David Austin explains shortage of roses

After a challenging year, David Austin has started slowly to re-open parts of its business closed due to the impact of Coronavirus. Read more - members only

Syngenta celebrates 25 years of Delta

Syngenta Flowers celebrates 25 years of Delta® Premium Pansies and declares renewal of the whole Delta®-series in the next two years. Read more - open to all

Henry Bell to supply own label for Blue Diamond

Henry Bell has reached an agreement to produce Blue Diamond’s wild bird food own label products as well as supplying its full wild bird care range. Read more - open to all

Parasene introduces gas products

Following its acquisition of the Parasene brand name Fireside Products has announced the launch of range of Parasene branded gas products. Read more - open to all

Garden Trading harvested by Joules

It is widely reported that Joules has bought the online home and garden retailer, Garden Trading, to extend its offer and reach a broader audience. Read more - members only

Bonnett writes open letter to APHA/Defra

Gardening Express boss writes to APHA/Defra re the farce preventing him from sending plants to Northern Ireland and the potential plant health risks. Read more - members only

Chris Bonnett

Holt Garden centre to reopen after £1.25m refurbishment

Holt garden centre is to reopen on the 1st of March after a £1.25 million refurbishment. Read more - members only

The Kelling Estate

Risk to Scottish horticulture is growing

The risk to Scottish horticulture is growing as garden centres remain closed.  With Mother’s Day approaching, HTA calls for Scottish government to take action soon. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond signs up Scotch Corner

Blue Diamond has agreed to lease its biggest garden centre yet.  It is to be built as the cornerstone of Scotch Corner Designer Village in north Yorkshire. Read more - members only

Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh

Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, that returned to screens on 3 January 2021. Read more - members only

Landmann Ltd has been bought by DS Group

The parent company of Landman limited, which was in administration, has been bought by DS group. It will continue to trade in the UK for the foreseeable future. Read more - members only

Triton maxX 3.1

Nova and LOFA in membership row

A row has erupted between LOFA, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, and a rapidly growing importer for whom membership has been declined. Read more - members only

James Whiteley

Wastewise, signs a new deal with Vital Earth Sales

Biowise Limited (T/A Wastewise) has entered into a five-year contract to supply over 40k tonnes per annum certified compost to Vital Earth, who produce the largest range of peat free products in the UK. Read more - open to all

Ames emerges from lockdown with a new CEO and new Board

Paul North became the new MD of Ames in March and set about building a platform to double sales with a new Leadership Board. Read more - members only

Two acquisitions for Hillier

Hillier is to open a new garden centre at Syon Park.  The site had been operated by Wyevale until its closure in the autumn of 2019.  Hillier has also acquired 100 acres for a new tree nursery. Read more - members only

Hillier Trees

Duchess of Cornwall celebrates Flowers from the Farm anniversary

Double celebration for Flowers from the Farm as 1000th grower joins on the 10th anniversary of the British cut flower grower association Read more - open to all

The Duchess of Cornwall

Wyevale garden centres blossom under Blue Diamond

Blue Diamond has added 65% in 2 years to the sales of the 9 garden centres acquired from Wyevale in August 2018.  Read more - members only

Bicester houseplants

Director of HE Knowles (Manufacturing) is banned

Former director of HE Knowles (Manufacturing) Ltd has been banned for 8 years after illegitimately diverting more than £510,000 from a finance company.

Read more - members only

Crowborough to continue trading through 2021

Millbrook garden centres say the closure of Crowborough for housing is unlikely before the end of the year.  The site will continue trading. Read more - members only

AMES UK invests £1m in infrastructure and people

AMES UK invests over £1m in forklifts, loaders and people in response to unprecedented demand early in 2021. Read more - members only

Dobbies tackles food waste with Too Good To Go

Dobbies has partnered with surplus food app, Too Good To Go, in a bid to combat food waste across its stores.  Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s forms Greenregis for direct consumer sales

Mr Fothergill’s has combined its direct-to-consumer brands in a new subsidiary, Greenregis Ltd, with Paul Pates becoming MD. Read more - members only

Paul Pates

Ames UK reports record revenues in 2020

Turnover for the AMES UK group of companies broke all the records in 2020. Kelkay, La Hacienda, Apta and True Temper all posted their largest ever trading month. Read more - members only

B&M sales jump 22.5% in golden quarter

Extra week’s wages for B&M UK stores staff as revenue increased by +26.6%, including like-for-like growth of +21.1% in the last quarter.  Read more - members only

Profit and sales stack up at Stax

Leading wholesaler Stax Trade Centres reports a strong performance despite the year’s challenges (year to 29 August).  Turnover jumped 17% to £135.4m with an operating profit of £4.6m. Read more - members only

Joint MD - David Hibbert

E. P. Barrus announces new appointments to its Board

E. P. Barrus Limited is delighted to announce the appointment of four new members to the company’s Board of Directors with immediate effect. Read more - open to all

Plans approved for destination garden centre near Gosport

A new destination garden centre is to be built in Hampshire. This will be the third for the "Your Local Garden Centre" group that operates Mappleborough Green and Stansted Park. Read more - members only

Online garden retailer, Primrose, is sold

It’s business as usual for Primrose, the online garden retailer, following its sale to Luke Johnson, one of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Read more - members only

Millbrook seeks permission for houses on Crowborough

The Millbrook Garden Company has applied for planning permission to demolish its garden centre in Crowborough and build 33 homes on the land. Read more - members only

Kingfisher buys NeedHelp for UK roll-out

Kingfisher, parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has bought NeedHelp, the French home improvement services marketplace, for roll out in the UK. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive