A further two Yorkshire garden centres join the GCA

Tingley and Otley Garden Centres have been awarded membership of the GCA.  They join sister centre, Tong, a member since 2016.  Read more - members only

Dan Moore Acting Centre Manager and James Tolson Assistant Manager

Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry launches 

Perennial, the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture, is proud to announce the launch of its largest ever survey to gain a snapshot into the wellbeing of those working in the industry. 

  Read more - open to all

YPHA members to hold a Cotswolds regional event at Ball

The Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) has arranged for members to visit the Ball® 'Summer Showcase on 26th July.  Read more - open to all

YPHA unveils new website

YPHA, the voice of the next generation of horticulturists, has a new website to support its membership which is fast approaching 1000. Read more - open to all

March sales up but challenges ahead

HTA expects significant challenges for the industry with the impending changes on 30 April at Border Control Posts.  March sales were up +22% helped by an early Easter. Read more - members only

New border charges will undoubtedly increase costs

The HTA expresses frustration at government’s 11th hour reveal of the Common Usage Charge at borders due on plant products from 30th April. Read more - members only

Dutch Spring Trials take place in week 18

Dutch Spring Trials take place in week 18 during week 18, with eight breeders in North-Holland.  Visits held by appointment only. Read more - members only

Outlook looks troubled for retailers

Credit insurer tells GIMA suppliers the warning signs to look for when a retailer might be at risk of insolvency. Insolvencies are expected to increase this year. Read more - members only

source: Xenia Broking

New GROW health & safety courses unveiled by the GCA

The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW) e-Learning platform has launched five new online compliance-based courses covering health and safety this month (March 2024). Read more - open to all

Sarah Willis, General Manager at Thurrock Garden Centre on GROW

Chat from aisles of the Garden Press Event

300 members of the garden media visited around 100 exhibitors at a buzzing Garden Press Event. Best new product was a Dipping Tank. Blue Diamond won the Best Stand award. Read the chat. Read more - members only

The Dipping Tank

New, digital resource for carers within the horticultural community

Those responsible for caring for someone else within the horticultural community can now access a free online tool through the charity Perennial, to help them manage caring responsibilities effectively and give them peace of mind. Read more - open to all

The cost-of-living crisis is over, but...

Top economist Mark Beresford-Smith tells the GCA what to expect from inflation, interest rates and consumer demand in the next 6 months. Read more - members only

Mark Beresford-Smith

GCA announces its first awards

GCA announces its first awards at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.  Read more - members only

an Boardman Indoor Plants Cup Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth

Garden Centres’ average spend jumped in 2023

Garden centres outperformed the retail average at Christmas with big increases in food and restaurants.  Average spends also jumped as annual sales grew. Read more - members only

A Christmas scene at Castle Gardens, Sherborne

LOFA warns of cost rises and shipping delays

LOFA warns of surcharges and delays in outdoor living products due to the actions of Yemen Houthis, who have forced shipping to detour around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope Read more - members only

April sales fall for a third year

Despite April sales falling for a third year,  Garden centres were ahead of 2023 at the end of April with catering and garden sundries prospering. Read more - members only

Clothing (+14%) and Catering (+13%) were the bright spots.

First FutureGrow Expo unveiled by the HTA

The HTA has announced the inaugural FutureGrow Expo, on 8 October at Stoneleigh Park, to connect horticulture growers with technology innovators. Read more - members only

Fran Barnes

GIMA members vote in new President

Kate Ebbens has been voted in as GIMA President for the 2024 and 2025 term.  Craig Hall takes over the Vice President role. Read more - members only

GIMA President Kate Ebbens with past president Jenny Douthwaite

April 30th is border day

April 30th is the day when plant import inspections move from their inland destination to the point where they enter the UK, causing potential delays and increased costs. Read more - members only

Dobbies has partnered with One4all Gift Cards

Dobbies Garden Centres joins One4all Gift Cards’ extensive network of retailers that includes Blue Diamond, which is already part of the network. Read more - members only

Next GCA chairman confirmed

Ben Harrison, Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres, has been announced as the Chairman Elect for 2024/25 by the Garden Centre Association. Read more - members only

Will Blake GCA Chairman, Ben Harrison Chairman Elect and Peter Burks

HTA forecasts a challenging spring

Wet February sees modest market growth, but the HTA is expecting a challenging Spring. Read more - members only

HTA urges PM to intervene urgently before BTOM changes

The HTA has written to PM Rishi Sunak, warning of the risks to Environmental Horticulture from changes in the Border Target Operating Model that are due on 30th April. Read more - members only

YPHA unveils Launch Success at the Eden Project

Ambassador, Boyd Douglas-Davies, called on more employers to support YPHA members as they visited the Eden Project where the Launch Success development programme was unveiled. Read more - open to all

Green shoots but caution on costs

The HTA market update shows that garden retail continued to show green shoots in January but cautions about rising wage and shipping costs. Read more - members only

Perennial launches free online tool for carers

Perennial launches free online tool for those responsible for caring for someone else within the horticultural community, to help them manage caring responsibilities effectively and give them peace of mind. Read more - open to all

Fairways and Bents lift top GCA awards

Over 200 guests at the GCA dinner witnessed Fairways and Bents claim the coveted Garden Centre of the Year awards, while Woodmansterne was named the Supplier of the Year. Read more - members only

Warren Haskins, Martin Stewart and chairman Will Blake present award to Mark Trimlett of Woodmanster

GCA reorganises membership structure

The Garden Centre Association is to change the category structure for members and reduce its regions to four to make their Awards judging fairer. Read more - members only

Where could a Colegrave Seabrook scholarship take you?

As the application closing date for Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships approaches see how last year's winners used their awards. Read more - open to all

Zara Snow

Westland's online houseplant hub for consumers

8th – 14th January is National Houseplant Week and Westland has launched an online educational hub for consumers to find their houseplant advice. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive