GTN May 2025 - Summer Showrooms Directory Issue - Garden Trade News UK

MAY 2 MAY 2025 025

gardentradenews.co.uk

Showrooms open for business

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

Dobbies back on an even keel –

GTN’s In-depth interview with CEO David Robinson

MASTERS OF PEAT FREE Peat Free is a responsibility

PLANNING SYSTEM BROKEN Viewpoint from Paul Pleydell

GLEE ROADSHOW

Industry insights from the South West

Promotion

In five sizes, the Venus has been designed for gardeners of any experience and any sized garden.

Growing opportunities Is your garden centre trading with Vitavia? If not, let us tell you why you should be!

V

itavia is a family run business based in Suffolk, selling quality hobby greenhouses and greenhouse accessories. They provide home and trade deliveries throughout the UK. Vitavia is also the UK distributor for Janssens greenhouses and garden rooms from Belgium, the perfect complement to the already well established Vitavia range.

As a wholesaler, Vitavia sell via a trusted network of garden centres and garden building specialists, one of which could be you!

What makes Vitavia different to other greenhouse companies?

Vitavia offer a very personal home delivery service, using well informed drivers who will deliver the greenhouses to the customer’s preferred place of choice. They also offer exceptional after sales service with direct contact to end users.

What are the key selling points?

All Vitavia greenhouses are made with anodised aluminium and powder coated frames in several colours, with greenhouse

2 May 2025

Why should a garden centre sell the Vitavia products?

Vitaavia offer a hassle–free operation.

On nce the greenhouse is purchased, Vitaavia do the rest! They take over m receipt of order, liaising directly from with the customer to arrange delivery and d all after care is dealt with Vitavia direectly. In addition, greenhouses have a relatively high purchase price and profit margin – so it really is win-win!

Offering ample space for growing plants, the Sirius can also be used for relaxing.

accessories to match. All products have full assembly instructions and videos to support customers who decide to build the greenhouse themselves.

What support are you offering garden centres?

Vitavia offer generously discounted display models, product literature and point of sale material. Staff training can be arranged on request and the Vitavia team are so on hand to answer any queries if and when they arise.

Small and practical, the Helios Urban is just the greenhouse for city gardens or terraces.

Get in contact with us today. Email: info@vitavia.co.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Comment

F

A busy Spring – for all the right reasons

or the past few years we’ve all been busy trying hard to make things happen and this year we’ve all been busy just keeping up with demand. Suppliers have had to pull out all the stops to keep re-stocking products and garden centres have been riding the crest of a wave of garden shopping and dining that just keeps on coming.

When we’ve been out visiting centres you can sense the positive energy that flows from high levels of plant sales, delightful hospitality and great customer feedback.

We now look forward to a summer of glorious flower shows and then the trade show season kicks in, where we hope to see many of you while you are making your buying decisions for 2026.

Left: Great customer feedback for the Norfolk Leisure install team from Ayletts gazebo sales Below, Left: Longacres continues to sell huge plant volumes even while development works continue Below, Right: David Domoney has been seen most often in centres this spring

GTN Editor, Trevor Pfeiffer, helped out with a Treager cooking demonstration at Baytree over the Bank Holiday

Ayletts have added a new coffee bar in their houseplant area, called Roots it feels as though it’s been there for years!

4

In this issue...

9 10

7

PATS 2025

7

Four Oaks 2025

25

Westland’s showroom is open

8

SOLEX 2025 – F1 After Party

27

Smart Showroom visits on the increase

13

Garden Centre Magazine

29

Spotlight on trees and shrubs – GTN Planteria

16

Hartman

22

Is planning broken? – Paul Pleydell Viewpoint

SOLEX 2025 The biggest showroom

26

Greenkey Garden & Home

24

Find your happy place at SOLEX 2025 It’s all about quality at Melcourt Industries

17

Keeping retail fresh at Glee 2025

18

Diary dates for inspiration from Sumer Shows

30

20

Glee’s Roadshow visits the West Country

31

22

GTN’s 2025 Summer Showroom Directory

Sunshine & Shows - HTA Viewpoint

Advertisers in this Issue 2

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

gardentradenews.co.uk

Showrooms open for business

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

Dobbies back on an even keel –

GTN’s In-depth interview with CEO David Robinson

MASTERS OF PEAT FREE Peat Free is a responsibility

PLANNING SYSTEM BROKEN Viewpoint from Paul Pleydell

GLEE ROADSHOW

Industry insights from the South West

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Garden Trade News Potting Shed Press Ltd Dairy Drove Thorney Peterborough PE6 0TX Tel 01733 775700 www.gardentradenews.co.uk THE GTN TEAM Editor Trevor Pfeiffer trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk Features Editor Anisa Gress anisa@pottinghsedpress.co.uk Advertising Sales Alan Burdon Alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk Digital Editor Neil Pope neil@pottingshedpress.co.uk Subscriptions Karen Pfeiffer karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk Design & Production AT Graphics Ltd www.atgraphicsuk.com Lucy Carnell – Design Alun Jones – Production Manager Robert Tipping – Managing Director James Tipping – Technical Director Printing CG Print Ltd Do you qualify for a copy of GTN?

If you’d like to be added to the GTN distribution list, please send your details to Karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk to see if you qualify to be included.

