Nottingham-based Doff were on the brink of administration, with debts of more than £6 million, when 151 Products agreed to purchase the business and provide new investment on condition that banks and creditors approved the plan.

Under the terms of a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) agreed by more than 95 per cent of trade creditors this week, unsecured creditors, who account for around half of Doff's debts, will receive a proportion of their debts, understood to be 20p in the pound.

The new ownership means Doff’s suppliers can now obtain credit insurance again. 151 have also made £1m available so that Doff can keep trading. 

151 Products MD Richard Shonn says customers have been reassured that the restructuring process will not affect Doff’s ability to supply. “151’s offer of trade finance and additional investment in the company has maintained supplies to the business and we are operating on a business-as-usual basis,” he said.

First we learned that the grotto at the award-nominated Brookside Garden Centre in Kent was the location of Harry Halford’s proposal to Rebecca Jones on Christmas Eve (pictured below).

Then we were told that a similar thing happened at Endsleigh Garden and Leisure in Devon, where Jeremy Pearson popped the question to Jess Steer.

Simon Shead, from Brookside Garden Centre based in East Peckham, said: "Even the girl didn't know her boyfriend was going to propose to her.

“Both Harry and Rebecca are local to the Tonbridge area. The reason why he chose to propose in our grotto was because she was fascinated by Christmas.

“They heard about our grotto and Harry asked us in advanced if he could 'book' a slot on Christmas Eve so they could walk around and then he would propose. Clearly this was a secret to Rebecca! And she did indeed say yes.”

Meanwhile at Endsleigh Jeremy Pearson, from Plymouth, proposed to Jess Stear exactly a year after meeting his girlfriend at the garden centre, and after Jess said yes, the couple sealed their engagement with a kiss (above).

Jeremy met Jess through an online dating agency and they arranged to meet face to face at Endsleigh in December 2011.

"He came in to the store one afternoon and spoke to me, with what he said might be 'a strange request'," said Justin Avery, Endsleigh’s marketing manager. “His girlfriend thought they were just meeting up for a coffee and a wander through the pet section, with Jeremy's best mate.

“After the friends had met he made his excuses and left the others to look around another department, but really he was setting Jess up for a special moment.

“I tannoyed Jess to go to the Christmas department, where Jeremy got down on one knee and proposed - just next to the singing Santa band!

“Fortunately she said 'yes' - so there were smiles all-round with a ripple of applause from the not-so-well hidden staff looking on.

“We treated them to a free visit to Santa's Grotto and photo with the Santa himself.”

Brookside Garden Centre and Endleigh worked hard to make their Christmas displays extra special, so it’s no surprise that both are finalists in The Greatest Christmas Awards taking place this weekend. Among the categories for which they are competing are: The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas as voted for by the public, and The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team.

The HTA's key Garden Re-Leaf Day initiative, especially designed for National Garden Gift Voucher (NGGV) stockists, is an eye-catching, spot-the-ball-style competition called: 'Find The Winning Plot'. 

On a first-come, first-served basis, stockists will be able to apply for one of 200 shares of a £5,000 prize pot of HTA National Garden Gift Vouchers. 

Every participating retailer will receive a complete activity pack, including a giant 'Find the Winning Plot' poster, a £25 NGGV prize and POS materials. 

In the run-up to Garden Re-Leaf Day customers will be able to pay £1 to pick from 100 gardening plots shown on the poster, one of which hides the hidden prize of £25 of NGGVs - with the lucky winner revealed on Garden Re-Leaf Day.

In addition, every HTA member will be offered a specially produced, free-of-charge Garden Re-Leaf Day Fund-Raising Pack to make it easy to take part. The pack contains a leaflet packed with fund-raising ideas, plus a number of 'blank' Garden Re-Leaf Day posters to help garden centres promote their own events.  HTA members can also participate in the HTA's online Garden Re-Leaf Day Blog pages, accessible via the NGGV website www.nggv.co.uk and Facebook - being launched soon.



Carol Paris (above), Director General at the Horticultural Trades Association, said: "Participants in Garden Re-Leaf Day last year not only did an incredible fund-raising job, they also reaped the rewards in terms of customer engagement, product sales and repeat visits.  The HTA is encouraging every member to take part in 2013."

