From Thursday only essential retailers such as food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open. Read more - open to all

B&M, B&Q, Home Bargains, et al have said they will remain open in Wales as garden centres are forced to close after Friday. Read more - open to all

HTA Market Update says consumer confidence in garden centres remains high, but it calls on them to reassure customers with safe trading protocols.  Seed sales were up 90% - an encouraging indicator for next year. Read more - members only

Improved relations between the HTA, GCA and GIMA saved the industry after lockdown and now there are calls for closer partnerships between retailers and suppliers. Read more - members only

HTA says extending CBILS repayment terms to 10 years will be helpful to growers. Keeping VAT in hospitality to 5% will help garden centre catering. But it presses Government to keep garden centres open. Read more - open to all

The HTA says the new Covid restrictions for hospitality could present real difficulties for the industry given such little notice.  Also, some issues need urgent clarification. Read more - open to all

Gardenforum hosted a panel debate at Glee Gathering with 4 leading retailers.  They split over whether the lockdown created almost 3m new gardeners. Read more - members only

In 3 weeks, Director Christopher Woodward steps into the Atlantic to save The Garden Museum. A donor is offering to match every donation £1 for £1... so lets make his eyes water! UNLOCKED Read more - open to all

So said James Barnes as he announced HTA plans to double grower membership. New industry growth plans are to be developed with Government. Read more - members only

A GIMA virtual seminar has updated members on import/export regulations after Brexit.  The HTA has also given an update on phytosanitary standards. Read more - members only

BHETA calls for details of the UKCA safety mark due to replace the CE mark in January, as importers must brief overseas manufacturers in time for January delivery. Read more - members only

Sales in July were excellent for garden centres despite a 50%+ fall in catering sales.  The latest GCA figures show sales of garden sundries continue to surge. Read more - members only

The GCA and GIMA have started a series of online panel debates to improve communication and honesty through the retail gardening supply chain. Read more - members only

From 24^th July shoppers must wear masks in garden centres.  The staff don't have to.  What mask policy will garden centres follow for staff?  Will they police customers? Read more - open to all

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

The HTA has written to members to say it understands that Scottish garden centres will be classified as essential in any tier four lockdowns. Read more - open to all

The 17 day firebreak in Wales starting at 6pm on Friday will see garden centres closed for half term. But can they still offer Click & Collect? Read more - open to all

Edinburgh Woollen Mill, with concessions on many leading garden centres, has called in administrators to look for investors to shore up the business. Read more - members only

The NHS Contact Tracing App is now live. Garden centres should download the QR code to display at entrances.  We also summarise the Winter Economy announcement. Read more - open to all

UPDATED Thursday morning… The BBC reports that restaurants without an alcohol licence will NOT need to provide tables service.  The HTA is cautious saying It looks like the rules are evolving. Read more - open to all

Latest results from the GCA show sales are still significantly above last year, while average sales values are gently coming back to more usual levels.  Catering income has recovered strongly. Read more - members only

Squire’s Garden Centres has released the results of their “Gardening during Lockdown” survey. Read more - open to all

Plant sales of Begonia ‘Sweet Spice^TM Bounty’ have been donated to the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) to support students studying horticulture in the UK.   Read more - open to all

New research conducted by the HTA found that almost three million gardeners sprung up this year as a result of lockdown. Read more - open to all

Five horticulture scholarships are available from the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF). Students can get up to £2,500 to put towards their studies.  Read more - open to all

Which plant varieties will be hot for 2021?... the industry has voted at the Ball Colegrave Trial Grounds at West Adderbury. Read more - open to all

Has garden centre catering changed for ever as a flurry of garden centres reopen restaurants in time to participate in ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ in August? Read more - members only

The RHS has created a new careers resource - rhs.org.uk/careersinhorticulture - with over 60 individual films showcasing some 45 different horticultural careers.

The Government has rejected calls by The HTA and NFU to pay financial compensation to UK Growers following the Covid-19 shutdown.   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