
• Scotland: Simpsons Garden Centre

Bronze: Bents Garden & Home

Silver: Barton Grange Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team 2015

Finalists:

• Langlands Shiptonthorpe
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Sunshine Garden Centre
• Van Hage Great Amwell
• Van Hage Peterborough

Bronze: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Bronze: Langlands Shiptonthorpe

Silver: Fairways Garden Centre

Gold: Hillmount Garden Centre





A gallery of pictures (below) from the gold award winners is sponsored by Kaemingk...

The Greatest Festive Catering Team 2014

Finalists:

• Burford Garden Company
• Frosts Woburn Sands
• Haskins Snowhill
• Haskins West End
• Hilltop Garden Store
• Perrywood Garden Centre
• Scotsdales Fordham
• Simpsons Garden Centre
• Torwood Garden Centre
• Wyevale Fairoak
• Wyevale Swansea

Regional Winners:

• Midlands: Jacksons Nurseries & Tea Rooms
• South: Squires Badshot Lea
• North: Woodbank Garden Centre
• South West: Whitehall Lacock
• Northern Ireland: Hillmount Garden Centre

Bronze: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Bronze: Haskins Roundstone

Silver: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Supplier 2015

Finalists:

• Allensmore
• Ascalon
• Florasilk
• SnowTime
• Konstsmide
• Swift Imports
• Wax Lyrical

Bronze: Festive Decorations

Silver: Kaemingk

The Greatest Pet Christmas Team 2015

Finalists:

• Baytree Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden & Landscape Centre
• The Old Railway Line

Bronze: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver: Planters Tamworth

Silver: Torwood Garden Centre

Gold: Bents Garden & Home

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Small and Mid Sized Garden Centres

Small Centre Finalists:

• Blackbrooks Garden Centre
• Caerphilly Garden Centre
• Keelham Farm Shop Thornton
• Pughs Radyr

Mid-sized Centre Finalists:

• Almondsbury Garden Centre
• Birkacre Garden Centre
• Busy Bee Garden Centre
• Cherry Hill Garden and Landscape Centre
• Frosts Brampton
• Mere Park Garden Centre
• Millbrook Gravesend
• Newbank Halifax
• Sunshine Garden Centre

Bronze Small Centre: Munro's Nurseries

Silver Small Centre: Jacksons Boutique Garden Centre

Gold Small Centre: Silverbirch Garden Centre

Bronze Mid-sized Centre: Perrywood Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Burleydam Garden Centre

Silver Mid-sized Centre: Castle Gardens

Gold Mid-sized Centre: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Greatest Christmas Display Team 2015 – Large and Group Garden Centres

Large Garden Centre Finalists:

• Aylett Nurseries
• Burford Garden Company
• Burston Garden Centre
• Frosts Woburn Sands                                                           
• Gordale Garden & Home Centre
• Hillside Garden Centre
• Newbank Radcliffe
• Pennells Lincoln
• Planters Tamworth
• Scotsdales Cambridge
• St Peters Worcester
• Van Hage Gt Amwell
• Whitehall Lacock
• Woodbank Garden Centre

Group Garden Centre Finalists:

• Brigg - British Garden Centres
• Grosvenor - Blue Diamond
• Houghton Hall - Klondyke
• Squires Badshot Lea
• Wyevale Swansea

Bronze Large Centre: Raemoir Garden Centre

Silver Large Centre: Bents Garden & Home     

Gold Large Centre: Barton Grange Garden Centre

Bronze Group Garden Centre: Littleheath Garden Store - Hillview

Silver Group Garden Centre: Haskins Snowhill

Silver Group Garden Centre: Spring - British Garden Centres

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Commercial Kitchen, the definitive new event for the UK’s catering equipment industry, is delighted to welcome CEDA (the Catering Equipment Distributors Association) as a major association partner.   

The highly-anticipated new launch from Diversified Communications UK, the organisers behind the multi-award winning lunch! and Casual Dining events, will take place this summer at the NEC Birmingham on 7-8 June.

CEDA, the UK’s leading membership association for companies involved in the distribution and servicing of commercial catering equipment, is a pivotal partner for the show, which is set to bring the whole industry together for the first time in the UK.

Adam Mason, director general of CEDA, welcomes the launch, saying: “CEDA is delighted to support and be a partner on Commercial Kitchen, the only trade show dedicated to the industry that we are proud to serve.  We’re excited that a number of CEDA partners have already secured stands and that they will benefit from enhanced free marketing.  We encourage all our members to visit this major new show, which will bring together all the industry’s leading suppliers and showcase the best, most innovative commercial kitchen equipment and solutions.” 

Commercial Kitchen’s group event director Chris Brazier says: “Commercial Kitchen is delighted to be working with CEDA.  We already have many of their partners confirmed to exhibit at the launch and their members are a key part of the buying audience for us.  It’s clear that we all agree that a dedicated trade event for the commercial kitchen sector is long overdue and will benefit distributors, manufacturers and end users alike.  CEDA’s strong passion for excellence in design, supply, project-management and installation matches our own and we are delighted to finally be bringing this industry the trade show it truly deserves!”

CEDA partners confirmed to exhibit include Manitowoc; Rational; Electrolux; Gram; MCS Tech Products; Adande Refrigeration; Valentine Equipment; Die-Pat Divisions; Commercial Catering Spares; and ACME Facilities.  They are among 100 hand-picked companies set to showcase the complete range of innovative equipment, devices and utensils required to run, refurbish or build a commercial kitchen.

“Gram are delighted to be supporting a clearly focused capital equipment event that gives us an ideal platform to meet prospective purchasers across the independent and group marketplace,” says Glenn Roberts, managing director of Gram (UK).

“Commercial Kitchen is a fantastic concept and provides the market with a needed pure equipment focused show,” says Julie Fell, marketing manager at Electrolux Professional.

“We are very excited to be participating at the new Commercial Kitchen exhibition.  A dedicated event of this type, for the catering industry, where heavy equipment suppliers can showcase their latest products is something we firmly believe the market needs,” says Melissa Pereira, UK key account director at Rational.

Advance visitor registration will open later this month. For further information, and to stay up-to-date with all the latest news and exhibitor information, please visit www.CommercialKitchenshow.co.uk. 

To book stand space, contact Simon Watkins at swatkins@divcom.co.uk or Chris Brazier at cbrazier@divcom.co.uk.