Catering Group of the Year

British Garden Centres and Yorkshire Garden Centres are celebrating after winning two of the main Garden Catering categories in a national trade magazine. Read more - members only

British Garden Centres wins Group Catering Award

Mr Fothergill’s announce partnership with The Children’s Society

Mr Fothergill’s are very excited to announce our new partnership with The Children’s Society, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and young people across the UK. Read more - open to all

Willington becomes Blue Diamond’s 46th garden centre

Blue Diamond's purchase of Frosts’ Willington Garden Centre completed slightly later than expected, on 18th October.  This follows the group's acquisition of Woburn Sands in August. Read more - members only

Birdworld’s multi-million-pound redevelopment gains planning approval

Birdworld, owned by Haskins and on the same site as Forest Lodge Garde Centre, near Farnham, Surrey has been granted planning permission. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond acts to secure plant supply chain

Blue Diamond agrees strategic partnership with European Group to ensure plant supply chain keep's pace with the continued expansion.  Read more - members only

Westland awarded the Peter Wilson Cup by Choice Marketing

The supplier of the year cup has been renamed the Peter Wilson Cup, in honour of the director of Mackenzie & Cruickshank who died earlier this year.  Read more - members only

Harry Wilson presents the Peter Wilson Cup to Westland watched by Terry Maywood

December deadline for Dobbies survival plan

More information has leaked out about the proposed Dobbies restructuring plan, the garden centres involved and its timeline for approval. Read more - members only

New leadership team for Mr Fothergill’s

Following the appointment of Michael Yates as its new CEO earlier this year, Mr Fothergill’s today, announces three new executive appointments. Read more - open to all

 Michael Yates, CEO at Mr Fothergill's

Katie Blake rises from the ashes of Glencrest Seatex

Jack Whiteley, the founder of Glencrest Seatex that was put into administration last month, has launched Katie Blake Limited. Read more - members only

Profits rise at Woodthorpe Hall

Results from Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centres, half of British Garden Centres group, show a rise in sales and profit but warn of the challenges from rising costs. Read more - members only

Perrywood Garden Centres purchases Buckhatch Nursery & Garden Centre

Perrywood Garden Centres has today announced the purchase of Buckhatch Nursery & Garden Centre, located near Chelmsford in Essex. Read more - members only

Alan Bourne, Simon Bourne, Barrie Mortlake, Lynda Mortlake, Hannah Powell and Tristan Bourne.

Scandinavian acquisition for Evergreen Garden Care

Evergreen Garden Care acquires Econova’s gardening business and strengthens its presence in Scandinavia. Read more - members only

Mark Portman, Jeanette Trettan, Alan Bergin (Evergreen CFO) and Ted Linehan

Industry newcomers buy Sturmer Nurseries

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold Sturmer Nurseries in Essex to industry newcomers. Read more - members only

Administration for Glencrest Seatex

Glencrest Seatex, one of the most prominent UK garden furniture importers has been put into administration. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond funds NT garden projects

National Trust announces plans for £1 million in garden investment, as its collaboration with Blue Diamond Garden Centres enters third year. Read more - members only

Apothecary Garden at Nostell

Homebase to be placed into administration

It is widely reported that Homebase is to be placed into administration later today.  It is understood that The Range has agreed a pre-packaged sale of approximately 75 stores… Read more - members only

Stratford Garden Centre joins Prosper Buying Group

Stratford Garden Centre has joined a list of distinguished members (see list) of the Prosper Buying Group. Read more - members only

Sipcam and Westland top the GIMA Awards 2024

Over 400 guests watched as Sipcam retained the GIMA best product award from last year, while Westland was voted supplier of the year by GCA members. Read more - open to all

Sipcam wields the GIMA Sword of Honour

Planters acquires Pacific Nurseries

Planters has added a 5th garden centre, with the purchase of Pacific Nurseries in the West Midlands.  UPDATED Read more - members only

Staverton Nursery rises from the Flames

Staverton Nursery, near Lewes in East Sussex, has been rebuilt following a fire in April 2023 which destroyed half of their retail space, coffee shop and offices. Read more - members only

Squire's Martin Breddy sets retirement date

The Board of Directors of Squire’s Garden Centres has announced that Martin Breddy, managing director since 2016, has decided to retire next summer. Read more - open to all

Martin Breddy

Growers recognise need for automation, but how?

Popularity of HTA’s first FutureGrow Expo has demonstrated growers’ need for information and support when planning mechanisation and automation. Read more - members only

Notcutts invests in Mental Health First Aid training

On World Mental Health Day (10 October 2024), Notcutts is celebrating its commitment to wellbeing after 25 colleagues have successfully qualified as Mental Health First Aiders this year. Read more - open to all

Amy Fuller, Restaurant Manager; Ali Davis, colleague; and Stuart Blight, General Manager at Notcutts

Dobbies reveals restructuring plan

Dobbies Garden Centres has published its restructuring plan that involves the closing of 11 sites and impacts 465 colleagues.  The aim is to ensure a return to sustainable profitability.  Read more - members only

New HTA president presents HTA Awards

Will Armitage succeeds Alan Down as HTA President with Jane Lawler becoming vice president.   There are awards also for Mike Burks and Majestic Trees. Read more - members only

Mike Burks and Will Armitage

Trade rebounds for Notcutts in 2023/24

Trading has begun to rebound says Notcutts as it reveals headline figures for 2023/24, when it was voted Best Employer in the East of England in retail and hospitality. Read more - members only

Nick Burrows, Notcutts Chief Executive

Kingfisher half-year results “not as bad as expected”

B&Q and Screwfix parent, Kingfisher, has posted “better than expected” half year results, with adjusted pre-tax profit (PBT) dipping half a percentage point to £334 million and top-line sales dipping 1.8% to £6.75bn. Read more - members only

Forth Valley Garden Centre to make 10 for Caulders

Caulders Garden Centres are set to purchase Forth Valley Garden Centre in Linlithgow, better known as Rouken Glen, Linlithgow, from the Sheikh family. Read more - members only

Colin Barrie

Family buyout of Deco-Pak

Decorative landscaping supplier, Deco-Pak, has been bought in a management buyout by David and Craig Hall. Read more - members only

News of restructuring plan for Dobbies

Sky News reports that Dobbies is plotting a far-reaching financial overhaul which could pave the way for store closures and steep rent cuts. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive