Independence for Bellagio UK

Bellagio UK, originally a subsidiary of the Bellagio Group, has become an independent UK business after Julian Windsor and his family bought the shares they didn’t already own. See more... Read more - members only

Smart Solar buys Greentree

The transformation of Smart Solar, since Paris Natar bought a controlling stake, continues with the acquisition of Greentree. Gary Ackers becomes commercial director of Smart Solar. See more... Read more - members only

Production problems lead to second Sinclair profit warning

A second profit warning from William Sinclair knocks 15% from its share price, wiping out gains made during July. See more… Read more - members only

Glendale Horticulture buys RA Meredith

Bedding plant producer RA Meredith has been bought by Glendale Horticulture in a pre-pack administration deal from the joint administrators David James Bennett and Ian Stewart Carr, joint administrators of Grant Thornton LLP. See more... Read more - members only

Homebase Ireland in examinership

Homebase has joined the growing list of troubled retailers in Ireland. Yesterday an examiner was appointed as the business struggles to cope with falling retail sales and increasing rents. See more ... Read more - members only

Stagecraft back in full production

Stagecraft is back in full production after a disastrous fire gutted their factory in March. See more… Read more - members only

The GCA announces South Thames winners

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) reveals the Best in Area garden centre winners. See more... Read more - members only

James Barnes leaves Dobbies - UPDATED

Dobbies staff were told yesterday James Barnes, CEO and finance director Sharon Brown have left the business. See more… Read more - members only

Highgate garden centre to close

Highgate Garden Centre, one of five within the Capital Gardens group, is to close in the next couple of weeks following its sale last year. See more… Read more - members only

Marshalls predicts a return to growth for landscapers

Interim results published by Marshalls give a good guide to what is happening in the landscape sector. Domestic sales fell 3% in the first 6 months but order books are a week longer than a year ago. A return to growth is forecast for the landscape market next year. See more… Read more - members only

Public support Notcutts/Waitrose development at Bagshot

Plans have been submitted for the £14m development that will see a Waitrose store added to a revamped garden centre at Notcutts Bagshot. See more... Read more - members only

Waitrose creates TV gardening channel

Waitrose is unveiling an on-line TV gardening channel, featuring Alan Titchmarsh and Matt James. See more... Read more - members only

The message Franchi Seeds sent world leaders at the G8 Summit

'What you sow, you reap", is the message Franchi Seeds has sent world leaders at the G8 Summit as they gather at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland this week. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies details its new buying team

There have been substantial changes in personnel in the Dobbies buying team over the last year. Here is an up to date list of buyers and their areas of responsibility. See more… Read more - members only

Mixed planning fortunes for garden centres

Garden centres experience mixed fortunes when it comes to planning. There’s disappointment for Keydell Nurseries, hope for Garsons and concern over Highgate. See more… Read more - members only

Second garden centre for Longacres

Longacres has signed a lease on Shepperton garden centre. The opening for what will be Longacres’ second garden centre, is planned for the autumn. See more... Read more - members only

After the heat, the floods

Three garden centres in the Midlands suffered flooding in the storms that marked the breakdown of the heatwave. See more... Read more - members only

Fine weather boosts B&Q outdoor sales by 20 per cent UPDATED

In a pre-close second quarter trading update Kingfisher reports strong garden leisure sales thanks to fine weather. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA announces best in area winners

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has revealed the Best in Area garden centre winners at four awards presentation evenings. See more... Read more - members only

October opening for Tesco/Dobbies Kings Lynn complex

Construction work on the new Tesco/Dobbies complex in Kings Lynn is progressing so well, trading will begin much earlier than planned. See more... Read more - members only

A sign of the times at Squire’s

Squire’s confirms that it is making a limited number of redundancies in its garden centres as part of a cost control exercise in case the sales levels of the last two years become the new norm. See more... Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Group outlines its strategy for growth

Four new board appointments show the direction in which The Garden Centre Group is moving. Gardenforum finds out more about its strategy from CEO, Kevin Bradshaw.  See more… Read more - members only

Next wins permission for Sheffield Home & Garden

Work will start as soon as possible after Next won permission, on appeal, for a new Next Home & Garden in Sheffield. This will be their fifth. See more… Read more - members only

Scotts agree partnership deal with AeroGrow

Scotts Miracle-Gro has taken a 27% stake in AeroGrow, the supplier of dirt free AeroGarden products in the US, with the aim of expanding the market for indoor gardening. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centres in the News

Waitrose sets date for opening on Northampton garden centre, Frosts team up with Diarmuid Gavin, conifer thefts in Derbyshire and a Gloucestershire garden centre fights the planners. See more... Read more - members only

Nick Davies reassures customers he remains managing director of Solus - UPDATED

Contrary to rumours, Nick Davies reassures customers and business partners that he is very much at the helm as managing director of Solus. See more... Read more - members only

Marshalls names new CX

Marshalls, the leading manufacturer of paving and landscape materials has named Martyn Coffey as its new chief executive. He will replace Graham Holden who stands down in October. See more... Read more - members only

Big ticket growth offsets lower seasonal sales at Homebase

Big ticket sales have brought a little growth to Homebase despite a fall in seasonal sales during the March to May quarter. See more... Read more - members only

TGCG buys Bolton from Barton Grange

The Garden Centre Group has told suppliers that it has bought the business of Barton Grange Garden Centre at Bolton, with effect from today. See more... Read more - members only

Weather leads to William Sinclair profit warning

Half year results to the end of March saw sales fall 22% for compost producer William Sinclair. The weather hit sales and margins. But Ellesmere Port offers potential cost savings in the future. See more... Read more - members only

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