Alternatively, if you prefer your Garden Trade News digitally, sign up for GTN Xtra, our weekly e-mail newsletter at www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Potting Shed Press Ltd

Welcome to the Floralsilk showroom

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres – GTN Interview

M A Y 2025 MAY 2025

Vitavia

26

The Satchville Gift Company

28

Woodlodge

28

Handy

32

SOLEX 2025

Garden Trade News is published by Potting Shed Press Ltd who also publish: GTN Bestsellers, GTN Xtra, Glee Daily News and the Glee Catalogue, and the Solex Sun. Potting Shed Press also supply Garden Radio to over 100 garden centres across the country.

Director Trevor Pfeiffer

SMALL PRINT: All material © Potting Shed Press Ltd 2025. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information supplied in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Potting Shed Press Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cassation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.

May 2025 3

Interview

David Robinson, CEO of Dobbies since July 2023 has already made his mark on the estate’s centre in Brighton.

Retailing for the 21st century David Robinson, completes his second year as CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres this summer and talks to GTN about the store investment at Brighton which is already starting to bear fruit.

S

ince the announcement in September last year of the closing of a number of stores, anyone looking in from the outside could perhaps question the future of the Dobbies garden centres. But this year Dobbies celebrates 160 years in business, and David Robinson, CEO, says it’s here for a long time yet. Of the milestone, David says: “Colleagues are

4 May 2025

so proud. It's been a bit tough in the last 18 months so it’s nice to re-establish the business and reflect upon the colleagues who have been with us a long time.”

Dobbies accounts are planned to be released this summer, but David says the last 12 months have required some ‘heavy lifting to get ourselves back into an even keel’. This has been followed by establishing

a strong management team and sorting out lease liabilities. “Now we're in pretty good shape. We've got a clear strategy, and we've got an opportunity to drive the core estate significantly.”

So, while other centres have been investing in the sites no longer run by Dobbies, the retailer has been revamping its store in Brighton, West Sussex and

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Interview

Above: Now nearer the car park, customers don’t have to move heavy bags of growing media and aggregate from the back of the store.

is already seeing payback. The result is happy colleagues, happy customers and an increase in sales. “The Net Promoter Score has gone up by 50%,” says David. “I’m not sure I’ve ever done a refit in all of my career where the NPS has gone up by 50%!”

This is quite something considering David has worked with Argos, Pets at Home and Bestway Retail.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Below: Sales of smaller ‘tea for two’ sets remain strong at the Brighton store, but larger sets are proving to be popular.

Elevating Brighton Within the estate, Brighton is classed as just below average in terms of store size and turnover, but with the changes and even though the footprint hasn’t been increased, turnover is now just above. “It’s now one of our top ten stores. The place to start is with the average sites because you can do so much more there, and then push the big stores and take all of the best bits and put them into the small stores.”

Toys and Spa Possibly one of the furthest are new and stores from the head office in successful lines, Edinburgh, Brighton is the first while the range of clothing has been to have a facelift and changes increased. here will help shape what may happen at other stores too. David explains that Brighton is a strong shopping area where it’s hard for retailers to secure sites. Not only does the centre have space, it also has great views looking the countryside and nearby racecourse, and has local heritage with the restaurant previously being the jockey’s weighing room. changes to the outdoor pot display area But there was work to be done. Over and a relocation of plant sales under a time, attention had slipped resulting in space recently erected span. being used unwisely. “I think people got stuck However, there is also a mindset that into using spreadsheets rather than getting had to be tweaked. “The business had told into a store to see what was going on,” says itself it didn't sell aggregates, and they David. “As I walked around, the retailer in me weren’t important,” says David. But with could see square footage I could put back to a new space nearer to the car park, the use. It looked to me like a store I could get department has been revigorated and is something out of quite quickly, with not too now selling aggregate and growing media much investment,” explains David. hand over fist. “We have worked hard on “Effectively, with a better use of space, the range and presentation to improve the we have been able to take the opportunity ability to actually see the products. It’s the to lay the store out better and introduce same with trellis and lattice – we are really more and new ranges and redo the food paying attention to the range working with and beverage offer. The changes needed suppliers to make sure we get the best out to be good for customers, but not vanity of the space for both them and us,” says projects so we have spent money where David. “It’s really a joint space. The more customers notice and it's necessary.” times I turn the product, the more times Physical changes like reusing the space I'm reordering and the better the business. left vacant by Edinburgh Woollen Mill, have If something's not working, let's switch enabled the creation of a coffee shop, a it out, put something else in and make it wider plant range including specimens, more effective.”

May 2025 5

Interview

A new span has invigorated the plant sales area and bring plants closer to the restaurant while the range of specimen plants has also been increased.

Dobbies Brighton is one of the most successful food stores in the estate which David believes is boosted by the centre’s free parking and nearby hospital. “It's really convenient to pop in, so we haven’t touched this part of the garden centres as its successful in its own right.”

Loving a vista

The view from the new coffee shop is a big customer draw.

A new lick of paint and deep cleaning of the furniture in the restaurant has given the place a lift.

Customer flow has been improved by some simple changes to layout which has also opened up the vista so shoppers can see the whole store before them when they walk in. This has been welcomed too by Pets Corner, which is now more visible, and provided the opportunity to have a bigger seasonal mat of garden furniture and Christmas. Toys and gifts have also been increased much to customer’s delight as has clothing. The store now has many more ‘shops within shops’.

