The First Minister for Wales has announced that while non-essential shops must remain closed until 12 April, garden centres can reopen from 22 March. Read more - open to all

Having been cancelled in 2020 the GIMA Awards, the main industry social event of the year, is to celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 11^th. Read more - open to all

Bitter disappointment follows the First Minister’s statement as Scottish garden centres remain unclear when they can re-open.  Director of Cardwell calls for return to essential status. Read more - members only

The Northern Ireland lockdown is extended until the 1st of April. This is very bad news for horticultural businesses, says the HTA, with Mother’s Day a write off. Read more - members only

Richard Jackson, the QVC gardening guru, who also sells his own Flower Power product range, has created the Couch to Five a Day Challenge to encourage more people to grow their own. Read more - open to all

Just when garden centres expect a buoyant spring from locked down gardeners, suppliers warn of shortages as imports are hampered by a perfect storm. Read more - members only

Growers say garden centres are right to fear plant shortages this spring and explain what buyers should do to get the plants they want. Read more - members only

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) will still be able to get together for their regional meetings in a virtual capacity this year (2021). Read more - open to all

The HTA confirms that garden centres in Scotland can continue operation of click and collect, and seeks a date for a review their closed status.

2020 was a challenging year for everyone, so 2021 is the perfect time to invest in personal development and look at developing skills for the future. Read more - open to all

2020 turned out better for garden centres than many feared. What about Spring 2021 with lockdown #3 and supply problems through the ports? Read more - members only

Following the agreement reached by the UK and the EU, Gardenex and PetQuip have launched an initiative to help UK companies navigate their way around the new rules in 2021. Read more - open to all

Following the latest strengthening of Coronavirus restrictions garden centres remain open, with limitations, everywhere but in Wales and Northern Ireland.  The DIY stores are open across the UK. Read more - open to all

Unless the HTA is successful in appealing the Covid-19 classification for Welsh garden centres they look set to close indefinitely from end of trading on Christmas Eve. Read more - open to all

The HTA explains Defra’s most recent guidance documents that clarify the proposed inspection regime for importing plants after 1 January and what they mean for the industry. Read more - members only

Action taken by the Government, without prior EU agreement, gives temporary permission to ship from GB to Northern Ireland plants that have been grown in soil. Read more - members only

The first regional meetings of 2021 for Garden Centre Association (GCA) members were held online and were hailed a great success by attendees recently (February 2021). Read more - open to all

The Financial Times interviews with Alex Newey and Adam Taylor warns that millions of daffodil blooms will go unharvested because of the lack of Eastern European seasonal workers.  Read more - members only

Welsh growers and garden retailers say they need a miracle if they are to weather a second Springtime lockdown says the HTA.   Read more - members only

The risk to Scottish horticulture is growing as garden centres remain closed.  With Mother’s Day approaching, HTA calls for Scottish government to take action soon. Read more - open to all

Why can’t Northern Ireland garden centres get deliveries of many plants and seeds from the rest of the United Kingdom following Brexit? Read more - open to all

Garden centre sales failed to recover the 8 lost spring weeks with catering revenues and plant sales hit worst according to the latest GCA Barometer of Trade. Read more - members only

The HTA is first out with statistics for 2020.  The Market update shows the impact of Covid-19.  Overall sales fell 10% but there was strong growth in Gardening. Read more - members only

There’s little sign of the casual browser as customer numbers dry up in Lockdown #3. Garden centres say January will be quieter than normal but confidence remains for a buoyant spring. Read more - members only

With 2020 seeing a gardening boom and many forced to consider their career options, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is giving 40 green-fingered applicants the chance to train at one of the charity’s five gardens from 2021. Read more - open to all

After the PM announced a third Coronavirus lockdown in England, Government guidance confirms garden centres, suppliers of building products and off-licences can remain open. Read more - members only

The Scottish Government has today announced that homeware stores and garden centres will close in all the mainland from Boxing Day.  Garden centres in Wales and Northern Ireland will also be closed. Read more - open to all

The HTA seeks clarity on opening of Northern Ireland garden centres following unclear minister’s statement on new lockdown starting on Boxing Day. Read more - open to all

Significant new rules and inspections on plants imported into the EU will leave British growers at a major competitive disadvantage when trading with customers in Northern Ireland. Read more - members only

LOFA warns that increased congestion at ports, especially Felixstowe, could impact the supplies of garden related products after Christmas. Read more - members only