One theme that came out of the recent Plant Fest at Allensmore and Wyevale Nurseries is how the growers are investing in technology, but not necessarily with the same goals. Read more - members only

Nicholas Marshall has replaced John Cleland as CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres and is investing in the business. Read more - members only

Quinton Edwards is offering www.crowders.co.uk for sale. It would suit a garden centre looking to develop its multi-channel capability without the risk of building its own website.  Read more - members only

Grange Fencing, the fencing and garden structures distributor, has opened its new distribution site at Harwich. Read more - members only

In its long running planning battle, Hare Hatch Sheeplands has been served an injunction and ordered to remove offending businesses within 10 weeks. The owners are to take advice. Read more - members only

Whitehall, in Wiltshire, adds a third garden centre with the purchase of Woodborough. Read more - members only

Its TV advertised products have sold into retailers so well, says Westland, that it has upped its advertising spend to over £5m. Read more - members only

News from Cardwell garden centre that the supermarket shortage of lettuce and courgette has created a surge in demand for seed has gone viral. Read more - members only

CEO, John Cleland, said, “The solid start to 2017 is extremely encouraging and represents a strong foundation for our new 3 year strategy plan.” Read more - members only

Chertsey, Squire’s boutique garden centre, has reopened after being closed for a year for a complete rebuild. It will be followed by Hersham. Read more - members only

Capi Europe has bought shares and invested in Cadix UK to strengthen ties and grow its UK market share. Read more - members only

Hillview Garden Centres completed the acquisition of Shipley Garden Centre in Derbyshire on Thursday, bringing the number of outlets to 11. Read more - members only

The AIPH Awards at the Colosseum Theatre in Essen, Germany celebrated the world’s best in ornamental horticultural production. Bransford Webb was the sole UK winner taking Silver in its category. Read more - members only

It’s three awards each for Squire’s, Cowell’s and Barton Grange at The Garden Centre Association conference. Squire’s and Cowell’s are the best GCA plant retailers.   Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres says its new website is a platform for e-commerce and a unique resource for Britain’s gardeners to derive consistently good quality and trusted advice. Read more - members only

Ipswich seedsman Thompson & Morgan has been bought by BVG, the multichannel retailer which owns brands including Walton Garden Buildings and the clothes retailer Clifford James. Read more - members only

Klondyke introduces the ‘From Garden to Kitchen’ brand to replace the Grow your Own concept. Also unveiled is new store branding, plus a GROW Rewards loyalty club. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s has announced a change in ownership with the majority shareholdings moving from fathers to sons. Read more - open to all

The groundwork for the new 180-seater restaurant at Groves Nurseries & Garden Centre at Bridport started this week. Work is expected to take three weeks. Read more - members only

Maple Ridge Garden Centre, formerly known as Aylings has been bought by Pasquale and Michael Cipullo who own Club Green Ltd in Woking, Surrey. Read more - members only

Mr Fothergill’s used the Garden Press Event to launch an RHS endorsed range of vegetable and flower seed, which will go on sale in August. Read more - members only

Much has changed at Hillier in the last 3 years as it emerges as a stylish, modern, authoritative retailer bringing plants and the home together. Read more - members only

Steve Collinge, MD of Insight DIY, has reviewed the first Bunnings conversion of a Homebase and says they have delivered a stunning version of Bunnings on UK soil. Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro is cautiously optimistic that it will have a solution for its European business by the spring. Read more - members only

Bunnings has opened its first concept store in the former Homebase in Griffiths Way, St Albans. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond is to capitalise on its high share price to issue new shares as news comes through of a successful planning consent for Newbridge. Read more - members only

Stihl warns its specialist dealers that it plans to extend its distribution of lithium-ion cordless garden tools to selected garden centres and hardware stores, next year. Read more - members only

Barton Grange beat Bents and Stewarts by the narrowest of margins to make it six in a row as GCA large destination Garden Centre of the Year. Woodlodge lifted the prestigious Supplier of the Year cup. Read more - members only

The Wyevale garden centre at Hillingdon is to close at the end of January, it is reported.

Notcutts will be marking its 120^th anniversary this year as a family-owned garden centre business after opening as a nursery in 1897. Read more - members only