Chance to speak directly to John Lewis

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to hold a networking webinar with the John Lewis Partnership on Wednesday 2nd February at 10.30 am Read more - open to all

Hillier Buys Ducks Hill Garden Centre

Hillier has bought its 19th garden centre, Ducks Hill in Ruislip.  This extends its presence in the south and west of London after the opening of Syon last year. Read more - members only

Hillier Garden Centre, Ruislip

Deco-Pak found guilty of corporate manslaughter

Deco-Pak has been found guilty of corporate manslaughter after the death of an employee in 2017.  Director Rod Slater has been cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence. Read more - members only

Burks reveals the challenges ahead for the GCA

Mike Burks is soon to pass the chairmanship of the GCA to Tammy Woodhouse.  Before January's conference, he looks back at the association’s achievements through Covid and views the challenges ahead. Read more - members only

Mike Burks

B&M hails strong Xmas results with an extra week’s wages

B&M like for like UK sales were down -6% in the Golden Christmas Quarter but up +14% on pre-pandemic 2019 showing a strong retention of new customers.  Staff will receive a bonus. Read more - members only

Dobbies to install EV chargers at 30 stores

Dobbies has signed up with Gridserve to install EV chargers at 30 stores.  Each will contain up to 12 high power EV charge points. Read more - members only

STIHL GB plans new HQ and warehouse

STIHL GB reveals plans to build a new headquarters and state-of-the-art warehouse facility near its current premises in Camberley, Surrey. Read more - members only

Proposed STIHL GB warehouse and HQ

Viano confirms an investment of €6million

DJ Turfcare’s trading partner Viano confirms an investment of €6million to support business growth. These investments will enable DJ Turfcare to continue to deliver market leading solutions and outstanding customer service levels throughout 2022 and beyond. Read more - open to all

Viano HQ

Losses continue at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres suffered an -8% fall in sales due to Covid, leading to a reduced pre-tax loss of £-18.3m.  The directors are confident of refinancing its £225m its term loan by 2023. Read more - members only

Boston garden centre

Latest results show winners and losers during the pandemic

Results recently published on Gardenforum show winners and losers.  Companies where performance improved include Decco, Capital Gardens, Doff Portland and Longacres Garden Centre. Read more - members only

Garsons is celebrating 150 years

Garsons celebrates 150 years and continues to evolve.  It is now run by the fourth and fifth generation of the family. Read more - members only

GH Thompson

Dobbies submits plans for 2nd Northern Ireland store

Dobbies sets opening date for a 110,000 sq ft. store in Northern Ireland, at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park. This will be its second in the province. Read more - members only

How Cherry Lane worked to be fully stocked for Xmas

Cherry Lane Garden Centres, owned by QD Stores, has worked remotely, ordered earlier, juggled shipping lines and bought more from UK and Europe for Christmas. Read more - members only

  James Collins, trading director for the QD Group

Tates plans to extend Mayberry Garden Centre

Tates of Sussex has revealed plans to develop the smallest of its 4 garden centres, Mayberry on the Old Shoreham Road, Portslade. Read more - members only

Deco-Pak directors in court over employee death

Deco-Pak directors Mike Hall and Rod Slater have denied a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of an employee in 2017. Read more - members only

Jury fails to reach verdict on Michael Hall charge

A Bradford Jury has been dismissed after it failed to reach a verdict on a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence against Deco-Pak MD Michael Hall.  Read more - members only

New Lincoln Garden Centre opens

Mike Frecklington has today opened a new garden centre, Cherry Tree Garden Centre and Coffee Shop near Lincoln. Read more - members only

Julian Charles targets up to 10 garden centre concessions

Julian Charles, the leading bedding and linen retailer, has announced plans to open up to 10 concessions in garden centres over the next 12 months, following the launch of its new concession in Tong Garden Centre. Read more - open to all

Julian Charles at Tong Garden Centre

Blue Diamond buys Blackdown GC

Blue Diamond has acquired Blackdown Garden Centre near Taunton in Somerset.  This becomes their 39th site. Read more - members only

Expansion and improvements at Bransford Webbs

Since the lockdown in 2020, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company has continued its nursery development plans to help meet the increased demand for UK grown nursery stock. Read more - members only

BHETA to hold open webinar with Ebay

As eBay expands its focus on DIY and gardening, BHETA is to host an industry-wide webinar open to all suppliers with the online marketplace. Read more - members only

Hare Hatch Sheeplands submits plans for new garden shop

Owners are optimistic that the Council will accept plans for a new retail garden shop and environmental improvements at Hare Hatch Sheeplands. Read more - members only

Rob Scott and Andy Dicks at Hare Hatch Nurseries

Construction starts on Dobbies’ Southwest store

Construction has begun on a new flagship Dobbies Garden Centre at Cotswolds Designer Outlet near Tewkesbury.  Read more - members only

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies & Simon Tothill, Property & Development Director at Robert Hitchins

The Country House Group leaves Windlesham

The Country House Group, the company headed by chief executive Nicholas Marshall, that became the plant centre tenant at Lavershot Barns has left the Windlesham site suddenly.  Read more - members only

BCTGA growers light up Downing Street

Praise from Prime Minister Boris Johnson for growers from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association as they light up Downing Street Read more - members only

Millbrook Garden Centre in Monmouth is for sale

Christie & Co, who built its reputation as the vendor of the Wyevale garden centres, is selling Millbrook Garden Centre near Monmouth in South Wales.  Read more - members only

A study of topsoil finds 47% not suitable

A study of topsoil in the UK, commissioned by Rolawn, has revealed serious concerns about the standard of the product on sale to the public across the country. Read more - members only

Paul Dawson Rolawn’s Chairman and Managing Director

Sales are down -9% so far this autumn at B&M

B&M is well positioned to navigate a number of potential cost headwinds and inflationary pressures heading into 2022, although sales are down -9% so far this autumn. Read more - members only

Housing plans approved on Millbrook at Crowborough

After a delay of a year, plans to build houses at Millbrook’s Crowborough garden centre have been approved. Read more - members only

Highfield’s opening roof and other new features complete this year

Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire is on track to finalise its plant area redevelopment, complete with revolutionary opening roof, before the end of the year.  Read more - members only

Left to right:  Emma Russan, Tim Greenway, Saffron Weaver, Joan Greenway, Sue Weaver + Bobby the dog

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