Reports reached GTN Xtra this week that Lechlade and Cheddar Garden Centres have become The Garden Centre Group’s latest acquisitions, following weeks of speculation.

Both outlets are owned by Bristol-based Park Garden Centres, whose other centre at Almondsbury is not part of the deal.

As this issue of GTN Xtra neared its deadline, Park proprietor Phil Hodges was not available to confirm the story, but we understand that staff have been informed.

Meanwhile, speculation has been increasing this week that the Garden & Leisure Group, which owns nearby Cadbury and six other centres, were close to a deal with a potential buyer.

Oceanview Garden Centre in Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada - not Cheshire - decorated its car park (below) with about 1,000 bras collected as part of a fund-raising event for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser.



We've heard of many different garden centre charitable fundraising stunts but this one is particularly uplifting!

A 40 per cent increase in business for 2013 and the addition of 800 new UK garden accounts for its recently introduced Worth Gardening brand were among the highlights at last week’s Garland Products sales conference.

Worth’s operations director Tony Dedman said the achievement had been remarkable against the background of a very cold winter.

Delegates learned details of more than 90 new products to be unveiled to the trade at spoga+gafa in Cologne and at Glee later this month.

Paul Whitnall, who covers the south east, was named sales agent of the year, with Andy Burton (south west) a close second and Richard Foster (north east) third.

Family owned Garland Products, a division of Glendenning Plastics founded nearly 50 years ago, specialises in the plastic injection moulded products for keen gardeners.

Core gardening products are at the heart of Gardman’s new ‘Trust us to Deliver’ marketing strategy, which will be rolled out at Glee this month.

Marketing director Jane Lawler says today’s shoppers are alert to offers and need good deals to tempt them to buy. “With core gardening products like seed trays, propagators, netting, plant supports, watering cans and garden tools at the heart of the retail offer, it’s important we help retailers put enticing promotions for this vital area in front of their consumers. This philosophy is at the heart of our approach,” she explained.

The purpose of the new’ ShaRRPer Pricing’ initiative is to drive up retailers’ sales volumes through lower RRPs and better deals. Gardman has cut the price of more than 500 products across all product categories and has strengthened its Sales Booster promotion, which offers retailers year-round promotional deals to a total of 275 lines.

To ensure stores have something new to offer at each visit, Gardman will introduce more than 200 new products for 2014, paying particular attention to the core categories.

The BBC will retain rights to exclusive coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show for the next your years following a new deal with the Royal Horticultural Society.

The contract also embraces the RHS shows at Hampton Court, Tatton Park and Malvern, across broadcast and digital channels, plus ideas and advice from RHS gardens and experts on BBC2’s ‘Gardeners' World’ programme.

RHS Director General Sue Biggs said millions had enjoyed the BBC's coverage of the society’s shows and gardens. “We are delighted to be continuing this successful partnership, she said. "The BBC's coverage of RHS Chelsea Flower Show attracts some of the biggest audiences for gardening programmes on TV today and high levels of audience appreciation. It's a huge highlight in the gardening year.

"BBC programmes like Gardeners' World and coverage of RHS Shows have a direct impact on inspiring people to get outside growing plants. Reaching out to the widest possible audience to share the best in gardening is at the heart of what the RHS does, so we couldn't be happier about extending this partnership."

Simon Shaw, BBC Executive Producer for RHS Flower Shows says the BBC’s audiences see Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park as highlights in their TV gardening year.

Garden and landscape timber specialist M&M Timber Limited is to break with convention at  Glee, when the emphasis will be on talking business as well as showing off their latest products.

Customers will be invited to meet directors and senior management to discuss how the company is developing its product range and business strategy in line with the changing market.

Subtle changes in the way M&M has begun redefining its product marketing have already been welcomed by many. This year’s refined home and garden range is aimed at giving retailers a competitively priced volume product with added customer appeal.

Designed with the changing buying patterns of the garden industry in mind, M&M say the range more readily lends itself to the impulse buy that can easily be picked up and taken home.

 Burnley-based Bar-Be-Quick, pioneers of the instant barbecue, are glowing with civic pride after the Lancashire town was named the most entrepreneurial area of the UK in 2013.

