Evergreen unveils its brands for 2019

The new team from Evergreen, the successor to Scots Miracle-Gro in the UK, has unveiled its brands and strategy for 2019 and beyond.  Read more - members only

Karl Kahofer, CEO flanked by Mark Portman (L) UK MD and Ted Linehan CCO

Flopro in huge £2m consumer giveaway to create a ‘must stock’ brand

Crest will give away 30,000 Flopro hose reels through garden centres, absolutely free, next spring in a deal with a national newspaper.  The move aims to establish Flopro as a ‘must stock’ brand for all garden centres. Read more - members only

Eggesford garden centre is to close

Owners of struggling Eggesford Garden Centre in Devon are closing the business blaming roadworks as the final tipping point. Read more - members only

Ames to explore Glee for further acquisitions

Having completed 3 acquisitions in a year Ames UK managing director, Kelkay’s Anthony Harker, will be using Glee to meet a number of businesses to explore potential opportunities. Read more - members only

Antony Harker

Wyevale sells 5 more garden centres including a 9th for Blue Diamond

Wyevale has announced the sale of 5 more garden centres. Two will remain as garden centres, including a nostalgic 9th for Blue Diamond.  The others are expected to be redeveloped. Read more - members only

Nailsworth garden centre

Gardman goes back to Robson’s

Gardman has served notice on its logistics partner, XPO. From 10th September Gardman brands will be delivered by its former carrier, Robson`s of Spalding as it targets 95% service levels. Read more - members only

Pete Utting

Kingfisher unveils B&Q growth for May, June and July

Good sales growth for B&Q in Q2 were driven by a strong performance of weather-related categories. Read more - members only

Veronique Laury at RHS Hampton Court

Peter Utting, CEO of Gardman provides an update on stock availability

Following the devastating fire on the 12th March that destroyed almost all our inventory, we have been working hard to quickly rebuild stock cover and service to our customers. Due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of our suppliers they have not been able to meet these delivery dates and here is an update. Read more - open to all

Peter Utting

Homebase set to announce store closures next week

Hilco owned Homebase is expected next week to announce a CVA and closure of around 60 more stores. Read more - members only

Hortipak is co-founder of a new international horticulture media group

Hortipak has joined leading horticultural marketing groups across Europe and the USA to form the Media Concept Group. Read more - members only

James Buffoni

Squire’s Garden Centres purchases Frensham Garden Centre

J. Squire & Co. Ltd (“Squire’s”) and Wheelhouse Warehousing Ltd (“Wheelhouse”) are pleased to announce the purchase of Frensham Garden Centre by Squire’s from Wheelhouse. The purchase was completed on 1 August 2018. Read more - members only

L-r: Martin Breddy, Sarah Squire, David Wheelhouse, Colin Squire, Brian Phillips.

Graeme Jenkins is the new CEO of Dobbies

Dobbies names Graeme Jenkins as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect replacing Nicholas Marshall, who has not been seen at the business for some months. Read more - members only

Graeme Jenkins

Notcutts gets consent for £multi-million upgrade of Woodbridge GC

Notcutts has been given planning consent for a major redevelopment and upgrade of its Woodbridge garden centre, the group’s original site. Read more - members only

Julian Herbert, Caroline Notcutt, Nick Burrows, Nicky Dulieu, Bryan Laxton

Blue Diamond acquisitions begin the break-up of Wyevale

Contracts were exchanged today for Blue Diamond to acquire 8 garden centres from Wyevale as Terra Firma starts the break-up of the country’s biggest garden centre group. 2 other sites have also been sold. Read more - members only

Percy Thrower - Soon to be a Blue Diamond Garden Centre

James Whiteley brings Nova Garden Furniture back to life

James Whiteley, managing director of the online retailer White Stores, has bought the trading name of Nova Garden Furniture and has started wholesaling. Read more - members only

James Whiteley

Rosebourne to open at Aldermaston on Sept 28

Rosebourne is to open its second food and plant centre at Aldermaston, near Newbury on Sept 28. Its design follows the template developed at their first site at Andover. Read more - members only

Weyhill

5th generation joins the Hillier board

George Hillier and Martin Hillier, respectively sons of Robert and John Hillier, have been appointed to the Hillier Nurseries board, becoming the 5th generation at the grower and garden centre group. Read more - open to all

The new Hillier Nurseries board

Perrywood buys Sudbury as Wyevale sells 4 more centres

Wyevale announces the sale of a further 4 garden centres.  An update on the remaining garden centres is expected soon. Read more - members only

The Oxford plant canopy

Homebase rescue plan wins creditor approval

The threat of administration has been lifted from Homebase.  But 42 stores will close leading to 1500 job losses. Read more - members only

Sale and leaseback funds Blue Diamond deal

Blue Diamond reveals it has sold 3 garden centres in a sale and leaseback deal to fund in part buying the 8 Wyevale garden centres announced last month. Read more - members only

Redfields, the template destination garden centre

New Dawn for 8 Wyevale Garden Centres

Blue Diamond has, today, moved in to the eight garden centres it bought from Wyevale telling the employees it’s a ‘New Dawn’. Read more - members only

31 August vote on Homebase CVA

Homebase has confirmed it is planning a Company Voluntary Arrangement and lists a further 42 stores that will close over the next 16 months. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds celebrates its 40th year with a Pudsey link

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds celebrated its 40th year by announcing several initiatives for 2019 including a link with BBC Children in Need. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill's staff with Pudsey

New gardening director for Homebase

Homebase appointed Mike Norton as director of gardening and building in July. The group, recently purchased by Hilco, is reported to be closing its horticultural offices in Swindon. Read more - members only

Ames starts process of merging sales teams

Ames UK has started the process of rationalising the agency sales teams of Kelkay, La Hacienda and its most recent acquisition Anchor Fast. Read more - members only

Anchor Fast acquisition demonstrates Ames’ UK ambitions

Ames makes its 3rd acquisition in a year, adding Anchor Fast to its UK stable that already holds Kelkay and La Hacienda. It plans continued expansion in the UK and Ireland. Read more - members only

Anchor Fast Exmouth BBQ shelter

New MD for Vitax

Vitax Limited, one of the UK’s leading garden and horticulture manufacturers has appointed a new managing director as it drives forward with its ambitious growth plans. Read more - open to all

Carl Welsh and Mark Butler

Syngenta buys Floranova to build its flowers business in Asian markets

Syngenta announced today it has acquired Floranova a flower and home garden vegetable seeds breeder with a broad portfolio and customers in over 50 countries. Read more - members only

Jeff Colegrave (left), Michael Kester (center)and Dominic Lacey (right)

Verisem buys Franchi Seeds to create new major seed group

Franchi Sementi has been acquired by Verisem Distribution, with Giampiero Franchi joining the parent company board to develop the company’s distribution, including in the UK. Read more - members only

Scientists find 95% of Britain’s water butts contained legionella bacteria

Yesterday’s Sunday Times reports, “Homeowners who follow government advice to use water butts to hose their gardens and wash their cars risk exposing themselves to a dose of deadly legionella bacteria.” Read more - members only

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