Further to recent speculation, Flying Brands has confirmed it has received a very preliminary approach from Sir Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital, which holds a 29.9 per cent stake in the company. See more… Read more - members only

The first area winners have been declared in the competition to find this year's Best GCA Garden Centre. The awards, following judging in the North Thames and South Thames areas, were announced at two recent ceremonies. To see the winners, see more... Read more - members only

Wyevale has reorganised its regional management structure. A spokesman said that the group is turning the screw on overheads given the current economic situation. It has also appointed a new advertising agency. See more... Read more - members only

The weather and rising costs have forced a profit warning from William Sinclair Holdings, despite sales being stronger than last year. Chief executive, Bernard Burns, says the industry should accept that growing media prices will be 30% higher next year. See more... Read more - members only

Laurence-Llewelyn Bowen, star of "Changing Rooms", has joined with the garden furniture team at Suntime to produce a celebrity designer collection for 2009. See more... Read more - members only

The US consumer goods group Spectrum Brands has pulled out its deal to sell its pet group, which includes Tetra Europe, to Salton. See more... Read more - members only

An exciting collection of ‘world tools’ comprising the best ideas from around the globe, including eco-friendly composters with a difference and hundreds of other product innovations are being shown by a group of 30 British companies exhibiting at Spoga Gafa this year. The products on show span almost all aspects of gardening for every season of the year. See more... Read more - members only

Solus Garden and Leisure has acquired the Joseph Bentley garden tool business. It is also inviting retailers to visit the new Denewood display, which shows a clear change of direction for the garden furniture brand. See more... Read more - members only

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

Hampshire-based Beefeater Barbecues (Regent Garden Collection) has been hit by a very clever scam involving two telephone orders purporting to be from Bents Garden Centre in Cheshire. See more … Read more - members only

Today's interim statement from Flying Brands, the parent for Flying Flowers and Gardening Direct, shows the size of the problems facing the mail order group and how the new chief executive plans to stem the decline in customer numbers. See more... Read more - members only

The latest company results published on Tradeforum show sales at Draper Tools rising to over £61m while sales at Spread Garden Supplies, which faces possible closure, dropped below £20m. Retailers showing growth include Van Hage, Woodcote Green Nurseries and The Garden Store. Among the nurseries, Europlants (UK) grew 14%. See more... Read more - members only

June was a recovery month for garden centres according to the latest sales figures from the GCA. Outdoor plants and garden sundries showed the best growth. See more... Read more - members only

Solus won the GIMA Product of the Year at last night's Awards with a home composting product from Nortene. Gardman was voted the GCA's Favourite Supplier for the 7th successive year. See more.. Read more - members only

Following news that the National Trust for Scotland is raising £50,000 to prevent Sudden Oak Death killing some of its most precious plants, comes a consultation exercise by the HTA and DEFRA to fight the disease. See more... Read more - members only

Development plans to refurbish and extend much of the retail space at Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands are on schedule. Phase 2 will be completed and open to customers by the end of November 2008. See more... Read more - members only

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