“People are drawn to garden centres as they want to spend time here and they're willing to buy things that aren't just plants.

When you hear our customers talk, they say ‘I'm looking for an opportunity to buy something. I don't know what it is, but I'm looking for an opportunity’. Gardening draws them so that must be spot on. As a result, you earn the right to show them other things so they hopefully will put one or two into their basket. If you get it right for customers and colleagues, it flows into bottom line,” says David.

One of the most impressive views to be opened up is the one from the restaurant looking to the countryside. Traditionally this was the fenced off aggregate sales area but when David saw it, he knew it had to become an outside seating area for the coffee shop. With new furniture and planted up sleepers, is now a 60-cover draw, especially when the sun shines. David says the team here report that on a sunny day, the chairs and tables migrate towards the edge of the area so customers can maximise on the view. “This was a tired old area and now it’s making money, effectively for free.

And it’s taking pressure off the restaurant for those that just want a coffee and a cake.”

21st century retailing

Brand colours have been pepped up saying goodbye to the white and grey signage in favour of more uplifting and joyful greens and yellows to reflect that gardening is a joyful experience.

6 May 2025

With eyes set to the future, David can clearly see the work that lays ahead of him.

“The things that attracted me to the business remain true. Garden centres are a lovely way of people spending time,

and I genuinely think are a really good model for the future of retail which is part experiential, part service, part retail. I think that's where retail is going in general….and is a model that works for the 21st century.

“I really like the scale and the brand of Dobbies. I could see there were things I could get after. Opportunity and more stands ahead of us. We have great people, a great brand and good loyal customers, and a lot of the things we're doing are just good, sensible retailing principles.

“The core business has been underinvested, and the real opportunity now is to drive this, like we have in Brighton.

We've a pretty ambitious five-year plan but for now, we've got to run stores well and it is this that will buy us opportunities to do other things afterwards.”

New charity partnership Rolled out this spring was the announcement of a new charity partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK. It’s previous affiliation with the Teenage Cancer Trust resulted in £1.4m being raised in 10 years, but the company felt the time was right to forge a new partnership with a stronger gardening link.

“Alzheimer's Research UK talks about brain health, and we understand that 50% of Alzheimer's cases could be staved off with better brain health. This is a combination of sociability, physical exercise and learning. Gardening is connected to all of these so it’s a brilliant link for us as a brand and resonates with our customers,” explains David.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

THE PET & AQUATICS TRADE SHOW

Where the Pet &

28-30 SEPTEMBER Aquatics Trade NEC BIRMINGHAM meet to do business Over 300 exhibitors ready to meet you

5 mins walk from Birmingham International Rail Station

Register Here

Located in the middle of the UK’s motorway network



www.patshow.co.uk

Thousands of hotel rooms

OVE ER 80% OF STANDS SOLD ACT QUICK KLY TO SECURE YOUR POSITION

+44 (0) 1477 571 392

: CONNECT WITH OVER 3,000 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS SHOWCASE YOUR PRODUCTS TO BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL BUYERS. PRIME NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: BUILD VALUABLE RELATIONSHIPS. MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: GET FEATURED ACROSS MAJOR HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING HORTWEEK. AWARD RECOGNITION: RECOGNITION STAND OUT BY ENTER ENTERING OUR NEW PLANT & PRODUCT AWARDS. UNRIVALLED EXPOSURE GLOBAL REACH:

Media Partner

2-3rd Sept 2025

FARM LANE, LOWER WITHINGTON, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE, SK11 9DU, UK

WWW.FOUROAKS-TRADESHOW.COM

INFO@FOUROAKS-TRADESHOW.COM

UK S LEADING INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION FOR COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE ’

F1 GRAND PRIX THEMED AFTERPARTY & AWARDS EVENING TUESDAY 8 JULY 2025 5 6.30PM 3 - 10.30PM 3 M TH THE HE VOX, V NEC,, BIRMINGHAM M M * WE WELCOME DRINKS I K HOT BUFFET LIV ON STAGE LIVE T DAVID D “CROFTY” “C Y CROFT T SKY SPORTS F1 LEAD COMMENTATOR

SOLEX OL AWARDS RD RACING SIMULATORS

SOLEX F1 GRAND PRIX THEMED AWARDS AND AFTERPARTY

LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO

TRADE EVENT

SOLEX 2025

Find your happy place at SOLEX 2025 As the effects of climate change and the pressures of contemporary life continue to intensify, the Outdoor Living trend is becoming a significant focus for the garden industry.

D

espite the occasionally challenging British weather, there is a collective aspiration for year-round outdoor living. After all, it is well-documented that spending time outdoors can enhance both your mood and productivity.

Products designed for comfortable outdoor living throughout all seasons have a wide appeal. Consumers seeking outdoor living products are often in pursuit of happiness, desiring items that provide genuine pleasure. At SOLEX 2025, we are dedicated to assisting visitors discover their ‘Happy Place’ by offering innovative and aesthetically pleasing products designed with enjoyment in mind.

The rise of aspirational content on social media, showcasing residential outdoor living areas, fuels the desire among UK consumers - whether homeowners or renters - for a dedicated space that can endure the British climate.

