The government’s 2010 peat reduction target will be missed. Now lobby groups, the government and the industry are to work together, through the Garden Media Initiative to speed the move to peat substitutes. See more… Read more - members only

Highlights of last night's Garden Retail Awards include 3 wins for the newly refurbished Sidmouth Garden Centre and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehall Garden Centre's centenarian owner Phyllis Self. For all the winners, see more... Read more - members only

Chempak, the specialist garden fertiliser supplier, product packager and operator of the Garden Direct online trading business, is seeking a company voluntary arrangement with its creditors. See more... Read more - members only

A Staffordshire garden centre was ransacked over the weekend losing the contents of the safe, tools and garden machinery. See more... Read more - members only

Banks and shareholders are to back the 3-year plan for Wyevale. It’s a return to traditional garden centres using the Country Gardens model developed by Nicholas Marshall. This story is open to all - see more... Read more - open to all

Managing director, Andy Bestwick, is to leave Gardman in January. For the time being, his role will be covered by the company’s new Chief Executive, Mark Pearson, who starts next week. See more… Read more - members only

According to the Harrow Times, the boss of Shoots Garden Centre, Stanmore, has accused Trading Standards of entrapment after it sent a child test purchaser into his shop for a pruning saw. See more... Read more - members only

Over the weekend newspapers have reported that KPMG has been appointed to review Wyevale’s profitability at the request of HBOS. The review has in fact been completed and the garden centre group is confident of agreeing new long-term funding from the bank by Christmas. See more... Read more - members only

The value of plants sold into the amenity market has increased by 19% in the last year according to the HTA, with larger plants prospering. But sales are predicted to fall in 2009. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centre sales have lost some of the strong gains they made in Aug - Sept 2007 according to the most recent GCA Barometer of Trade. It also shows that over the last 12 months, sales of outdoor plants have fallen to less than 20% of garden centres’ turnover, while income from catering has increased to 15% and gifts continue to grow. See more... Read more - members only

Brintex, organiser of Totally DIY and Totally Tools, has acquired Builders Merchant News and its associated publications. This offers new channels to garden manufacturers. See more... Read more - members only

Paul Wright, managing director of the Frosts Garden Centre group, told this week's GIMA meeting that he feared little recovery for the next 18 months. However a major shake-up has put Frosts in a much stronger position. See more... Read more - members only

Wyevale boss says the reduction in trade credit cover is an irrational, knee-jerk reaction to the banking crisis in Iceland. No supplier needs to worry about being paid. See more... Read more - members only

Notcutts has acquired the six garden centres put up for sale by NWF earlier this year. See more… Read more - members only

The half-year statement from Tesco says it is pushing on with plans to accelerate the expansion of Dobbies towards a national network of garden centres. Sales rose 12% including contributions from two new centres, Sandyholm and Southport. The business saw strong summer trading despite a wet August. Read more - members only

Demand continues to fall in commercial and domestic market says Marshalls. Only the public sector remains resilient. See more…
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Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton, Cheshire, was put into administration on October 26 and in a separate move, Hills Garden Centre, which was also owned by Chris Halsall, has been sold to a local businessman. See more... Read more - members only

The threat that horticulture will lose 80% of plant protection products increased last week when the European Parliament environmental committee voted to ban glyphosate and other herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The final vote by the full EU parliament will be taken in December or January. See more... Read more - members only

Wiggly Wigglers, who mail-order gardening products, has won the $50,000 Dell small business award for its innovative use of online social networking. See more... Read more - members only

Henri Studio is closing its Somerset manufacturing base after 25 years. All supplies will, in future, be shipped from Illinois. See more... Read more - members only

Directors of HotSpring Spas Ltd, which has concessions on at least 15 garden centres, have filed for administration. The company is for sale. See more... Read more - members only

Groundforce, Ireland’s leading distributor of garden and leisure products has acquired Wicklow Garden Products (Wicklow Wood). See more... Read more - members only

Swiss based Syngenta has announced a $74 million deal to buy the Californian plant breeder, Goldsmith Seeds. See more... Read more - members only

Figures released today by Glee confirm that footfall was lower than in the last two years. However, the show organisers claim that there was an increase in the number of buyers from UK multiple retailers. See more... Read more - members only

The Grange Garden Centre at Asfordby Hill, Melton Mowbray, has called in the administrators. See more... Read more - members only

Last week's GIMA meeting heard how Wilkinson has grown its share of the garden market from 2% to 6% in recent years. The target is to reach double figures within the next few years. See more... Read more - members only

Prices will rise 10% or more next year. Will volumes decrease by an equivalent amount? No, say exhibitors and retailers at Glee, the garden industry can expect some growth next year. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is urging members of the garden industry to write to their MEP demanding an impact assessment before the European government approves legislation that would leave no chemical control products for most pests and diseases and leave growers in an impossible position. Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro has bought the compost and growing media specialist, Humax. Over the next few months Scotts will integrate the Humax brands and operations into its own. See more... Read more - members only

Leading garden timber manufacturer Hillhout has merged with Dutch brand and prominent industry player, Gouderak BV, to create one of the largest garden timber firms in Europe. Read more - members only