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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pot Company has written to customers to say prices have increased by 10% across all ranges due to higher shipping and raw material costs. Read more - members only

It is confirmed that Dobbies is to take over Johnsons of Boston, in Lincolnshire and will assume control on Monday 18^th April. Read more - members only

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The management of garden furniture specialist EKJU has completed a MBO as AMATA in what it calls turbulent times.  Demand is high and there’s a shortage of raw materials. Read more - members only

Hillier opens at Syon Park later this week, drawing on the nursery and garden centre group’s Chelsea and plant heritage to become a destination for London gardeners.  Read more - members only

Hyve Group is to launch the Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace, enabling the wholesale home, gift, and fashion business to trade throughout the year. Read more - members only