Powers come into force on 2 December allowing Councils to auction the leases of long-term empty shops to breathe new life back into high streets. Read more - members only

Gardenforum planning round-up - Perrywood Sudbury and Pugh’s Garden Village in Wenvoe submit new plans. Read more - members only

Planning changes have now come into effect that garden centre owners need to be aware of. Read more - open to all

Plans have been approved for a family-run garden centre to move to a new purpose-built site. Bosworth’s Garden Centre is currently located in Burton Latimer but has now been given the go-ahead for a new centre off the A6 in Irthlingborough. Read more - members only

The Autumn Statement by Jeremy Hunt aimed particular support at the much-beleaguered hospitality, leisure and retail sector, meaning that garden centres and farm shops will benefit from increased and extended relief. Read more - open to all

Warning to garden centres: “Get their planning in order before the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill becomes law.”  But there may be good news too. Read more - members only

Headlines around the country include a sale and lease back by Dobbies, controversy about breast feeding in a garden centre and thefts of catalytic converters at Bents. Read more - members only

Here is a summary of the news stories published on Gardenforum during 2019:  Wyevale disintegration and the expansion of other groups, the environment, supplier consolidation and people in the news.  This review is open to all. Read more - open to all

Here’s your chance to catch up with some of the events in the retail garden sector that you may have missed. It was a turbulent year with the collapse of Gardman; around 60 garden centres changing hands or closing, Wyevale, Bunnings, Snow and drought. This is open to all. Read more - open to all

A court case in 2015 opened up a potential loophole in the law which would bring nurseries into line with paying business rates. The Government has decided this week that this will not happen. Read more - members only

Newspan has started construction to create one of the biggest destination garden centres in the country at Bridgford garden centre. Read more - members only

Secretary of State has shown a green light to the building of a £60m garden centre and factory outlet at Ashchurch that will create 1,000 jobs. Read more - members only

Wyevale Holdings is appealing a planning refusal to develop 73 houses next to Kings Acre Halt in Hereford. Read more - members only

This is one of the questions discussed in the latest fact sheet issued by Malcolm Scott Consultants. It also gives the example of Fairways GC which has permission to be built in Green Belt near Coventry. Read more - members only

2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more - open to all

Alexander Mackie Associates announces the sale of Beechcroft Nurseries and Garden Centre located at Belbroughton, Stourbridge, West Midlands. Read more - open to all

UPDATED: Winter Storms and floods cause disruption to Garden Centres around the UK at one of the peak times of year. Read more - members only

We highlight the main events of 2023 including the collapse of Wilko, juggling of the trade shows calendar and the deaths of some notable pioneers in the industry. Read more - open to all

Christie & Co, has launched its Retail & Leisure: 2023 Mid-Year Insight, which reflects on activity, trends and challenges across the UK’s convenience retail, forecourt, garden centre and leisure markets in the first half of 2023 and provides an outlook for the rest of the year. Read more - open to all

Following the acquisition of Rosebourne Hillier continues to invest. Hillier Nurseries has invested £4m in Hampshire land for tree production. Read more - members only

Christie & Co, who built its reputation as the vendor of the Wyevale garden centres, is selling Millbrook Garden Centre near Monmouth in South Wales.  Read more - members only

The Valuation Office Agency has contacted garden centres across the country to request rental and account information to support the 2023 Revaluation of business rates in England and Wales.   Read more - open to all

Garden centres in West Yorkshire, the Midlands and Northumberland have been hit by a series of break ins, where goods are being stolen to order. Read more - members only

Malcolm Scott Consultants has secured planning consent for site development at Cambridgeshire-based Oakington Garden Centre. Read more - open to all

Fearing a conflict of interest Honiton Town Council’s planning committee have refused to discuss plans for a new garden centre submitted by the former manager of Sidmouth GC. Read more - members only

2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more - open to all

Richard Harding has started the process of selling Four Oaks Trade Show and Nursery.  He is looking for the right buyer to ensure continuity of the event. Read more - members only

Tewkesbury council has backed plans to build a £60m garden centre and outlet shopping development, but final approval rests with the Government. Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden centres has sold eight garden centres to Orchard Street Investment Management in a sale and leaseback deal. Read more - members only

Recently closed Woolmans garden centre in Shirley is to be auctioned with a guide price of £2m. Read more - members only