The Prosper Buying Group appoints Simon Bourne (Retail Director, Perrywood Garden Centres) as its new Chairman, succeeding Terry Head. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association has relaunched its Rising Star Academy for hospitality staff, offering specialist training to develop talent in garden centre cafés and restaurants.

Garden, home and leisure PR agency, Hornby George PR, has announced a significant wave of new client partnerships, marking a period of rapid growth and strategic expansion for the specialist communications agency. Read more - open to all

The British Ornamentals Association has issued an urgent call for more growers to support Horticultural Crop Protection Ltd and has changed the contributions process. Read more - open to all

The Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Limited — the long‑standing organisation behind Gardenex, PetQuip and the CHA — has  announced that it has ceased trading with immediate effect. Read more - members only

New cross-sector initiative HORTISTRY has launched peer-led Masterclasses to preserve vital horticultural skills, address sector-wide shortages and create clearer career pathways for professional growers and horticulturists. Read more - open to all

Garden centres finished 2025 in a stronger position, with a 9% growth in total sales value compared to 2024 according to the Horticultural Trades Association Market Update. Read more - members only

The HTA has announced its 2026 events calendar, featuring flagship shows, expanded regional catering events, webinars and conferences designed to support member growth and collaboration.

The BOA Technical Conference 2026 brings the ornamental horticulture sector together to explore innovation, sustainability, regulation and peat-free growing, alongside networking and industry awards.

Ill health forces Steve Millington is to step down from the chairmanship of LOFA a year early.  He is to be succeeded by the vice-chairman Alwyn Williams. Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the UK’s leading garden industry body, will discontinue its long-standing Council from 2026, marking a significant shift in its governance. Read more - members only

The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation has appointed two new trustees, strengthening its support of education and career development within horticulture. Read more - open to all

Following the GIMA webinar held on Tuesday 2nd December 2025, GIMA is pleased to confirm Walmart Marketplace as its next retail partner for the GIMA Buyer Connect programme – and host of the first ‘Meet the Buyer’ event of 2026. Read more - open to all

October sales show continued resilience, yet the HTA highlights pressures on consumers and says more companies are planning to slow or cut investment. Read more - members only

Two new scholarships from the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation offer hands-on experience and travel for students and professionals in horticulture. Read more - open to all

Dobbies Garden Centres will headline GIMA’s April Buyer Connect event, giving suppliers one-to-one access to buyers to explore innovation and future ranging opportunities.

The newly launched Nursery Exhibitors Organisation (NEO) has been established to support and promote the UK’s specialist nursery sector, amid concerns over a significant long‑term decline. Read more - open to all

Edoardo Bortolato outlined how garden centres might improve margins and security at a very low cost by using AI.  Here’s a summary. Read more - members only

Gardenforum contacted garden centres across the UK after Christmas to understand the real impact of shoplifting and how businesses and the police are responding. Read more - members only

GIMA has confirmed full details of its 2026 Day Conference and Annual General Meeting, taking place on Thursday 26th March at Stratford Manor Hotel, bringing the garden industry together to examine The Future of the Supply Chain for Garden Products. Read more - open to all

Ruxley Manor, Old Railway Line, Brimsmore garden centres and Woodlodge take top GCA awards. Read more - members only

Garden centres sales specialist, Christie & Co, expects high transaction volumes in 2026, in part due to stabilising borrowing costs. Read more - members only

BHETA’s General Manager, Steve Richardson has called for more SME-friendly enforcement and protection against copying of UK companies’ designs by overseas competitors.  Read more - open to all

BHETA is launching its first Marketplace Day in January as platforms such as TikTok Shop, B&Q Marketplace, Tesco lead one of the most significant channel shifts for the industry. Read more - open to all

The UK government has announced a significant increase in the threshold for inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs, a move expected to provide substantial benefits to family-owned businesses within environmental horticulture. Read more - members only

The UK’s garden centre sector delivered robust trading results in November, according to the latest HTA December Market Update. Read more - members only

The UK garden centre market experienced a robust surge in 2025, with transaction volumes reaching their highest levels in recent years, reports Christie & Co. Read more - members only

"Permanently lower tax rates" for garden centres and farm shops announced in the Budget are likely to be offset by potentially tripled Rateable Values in 2026, advises Malcolm Scott. Read more - members only

Following a brief period in administration, New Leaf Plants, the UK’s largest climber grower, announces a successful financial restructuring supported by investment from the Stubbs Family.  Read more - open to all

Gardena lifted the Sword of Honour at the 44th GIMA Awards in front of 440 guests for a night of celebration at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, hosted by Patrick Kielty. Read more - open to all