SOLEX presents ideas for outdoor spaces where families can congregate and where joyful gatherings can take place. This is essential for seating arrangements, and equally important for outdoor cooking areas.

Adaptable outdoor solutions that can be moved, stored, and adjusted to different spaces are ideal for everyone.

This trend is on a significant upward path, with broad market appeal. End consumers across all income levels aspire to create great spaces within the constraints of their budgets and available areas. They desire similar levels of functionality as found indoors. Styles with a focus on practical, durable materials that require minimal maintenance.

Summer get together SOLEX 25 brings together top-tier brands from the outdoor living industry. Beyond an exhibition space brimming with versatile and cutting-edge garden furniture, we strive to add an extra element of joy with our Awards and Afterparty on 8 July, this year F1 themed

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Adam will be showing off his fire cooking skills in the Loving Outdoor Living area.

to coincide with the British Grand Prix taking place at Silverstone on 4 - 6 July.

In pole position and live on stage this year we are joined by SKY Sports Lead Commentator David ‘Crofty’ Croft. Famed for his passion and enthusiasm he will share some exclusive insights and talk about all things F1, and present the SOLEX Awards to the seven lucky winners. Guests can also put the pedal to the metal and test their driving skills on our F1 race simulators.

To add to the feel-good factor the Loving Outdoor Living area is back for the third year in a row. Located just outside Hall 5, this section highlights our BBQ brands in their authentic

setting, enabling them to fire up and cook for the duration of the three-day event.

In the Loving Outdoor Living area, we will also be joined by The BBQ Magazine who will be on hand to mix and mingle across the three show days, and on Wednesday 9 July, The Shropshire Lad, Adam Purnell is a special guest. Adam won Heston Blumenthal’s show ‘Crazy Delicious’ on Netflix and Channel 4 and was a critic on MasterChef the Professionals where he was described as ‘one of the leaders in the UK street food and pop-scene’. His speciality is fire cookery, and he will be taking it in turns to cook with each of our BBQ Brands and give some fire hints and tips to visitors.

By combining innovative design, practical solutions, and a touch of joy, SOLEX continues to be at the forefront of outdoor living trends, helping people create their ideal outdoor living spaces and enhance their quality of life, no matter the season or the weather.

To register for SOLEX and book your place at the F1 Themed Awards and Afterparty www.solexexhibition.com SOLEX 2025 8-10 July 2025 NEC, Birmingham

May 2025 9

Growing media

Peat-free masters

I

Garden centres can count on Melcourt’s growing media for exceptional freshness and quality, backed by robust scientific research and deep-rooted industry expertise

n a market flooded with new ‘peat-free’ labels in recent years, garden centres, their customers and professional growers have been able to rely on the consistency and performance of growing media from Melcourt Industries.

Since the 1980’s when it was founded, Melcourt has never worked with peat, so its approach has always been different. It hasn’t had to change its stance or scramble to alternatives - it has been able to develop and give 100% of its focus on bark-based growing media. This long head start means its products have been honed through decades of real-world testing and not trial and error on the shop floor.

“We’re not entering the market as a former peat-based supplier,” says Victoria Wright, Melcourt’s Technical Manager.

“Our expertise has always been rooted in peat-free innovation. We take pride in understanding our ingredients at every stage—right from the moment they leave the tree to when they’re placed in a pot. It’s

this depth of knowledge and care that underpins the quality and consistency of our products.”

The raw ingredients used by Melcourt are fine bark and wood fibre from sustainably managed British forests, plus coir from known sustainable sources and balanced nutrients. These give Melcourt’s SylvaGrow Multipurpose growing media its much-loved look and feel with each ingredient playing its own essential role.

In addition, SylvaGrow with added John Innes is an option for gardeners who want a media with added loam.The wider SylvaGrow range is built around our high-performance, peat-free composts and also includes quality barks for landscaping, mulches, and soil improvers.

Melcourt’s rigorous trialling, clear data, and a product portfolio has been proven in professional and domestic settings.

And with new regulations and shifting public attitudes toward peat use, garden centres can be sure their customer get

Nikki Burton, Melcourt’s Managing Director, joined the company 19 months ago.

Melcourt’s Technical Manager, Dr Victoria Wright and Procurement & Operations Manager, Nathan Scrivens at the production site in Tetbury showcasing SylvaGrow with added John Innes.

10 May 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Growing media

Above: SylvaGrow Multi-Purpose – rooted in quality and trusted by gardeners and professionals alike.

Left: Stacked to precision.

a growing media that is already proven, coupled with the strong background support and advice from Melcourt’s team.

Uncompromising on quality Melcourt was founded on a firm environmental stance—long before it became a requirement, and this foundational decision has shaped every aspect of the company’s DNA: no shortcuts, no dilution of quality, and no deviation from high performance standards. “Being peat-free isn’t a badge— it’s a responsibility. And we took it on decades ago,” says Nikki Burton, Melcourt’s Managing Director.

It is also proud to be a company where greenwashing has no place. “The forestry industry operates with remarkable efficiency—every part of the tree is utilised, from root to tip,” explains Victoria Wright.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

“At Melcourt, our focus is on the bark.

It’s no longer seen as a waste product, but rather as a valuable co-product with a vital role in sustainable growing media.”

