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Wyevale co-ordinator scoops IPPS International Exchange Award
NEWS CENTRE Blue Diamond to step-up expansion programme
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lue Diamond has revealed plans to shift its garden centre expansion programme up a gear in expectation of increasing its profits during the next five years. Managing director Alan Roper (pictured right) told GCR about Blue Diamond’s recent acquisition of Trelawney garden centre in Cornwall, and outlined what he believes to be the benefits for centres working with the company. He said: “We’re stepping up our acquisition – we’ve been doing three every two years, we’re now doing two businesses every year. We’re looking for freeholds and leaseholds, which is how we expand. We’re keen to grow. If any garden centre owner doesn’t want to sell their property and wants their family brand to continue, Blue Diamond is a good place to come. If we acquire the types and size of business we have in mind, we project growth from £82m to £187m in five years.” Alongside Trelawney, Blue Diamond’s newest acquisition is the freehold Newbridge Nurseries in West Sussex. The company’s profits, Roper said, rose 35% in 2014. www.bluediamond.gg
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en Gregory, product development co-ordinator at Wyevale Nurseries, has won the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) International Exchange Award. The 23-year-old is currently in America as part of his prize, joining the IPPS international tour visiting some of the most innovative nurseries and research stations in the country. Ben said: “I am ecstatic to have won the IPPS International Exchange Award. It is an amazing opportunity for me as the IPPS tour is attended by growers, researchers and business owners from across the world. It will be a
fantastic platform for me to network and share knowledge, techniques and experience.” www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk
Shropshire village crowned Britain in Bloom champion
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orton in Hales was named ‘champion of champions’ at the recent Britain in Bloom awards ceremony. The annual event, which was held in Sunderland and hosted by TV presenter and gardening expert James AlexanderSinclair, involved 70 finalists flying the flag for their region. According to the judges, Norton in Hales’ commitment to the environment played a large part in its success, an effort which includes an
extensive recycling network involving coffee granules and bark mulch. Judges Martyn Hird and Kim Parish said: “Norton in Hales has achieved exceptional marks in this section, reflecting the strong community involvement. “They should be extremely proud because it really is the entire village that has won the title of Britain in Bloom champion of champions.” www.the-hta.org.uk
Clothing and food sectors boost September sales
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arden centres enjoyed good sales in clothing during September as well as catering from food halls and farm shops, according to the GCA’s barometer of trade results. Clothing sales were up 30% compared with the same month in 2014, while food hall/farm shop sales were up 14.5%. Katie Eckley, manager at The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Garden Centre Retail November 2015
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in Powys, which was recently named best garden centre in Wales and the west at the GCA’s regional awards (pictured right), said: “Overall, September was quite a flat month for us, even with the weather being pretty good. Plants and outdoor living suffered but catering, clothing, garden sundries and food hall pulled it back for us.” www.gca.org.uk
www.gardencentreretail.com
22/10/2015 16:54