Yesterday's Hillier Garden Centre Awards were buoyant after another record year. Prizes included garden centre and employee of the year and a standing ovation for the achievement of the year, plus awards for the top suppliers. Read more - open to all

One Kingfisher remains on track says Kingfisher despite a sales drop at B&Q and Castorama in France in Q3 (Aug – October). Screwfix grows +11%. Read more - members only

Koelnmesse, operator of spoga+gafa in Cologne has parted company with its COO citing a strategic difference of views. Read more - members only

Exchange rates hit profits at Notcutts in 2017. There’s a new livery and an online store will be coming early in 2019 as 5-year development plan grows sales. Read more - members only

Westland says real progress is being made with Gardman.  Order volume is now close to last year’s levels. There will be 95% availability for next season and customer loyalty has been beyond expectations. UPDATED with comments from Edward Conroy. Read more - members only

Thermoflor, the Dutch manufacturer of retail buildings for garden centres, will restart operations in the UK having been bought by KSPL Holding. Read more - members only

James Ducker, grandson of the founder, has completed an MBO to buy Langlands from other members of his family. The group has 3 garden centres in the North of England. Read more - members only

Rosebourne and Wyevale have completed a deal, first announced in September, for the purchase of Hampton-in-Arden garden centre by Rosebourne. Read more - members only

Tates of Sussex has revealed that Wyevale’s Old Barn Garden centre is now part of its group.  This is the 31^st Garden centre to be sold by Wyevale. Read more - members only

Fargro, the growers’ wholesaler, has formed a new division to help growers access flexible finance that reflects the seasonal fluctuations of their businesses. It can be put to a number of uses including investment in new technologies. Read more - members only

Hilco has named Ian Topping as non-exec chairman of Homebase. It hopes he can repeat his successful turnaround of HMV, also controlled by the private equity group. Read more - members only

Desch Plantpak has agreed to acquire the assets of Danish SKY-LIGHT that are used for the production of horticultural trays and reminds people about the enormous added value of recycled plastic. Read more - members only

Thermoflor has ceased trading following the bankruptcy of its parent The Grimbergen Group declared at Maastrict last week. Another of the group’s companies is Bright building. Read more - members only

At the Choice Marketing  Annual Conference and Dinner, Westland was named supplier of the year, Farplants was grower of the year and Widdop was awarded gift supplier of the year. Read more - members only

200 management roles are likely to be lost as B&Q plans to abandon overnight replenishment of shelves in store. Read more - members only

Wyevale has announced the sale of 4 garden centres in the south plus Hereford Wellington to new owners who will continue to operate them as garden centres.  Read more - members only

The owner of Plants Galore in S. Devon has been fined almost £13,000 after a massive fire of illegally stored waste. Earlier the company was caught charging for accepting credit and debit cards. Read more - members only

SBM Life Science and E. P. Barrus have agreed a joint merchandising partnership for key UK garden centres. Read more - members only

Margins lift at value retailer B&M as it is on course to open 58 new stores this year. Read more - members only

A report by the Financial Times suggests the Wyevale sale process could continue to mid-December. Recently issued accounts for Trellis Investments, Wyevale’s holding company, indicate the group needs to sell garden centres to meet its financial covenants. Read more - members only

Westland Horticulture has confirmed the purchase of Erin Horticulture in the Irish Republic. The company was part of Leisuregrow. Read more - members only

Bell Plantation has this week received permission for an additional 11,000 sq ft. to continue its rapid expansion, having opened 10,000 sq ft. 6 weeks ago. Work will start immediately. Read more - members only

Squire’s closed Windsor Garden Centre on 31^st October. It has been earmarked for housing since 2015. Following the acquisition of Frensham garden centre in August the group continues to operate 15 garden centres. Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced the sale of Woodcote Green Garden centre in South London to Dobbies and confirms that other bidders remain for a small group or portfolio of garden centres. Read more - members only

PwC, the Gardman administrator has circulated details of the Gardman sale to creditors. Unsecured creditors may get a partial payment. Read more - members only

Westland releases Gardman containers held at the docks and meets the agents, while creditors await news from administrators. Read more - members only

Westland Horticulture has acquired Gardman Group and has immediately taken them out of administration. The purchase includes all trading assets, stock, infrastructure and Gardman brands. Read more - open to all

Gardman tells staff that it remains optimistic that a sale can be achieved next week to avoid administration. Read more - members only

Ames has placed senior managers from Kelkay at the core of its new executive management team for the UK and Ireland promising to take the group into a number of new categories. Read more - members only

Wyevale has announced the sale of 5 of its largest garden centres to Dobbies, bringing the Dobbies total to 39 sites. Read more - members only