• Weed Control Fabric, 30m x 1m, at No 14.
• Plastic Solar Light, singles, at No 29.
• Garden String Triple Pack at No 46.

Family-owned Duxburys plans to invest in the 5.2 acre site based at Tubary House, Whitestake, after the £750,000 acquisition. The business has now been renamed Duxburys Garden Centre.

Frank Duxbury, founder of Duxburys Holdings said: "We have bought the garden centre to complement our existing business interests.

"Our landscaping company has outgrown its current premises and in addition, we have plans for further expansion in 2013; including building a training facility to give our staff the best training possible; which will require extra space. 

“Whilst the business has been successfully operating for three decades, we plan to improve the garden centre’s facilities; with changes to the car park and customer toilets.

“Additionally, we plan to develop the café, which will serve good food in comfortable surroundings; with leather settees and a log burning stove to add to the atmosphere.  Children will be catered for with an undercover play area.”

Stephen Greenwood, commercial property solicitor at Farleys said: "Frank Duxbury has a number of well established businesses and I was delighted to be able to assist with his latest venture."

Agents Alexander Mackie handled the sale. The business was owned by Andrew Withers but is unconnected with the Trebaron centres owned by Transcontinental Group, whose MD is Mike Withers.

Founded and still led by Jonathan Stobart, Smart Solar has established a reputation for innovative products with technical excellence.

”Our expertise in solar technology combined with product development has brought us huge success over the last decade," said Jonathan.

"Ironically, the cost of solar products has decreased over time as the technology has improved!” 

Smart Solar, who also acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Haxnicks ‘love to grow' products in 2012, employs 20 people in the UK at their Oxfordshire base, including a large product design department.

 “To have grown to the size that we are is testament to the whole team, some of whom have been with me since the very beginning," added Jonathan.

"We have a number of celebrations planned for 2013, after all, 10 years is quite an achievement!”

The GCA’s new e-learning initiative is set for its official launch this month.

The scheme, entitled Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW), offers 10 initial training modules covering aspects of horticultural knowledge including plant basics, grow your own, pruning and pest control.

GCA interim chief executive Iain Wylie says the scheme is being rolled out following the success of pilot runs at selected member garden centres, including Millbrook centres in Crowborough and Gravesend and The Gardens Group at Yeovil, Sherborne and Dorchester.

“A lot of garden centres don’t have the time or resources to train all of their staff to ensure they have a good general knowledge of gardening,” he said, “so these modules will mean more staff will be able to help with customers’ queries.

Future models will cover aspects of garden centre management, like health and safety and food hygiene.

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

For further details, call 01993 871456, visit www.gca.org.uk, call Iain Wylie on 07843 633408 or email Iain@gca.org.uk.

With Mother’s Day looming in a few weeks (10 March), Mr Fothergill’s counter-top display of sweet pea ‘Mumsie’ looks a natural order for stockists of the brand.

The unit holds 30 packets, SRP £1.99 each for 20 seeds and has a reversible header board, so sales can be extended through March and into April.

‘Mumsie’ has large, bright pink highly-scented blooms borne on long stems.  Seed has been bulked up for a number of years and this is believed to be the first time the variety has been offered commercially.

The eye-catching display, designed for till-side positioning, will generate impulse sales and appeal to keen gardeners looking for a variety they may not have seen before. It makes an inexpensive gift for those on a tight budget.

For further details, call 01638 554 111 or go to www.mr-fothergills-trade.com

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 and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.

Access is by subscription only.  For £120.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here

 

or e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

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

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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 can seriously improve your business.  Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.

Although you are now in full Christmas mode, reaping the benefits of wise product choices made earlier in the year, you are probably also taking note of buying trends and planning ahead for the 2013 festive season.

A not-to-be-missed date for your diary is Harrogate Christmas & Gift (13-16 January 2013) - a fantastic opportunity to see exciting new product launches months before the crowds arrive at trade fairs in the spring.

