Garden centre sales hit record highs in June despite closed restaurants and other retailers reopening from 15^th June.  Garden furniture sales gained +81% according to the GCA. Read more - members only

Overall online retail sales grew 34% in May. Garden e-tailers were swamped. Garden centres developed an online offer during the lock down, but will they continue?  Read more - members only

The Duchess of Cambridge bought plants at Fakenham Garden Centre last week for a new garden at a Norfolk children's hospice.  Plans are also underway for an imaginative space created by Greenfingers. Read more - open to all

While Dobbies are reopening their restaurants as soon as permitted, others are adopting a more cautious approach.  Some are not opening this month. Read more - open to all

What changes will be the next to test garden centres as we exit the Covid-19 lockdown?  A change to Sunday trading rules and restricted reopening of restaurants? Read more - open to all

Garden centres are reopening to big increases in average spend from pent up demand.  Stock shortages are already showing.  But there are concerns about the autumn. Read more - open to all

Despite optimism over the weekend for an announcement that Scottish garden centres would be allowed to reopen, they will remain closed until at least the 28^th May. Read more - open to all

Comments in the media give a flavour of the first day back.  ‘They are doing a clean sweep’, ‘We have written off 30% of annual turnover’, ‘Lots of problem troubleshooting done today’, ‘Opened to a queue of keen gardeners’. Read more - open to all

The Northern Ireland administration has said garden centres will be in the first group of retailers to reopen, but it has not indicated when this will be. Read more - open to all

English garden centres will be allowed to open from Wednesday says Government. Read more - open to all

Tonight’s announcement on Coronavirus from the Prime Minister made no mention of English Garden Centres reopening. We may have to await details released to Parliament 3.30pm tomorrow if there is to be a go-ahead. Read more - open to all

First Minister, Mark Drakefield, has announced that Welsh garden centres can re-open on Monday provided they can ensure the two metre social distancing rule. Will English garden centres follow? Read more - open to all

Garden centres should be prepared to open next week; Barclays back two leading independent garden centres; Juggling WFH, home schooling, child-care, basic husband training… Read more - open to all

The HTA has published a Safe Trading Guidance to be signed by all retail members, which limits the number of customers in store, defines the products that can be sold and outlines procedures to be followed. Read more - open to all

With the time approaching that garden centres are likely to be permitted, with restrictions, to open, some garden centres are asking if they can afford to open. Read more - open to all

Growth in the overall gardening sector since the start of lockdown was 3.5% according to the second quarterly economic report from BHETA.  Read more - members only

The HTA has criticised today’s mini budget with comments such as a missed opportunity and unlikely to have much impact amongst horticulture businesses. Read more - open to all

There’s praise for staff and suppliers as some garden centres are 50% up in June and in a strong cash position.  “No-one put their prices up without good reason. No-one got awkward…” Read more - open to all

Garden centre catering in England could be financially viable from July 4^th with the change in social distancing rules, but details of the conditions are needed quickly. Read more - open to all

Bedding growers are being forced to take steps to manage unprecedented order levels as a result of soaring garden centre sales.  Neil Grant says Ferndale sales are now in front of May last year.  Read more - open to all

With Scottish garden centres not opening till after May 28, the HTA has intensified its call for a Dutch style grant to support British growers. Read more - open to all

First Minister, Arlene Foster, has announced that garden centres in Northern Ireland will be permitted to open again from Monday 18^th May. Read more - open to all

Lord Gardiner says, “It is vital all garden centres implement strict social distancing and I urge businesses to use the Government’s extensive guidance and the HTA’s Safe Trading Guidance.” Read more - open to all

The HTA cautions garden centres to take a thoughtful and considered approach to reopening and not to open until they are ready. Read more - open to all

Welsh Garden Centres reopen today, under Coronavirus guidelines. English Garden centres might hear today, when the background paper to the PM’s broadcast is released, if they can re-open. Read more - open to all

The BBC has quoted a senior government source saying garden centres in England will be allowed to reopen on Wednesday, if they comply with social distancing. Read more - open to all

In the hope of an early re-opening of garden centres, The HTA has eased its safety guidance, no longer advising a ban on non-garden related goods. However, cafes should remain closed. Read more - open to all

The HTA has asked Government to resolve the click & Collect ‘Catch 22’ where garden centres are allowed to provide the service, but people are not allowed to travel to collect non-essential items. Read more - open to all

A group of MP’s have written to George Eustice calling for compensation for growers and for garden centres to re-open.  At PMQ’s the Foreign Secretary acknowledged this is an important area. Read more - open to all

The Gardens Group is putting excess stock to good use in support of key workers and everyone doing their bit to stay home throughout the lockdown, donating unsold plants to carers, hospital staff and teachers. Read more - open to all