Sweet chestnut blight outbreak prompts swift action
Sweet chestnut blight has been confirmed in Devon. The Forestry Commission has introduced restrictions on the movement of susceptible material in parts of South Devon from Thursday 2 April. Read more - open to all
Sales and trading profits increase at Yorkshire Garden Centres
YGC Group Limited reports 5.1% sales growth to £26.5m, improved EBITDA and reduced losses, despite weaker restaurant and play business performance and rising costs. Read more - members only
Kingfisher to roll out agentic AI shopping
Kingfisher has announced a multi‑year partnership with Google Cloud to introduce agentic AI‑powered shopping across its e‑commerce platforms, including B&Q in the UK. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond dances to the beat of Alan Roper
Over 700 partied into the night at the Caribbean themed Blue Diamond awards for its most profitable garden centres. Read more - members only
Garden centre sales up despite ongoing cost pressures
Horticultural Trades Association reports February garden centre sales rose 4%, driven by strong plant sales and footfall, despite ongoing cost pressures and cautious outlook for the 2026 season.
Read more - members only
HTA warns of postcode lottery with recycling of plant pots
Millions of gardeners could face inconsistent recycling services at the end of March unless local authorities update their guidance to reflect new national rules on plastic plant pots, the HTA has warned. Read more - members only
YGC sets out strategy to grow Yorkshire Garden Centres to £50m
Mark Farnsworth told GIMA members how Yorkshire Garden Centre Group (YGC) plans to grow turnover to £50m, to ensure a profitable stable group at a time when costs are rising. Read more - members only
Homebase demise delivers market share gains for B&Q
Kingfisher has reported solid results for the year ended 31 January 2026, with strong performances from its UK businesses, B&Q and Screwfix. Read more - members only
Garden Centres at Risk as 2026 Business Rates Revaluation looms
Garden centres face a business rates revaluation from 1 April 2026; Malcolm Scott urges businesses who have not done so, to take advice now. Read more - members only
Dobbies Garden Centres invests £1.5m in nationwide foodhall rollout
Dobbies Garden Centres has completed a £1.5m investment in a new foodhall concept, which has been rolled out across 48 of its UK garden centres. Read more - members only
Opperman Plants files notice of intention to appoint administrators
Lincolnshire grower Opperman Plants has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators as financial pressures mount on the long‑established nursery. Read more - members only
Martin Ward to become the new Director of GIMA
GIMA has announced the appointment of Martin Ward as its new Director, succeeding Vicky Nuttall, beginning a new chapter for the trade association representing garden and horticultural suppliers. Read more - members only
