New alliance for Franchi and Mr Fothergill’s Seeds

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds announces a new partnership with Italian seed brand, Franchi Sementi and UK based Italian goods supplier, Seeds of Italy for the coming 2022 gardening season Read more - members only

Orders for 2022 furniture is 3X normal levels say Norfolk

Norfolk Leisure says retailer demand at their trade show was 3X normal levels.  They introduced a range of UK designed barbecues and warned of possible delays in Christmas deliveries. Read more - members only

Debbie Waudby and Nick Anderson

CEO reveals Dobbies latest progress

CEO, Graeme Jenkins, outlines Dobbies’ progress, including acquisitions, its migration away from Ocado, little dobbies, a new app and a new apprenticeship scheme. Read more - members only

Woodcote Green at Dusk

Harrogate Garden Centre is open!

The British Garden Centres Group have officially opened their 58th garden centre this week, located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.  Read more - members only

An exceptional year for B&M

With sales up 30% at B&M UK, Simon Arora, chief executive said the last year has been an exceptional one but warned of a decline in revenues this year.  Read more - members only

Industry newcomer, Ian Hepburn talks about trading and reducing peat

It was a steep learning curve for Ian Hepburn who joined Evergreen Garden Care a few months ago as marketing director,  having worked previously for Mars.  Read more - members only

Ian Hepburn

The professionals’ best kept secret comes to your garden!

Carbon Gold, which has recently been added to all Dobbies stores as part of its sustainability strategy, is launching a new range of products for home-growers and gardeners. Read more - members only

Wildflowers for first new Homebase for six years

Wildflowers feature in the carpark of the first new store in 6 years for Homebase, which has just opened in Cheltenham. Read more - members only

B&Q sales up 83%

The doubling of weather-related sales in the last quarter and growth of ecommerce has powered B&Q to record sales.  However, Kingfisher is planning for lower sales this autumn. Read more - members only

Rapid growth continues at Blue Diamond despite Covid

Blue Diamond results for 2020, a year dominated by Covid, show sales up 11% to £210m and a 64% jump in profit before tax to £23.5m. Read more - members only

MD, Alan Roper

99% increase in domestic sales boosts Marshalls

Marshalls, the stone and concrete specialist, reports strong sales in the last 4 months.  Trading continues to improve and order books are currently strong. Read more - members only

Will garden centres re-open restaurants in May?

There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only

Dobbies opens Boston garden centre

Dobbies today opens its 71st store. Previously Johnsons Garden Centre, the store has undergone a refurbishment following its acquisition and closure 2 weeks ago. Read more - members only

Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre to start Phase 2 of redevelopment

Phase two, which will further enhance the destination experience enjoyed by customers, follows the opening of the modern and spacious new restaurant, restored woodland nature walk and a show garden which have opened over the past two years. Read more - open to all

Latest company results show impact of first lockdown

Sales jumped over the first lockdown at T&M, Hozelock and Crocus.  Others in this report which is open to all include Stewarts, Dobbies, Rosebourne, Tong and The Greener Gardening Company. Read more - open to all

Green light for new Perrywood garden centre at Sudbury

Planning permission has been granted for Perrywood’s £8-10m plans to build an inspirational new garden centre at the former Wyevale store at Sudbury.  Read more - members only

Bradford Garden Centre secures planning permission

The team at a Bradford garden centre have secured planning approval for a second site as part of their ambitious growth plans. Read more - members only

Members of the team viewing the plans for Tingley

ThinCats helps fund two acquisitions

ThinCats, the leading alternative finance provider to mid-sized SME, has provided £3m in funding to support two acquisitions for professional horticultural services to businesses and buildings provider, Urban Planters. Read more - open to all

Tom and Duncan

Longacres at Bagshot remains open despite Covid cases

Longacres at Bagshot has revealed that some staff have tested positive for Covid-19.  The store remains open and staff are self-isolating. Read more - members only

Westland sales hit £208m

Results just published by Westland Horticulture Ltd show sales up 14% and operating profit up 42%.  At 30/8/2020, after the first lockdown, Westland had a strong cash balance. Read more - members only

Leading European compost supplier sold

Compo, the market leading garden media supplier across continental Europe, has been sold to a Duke Street Capital backed management buy-out. Read more - members only

Dobbies celebrates National Children’s Gardening Week with refreshed Little Seedlings

Dobbies has announced the online relaunch of its Little Seedlings Club, to support and celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week (29 May – 6 June). Read more - open to all

St Peters Garden Centre creates ‘an adventure into nature and wildlife’

Tony Blake first dreamt about creating a wildlife area on St Peter's Garden Centre back in 2012... Last year, his son Will, now the MD, began to make this a reality. Read more - open to all

Will with Poppy and Olie at Poppy’s Farm

Dobbies announces plans for 2nd Northern Ireland store

Dobbies has announced plans for a second store in Northern Ireland, at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park.  A public consultation will commence in the coming weeks. Read more - members only

Two London locations announced for little dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres, announces the next two little dobbies stores that will open this year: Chiswick High Road and Westbourne Grove. Read more - members only

Bristol

Fargro sold to MBO

MD, Richard Hopkins, has announced the successful completion of a management buy-out (MBO) of Fargro Ltd backed by  private equity partner Ashridge Capital. Read more - members only

Kärcher launches battery-powered professional garden range

Market leading pressure sprayer manufacturer, Kärcher, is introducing professional landscape management tools to its range: a chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer... Read more - open to all

Frosts feel the chill of Covid-19

Accounts from Frosts Garden Centre covering the first lock down, show a drop in sales and profit, but a strong increase in cash at the bank.  Employee numbers also fell. Read more - members only

Approval recommended for second Tong garden centre

Local reports confirm that Leeds City Council is recommending that plans for Tong’s proposed big new garden centre are approved next week. Read more - members only

Tong Directors Charlie Barker, Sharon McNair and Mark Farnsworth

Covid secure recognitions for Bents

Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been presented with two Covid secure accreditations which it hopes will help visitors to feel safe and welcome at the family owned and run centre. Read more - open to all

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive