“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

Westland awarded the Peter Wilson Cup by Choice Marketing

The supplier of the year cup has been renamed the Peter Wilson Cup, in honour of the director of Mackenzie & Cruickshank who died earlier this year.  Read more - members only

Harry Wilson presents the Peter Wilson Cup to Westland watched by Terry Maywood

BHETA lobbies government on plans for 887% tax rise under EPR

BHETA is urging members to help lobby Government on the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, that will be imposed on all producers of packaging materials from next year. Read more - members only

‘Baring’ all for a good cause

The 2025 edition of the Naked Gardeners Calendar features the Grubby Gardeners, a spirited volunteer group who have been raising funds for Perennial since 2014. Read more - open to all

Read comprehensive Horticulture Industry Survey by MorePeople

Read the Horticulture Industry Survey by MorePeople with insights into key industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. 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

Calls for more notice from Government

HTA calls for more notice to enable forward planning after Government confirms seasonal worker visa allocation for horticulture in 2025, slightly lower than this year. Read more - members only

 (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Last chance to book your place at Horticulture, the Conference

Time is running out to book your place at the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) Horticulture, The Conference on 25 September 2024 at the ICC Birmingham. With only two weeks remaining, don't miss the chance to hear from key speakers and experts at this essential industry event. Read more - open to all

Tom Allen to host the GIMA Awards

Comedian, presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author, Tom Allen, has been confirmed as the host of the 2024 GIMA Awards.

Read more - open to all

Comedian, Tom Allen

B&Q pilots robot deliveries with DPD

B&Q is testing a new means of home delivery for small products using a fleet of autonomous robots. Read more - members only

Image: DPD

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