Harrogate is one of the fastest growing shows in its sector, catering not only for Christmas (with probably the greatest selection of trees, lights and festive decorations in the UK) but novelties and gifts for every occasion from Hallowe’en and Mother's Day right through to furniture, ornaments, flowers and giftware for the home and garden.

In fact, Harrogate Christmas & Gift has seen a steady increase in all gift and homeware ranges, attracting discerning buyers from large department stores, novelty and souvenir shops, traditional gift stores, as well as DIY stores, garden centres, museums, country estates, castles and farm shops. Be sure to join them in 2013!

Premier Decorations are leading designers and importers of Christmas lighting, trees and decorations; garden lighting and outdoor living products; and Hallowe'en products and party decorations. Garden centres voted them Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Their products regularly feature in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Top 50.

www.premierdec.com

SOLEX AT THE NEC is LOFA’s summer outdoor and indoor leisure event, now an established fixture in the trade show calendar, bringing together the world’s leading garden and leisure furniture and barbecue brands under one roof. The show moves from Telford to the NEC, Birmingham, next year (8-10 July 2013).

www.lofa.co.uk/solex

Vision Commercial Kitchens have helped many UK garden centres to launch, enhance or re-fit their catering operations, offering everything from an initial expert consultation to a full installation. They pride themselves on helping garden centres make the right decision for their businesses. The kitchens at the fabulous catering operation at the award-winning Barton Grange Garden Centre at Brock - the Riverside and Willows restaurants - were supplied by Vision. 

www.visionforgardencentres.co.uk

The sponsors of this category are Snowtime, leading suppliers of Christmas lights, fibre optics, illuminated décor, artificial trees and floral products. In 1995 they pioneered the supply of fibre-optic Christmas trees to the UK market. 

Snowtime have the UK’s broadest and most comprehensive range of high-quality artificial trees. The hottest Christmas product in many years is their range of Thomas Kinkade-designed fibre optic tapestries, which are licensed to Snowtime and were introduced two years ago (example below). Many retailers had sold out by the end of September. There are some cheap copies on the market but it's the signed originals that are selling.

www.transcon.co.uk/products/snowtime

The Arena ice rink installation at Van Hage, Great Amwell in 2011

The Arena Group has a 250-year history supplying specialist infrastructure to live sporting, music and public events. In 2012 clients included The Open, Wimbledon Championships, X Factor, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the event of the year, The London 2012 Olympic Games.

Neil has a wealth of industry experience gained by working for a number of garden centres, most recently as Head of Buying (Gardening, Plants and Aquatics) at Dobbies Garden Centres.

Peter has worked in the industry for over 20 years, including 10 years in the family-owned retail nursery business in Northamptonshire.

He joins Johnsons from Floramedia where he has spent the past four years covering key accounts in their South West region .

Peter will be covering the Northern retail sales area, visiting garden centres in an area extending from the Midlands up to central Scotland.

Trevor's length of service matches that of his father Fred Smith, who also chalked up half a century with the Lincolnshire-based firm.

Trevor first started work at the company’s nurseries in 1963, working under his father's guidance. He then worked as a plant propagator for many years before later moving to the garden centre in South Hykeham as a sales assistant.

Trevor was presented with the Royal Horticultural Society’s long service medal with bar in recognition of his service to the company and the industry by the company’s managing director Richard Pennell.

“The success of the business is due to the skill and knowledge of our team members of which Trevor is an outstanding example," said Richard.

"My thanks go to him for the major contribution he and his family have made to the business over the years.”

HTA Director General Carol Paris comments, “Council representatives play an important role in the governance of the HTA, helping ensure the views of members are heard and properly reflected  in the decisions of the HTA Board and HTA operating committees.”

Council members are important contact points for HTA members, offering a communications channel independent of HTA staff. Council members are each supported by one of the HTA’ Regional  Account Managers (RAMs) who are available to assist in the organisation of local meetings and provide more detailed information on issues or initiatives as required.

Each HTA region has a place on the council so the views of all its members can be fairly represented. Council members are asked to attend two or three meetings in London a year (expenses  paid). Ahead of each Council meeting, RAMs liaise with council members to help them prepare a short report on the state of trade and any issues of particular interest to each branch or region.