Fran Barnes, new chief executive of HTA said, “The Prime Minister’s comments on garden centres when announcing the Windsor Framework were hugely encouraging. We need the words to match the reality…” Read more - members only

The Federation of Small Businesses has published a summary of measures in the Budget affecting smaller businesses.  The HTA criticises lack of action on the environment. Read more - members only

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited a new garden therapy site in Wales, part of the garden-therapy social enterprise, Life at No.27. Read more - open to all

Gardening sales were down in the January report by the GCA Barometer of Trade but revenues were given a boost by Christmas clearances and catering. Read more - members only

The former home of RHS research at Wisley is to reopen as a venue where everyone can explore the history of its science and recreate experiments conducted there. Read more - members only

Choice, the buying and marketing group for independent garden centres, has added two new members that brings its membership to 47. Read more - members only

YPHA members gathered at Coolings yesterday at a gathering initiated by Paul Cooling.  They toured the nursery, heard from TV presenter Adam Frost and learned how the company is now owned by the staff. Read more - open to all

Freehold garden centre values are holding firm and the market remained buoyant in 2022, says a report published by business property adviser, Christie & Co. Read more - members only

A personal plea from Guy Topping launches the GCA’s bid to raise £100,000 for Greenfingers.  Contributors will be entered into a Grand Draw of amazing prizes. Read more - open to all

Last chance for the early bird ticket offer which ends on 6th January 2023 - don’t leave it too late to book your ticket at the special offer rate! Read more - open to all

2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all

Daffodil growers recognised as Defra increases by 50% the number of seasonal workers allocated for businesses in edible and ornamental horticulture next year. Read more - members only

The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023.  Read more - open to all

Former GCA chairman Peter Burks is to become the new CEO of the Garden Centre Association, starting in January. Read more - open to all

In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. Read more - open to all

“The launch of Seezon™ is a very exciting moment for SBM Life Science.  More than just a new website, we hope it will act as the go-to digital destination for consumers.” Read more - members only

Attendees at the GIMA Day Conference on 14^th March will hear Dobbies CEO Graeme Jenkins and British Garden Centres’ Director, Boyd Douglas Davies & Project and Development Manager Amy Stubbs, plus... Read more - open to all

New sentencing guidelines relating to underage knife sales have been published and are due to come into effect on April 1, 2023.  Legislation covers a broad range of of bladed articles including axes. Read more - open to all

Scottish-based UK construction and property business Edison Group has acquired The Edinburgh Driveway Company Ltd, a twelve-year-old Livingston-based business specialising in driveways, paving and landscaping. Read more - open to all

Colin Wetherley-Mein, GIMA Membership Ambassador, has decided to officially call it a day and retire from GIMA, the leading garden retail supplier organisation.  Read more - open to all

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce their first five supporters for the 2023-2024 sponsorship term. Read more - open to all

For a positive start to 2023, people in horticulture can kickstart their physical & mental fitness for free with Perennial’s Health and Wellbeing platform and app.   Read more - open to all

The Young People in Horticulture Association are excited to announce 2023’s first in-person event which will be run in conjunction with Coolings Nurseries and Garden Centres. Read more - open to all

The 31^st January sees the closing of the application season for the varied range of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships for 2023. Bursaries from £500 up to £5,000 are available. Read more - open to all

The Tillington Group has announced that Caroline Owen, Managing Director of Scotsdales Garden Centres, has taken over the chairmanship of the Tillington Group from Dennis Espley. Read more - members only

November figures from the GCA show sales were lower than last year in almost every category except garden centre restaurants. Read more - members only

Brimsmore Gardens and Garsons Garden Centre Esher have been announced as the national winners of the 2022 Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual Christmas display competition. Read more - members only

The Young People in Horticulture Association has revealed David Austin Roses as their final key partner for 2023-2024, joining Floramedia, Boningale, ICL and the RHS. 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

GCA figures for October show that garden centre sales were -5% lower than last year.  Excluding a big uplift in catering income, product sales were down -11%. Read more - members only