Gardening Express boss writes to APHA/Defra re the farce preventing him from sending plants to Northern Ireland and the potential plant health risks. Read more - members only

Holt garden centre is to reopen on the 1st of March after a £1.25 million refurbishment. Read more - members only

The risk to Scottish horticulture is growing as garden centres remain closed.  With Mother’s Day approaching, HTA calls for Scottish government to take action soon. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond has agreed to lease its biggest garden centre yet.  It is to be built as the cornerstone of Scotch Corner Designer Village in north Yorkshire. Read more - members only

Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, that returned to screens on 3 January 2021. Read more - members only

The parent company of Landman limited, which was in administration, has been bought by DS group. It will continue to trade in the UK for the foreseeable future. Read more - members only

A row has erupted between LOFA, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, and a rapidly growing importer for whom membership has been declined. Read more - members only

Biowise Limited (T/A Wastewise) has entered into a five-year contract to supply over 40k tonnes per annum certified compost to Vital Earth, who produce the largest range of peat free products in the UK. Read more - open to all

Paul North became the new MD of Ames in March and set about building a platform to double sales with a new Leadership Board. Read more - members only

Hillier is to open a new garden centre at Syon Park.  The site had been operated by Wyevale until its closure in the autumn of 2019.  Hillier has also acquired 100 acres for a new tree nursery. Read more - members only

Notcutts increased sales by 1.9% last year despite significant disruption caused by its £9.2m garden centre redevelopment and improvement programme. Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro backs its commitment to soilless indoor gardening by completing the purchase of AeroGrow International that produces indoor gardening kits. Read more - members only

The team at Tong Garden Centre are celebrating after winning the Outstanding Employer award at the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards. Read more - open to all

T&M has acquired 100% of the share capital of Suttons Seeds Ltd and its 3 brands: Suttons, Dobies and the Organic Catalogue.  It also launches T&M Marketplace. Read more - members only

Dobbies unveils a new Christmas advertising campaign called The Joy of Dobbies.  The campaign also launches Dobbie’s new positioning, ’Not Your Average Garden Centre’. Read more - members only

Dobbies has partnered with surplus food app, Too Good To Go, in a bid to combat food waste across its stores.  Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s has combined its direct-to-consumer brands in a new subsidiary, Greenregis Ltd, with Paul Pates becoming MD. Read more - members only

Turnover for the AMES UK group of companies broke all the records in 2020. Kelkay, La Hacienda, Apta and True Temper all posted their largest ever trading month. Read more - members only

Extra week’s wages for B&M UK stores staff as revenue increased by +26.6%, including like-for-like growth of +21.1% in the last quarter.  Read more - members only

Leading wholesaler Stax Trade Centres reports a strong performance despite the year’s challenges (year to 29 August).  Turnover jumped 17% to £135.4m with an operating profit of £4.6m. Read more - members only

E. P. Barrus Limited is delighted to announce the appointment of four new members to the company’s Board of Directors with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

A new destination garden centre is to be built in Hampshire. This will be the third for the "Your Local Garden Centre" group that operates Mappleborough Green and Stansted Park. Read more - members only

It’s business as usual for Primrose, the online garden retailer, following its sale to Luke Johnson, one of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Read more - members only

The Millbrook Garden Company has applied for planning permission to demolish its garden centre in Crowborough and build 33 homes on the land. Read more - members only

Kingfisher, parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has bought NeedHelp, the French home improvement services marketplace, for roll out in the UK. Read more - members only

Work has started on the 180 acre Designer Outlet Cotswolds, that will have a ‘flag-ship’ Dobbies Garden Centre as a cornerstone. Read more - members only

Kingfisher reports strong growth in B&Q’s outdoor sales in last quarter.  Higher demand has led to lower in-store availability. Tariffs of c. 2% are expected if it’s a no deal Brexit. Read more - members only

Inverness based Simpsons Garden Centre is expanding into the north east.  It has acquired an Aberdeen-shire Garden Centre, Happy Plant, based in Mintlaw. Read more - members only

The FT reports that Homebase has been put up for sale as its owner, Hilco, looks to capitalise on the pandemic boost for home improvement groups. Read more - members only

It has been reported in Germany that its oldest grill manufacturer, Landmann, has filed for bankruptcy.  The company is looking for new investors. Read more - members only