Plastic packaging is a common question from customers—and one Melcourt is actively addressing.

“We’re delivering a moist, heavy product, and for now, plastic remains the most practical and durable solution,” says Victoria Wright. Importantly, Melcourt’s bags are fully recyclable and contain 30% recycled plastic. The company maintains strong relationships with its packaging suppliers, continually exploring innovative ways to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact across its operations.

A number of progressive garden centres, including The Gardens Group in Dorset, are supporting sustainability by adopting Melcourt’s Bag for Life. This initiative helps reduce single-use plastic by enabling retailers to purchase growing media in bulk, while customers buy a durable, reusable bag that they can return and refill as needed. It’s a practical step toward cutting plastic waste and promoting longterm environmental responsibility in the retail space.

Behind all of this, is a deep understanding of the individual ingredients and the science which weaves them

together to make an unfalteringly consistent growing media. “We are really close to all our raw materials and audit them as they come in,” says Nikki.

“When gardeners choose Melcourt, they know exactly what they’re getting—every single time,” says Victoria Wright. “It’s a bit like a trusted household brand; people come back because they love it and know it will perform just as it did before. But achieving that kind of consistency doesn’t happen by chance. We don’t just get it right once and leave it at that—we’re constantly monitoring and fine-tuning. Because at Melcourt, consistency isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation of true quality.”

Melcourt operates across several sites, with Tetbury serving as the central hub for blending and bagging. The site is set up for efficiency, allowing materials to move swiftly from production to delivery.

“We don’t stockpile because our aim is to

May 2025 11

Growing media

Melcourt is the only supplier to date stamp its growing media so users can be assured of its freshness.

deliver compost at its freshest,” explains Nikki. “Every garden centre and grower receives recently produced stock—fresh from the line and ready to perform.”

To ensure freshness is retained, Melcourt is one of the few manufacturers to print the date of production directly on its bags. This allows retailers to manage stock rotation more effectively and ensures customers are always using fresh, highquality growing media.

Research and development takes place at labs in Tetbury and Cambridgeshire and it’s all done in house. “We do work with partners, nurseries and growers, but we

Being peat free isn't a badge its a responsibility. And we took it on decades ago.

Packed and ready to be sent out to garden centres.

Some product can be blended, packed and be on the road in 24 hours.

And if you still need convincing, take it from HM the King.

Melcourt’s RHS endorsement and Royal warrant status have played an active role in shaping peat-free standards and underscore Melcourt’s position as a leader in the growing media industry, not a follower.

Melcourt was first granted a Royal Warrant in 2018 by the then Prince of Wales. “We’re proud to display the Royal Arms on our packaging, but what many don’t see is the rigorous process behind it,” explains Victoria. “We’re required to provide ongoing evidence that we meet the high standards expected of a warrant holder, and we undergo a formal audit

really understand our ingredients from back to front and keeping things inhouse means we are close to our research,” says Victoria. Melcourt is also refusing to rest on its laurels. “We’re constantly researching and trialling new options,” says Victoria.

“It’s an ongoing process—we never stop exploring ways to do things better.”

A look inside the bag

Melcourt believes in total transparency and that retailers and end-customers deserve to know what goes into the products they buy. To that aim, it is always happy to welcome growers and retailers to its Tetbury site for exclusive behind-the-scenes factory tours.

Visitors will see: • Raw material processing from sustainably managed British forestry • Blending and screening lines ensuring consistent texture and quality • On-site testing and quality control that underpin every batch • Conversations with the technical team and leadership behind the product

Built for the trade Garden centres, along with growers, landscapers, and Builders Merchants, have come to rely on Melcourt as more than just a supplier. The company values longterm partnerships, working closely with each sector to deliver products blended to precise specifications, backed by expert technical support. This commitment to quality and service has earned the trust of the entire supply chain—from boutique garden centres to large-scale nurseries.

12 May 2025

every three years. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and we’re committed to maintaining those standards at the highest level.”

A selection from the SylvaGrow range – trusted, premium-grade composts for every garden need.

Get in touch For more information, to book a tour of the bagging site or become a stockist, phone: 01666 502711 or email: mail@melcourt.co.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Garden Centre Magazine - the trusted inhouse magazine provider Across the UK, Garden Centre Magazine (GCM) has become a valuable addition for garden centres looking to enhance customer experience and promote their offering in a meaningful, low-effort way. For centres like Buckingham Nurseries, The Old Railway Line, and Thetford Garden Centre, the publication offers more than just seasonal advice — it’s a trusted tool for communication, brand alignment, and community connection.

Since 2018, Buckingham Nurseries and Garden Centre has stocked GCM as a way to inspire customers and showcase its specialist offering.“Our garden centre has grown quite literally from the ground up,” says Pauline Brown, part of the senior team.“It began in a second-hand portacabin, and now we’re known nationally for our mail-order hedging and bare-root fruit plants.” GCM, she says, helps reinforce the centre’s values and customer relationships.“We’ve used it to promote special events, answer FAQs and share our story. It’s a really useful extension of our brand.”

Pauline also highlights the smooth stocking process:“It’s reliable and easy. If we ever need more copies, one phone call is all it takes.” She adds that the magazine’s professional layout and customisable pages help them connect with customers more personally.“It’s fun too. One of our most memorable pages featured our retired Medical Detection Dog reading the magazine!”

For The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Brecon, the decision to stock GCM was a practical one.“We’d been thinking about producing our own magazine,” says Joe Aldworth, Marketing & E-Commerce Director.“But when we saw GCM, it was a no-brainer. It’s beautifully put together and filled with seasonal content that speaks directly to our customers — and we didn’t have to start from scratch.”

Joe particularly values the branded centre pages.“They allow us to promote events, offers and campaigns in a way that fits seamlessly with the rest of the content.” Customers, he says, are consistently engaged.

“We’re always restocking the stands. People comment on the quality of the content and often take copies home.”

In Thetford, Operations Director Julian Chittock echoes this enthusiasm.“The magazine has been very well received across our

diverse customer base. People read it in the restaurant or pick it up on their way out. It adds to the experience and encourages longer visits.”

Thetford displays GCM at key touchpoints, including the coffee shop and gift area, with copies regularly needing replenishment.

Julian also praises the distribution team.“John and Amy are brilliant. Everything runs smoothly.” He sees the magazine as a perfect fit for Thetford’s brand and ethos: “It’s all good publicity.The content aligns with our values, and our customers appreciate its quality.”

Each of these garden centres points to the same conclusion: Garden Centre Magazine is a high-impact, no-risk opportunity.With zero financial commitment, centres receive a professionally produced publication that not only enhances their offer but also strengthens community ties.

To join the likes of Buckingham,The Old Railway Line, and Thetford, contact Trish Nicholson at patricia@yhgmedia.co.uk or visit www.gardencentremagazine.com.

Promotion

Keeping retail fresh With enhanced and new features, Glee 2025 continues to be the essential show for all garden centre buyers.

F

or more than 50 years, Glee has been at the forefront of garden centre retailing, bringing companies and brands together to make it easy for buyers to see the latest trends, new products and innovation. And don’t forget networking. The show makes it easy to meet suppliers and other retailers face to face in a welcoming and friendly environment.

In that time, garden centre retailing has changed dramatically and what exhibitors and visitors can expect to see during the three-day event, has changed with it.

Perhaps the most successful development is the evolution of coffee shops, cafés and restaurant

14 May 2025

We come to Glee every year and have done for many years as we love it here. We use it more as an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships with suppliers rather than looking to buy new products or services.

Cherry Tree Garden Centre

Promotion

which, with their high-quality offering in relaxing environments, are beginning to define many retail outlets and generate valuable income in quieter months.

Reflecting this transformation is the new feature F&B @ Glee (Food & Beverage at Glee) which brings a new focus to this sector for the first time. Specialist content, including catering suppliers, and educational talks led by industry experts will enable visitors to learn about best practices for establishing cafes and restaurants and how to maximise on seasonal offerings to increase footfall.

For outdoor cooking, Fire, Grill & Chill returns for a third year. Outdoor entertaining exhibitors will be showing how their products work, while serving up delicious food and offering their hints and tips on boosting sales throughout the year.

Exhibitors can also benefit from: • New hall layout with improved navigation and zone clarity.

• Enhanced content areas and onsite activity to support buyer and exhibitor engagement.

• Continued commitment to environmentally conscious exhibitors and stand builds.

• A more connected event atmosphere strengthening community and collaboration between exhibitors and buyers resulting from valuable feedback.

• The New Product Showcase brings more than 300 recently launched products into one location.

We’ve found it very useful coming here as we’re now up to date with current and upcoming industry trends. We also get to meet suppliers in person, which is so much better than via email or video call and helps to speed up the deal making process.

Doddington Nurseries

Glee 2025 show sectors

• Plants • Landscaping & Garden Decoration • Garden Care • F&B @ Glee • Outdoor Entertaining • Pet Products (PAWE) • Retail Experiences & Services • Home, Gift & Clothing • Source Garden

Visitor information

Glee 2025 16-18 September NEC Birmingham Visitor registration is free. www.gleebirmingham.com

May 2025 15

Designed for Outdoor Living...

Hartman UK to Unveil 2026 Collection in Exclusive Showroom Preview Starting 2nd June, Hartman UK proudly opens the doors of its showroom, offering garden centre buyers an exclusive opportunity to preview the all-new 2026 outdoor furniture collection—well ahead of the SOLEX exhibition this July.

This inspiring new range has been thoughtfully and meticulously curated, with an unwavering focus on comfort, innovative design, and exceptional quality. The 2026 collection showcases a stunning array of fresh designs, introduces sophisticated new colour palettes, and includes extended lines of some of our most popular and best-selling ranges—ensuring a perfect blend of familiarity and innovation.

Created to elevate outdoor living spaces, the Hartman 2026 collection offers retailers a distinctive and exciting point of difference. With trend-led styling, enhanced durability, and a refined aesthetic, the collection is tailored to meet the evolving tastes of today’s consumer.

Be among the first to experience the next generation of outdoor living.

Book your showroom appointment today and discover why Hartman continues to lead the way in premium garden furniture.

By Appointment Only: To book an appointment to visit the showroom, please contact your Area Sales Manager or call 01952 231231

Cast Aluminium: A Proven Performer with Renewed Consumer Appeal Cast aluminium has seen a strong resurgence across all demographics in recent years—and it continues to gain momentum with today’s consumer. Known for its timeless aesthetic, outstanding durability, and lasting comfort, cast aluminium furniture remains a highly commercial and dependable category for garden centre and retail partners.

For 2026, Hartman proudly introduces Avebury—a striking new addition to our cast aluminium offering.

Designed to resonate with a broad customer base, Avebury blends classic elegance with contemporary detail, making it a standout piece in any outdoor furniture display.

Now available in an appealing new colourway, Avebury elevates the category further, offering buyers a fresh, eye-catching alternative that enhances your in-store or online assortment.

As a market leader in cast aluminium furniture, Hartman is proud to expand its portfolio with this exciting new range—crafted not only to meet consumer demand but to drive margin and offer a clear point of differentiation for our trade partners.

Summer Shows

Where it’s happening Essential dates for the diary as the 2025 show season for all things gardening gets well under way.

HTA National Plant Show Plants and everything that goes with them, from packaging through to display benching and growing media, are the focus of this increasingly popular trade event. The New Plant Awards, with more than 100 entries, are a highlight. Seminars during the two days, from industry leaders offering insight and knowledge, add value to a visit.

HTA National Plant Show 18-19 June NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire www.hta.org.uk/national-plant-show

18 May 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Summer Shows

SOLEX 2025 8-10 July NEC Birmingham www.solexexhibition.com

SOLEX 2025 Three days of outdoor living loveliness bringing leading manufacturers together under one roof to display their latest new developments in design, environmental manufacturing and sustainability. Adding to the excitement is the SOLEX Afterparty & Award Evening, with special guest Sky Sports commentator for F1, David ‘Crofty’ Croft, the Fire Food & Outdoor Living Zone where visitors can see and taste food cooked by experts using the top bbq brands, and live cooking from The Shropshire Lad (Adam Purnell).

FlowerTrials 10-13 June At locations across The Netherlands and Germany flowertrials.com BBC Gardeners’ World Live 12-15 June NEC Birmingham bbcgardenersworldlive. com Blenheim Palace Flower Show 27-29 June Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire blenheimflowershow. co.uk

© HARROGATE HOME & GIFT/TOASTED CRUMPET

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 1-6 July Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey rhs.org.uk Harrogate Home & Gift 20-23 July Harrogate Convention Centre, North Yorkshire homeandgift.co.uk

Spoga+gafa 2025 24-26 June Koln Messe, Cologne, Germany www.spogagafa.com

Spoga+gafa 2025 The world’s largest garden and bbq fair moves to mid-week with a spotlight on the theme of Design Gardens and how to make free space into green living space. Companies from countries including Norway, Canada, Hong Kong, Spain and India bring inspirational new products and international trends to pick up on for summer 2025 and beyond.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

New for 2025 RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse 16-20 July Wentworth Woodhouse, Wentworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire www.rhs.org.uk

May 2025 19

Glee 2025 Roadshow

Taking thee industry’s teemperature At the first ever Glee Roadshow, business owners shared insights on the community, the budget and how to positively face the future.

M

onkton Elm Garden Centre hosted the inaugural Glee Roadshow – the first time in its 50 plus-year history the show organiser has taken an element of the event out of Birmingham. With representatives from the sector and speakers from other garden centres, its mission was to gain a deeper understanding of the industry as its currently stands, and see how it’s reacting to the many and varied opportunities and challenges. Glee organiser Hyve, hopes to convert and share the information both digitally and at the show.

The day was about sharing and proved to be a fascinating exercise unearthing some fantastic ideas. Matthhew Mein, Glleee Show Director, says: “It’s getting to the roo ot causes of some of the challenges going on and finding soluutions if we can.”

Navigating the budget Mike Burks, founder of The Gardens Group I listened to the budget back in the autumn, started to work on the numbers and thought I must have got a decimal point in the wrong place. It was going to put an additional cost on the business of about £375,000. We met with every single member of staff and showed thhem the financial performance becauuse they need to understand what’s happening. We pledged not to lay off any staff but asked them for efficiencies and flexib bility. We worked out we needed to take an extra 69p per transaction in the restaurants, and £1.550 in the garden centres.

We realised it was about selling human interaction and long-term relationships with customers, our team and suppliers. We look after our customers, make it a safe space for them to come and shop without cutting down on the time we spend talking to and looking after them.

Paul Playdell, Director Pleydell Smithyman A strong focus now is finding ways to restore and enhance profit and get retail to work a lot better. We have benchmark data to see how much every square metre of floor is providing within a department so we can compare and see which are performing well and whiich are not. With the metrics you can see where the weak spots are.

Custo omer flow, getting people to walk past your product, is king, allow wing you to rebalance and get the department to the right sizee in the right place and then build a promotional plan.

20 May 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025 Roadshow

Charlotte Broadbent, Strategy and Operations, Faire

Linking with Age Cymru with the Pugh’s Bear Don’t Bear Christmas Alone campaign has been fantastic. It costs us because we buy the bears, but the knock-on effect in terms of community engagement is phenomenal. The bear changes every year because people want something collectible and wantt to come to the garden centre at Christmaas and create nostalgic memories with their family.

Focus on connecting the hearts annd minds of customers through products and double down on bestsellers as they are often the highest margin products.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate on margins and look at dealing directly with suppliers.

