Bank Holiday was not so hot

The latest reports from the GTN Bestsellers show sales volumes fell 18% last week compared to 2008. See more… Read more - members only

1600 garden retailers sign up for Sunday Times promotion

New research for the HTA, which shows that younger people are showing an interest in gardening more, has spawned a series of initiatives to maintain sales momentum during the recession. See more... Read more - members only

Planning success saves Plants Galore

Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd have won planning permission for Plants Galore that rescues them from closure under an enforcement notice. See more… Read more - members only

Odds on for a barbecue summer

"After two disappointingly-wet summers, the signs are much more promising this year. We can expect times when temperatures will be above 30 °C, something we hardly saw at all last year." So says the Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office. See more... Read more - open to all

Don’t miss The Big Lunch

Garden centres that ignore The Big Lunch will be losing out on an important opportunity to connect with their community. July 19th is likely to become a national focal point of the summer. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts a sunny Easter

The long range weather forecast from Wiseweather predicts rain that will dry up in time for a sunny Easter. See more... Read more - members only

Falling sterling cited as good reason for joining Gardenex

The five most recent British garden product suppliers to join Gardenex export federation have cited the recent falls in sterling, making British products more competitive in overseas markets, as a good reason to join. Read more - members only

GCA seeks scholarship candidates

Each year, the Garden Centre Association Trust awards two scholarships to support students undergoing horticultural training. The GCA is looking for nominations for the academic year that starts this autumn. See more... Read more - members only

BRC Director-General to address GIMA

“Let's face it; things are in a mess at the moment. And the thinking that got us into the mess isn't going to get us out of it.” Advice from one of the challenging speakers at the GIMA meeting to be held on March 26th. See more... Read more - members only

Four Oaks Direct holds Flower Power Fair

Around 20 nurseries from the North of England will be selling a range of garden and house plants on Mother's Day at the first Flower Power Fair of 2009, which will be held at Four Oaks Direct. See more... Read more - members only

Mass online vote to find best garden centre

Gardeners’ World magazine, with a circulation of 330,000, has unveiled the Gardeners’ World Awards. Anyone can vote in the on-line survey, which is looking for the best and worst in gardening, including the best garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Debt problems increase for horticulturists

Perennial has seen a dramatic increase in demand for its debt advice service over the last year. The charity has a nationwide team of case workers to advise and support people who have worked with plants when they get into any type of difficulty. See more... Read more - members only

Glee downsizes as recession delays bookings - Updated

Cautious about the impact of the recession, EMAP has reduced the scale of Glee and Petindex to fit into four halls. The shows can be expanded again if a good season boosts industry confidence and therefore, bookings. The HTA has given strong support for these moves. See more... Read more - members only

The first British Plant Fair to go ahead

The first British Plant Fair of 2009 will go ahead as planned, undaunted by the weather. It takes place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on Thursday. See more... Read more - members only

Cold and unsettled through until mid month

The February long range weather forecast from Wiseweather expects it to be colder and drier than average, becoming less cold and more unsettled towards the end. See more... Read more - members only

New learning centre for RHS Rosemoor

Devon County Council is to provide £500,000 for a new learning centre at RHS Rosemoor. More than 6000 primary school pupils will benefit from the new facilities. See more... Read more - members only

“This is not the time to be invisible,” says Glee director

"Glee is still the best opportunity to meet the widest possible audience," says director, Dan Thurlow. Additions to the 2009 show will include entrepreneur booths and displays of products in themed settings. See more... Read more - members only

May slightly sunnier and warmer, but...

Wiseweather predicts that May will be warmer and drier than average despite a cool unsettled period in the middle of the month. There will be a North/South split. See more... Read more - members only

Enter in May or rue the day!

With judges from B&Q, Tesco and several leading garden centres, just entering the GIMA Awards will provide valuable exposure to new products. Winning is a bonus. The competition is open to all. See more... Read more - members only

de Graaff launches garden centre incentive scheme

Eimert de Graaff, the founder and former chief executive of Hart, has launched a new garden centre incentive scheme, QV. Five garden centres have joined already. See more... Read more - members only

Good advice for a recession

“Retention of title on the invoice is not enough”; “Words I never want to hear again - Stay within budget"'; “Stay calm, listen to your staff, get into a helicopter...” - Just some of the advice offered at the latest GIMA meeting. See more... Read more - members only

£850k reward for Choice

Choice Marketing members are celebrating the completion of another successful year with a huge rebate of £850,000 for achieving agreed targets with their key suppliers. See more... Read more - members only

Spring brings new life to Hebe

Spring has brought new life to Hebe, the HTA's electronic trading service, first proposed 3 years ago. Solus, the UK industry's leading wholesaler has signed a contract to run a pilot with six leading garden centres, for two months this spring. See more... Read more - members only

Cotton Traders to open in 15 more garden centres

With recession savaging the high street, there is strong demand from retailers, seeking franchises on garden centres, where the flow of the ‘right type’ of customer remains strong. See more... Read more - members only

Increased Government Grants for UK exhibitors

British exporters wishing to reach the $100 billion North American lawn and garden market by exhibiting at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas in May 2009 can do so for as little as £1,500 following an increase in Government funding for eligible exhibitors. See more... Read more - members only

March long range weather - good for gardeners?

Although there is an unsettled feel to March, there should be more sun and less rain than average. See more... Read more - members only

Surprise increase in January retail sales figures

The joint BRC-KPMG sales monitor showed an increase of 1.1% in like-for-like retail sales in January. This is the best performance since May, when the sun started to shine. But this doesn’t mean consumer confidence has returned says KPMG. See more… Read more - members only

Plant fair defies the weather

Over 130 Buyers braved the elements to make the first of this year's MRG plant fairs a success. They represented multiples, buying groups, DIY chains and independent garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

HTA seeks to eradicate poor payment practices

The HTA is urging garden companies throughout the supply chain to sign up for the Prompt Payment Code and eradicate poor payment practices such as changing agreed terms unilaterally. See more... Read more - members only

Good advice for the recession

What are the prospects for 2009 and how do we survive? This was the foremost question for delegates at the recent Garden Centre Association conference and GIMA meeting. Gardenforum distils the advice from both events. See more... Read more - open to all

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