Parent company Rectella has maintained production in Burnley for 27 years, despite overseas competition, to show its support for the town.

Caroline Hoare, national account manager at Bar-Be-Quick said they were proud to be part of Burnley’s bustling business community. “It’s a fantastic place to be based thanks to its hard-working people, great transport links and entrepreneurial spirit and we’re looking forward to being part of the exciting changes that are on the horizon.”

The accolade, awarded through the government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, recognises and celebrates the range of business, enterprise and economic development work that has reshaped Burnley’s reputation.

Councillor Julie Cooper, leader of Burnley Council, told the BBC: “This is fantastic news for Burnley. We are punching above our weight and we have big ambitions. Burnley is well on its way to forging a strong international reputation as a centre of excellence for manufacturing, particularly in the aerospace industry.”

The UK's first collapsible watering can, made by Nottingham-based Sorcit, is an ingenious reworking of the most traditional item in the tool shed.

This funky-looking British-designed 9-litre can – called the Colapz – is made out of a plastic composite material that allows it to be packed flat to just 24cm diameter by 10cm deep for easy storage. It comes in achoice of colours.

The unique, patented idea is expected to appeal to owners of small gardens with limited storage space, loft and apartment dwellers, allotment holders, and people with barges, boats, caravans and tents.

"The move towards a more compact, sustainable way of life has caused us to rethink the design of everyday objects which may not have changed for decades and to introduce eco-friendly, materials that help reduce our carbon footprint," says Sorcit's managing director, David Fannin. "Britain has for a long time been at the forefront of clever design, coming up with innovative solutions to simple, everyday problems. Our Colapz watering can is one of the many exciting, innovative products we are developing."

The material is 100% recyclable, frost-proof, UV resistant and easy to clean. The Colapz is designed never to become clogged with dead leaves and twigs. Cleaning inside is done by unzipping the chunky zipper. Practical features include an integral splashguard, moulded integral feet and a level indicator.

RRP is £19.99. The colour options are: Lime Green, Dark Green, Blood Red, Aqua Blue, Candy Pink and Jet Black.

Email info@colapz.com  for trade details

Above: Bidens 'Rockstar' from Proven Winners.

Visitors to the Kernock Park Plants stand Stands A46, 47 and 49 at Four Oaks at the Four Oaks trade show next week will see some of the 50 new plant introductions from their 2013/2014 catalogue. 

Some are interesting innovations, others a twist on garden favourites. “We strive to bring exciting new varieties to the UK market, and our network of breeders have really shone again to make the 2014 catalogue another exciting selection.” said MD Bruce Harnett.

Two of them will be entered for Four Oaks new plant awards – Bidens ‘Rockstar’ from Proven Winners and Agastache ‘Blue Boa’.

‘Rockstar’ has extra-large flower heads and a more upright habit that has transformed the role of this bidens from a trailing filler into a patio pot centrepiece plant.

Already proving popular with growers, ‘Blue Boa’ has spikes of deep violet blue over deep green, well-branched but upright foliage. The plant is described as having an excellent habit, with no staking required and most suitable to add deep blues to the mid border. “It’s a quality plant for growers as it will look good in pots on the garden centre bench as well as in the garden.” says Harnett.

The catalogue includes further additions to the Grasses, Alpine, Herbaceous and Summer Flowering Patio Plant ranges

Email marketing@kernock.co.uk

Have you thought about… Sustainability

According to new research for the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), consumer attitudes to eating out have become more sophisticated. Increasingly, knowledgeable diners are far more concerned about how restaurants operate and over 50% are willing to pay more to eat in a restaurant that is run sustainably.

• If you’re planning on refurbishing your food space, don’t throw away; instead, think about re-upholstering or adding a touch of paint to existing furnishings.  It is also possible to create features from recycled materials - reclaimed pieces look great and are very on-trend
• Provenance is king – support local producers by sourcing locally and serving seasonal dishes made with fresh ingredients. Ensure your restaurant environment reflects this trend by opting for natural, recycled or reclaimed finishes.
• Consider the environment when choosing equipment. Think about the potential CO2 footprint and energy efficiency. Opt for low energy lighting and heat recovery, which may be a higher purchase price, but reduction in energy usage over its lifespan can far outweigh the initial investment.

