Dobbies announces plans for 2nd Northern Ireland store
Dobbies has announced plans for a second store in Northern Ireland, at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park. A public consultation will commence in the coming weeks. Read more - members only
Dobbies announces plans for 2nd Northern Ireland store
Dobbies has announced plans for a second store in Northern Ireland, at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park. A public consultation will commence in the coming weeks. Read more - members only
Two London locations announced for little dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres, announces the next two little dobbies stores that will open this year: Chiswick High Road and Westbourne Grove. Read more - members only
Fargro sold to MBO
MD, Richard Hopkins, has announced the successful completion of a management buy-out (MBO) of Fargro Ltd backed by private equity partner Ashridge Capital. Read more - members only
Kärcher launches battery-powered professional garden range
Market leading pressure sprayer manufacturer, Kärcher, is introducing professional landscape management tools to its range: a chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer... Read more - open to all
Frosts feel the chill of Covid-19
Accounts from Frosts Garden Centre covering the first lock down, show a drop in sales and profit, but a strong increase in cash at the bank. Employee numbers also fell. Read more - members only
Approval recommended for second Tong garden centre
Local reports confirm that Leeds City Council is recommending that plans for Tong’s proposed big new garden centre are approved next week. Read more - members only
Covid secure recognitions for Bents
Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been presented with two Covid secure accreditations which it hopes will help visitors to feel safe and welcome at the family owned and run centre. Read more - open to all
Price increases forced on The Pot Company
The Pot Company has written to customers to say prices have increased by 10% across all ranges due to higher shipping and raw material costs. Read more - members only
Dobbies to buy Johnsons of Boston
It is confirmed that Dobbies is to take over Johnsons of Boston, in Lincolnshire and will assume control on Monday 18th April. Read more - members only
Smart Garden in the UK’s Top 100 Profit League
Smart Garden Products came 74th in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 which charts the UK’s private companies with the fastest growing profits. Read more - open to all
Homebase is trialling garden centres within Next stores
Homebase has announced a trial with Next, opening six garden centres in Next stores, today, 12th April. Read more - members only
Profit drop for Squire’s is a very good result
Squire’s Garden Centres reports a drop in profits for the year covering the first Coronavirus lockdown but believe this is a very good result, given the events of 2020. Read more - members only
British Association of Landscape Industries rebrands
The British Association of Landscape Industries has unveiled its new look ahead of its 50th year in business in 2022, dropping the BALI acronym and the term Registered Members. Read more - members only
Dobbies unveils spring TV adverts
Dobbies’ spring advertising campaign highlights the impact gardening can have on your wellbeing, no matter the size of your indoor or outdoor gardening space. Read more - members only
Plantorama opens Denmark’s biggest garden centre
Last weekend Plantorama opened two Smiemans designed garden centres in Denmark. One becomes the country’s biggest. Read more - members only
Rapid growth continues at Blue Diamond despite Covid
Blue Diamond results for 2020, a year dominated by Covid, show sales up 11% to £210m and a 64% jump in profit before tax to £23.5m. Read more - members only
99% increase in domestic sales boosts Marshalls
Marshalls, the stone and concrete specialist, reports strong sales in the last 4 months. Trading continues to improve and order books are currently strong. Read more - members only
Will garden centres re-open restaurants in May?
There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only
Dobbies opens Boston garden centre
Dobbies today opens its 71st store. Previously Johnsons Garden Centre, the store has undergone a refurbishment following its acquisition and closure 2 weeks ago. Read more - members only
Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre to start Phase 2 of redevelopment
Phase two, which will further enhance the destination experience enjoyed by customers, follows the opening of the modern and spacious new restaurant, restored woodland nature walk and a show garden which have opened over the past two years. Read more - open to all
Latest company results show impact of first lockdown
Sales jumped over the first lockdown at T&M, Hozelock and Crocus. Others in this report which is open to all include Stewarts, Dobbies, Rosebourne, Tong and The Greener Gardening Company. Read more - open to all
Ekju management forms AMATA for MBO
The management of garden furniture specialist EKJU has completed a MBO as AMATA in what it calls turbulent times. Demand is high and there’s a shortage of raw materials. Read more - members only
Syon Park - Hillier’s first destination garden centre
Hillier opens at Syon Park later this week, drawing on the nursery and garden centre group’s Chelsea and plant heritage to become a destination for London gardeners. Read more - members only
Spring & Autumn Fairs launch online marketplace for all year trading
Hyve Group is to launch the Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace, enabling the wholesale home, gift, and fashion business to trade throughout the year. Read more - members only
Large fire next to Longacres at Shepperton
LATEST UPDATE RE: Longacres was forced to close its Shepperton Garden Centre at lunchtime today as a large fire blazed on neighbouring industrial land. Read more - members only
Nicholas Marshall looks set to return
Nicholas Marshall, now chief executive of the Country House Group, looks set to return to garden retailing if, as expected, a lease is signed to take over the plant centre at Lavershot Barns. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond signs exclusive Partnership with The Soil Association
Blue Diamond and The Soil Association aim to break down any perceived barriers to gardening in an organic and more nature friendly way Read more - open to all
Sustainable logistics help EnviroBuild's carbon neutral goal
EnviroBuild Materials Ltd is moving warehousing and logistics to champions of sustainability, Howard Tenens Logistics - a bold step towards becoming a carbon-neutral company. Read more - members only
New owners for California Gardens in E. Yorkshire
California Gardens, a large garden centre at Howden in East Yorkshire, has been acquired by the owners of Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough, who plan significant investment. Read more - members only
Cherry Lane acquires Langford Garden Centre
The value driven garden centre group, Cherry Lane, continues its expansion with the acquisition of Langford Nurseries & Garden Centre in Bedfordshire. Read more - members only