2025 – The Growers’ Viewpoint

Andy Whelan talks to growers about 2025 and finds optimism, but also caution as garden centres and nurseries reduce stock commitment. Read more - members only

Stock ready for sale at Allensmore

Chester unveiled as GCA’s 2026 conference location

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has this month (February 2025) revealed the location and dates for its 2026 conference. Read more - open to all

GCA CEO, Peter Burks, GCA Chairman Elect, Ben Harrison and GCA Chairman Will Blake.

Best of the Best GCA Garden Centres revealed at conference

The winners of the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) most prestigious awards including its Garden Centres of Excellence were announced at its annual conference yesterday, held at the De Vere Wokefield Estate Hotel, Reading. Read more - members only

Local GC of the Year Millbrook Staplehurst with GCA Chairman Will Blake far right

Garden Centres show resilience in unpredictable weather

Despite a 1% decline in overall sales for December compared to the previous year, the 2024 calendar year ended on a positive note for UK Garden Centres. Read more - members only

“Landmark year” for garden centre transactions

A new report from Christie and Co reveals that in the first half of 2024, they transacted more garden centres than in the whole of 2023.  Over 50% of garden centres were sold to new market entrants. Read more - members only

Two months until the APL Awards 2025!

There are less than two months until the APL Awards are back at The Brewery on Friday, 14 March, and seats are selling fast! If you still have yet to secure yours, visit our website to do so! Read more - open to all

Thrive launches app to help with better health

This is the first gardening for health and wellbeing app on the digital market. Like the charity, the new app, uses gardening and time in nature to improve people’s health based on proven research. Read more - open to all

LOFA match funding will double your donation to Thrive

Starting on Giving Tuesday, Dec 3rd for a week, donations to Thrive will be doubled by matched funding by the LOFA Pledge Pot and The Big Give Christmas Challenge. Read more - open to all

British Ornamentals Association presents the BOA Technical Conference 2025

The British Ornamentals Association (BOA) is delighted to invite you to our upcoming Technical Conference – New Horizons for Horticulture on 5th February 2025. Read more - open to all

HTA warns on prices and investment following budget

HTA urges Government to pause implementation of the Budget changes and consult as members prepare to increase prices and postpone investment plans. Read more - members only

BOA British Ornamentals Association presents the BOA Technical Conference 2025

The British Ornamentals Association (BOA) is delighted to invite you to our upcoming Technical Conference – New Horizons for Horticulture on 5th February 2025. This highly anticipated event will take place at the National Farmers Union (NFU) Conference Centre in Stoneleigh. Read more - open to all

Sipcam and Westland top the GIMA Awards 2024

Over 400 guests watched as Sipcam retained the GIMA best product award from last year, while Westland was voted supplier of the year by GCA members. Read more - open to all

Sipcam wields the GIMA Sword of Honour

5 growing media companies form new Council

5 growing media manufacturers form a 'Growing Media Manufacturers’ Council’ (GMMC) with the goal of ensuring the UK offers the highest quality growing media to professional growers. Read more - members only

Keith Nicholson - Marketing Director - Westland Horticulture

Average transaction values and consumer confidence fall

The latest Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Market Update for October 2024 shows that overall garden centre sales in September 2024 increased by +1%. Read more - members only

Most prominent brands within the online plants industry

According to a new report, Bloom and Wild is the most prominent brand within the online plants sector for 2024. Read more - members only

A London oasis for Horticulture, The Conference 2025

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced an exciting new London venue for its annual conference Horticulture, The Conference set to take place on Thursday 25 September 2025.  Read more - open to all

This year is going to be better than last

This year is going to be better than last, the second-half will be a lot better than the first and there will be a house price boom. These were the predictions at the recent GCA Conference. Read more - members only

The best garden centres at 2025 GCA conference

Garden centre teams from across the country are celebrating after receiving awards at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference today.  Read more - open to all

Ruxley Rose Perrywood Tiptree

Optimism while everything around us is flashing red

We asked garden centre owners whether they are more or less optimistic about 2025, after a challenging 2024, and what steps they are taking to offset rising costs. Read more - members only

GIMA announces exclusive ‘In Conversation with Dobbies’ event

GIMA is proud to announce an exclusive virtual event, ‘In Conversation with Dobbies’, taking place on 5th February. Open exclusively to GIMA members, this session offers an opportunity to hear directly from Dobbies’ senior leadership team on plans for the future.   Read more - open to all

David Robinson

"2024 was all about gardening not delivering"

The weather and rising costs contributed to a challenging year for garden centres, but an ‘OK’ Christmas means sales caught up with last year. Read more - members only

GIMA AGM & Day Conference 2025

GIMA is delighted to announce its AGM & Day Conference for 2025. Taking place on Tuesday, 25th March 2025, this event promises a day of networking, industry-leading insights, and discussions on how businesses can harness the power of AI to drive efficiency and growth. Read more - open to all

120 Industry heads meet MP’s and Lords

Whilst other industries look to reduce their environmental impact we want to increase ours.  This is the message received by Minister Daniel Zeichner at the House of Commons yesterday. Read more - members only

Daniel Zeichner is Minister of Food, Security and Rural Affairs

Concern for the industry after Homebase

The Executive chair of BHETA asks what’s next for suppliers following the demise of Homebase and expresses his concern for the industry. Read more - open to all

Andrew Weiss

Food sales rose in October while Gardening sales dropped

Contrasting views on October sales.  The HTA reports a slowdown in sales, reflecting the challenging trading environment, while the GCA celebrates an encouraging set of figures. Read more - members only

Greenfingers Charity announces its 2025 challenge

The recent GIMA Awards provided the stage for GIMA President, Kate Ebbens, to unveil an inspiring new fundraising challenge for 2025 in support of Greenfingers Charity. Read more - open to all

Take on the Greenfingers Challenge in 2025

Booking goes live for 2025 GCA conference

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has launched the overarching theme for its next annual conference and has declared booking now open for the event. ‘The Unique Garden Centre Experience’ is the main theme of the 2025 Conference. Read more - open to all

(L-r) GCA CEO, Peter Burks, GCA Chairman, Will Blake and GCA Chairman Elect, Ben Harrison

Budget imposes increased employment costs and rates on companies

Employers will bear the brunt of the £40bn tax rises unveiled yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.  Employment costs and rates will rise. Read more - members only

Colegrave Seabrook Foundation - Launch of new scholarship season

Students - Now is the time to boost your learning with scholarship support from the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation. Read more - open to all

BOA British Ornamentals Association presents the BOA Technical Conference 2025

The British Ornamentals Association (BOA) is delighted to invite you to our upcoming Technical Conference on 5th February 2025.  Read more - open to all

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