AMES appoints new Operations Director

The AMES Companies have named, a new operation director. David Wright has joined the team to ensure a smooth transition into season 24 and beyond. Read more - open to all

New Operation Director – David Wright

Petersham Nurseries has warned it could face closure

Petersham Nurseries has warned it could face closure after breaching planning conditions relating to the operating hours and size of its restaurant. Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres dissolved

Wyevale Garden Centres Ltd incorporated 15 June 1960 - dissolved following liquidation 12 Sept 2023.  We chart the milestones of the group that operated 150 sites at one stage. Read more - members only

B&M to acquire up to 51 Wilko properties

UPDATED: B&M has announced the acquisition of up to 51 Wilko properties as hopes of rescue deal by HMV are said to be faltering.  52 other stores are to close. Read more - members only

Two announcements from Green-tech

Green-tech has acquired the assets of Suregreen Limited from its administrators.  It has also a new  Warehouse & Operations Director. Read more - open to all

Managing Director Kris Nellist and Martin Rourke

Blue Diamond to start auction of Sir Isaac Newton's apples 

The National Trust and Blue Diamond are to auction saplings propagated from the very apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton to discover the force of gravity. Read more - members only

Alan Roper with one of the  Sir Isaac Newton Apple saplings

Harding made a director of Dobbies

Debbie Harding, Chief People and Corporate Officer since June 2022, has been made a director of Dobbies. Read more - open to all

Debbie Harding

Christmas starts early at Woodthorpe Garden Centre… in August

The magic of Christmas has arrived in Lincolnshire early as Woodthorpe Garden Centre becomes one of the first in the country to open its Christmas store  Doors open at 5pm on Monday August 21st. Read more - open to all

80 years on, Squire’s goes electric

Squire’s Garden Centres has become one of the first garden retailers to introduce electric delivery vehicles to its fleet. Read more - open to all

Colin Squire at wheel of electric van

Wilko falls into administration

Having failed to find funding to keep the business afloat, Wilko has filed for administration. Read more - members only

Sarah Raven appoints Dominic Rose as Chair

Sarah Raven Kitchen and Gardens Ltd is pleased to announce that Dominic Rose has been appointed Chair of the company, as of 1st July 2023. Read more - open to all

Dominic Rose

Harwood takes control of Mr Fothergill’s

At yesterday’s open day it was revealed that Harwood now controls Mr Fothergill’s Seeds.  There was also news of a new compost for seed and device for listening to the health of your soil. Read more - members only

Georgia Carrano with prototype compressed compost

New Blue Diamond garden centre planned for the North East

Northumberland Estates has revealed plans to build a new high quality garden centre on land at Cawledge to the East of the A1 in Alnwick.  Read more - members only

Front elevation of proposed Alnwick Garden Centre

JDA have teamed up with Jonart

JDA have teamed up with Jonart to help run their national sales. Read more - open to all

Dobbies replaces Graeme Jenkins as CEO

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the appointment of David Robinson as Chief Executive Officer, who starts today.  He replaces Graeme Jenkins.  Gardenforum comments on the implications for the future of the group. Read more - members only

David Robinson, the new Dobbies CEO

MorePeople wins Large Business of the Year Award

MorePeople are delighted to have won Large Business of the Year 2023 at the Stamford Mercury Business Awards 2023 last Friday 15th September. Read more - open to all

Hortweek parent buys Garden Connect

Haymarket Media Group, parent of Horticulture Week, and Green Solutions have acquired Garden Connect, creating a cloud software solution for businesses in horticulture. Read more - members only

Edwin Meijer Co-Founder and CMO at Garden Connect

Dobbies reveals line up of festive events

Dobbie’s line up of fun and affordable events to make the festive season special include Santa’s Grotto, Santa’s Quiet Grotto and a Santa Paws Grotto. Read more - members only

E P Barrus lines up new CEO

Barrus today announced the appointment of Graham Knox as its new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search process. Read more - members only

Graham Knox

'Responsible Gardens' - key theme of spoga+gafa 2024

"Responsible Gardens" is the key theme of spoga+gafa 2024, focusing on the responsibility the green industry bears regarding the role of the garden in society.  Read more - members only

Rising economic challenges peg back Notcutts trading in 2022/23

A tougher economic environment with inflation rising above 10% and energy costs escalating significantly during the year led to a more challenging trading year at Notcutts. Read more - members only

Opening of Brampton Garden Centre

Darran Oakley is to retire from Squire’s

Squire’s Garden Centres have announced that Purchasing Director, Darran Oakley, is to retire at the end of next season. He will move to Devon during the Summer of 2024. Read more - open to all

Darran Oakley

New platform improves trading in Blue Diamond shares

Blue Diamond has joined a new private trading platform, TISE Private Markets, to improve the market for buying and selling its shares.  It will also be easier for new investors. Read more - members only

Richard Hemans

Carey leaves Mr Fothergill as Harwood takes control

Harwood Capital has taken full control of the group that owns Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Limited.  It is also confirmed that CEO Dave Carey, son of one of the original founders, is leaving the business.  Read more - members only

Dave Carey

Plant Market take full control and ownership of Boningale Limited

The sale of Boningale Nurseries has now been completed, with Dutch-based company, Plant Market, taking full control and ownership of the £10m turnover business, its brands and its five production sites. Read more - members only

Wilko seeks protection from creditors

Wilko has confirmed it has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, putting around 12,000 jobs at risk. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond secures future plant supplies with Glendale purchase

Blue Diamond yesterday completed the purchase of Glendale Horticulture, the former Meredith Nurseries, from Glendale Leisure as it seeks to secure its supply chain. Read more - members only

Growers are in a really positive mood

Growers have had a good year says Ball UK at the 2023 Summer Showcase. It has noticed also that retailers and growers are working more together when planning for next year. Read more - members only

Garden centres catch up with 2022

June was catch-up time for garden centres.  After a very slow spring, a hot and relatively dry June kept gardeners busy so that at the half year revenues are ahead of last year. Read more - members only

Wilko reported to be considering a sale

Sky News has reported that the family owners of Wilko are considering selling a controlling stake in the business to ensure a future for the chain. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive