British Garden Centres rally for Garden Re-Leaf Day

British Garden Centres is preparing nationwide fundraising for Garden Re‑Leaf Day, with all 78 centres supporting Greenfingers Charity through events and challenges, aiming to raise £100,000 during 2026.

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Tring Walkers

Blue Diamond extends Garden Re‑Leaf fundraising to a full week

Blue Diamond Garden Centres are ramping up their support for Greenfingers Charity this year by extending Garden Re‑Leaf Day into a full week of fundraising activities. Read more - open to all

Expansion, fires and sales shape garden centre news

Garden centre sector sees expansion plans approved, restaurants reopening and new openings, a centre offered for sale, redevelopment proposals submitted and retailers investing in technology following fires and rising retail theft. Read more - members only

Ruxley Manor adopts Facial Recognition software to combat shop theft

HTA wins top honours at TAF Awards

The Horticultural Trades Association has won Sector Representation of the Year and was highly commended for Best Association Transformation at the 2026 Trade Association Forum Awards.

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BGC presses Priti Patel for political support

Last month, British Garden Centres hosted a visit from opposition MP, Priti Patel, and underlined the need for urgent political support with rising costs and regulatory pressures Read more - open to all

Priti Patel MP with Amy Stobbs

Garden centre group boosts hospice fundraising goal

A Yorkshire garden centre group has exceeded its charity target and extended fundraising for Martin House Children’s Hospice, pledging to raise £150,000 by June 2027.

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L – R Helen Lidster, Steph Harrison, Ann Harris from Yorkshire Garden Centres.

Hillier Weyhill restaurant to be refurbished

Hillier Garden Centre Weyhill is refurbishing its restaurant from February, with a refreshed dining space, new décor and improved facilities set to reopen in March 2026.

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How should garden centres navigate the challenges of 2026?

Last week’s GCA conference heard how retail, the economy and even the weather are changing. Speakers including retail expert Mary Portas, and economists from HSBC, outlined strategies for garden centres. Read more - members only

Mary Portas on stage at the GCA conference

GCA names garden centres and supplier of the year

Ruxley Manor, Old Railway Line, Brimsmore garden centres and Woodlodge take top GCA awards. Read more - members only

Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

Solid growers’ results set a hopeful tone for 2026

Leading UK nurseries enter 2026 with cautious optimism, balancing hopes for modest growth against rising costs and market uncertainty especially over April and May. Read more - members only

Spring '25 production at Allensmore

Allensmore Nurseries – Open Day Invitation (28 or 29 January 2026)

Allensmore Nurseries Open Day events offer the chance to explore new products, meet the team, and tour their updated facilities.  Wednesday 28th or Thursday 29th January 2026. Read more - open to all

Henry Bell becomes a main sponsor of Grantham RotarySwimarathon

Grantham-based Henry Bell & Co has started the year with a splash by becoming a main sponsor of the town’s RotarySwimarathon – an annual fundraising event to support local charities, clubs and organisations. Read more - open to all

Green-tech selects Prostate Cancer UK for 2026

Green-tech has named Prostate Cancer UK as its 2026 Charity of the Year, pledging fundraising and awareness support for a cause with strong personal significance to the team.

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Green-tech exceeds St Leonard’s Hospice charity target

Green-tech has raised more than £1,600 for St Leonard’s Hospice in York, surpassing its £1,000 charity target through a year of team fundraising activities.

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Jumperful challenge raises £5,500 for Greenfingers Charity

The 2025 Christmas Jumperful Challenge has raised over £5,500 for Greenfingers Charity, taking total funds raised since 2020 to more than £37,000. Read more - open to all

Countdown begins for Garden Re-Leaf sponsored walks

Supporters across the garden industry are preparing for the annual Garden Re-Leaf sponsored walks, raising funds for the Greenfingers Charity ahead of Garden Re-Leaf Day on 20 March.

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Kit sponsors support Greenfingers Kilimanjaro Charity Trek

Industry partners including Mountain Warehouse are backing a Greenfingers Charity trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, helping fundraisers raise money to build a new therapeutic hospice garden at Naomi House & Jack’s Place.

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Growers look ahead at Frank Matthews open day

Roots to Retail visitors were welcomed to Frank P Matthews in Tenbury Wells by Bransford Webbs and New Leaf Plants, marking its 125th anniversary and recent investments. Read more - members only

Prosper buying group appoints new chair

The Prosper Buying Group appoints Simon Bourne (Retail Director, Perrywood Garden Centres) as its new Chairman, succeeding Terry Head. Read more - members only

Simon Bourne

Garden Re-Leaf Day returns March 2026

Garden Re-Leaf Day returns on Friday 20 March 2026, inviting garden retailers and suppliers nationwide to raise funds and awareness for Greenfingers Charity through fun, industry-wide activities.

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GIMA Charity Golf Day returns this June

Golfers are invited to mark their diaries as the GIMA Charity Golf Day returns on Thursday 4th June 2026, promising another winning combination of great golf, brilliant networking and fundraising for a fantastic cause. Read more - open to all

Garden centres turn to technology to tackle shoplifting

Gardenforum contacted garden centres across the UK after Christmas to understand the real impact of shoplifting and how businesses and the police are responding. Read more - members only

Tong Garden Centre hosts rose pruning masterclass

Tong Garden Centre will host a rose pruning masterclass with David Austin Roses experts on 24 February, offering practical training, Q&A sessions and horticultural advice for gardeners. Read more - open to all

Ann Harris and Toni Wilkinson from Tong Garden Centre

GCA Awards recognise Best Garden Centres

Garden Centre Association members have been recognised at the GCA’s 2026 conference, with awards presented to the highest-scoring garden centres following the organisation’s annual inspection programme. Read more - members only

Customer Service - Coolings Nurseries

Garden centres are preparing for 2026 after a strong 2025

As we move into 2026, garden centre operators across the UK are reflecting on a successful 2025 and considering how best to navigate the uncertain year ahead. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond, Huntingdon

Bulrush sponsors BOA Technical Conference 2026

Bulrush Horticulture has confirmed its continued sponsorship of the 2026 BOA Technical Conference, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, collaboration and supporting the next generation of ornamental growers. Read more - open to all

Long-standing Milton Keynes Garden Centre announces closure

One of Milton Keynes longest-established garden centres has announced it has made the “difficult decision” to close down after more than 50 years of trading. Read more - members only

Webbs’ Toy Emporium shortlisted for Toy Department of the Year

Webbs Garden Centres’ new Toy Emporium has been named a finalist for Toy Department of the Year at the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards 2025. Read more - members only

Yorkshire Garden Centres smash charity fundraising target

Yorkshire Garden Centre Group has raised over £45,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice, exceeding its £30,000 Charity Year target by 50% with three months still remaining. Read more - open to all

L to R Alicia Hunton Caitlin Murphy Shannon Cater and Macauley Jackson

Charity Golf Day supports Greenfingers Kilimanjaro Challenge

Teeing up for the Roof of Africa – Charity Golf Day Backing the Greenfingers Kilimanjaro Challenge 2026. Read more - open to all

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