Burford dispels rumours of closure

Nigel Johnson, founder of the Burford Garden Company, has quashed rumours that the garden centre is to be closed and sold for housing saying they intend to continue for the next 5 decades. Read more - members only

Largest online garden centre, Primrose has been sold

Europe's largest online garden centre, Primrose, has been sold to Rockpool and has a new management team lead by Mark Pearson, former CEO of Gardman and Solus. Read more - members only

£107,000 fine for Perrywood is a warning for others

Perrywood garden centre has been fined for not updating or following its health and safety procedures following an incident where a worker developed breathing difficulties after clearing up some spilt garden chemical. Read more - members only

Wyevale buying team optimistic for the future

The Wyevale buying team introducing the 2018 Christmas range in London said a siege mentality had brought them all together and creating real optimism for the future. Read more - members only

Tim  Evans and Richard Bruce

Capital Gardens buys Studley Green from Hillview

Capital Gardens has bought Hillview’s Studley Green garden centre becoming the fourth in the group. Hillview had decided it no longer fitted their refined model. Read more - members only

olin Campbell-Preston (L) greets Boyd J Douglas-Davies

Evergreen unveils its brands for 2019

The new team from Evergreen, the successor to Scots Miracle-Gro in the UK, has unveiled its brands and strategy for 2019 and beyond.  Read more - members only

Karl Kahofer, CEO flanked by Mark Portman (L) UK MD and Ted Linehan CCO

Flopro in huge £2m consumer giveaway to create a ‘must stock’ brand

Crest will give away 30,000 Flopro hose reels through garden centres, absolutely free, next spring in a deal with a national newspaper.  The move aims to establish Flopro as a ‘must stock’ brand for all garden centres. Read more - members only

Eggesford garden centre is to close

Owners of struggling Eggesford Garden Centre in Devon are closing the business blaming roadworks as the final tipping point. Read more - members only

Ames to explore Glee for further acquisitions

Having completed 3 acquisitions in a year Ames UK managing director, Kelkay’s Anthony Harker, will be using Glee to meet a number of businesses to explore potential opportunities. Read more - members only

Antony Harker

Wyevale sells 5 more garden centres including a 9th for Blue Diamond

Wyevale has announced the sale of 5 more garden centres. Two will remain as garden centres, including a nostalgic 9th for Blue Diamond.  The others are expected to be redeveloped. Read more - members only

Nailsworth garden centre

Gardman goes back to Robson’s

Gardman has served notice on its logistics partner, XPO. From 10th September Gardman brands will be delivered by its former carrier, Robson`s of Spalding as it targets 95% service levels. Read more - members only

Pete Utting

Kingfisher unveils B&Q growth for May, June and July

Good sales growth for B&Q in Q2 were driven by a strong performance of weather-related categories. Read more - members only

Veronique Laury at RHS Hampton Court

Peter Utting, CEO of Gardman provides an update on stock availability

Following the devastating fire on the 12th March that destroyed almost all our inventory, we have been working hard to quickly rebuild stock cover and service to our customers. Due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of our suppliers they have not been able to meet these delivery dates and here is an update. Read more - open to all

Peter Utting

Homebase set to announce store closures next week

Hilco owned Homebase is expected next week to announce a CVA and closure of around 60 more stores. Read more - members only

Hortipak is co-founder of a new international horticulture media group

Hortipak has joined leading horticultural marketing groups across Europe and the USA to form the Media Concept Group. Read more - members only

James Buffoni

Rosebourne opens No. 2 at Aldermaston

The second Rosebourne has opened today at Aldermaston, days after the EIS backed group exchanged contracts with Wyevale for its third at Hampton-in-Arden. Read more - members only

Double digit increases in turf prices

Rolawn, a leading UK turf grower, has warned that prices are set to rise in the coming months, because of the extreme weather and rising costs. Read more - members only

Wyevale disposes of 4 more ‘non-core’ garden centres

Wyevale has announced the sale of 4 more garden centres. Rosebourne and Kings Garden and Leisure have bought two, while 2 will ultimately be redeveloped. Read more - members only

B&Q stumbles as Kingfisher profits crash

Kingfisher emphasises halfway point in transformation plan as like for like sales fall at B&Q “within the context of a continuing weak consumer backdrop”. Read more - members only

New Wyevale likely to retain 100+ garden centres

The latest position on the sale of Wyevale Garden centres that emerged from the aisles of Glee is one of last minute negotiations that will determine how many are sold out of the group.  However, there will be problems for the new owners to resolve. Read more - members only

Wyevale at Chilton

Rosebourne to open at Aldermaston on Sept 28

Rosebourne is to open its second food and plant centre at Aldermaston, near Newbury on Sept 28. Its design follows the template developed at their first site at Andover. Read more - members only

Weyhill

5th generation joins the Hillier board

George Hillier and Martin Hillier, respectively sons of Robert and John Hillier, have been appointed to the Hillier Nurseries board, becoming the 5th generation at the grower and garden centre group. Read more - open to all

The new Hillier Nurseries board

Perrywood buys Sudbury as Wyevale sells 4 more centres

Wyevale announces the sale of a further 4 garden centres.  An update on the remaining garden centres is expected soon. Read more - members only

The Oxford plant canopy

Homebase rescue plan wins creditor approval

The threat of administration has been lifted from Homebase.  But 42 stores will close leading to 1500 job losses. Read more - members only

Sale and leaseback funds Blue Diamond deal

Blue Diamond reveals it has sold 3 garden centres in a sale and leaseback deal to fund in part buying the 8 Wyevale garden centres announced last month. Read more - members only

Redfields, the template destination garden centre

New Dawn for 8 Wyevale Garden Centres

Blue Diamond has, today, moved in to the eight garden centres it bought from Wyevale telling the employees it’s a ‘New Dawn’. Read more - members only

31 August vote on Homebase CVA

Homebase has confirmed it is planning a Company Voluntary Arrangement and lists a further 42 stores that will close over the next 16 months. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds celebrates its 40th year with a Pudsey link

Mr Fothergill’s Seeds celebrated its 40th year by announcing several initiatives for 2019 including a link with BBC Children in Need. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill's staff with Pudsey

New gardening director for Homebase

Homebase appointed Mike Norton as director of gardening and building in July. The group, recently purchased by Hilco, is reported to be closing its horticultural offices in Swindon. Read more - members only

Ames starts process of merging sales teams

Ames UK has started the process of rationalising the agency sales teams of Kelkay, La Hacienda and its most recent acquisition Anchor Fast. Read more - members only

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