B&Q First Quarter Results Up

In a bulletin published today, B&Q owners, Kingfisher, reported quarterly like-for-like sales up by 7.4% on last year. This reflects the growth seen in garden centres for the same period. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond forecasts 2025 sales close to £400m

Despite ‘respectable figures’ in Blue Diamond’s 2024 annual report, they were not sufficient to maintain profit at last year's level due to minimum wage increases. Read more - members only

New finance director for Bradford garden centre group

Yorkshire Garden Centres group has appointed Emma Bristow as its full-time finance director as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Read more - open to all

Sharon McNair, Emma Bristow, Neil Barwise-Carr and Mark Farnsworth

WHM Pet Group and Wildlife World join forces

WHM Pet Group, a leader in wild bird food and accessories, has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Wildlife World, renowned for its wildlife-friendly garden products. Read more - members only

Mark Pitman and Sam Marriage

Simpsons in Inverness to acquire Christies Garden Centre

Christies Garden Centre in Fochabers, Moray - which has been run by the Christie family since its foundation in 1820, is edging closer to being sold to Simpsons Garden Centres in Inverness. Read more - members only

Westland Horticulture returns to TV screens

Westland Horticulture is set to bring back its popular brands, Boost and Resolva, to TV screens in the UK and Ireland. Read more - members only

Dobbies and Ares are working to an ambitious 5-year strategy

CEO David Robinson unveiled the first Dobbies store to be upgraded post restructuring, explaining how he plans to restore successful trading to the 53 garden centres now in the group.  Read more - members only

Michael Hall retires from Fallen Fruits

After more than 30 years, Michael Hall is taking his well-earned retirement, stepping down as Managing Director of Fallen Fruits Ltd. James Brindle will take over as the new Managing Director. Read more - open to all

Michael Hall

Record dispatch week for Farplants sales

Farplants Sales, a leading plant wholesaler owned by 3 growers, has successfully handled one of its busiest weeks ever without any sense of rush or stress, shipping over 800,000 plants.  Read more - members only

The sun shines and garden sales jump in March

The HTA reveals a strong performance for UK garden centres in March, but warns there needs to be a sustained period of robust sales to offset rising employment costs. Read more - members only

BGC buys Hayes Garden Centre

British Garden Centres has confirmed its acquisition of Hayes Garden World in Ambleside.  This will be the 8th new garden centre for BGC this year. Read more - members only

Northampton reopens as BGC’s 72nd garden centre

TV presenter Nicki Chapman has reopened Northampton Garden Centre under the new ownership of British Garden Centres (BGC). Read more - members only

Nicki Chapman with Amy, Charles and Libby Stubbs of family owned British Garden Centres

Westland buys Bulldog Products

Westland continues expansion with the purchase of Bulldog Products Ltd, the wild bird feed business, and with plans for a new distribution depot in South Wales. Read more - members only

Study into carbon accounting of nursery stock

Greenwood Plants is collaborating with the RHS and Sheffield University on a research project to study the carbon accounting of nursery stock for urban greening. Read more - members only

Louis Kosowicz, Dr Jill Edmondson, Dr Mark Gush, Melanie Asker and Kevin Merritt

Lacklustre results for Squire’s in damp 2024

Excellent 2025 spring trading justifies Squire’s long-term confidence after poor weather forced lacklustre but resilient results in 2024. Read more - members only

Milford Garden Centre

Robust performance by Westland Horticulture

Westland has filed a strong set of accounts for 2024 despite a flat year.  Cash reserves increase by £9m to £44m as margins continue to grow. Read more - members only

Hillier collaboration with The King’s Foundation

In a new partnership with The King’s Foundation, Hillier will contribute its expertise to support community engagement and education initiatives at Highgrove Gardens. Read more - members only

Origin Enterprises plc buys Elixir Garden Supplies

The latest acquisition for the Origin Enterprises plc is Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd, a UK-based industry leader in online gardening supplies. Read more - members only

TJ Kelly

Dobbies unveils new-look Cadnam store

Dobbies Garden Centre in Cadnam has celebrated a relaunch. This is the second store in Dobbies' extensive programme of investment across the store estate. Read more - members only

ScanCom announces closure of LifestyleGarden UK operations

ScanCom International, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of outdoor furniture, has announced the planned closure of its LifestyleGarden distribution centre and showroom in the United Kingdom. Read more - members only

£100m financing facility for Blue Diamond

Natwest reveals £100m financing facility for Blue Diamond on the day the garden centre group opens the first phase of World’s End Garden Centre. Read more - members only

Recently opened plant area at Huntingdon

Squire's names new Managing Director

Squire's Garden Centres appoints Sam Dickson to succeed Martin Breddy as managing director. Read more - open to all

Sarah Squire, Chairman, welcomes Sam Dickson new Managing Director of Squire’s Garden Centres

Garden Centre re-opens its doors after fire

Following a major fire in its new extension in November 2024, The Old Well Garden Centre re-opened its doors again for the Easter weekend. Read more - members only

Hobbycraft to launch CVA as part of restructuring plan

Hobbycraft Trading ltd, the UK's leading arts and crafts retailer, plans to launch a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) as part of a restructuring plan, Gardenforum has learned. Read more - members only

Cadix (UK) Limited closes its doors after 26 years

Cadix (UK) Limited has announced that as of Thursday 10th April 2025 it has ceased trading with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

Store openings boost revenues at B&M

Like for like sales fell at B&M UK, the variety goods value retailer, for the 52 weeks ending 29 March 2025.  Revenues, however, grew as new stores opened. Read more - members only

Feefo Gold Award for Bents Garden & Home

Bents Garden & Home in Warrington has been awarded the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2025, recognizing their consistent delivery of world-class customer service. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond opens Huntingdon and offers 2 sites for sale and leaseback

Blue Diamond opens its 49th garden centre at Huntingdon and offers 2 existing garden centres for sale and leaseback. Read more - members only

Exciting new chapter for Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Old Railway Line marks its 35th anniversary with a grand opening of its new entrance and fully covered plant area. Read more - members only

Is new tech the key to catering customer satisfaction?

The introduction of a new kiosk and app-based ordering system at Fron Goch Garden Centre in North Wales has prompted the question - are kiosks and an app for ordering the future for garden centre restaurants? Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive