HTA to introduce E-learning app - The HUB
This spring the Horticultural Trades Association is launching the HUB, its new E-learning app. Read more - members only
HTA to introduce E-learning app - The HUB
This spring the Horticultural Trades Association is launching the HUB, its new E-learning app. Read more - members only
‘Enhanced’ Environment Bill goes before the Commons
The Government re-introduced the Environment Bill to Parliament yesterday. It follows the loss of the original Bill because of the general election in December. Read more - members only
BHETA provides Challenge 25 collateral for bladed goods
BHETA is to provide officially sanctioned Challenge 25 artwork for suppliers, retailers and delivery companies involved in the supply of age-restricted bladed items such as kitchen knives and DIY and garden tools. Read more - members only
GCA seeks an additional inspector
An expanding membership has prompted the GCA to start the search for an additional inspector to join the current team of 3. Read more - members only
Choice Marketing names its top suppliers
History and Heraldry, Allensmore and Woodlodge were the Suppliers of the Year in their categories for the Choice Marketing Group of independent garden centres. Read more - members only
The HTA needs to get onto the front foot
HTA chairman, James Barnes calls for the backing of members, especially growers, to hear him present plans to re-invigorate the HTA and to promote sustainability at the Cultivating Retail conference. Read more - members only
New Wisley plant centre to have biggest range of unusual plants
The new Welcome building that opens next month at the RHS Wisley garden will sell more unusual and rare plants from one place than anywhere else in the UK. Read more - members only
Gardenforum reviews a turbulent year for garden retail
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
Phil Gibbs leaves LOFA
LOFA has announced that secretary Phil Gibbs left the association on Friday 19th October as a new look board explores new opportunities for the association. Read more - members only
9 new members for the GCA
The Garden Centre Association has recruited 9 new members bringing the total number of garden centres the association represents to nearly 200. Read more - members only
New retail data service for BHETA members
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is launching a new retail data service for members thanks to an exclusive deal with research and data provider, GfK. Read more - members only
New chairman takes his seat at the HTA
Chris Pateman became chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association earlier this year. Part of his role is to be the new face of the HTA, representing the interests of members to Government and the rest of the garden sector. Read more - members only
Suppliers say rising costs will have to be passed on
Latest figures from The GIMA Barometer of Trade (BoT) show that raw material costs have risen by 12%. These costs, says GIMA, will have to be passed down the supply chain. Read more - members only
A round-up of 2017, a year dominated by Brexit and Xylella
2017 started with a flourish but lost momentum and settled to be an OK year. Suppliers worried about Brexit, the living wage, higher costs and Wyevale. Retailers and growers worried about Xylella. Takeover activity reached new peaks among suppliers, but no major garden centres changed hands. The industry said goodbye to some old friends. Read our review – (open to non-subscribers). Read more - open to all
New National Home Improvement Week will clash with Garden Re-Leaf Day
BHETA has created a new National Home Improvement Week for the home and garden industry on dates in the middle of March that clash with Garden Re-Leaf Day. Read more - members only
YPHA doubles membership in a week
The launch of the Young People in Horticulture Association has caught the imagination of the industry. New members are joining by the day and it has received ‘wonderful offers of help from all corners of the industry’. Read more - members only
Review of 2019
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
Mike Lind on the GCA, independence and the minimum wage
Monkton Elm’s Mike Lind gets ready to hand over the chairmanship of the GCA and warns that the proposed increase in minimum wage could be a significant threat for the garden centre sector. Read more - members only
Facebook is best for Garden centres
Garden centres should focus on Facebook first… The HTA marketing conference delivered advice and some great links to free resources. Read more - members only
HTA reports on size of UK garden market
The HTA Market Update analyses the retail sales of plants, garden care products, pots and garden leisure. It also evaluates greenhouses and sheds and looks at garden services. Read more - members only
Wyevale sells Bridgemere and Cheltenham
Blue Diamond continues its Wyevale buying spree buying Bridgemere, while Webbs buys Cheltenham garden centre. In addition 2 centres will close. Read more - members only
SmartPlant links with T&M
SmartPlants adds T&M to its growing list of commercial partners. Customer receipts by the mail-order supplier will soon be accompanied by the newly developed SmartPlant 'button' to provide post sale advice. Read more - members only
James Barnes is to be HTA Chairman
James Barnes, the former CEO of Dobbies, is to become the chairman of the HTA and will speak on behalf of the association with members and outside the industry. Read more - open to all
Cultivation St. Ambassador of the Year supported over 1,000 children
David Domoney congratulates this year’s Cultivation Street ambassador of the year, Dobbies’ Steven Purton, who regularly shares his expertise with a local charity, 4 schools, a college and a hospital to improve their communal spaces. Read more - members only
£4m for new National Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning at RHS Wisley
The Royal Horticultural Society will receive £4 million from the National Lottery towards a five-year project that includes developing the world’s first National Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning, at the RHS Garden at Wisley. Read more - members only
HTA Chairman leaves after 2 months
The HTA Board has announced that Chris Pateman has left his post as Chairman of the HTA citing family reasons and the long commute. Read more - members only
Surge of bookings for the GCA conference
The GCA urges those who haven’t booked to act quickly as rooms for the annual GCA conference (21st - 24th Jan) are running out. This is the main networking event for top garden centres and suppliers, with top speakers from business, sport and entertainment. Read more - members only
Gardenex secures government funding for major overseas garden trade exhibitions
Gardenex has secured grant funding to help UK manufacturers, especially SME’s, exhibit at major overseas garden trade shows. For the first time these will include Myplant & Garden in Milan. Read more - members only
Chris Pateman to be the new chair of the HTA
The HTA has named Chris Pateman as the new chair of the Association. In this new role Chris will assist the HTA Board in coordinating the activities of the HTA Executive and their teams at Horticulture House. In addition, he will represent the HTA at a senior level to Government and other stakeholders. Read more - members only
Time to apply for a David Colegrave scholarship
The window has opened for future horticulturalists to apply for scholarships from The David Colegrave Foundation. There are 7 potential scholarships available. Read more - members only