The HTA has expressed considerable concern at a report from the RHS claiming that pests and diseases imported on exotic plants are threatening those in our gardens and across the countryside. See more… Read more - members only

Shortly after appointing a new chief executive, Flying Brands has announced that it will close the Greetings Direct mail order business and website. See more... Read more - members only

Marshalls is focusing on cost reduction and cash management in an increasingly uncertain market. Gains in public and commercial sectors are offset by a slowdown on the domestic side. See more… Read more - members only

Shoots Garden Centres has acquired its third garden centre, Seymours Garden Centre in Cobham. See more... Read more - members only

Spread Garden Supplies Limited, a leading wholesaler to garden centres, has entered a period of consultation with its staff over the possible closure of the business. See more... Read more - members only

After a dismal first four months of the year for garden retailers, was May good enough to catch up lost ground? Not according to the latest figures published this week by the Garden Centre Association. Garden furniture showed the biggest increase. See more... Read more - members only

Vegetable damage in British gardens and allotments appears to be more prevalent this year due to weed killer contamination of manure, following dressing with farmyard manure. See more... Read more - members only

Thermoflor has built a new garden centre in St Petersburg in Russia. The garden centre officially opened its doors to the public in April. The enterprise is intended to be the first branch of a new chain of garden centres that will be opened in Russia under the name of Greenland. See more... Read more - members only

The Princess Royal opened the new Barton Grange garden centre at Brock in Lancashire yesterday before 500 specially invited guests. See more... Read more - members only

The persistent rumours that Garden & Leisure might be sold have been fuelled recently by the revelation that Dobbies is considering an acquisition worth £45m. Gardenforum interviewed directors, Neville Prest and Carol Paris to find out the truth. See more... Read more - members only

New targets at B&Q propose to double profit margins as the new management at Kingfisher seeks to drive up shareholder value. However poor weather and an early Easter have inevitably dented the first quarter. See more... Read more - members only

Flying Brands, 29.9% owned by Sir Tom Hunter and the umbrella group for Flying Flowers, Gardening Direct and Garden Bird Supplies, has issued its second profit warning of the year. See more... Read more - members only

Visitors to Europlants UK Ltd last week may have been surprised that the company’s old offices were being raised to the ground! Read more - members only

Latest results on Gardenforum’s Company Results show profit growth at Grange Fencing, Alexander Rose, Proteam (UK), Stewart Plastics, Deroma, Doff Portland , W Crowder & Sons and Hillier Nurseries. But 12 companies show significantly lower profits or losses. See more... Read more - members only

The addition of Whitehall Garden Centres further strengthens the Tillington Group which now has a turnover of £170 million from 11 members and 30 branches. See more...
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LOFA, the association for importers and manufacturers of garden furniture, has asked Dr Alan Knight to help establish a LOFAMARK, an environmental and ethical guarantee for garden furniture and accessories. See more... Read more - members only

By 2080 UK temperatures will be more akin to those in the Mediterranean today. So says NS&I which is sponsoring the Growing Tastes Cookery Theatre at Hampton Court. This will change the vegetables we grow. See more... Read more - members only

David Domoney and Julie Peasgood return to host the 2008 GIMA awards, which include entries from companies who are participating for the first time. This year's entertainer is to be TV show host Roy Walker. See more... Read more - members only

Profits are under pressure at William Sinclair as it tries to increase prices to reflect higher raw material, energy and transport costs. See more... Read more - members only

Artline (UK) Ltd, the distributor of resin based garden ornaments, was placed in administration on June 10th. The business continues to trade while a new buyer is sought. See more... Read more - members only

This month’s updates to Gardenforum's Company Results pages include increased profits for Allensmore Nurseries, Mr Fothergill's Seeds, William Strike and Gordon Rigg (Nurseries). Among the other updated results are Frosts Garden Centre, Notcutts, Klondyke, Barlow Tyrie and David Austin Roses. See more... Read more - members only

The bulb specialist, P. de Jager & Sons Limited, has been sold by Thelma de Jager. She has retired after 50 years in her husband's family business. See more... Read more - members only

Positive May sales fail to make up for drop in seasonal sales at Homebase in March and April. See more... Read more - members only

The US consumer goods group Spectrum Brands announced the sale of their complete pet business, under the name United Pet Group (UPG), to the company Salton, Inc. In Europe, UPG is known as Tetra Europe, which includes the successful pet brands Tetra and 8in1. Read more - members only

Tesco has declared its bid for remaining shares in Dobbies unconditional and set the date for delisting it from AIM. With news of a new Wyevale in Kent, this sets the framework for the garden retail sector for the next few years. See more... Read more - members only

This year’s prices survey by Gardenforum shows that Wyevale has become the most competitive of the specialist chains, but fails to match the best independent. Also many plants and garden products show significant price increases, but there are fallers as well. See more... Read more - members only

Having lost a court battle to prevent Dobbies issuing new shares, Sir Tom Hunter's West Coast Capital has accepted an offer to sell its Dobbies shares to Tesco at £12 each. As a result Dobbies is to give shareholders more time to consider the open offer. See more... Read more - members only

Sir Tom Hunter's West Coast Capital is seeking talks with Tesco to find a fair solution for shareholders having today failed to persuade the courts to block Dobbies intended share issue. See more...
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Reports by Scottish newspapers on yesterday's court hearing between Sir Tom Hunter and Dobbies revealed an offer by Tesco and potential acquisitions for Dobbies. Hunter is seeking to block Dobbies’ plan to raise £150 million from shareholders. See more… Read more - members only

West Coast Capital, Wyevale’s owner, has started legal proceedings against Dobbies to prevent the company's proposed open offer to shareholders. See more… Read more - members only