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.

Every week we give sales volume comparisons with 2011 as well as 2012 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 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 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.

Eric Gallagher, owner of Cardwell Garden Centre near Gourock, has died after a short illness, aged 76.

After re-locating his nursery from Gourock to a new site at Lunderston Bay in the 1960s, Mr Gallagher developed the centre into a popular destination attracting around 750,000 visitors a year. The centre has a stunning view over the bay and the Firth of Clyde, with the Argyll and Bute hills and the mountain peaks of the Isle of Arran in the background.

The site includes a 300-seater restaurant and 100,000 sq.ft of covered retail space.

Mr Gallagher received a Lifetime Achievement award in the Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee’s Knees Awards last year. He was a recipient of an International Rotary Club award for services to charity and a certificate of merit from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society for significant contribution to Scottish horticulture.

He is survived by his wife Isobel, daughter Stefanie and sons Drew and Kieran.

The funeral service is on Tuesday 3 September (10am, St Mary's, Patrick Street, Greenock), when the garden centre will be closed all day. The family have requested no flowers but will take a collection for Ardgowan Hospice and the Children's Hospice Association Scotland).

Court upholds record fine on Dobbies after sewage leak near Carlisle

King’s Lynn’s new Tesco and Dobbies stores taking shape

Growing media suppliers Bord na Móna UK, distributors of the  peat-free Vital Earth brand and peat-reduced Growise compost, have joined the  British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).

Steve Harper, head of consumer UK at BNM, said it was  “a good decision for an ambitious and expanding company”.

• Trees for Life Raspberry Allgold and Erika.
• Suttons James Wong Homegrown Revolution Goji Berries.
• Thompson & Morgan Green Manure Grazing Rye.
• Unwins Cabbage Durham Early.
• Gardeners Kitchen Kale Dwarf Green Curled.

• Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost (10 litres).
• Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost (50 litres).
• Westland John Innes No 2 Compost and John Innes No 3 Compost (both in 10-litre bags).
• Scotts Levington Ericaeous Compost (56 litres).

The HTA is repeating its Autumn PR campaign ‘Plan it, Plant it this Autumn’, starting this month.

The campaign was launched at June’s National Plant Show with the aim of encouraging gardeners to continue gardening throughout the autumn. It also aims to tap into the growing interest in gardening among younger consumers.

A key message is that that the garden is not dormant during the winter. Autumn gardening activities like lawn care, planting, autumn bedding, trees, fruits and wild bird care will be highlighted.

Research commissioned by the HTA revealed that 41% of gardeners mistakenly believe that fruit trees and soft fruit should be planted in spring, whilst 45% thoiught that spring bulbs should also be planted in spring.

Autumn is also an important time to prepare lawns for the winter and to start feeding garden birds.

Last year’s campaign was a runaway success with garden centres across the country downloading ‘Plan it, Plant it’ POS and logos to use in their own marketing initiatives.

More details from: hta.org.uk

Appealing to a younger audience, growing a garden centre catering offering and how to meet consumer expectations are the key topics are up for discussion in the panel sessions at the Knowledge Hub at Glee (15-17 September).

Put together and chaired by the HTA in association with Glee, the sessions aim to inspire and debate the latest trends in the garden retail sector.

Panellists include: James Buffoni of Hortipak, David Denny of HTA, Jackie Eades of Briers, Matthew Bent of Bents Garden and Home, Simon Bourne of Perrywood Garden Centre, Salim Shajid of Blueberry Consulting, Jack Sharkey of Vision Commercial Kitchens, Penny Manuel of Soho Coffee and Costas Constantinou, ex Head of Catering at The Garden Centre Group.

Topics covered in a programme of workshops include making the most of social media (Edwin Meijer of Garden Connect), how to meet consumer expectations (Ray Buckler of Retail DNA) and how to create a catering destination (Abi Perry-Jones – Catering Design Company).

Retail guru John Stanley will return to the Knowledge Hub stage with his unique insight into the changing face of the garden retail market from across the globe, whilst Kevin Waters of The Garden Works will be ‘Keeping Plants in the Picture’ in his seminar talk.

See see the full programme details, go to www.gleebirmingham.com/Content/Seminar-Timetables