Be tactical on newness and give customers a reason to come into store like new products, new lines, or testing new categories. As a rule of thumb our retailers are looking to invest up to about 20% of their buying budget into newness.

Sarah Daniels, Pengelly Garden Centre

Stephen May, UK Manager, Blackstone The attachment rate of purchases as MacDonalds is 74% because the team ask if you want fries, if you want a drink or if you want to ‘go large’ – they keep offering you the next level up. You can find the words and phrases to offer the best thing next for customers (ie a pot or compost) and teach staff to offer it each time. For example, for every Blackstone griddle a customer buys, they buy three and a half accessories, which equates to nearly 75% of the cost of the griddle.

In every garden centre department, you can have a customer journey where youu tell the customer, by talking to them and through signs, what else they should buy. Create an attachment or an offer but remember you’re not selling yourr offering – you are allowing the customer to make their ow wn choice.

Community engagement Nicola Pugh, Pugh’s Garden Centres and Garden Kitchens

Below: Nicola Pugh and Sarah Daniels.

People travel 30 to 40 miles to come to o us because of our reputatio on with plants. Once you have thhe product right, you need thee right team. If customers walk in and don’t meet somebody who’s smiling and is really pleased to see them, they aren’t goinng to come back.

We’vee always done different themed open weekends, like pasta making to celebrate the arrival of all our Italian stock, and we have built links with schools and run a programmee in 11 primary schools. One of our team spends either a day or half a day with them each term to teach them about growing and we put resources into the schools to help children know where their food comes from.

During the Covid pandemic we worked with a local fruit and veg wholesaler, egg producer and baker to supplly food boxes and had volunteers to distribute them m. There was a real sense of community, and we gained respect because people really appreciated whaat we did.

Through social med dia we are keeping in contact with customers and workingg with a local housing charity to help peo ople get back onn their feet through running vegetable growing programs. They take their seedlings away with them, grow them on and it gives them confidence that they can actually do things.

Like all businesses we get asked for donations and now we donate a £10 gift voucher. It’s a lot cheaper than doing an advert and d the chances are, they will spend more than £10. It’s also a way to get out to different communities who might not necessarily be comiing into your centre. And you might gain a new, loyal customer.

We identified opportunities to diversify and started opening concessions linked with the interests of our customers. We are experts in gardening but wanted to bring in expertise in other areas. In the 1990’s we implemented catering and hospitality and now have 15 concessions at Pugh’s Garden Village.

The concept of the Pughs Garden Kitchen is hospitality driven and we are really proud that we invest heavily in our chefs. We have a food hall, indoor plants and gifting, and encourage our customers to walk through this to get to hospitality and then back out through retail when they leave.

We are passionate about providing locally sourced Welsh produce, selling it and it being in our restaurants so we can tell the story of the supplier to the community, and we engage a lot on social media with 100,000 people on eight channels. Capturing people before they have even come through the door has been a massive driver of footfall.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

May 2025 21

The Biggest Showroom Of Them All! Garden Furnitture Barbecues Outdoor Heatting Shading Spa’s Garden Decoration Garden Accesssories

8-10 July NEC, Birmingham

Free Parking Free Tea & Coffee Free wifi

24,870sqm Outdoor Living Products All under one roof

Summer Showrooms Directory

Showrooms – Open for Business With stock selling through at an alarming rate thanks to the great weather, now is the time to be planning your showroom and show visits in preparation for the 2026 buying season.

HARTMAN Telford TF1 7GP

THE SATCHVILLE GIFT COMPANY - Melton Mowbray

FLORALSILK Bourne PE10 0BQ

LE13 0PB

WESTLAND

Peterborough PE2 7BW

SOLEX

NEC B40 1NT

SMART GARDEN Peterborough PE7 3AG

GREENKEY GARDEN & HOME Lydney GL15 4EJ

SMART GARDEN Abingdon OX14 3PL

WOODLODGE Tetbury GL8 8YL

HANDY

Swindon SN3 5HY

Summer Showrooms Promotion

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Floralsilk

F

Floralsilk’s stunning showroom is a must-see part of your buying journey.

or many consumers, deciding whether to make a purchase depends on being able to see and touch products before they buy, the same applies for buyers. As trade fairs diminish in size and popularity, company showrooms are the best way to experience a range of products in a way that websites don’t allow.

Floralsilk’s trade showroom, which is open via appointment, is a treasure trove of incredibly realistic, high-quality florals and foliage for every season, artificial plants and trees, as well as Christmas, Easter and Autumn décor. Experience seasonal visual

merchandising displays and inspiring collections that reflect upcoming trends in their 6,500 sq ft, centrally located, Bourne showroom. Just 10 minutes off the A1, it is easily accessible by car as well as train and has two 22kw electric car charging points on site.

Specialist lines like the sustainably produced ECO Flower and Foliage stem collection, which is exclusive to Floralsilk, and made from recycled plastic and fabric, need to be seen (and touched) in person, to be fully appreciated.

Their UV protected range can be used outdoors without worry of sun-bleaching, and when fire regulations need to be met, they offer an

attractive and comprehensive range of fireretardant pieces. Their unrivalled, extensive collections mean there are pieces to suit every style and budget.

Amy Thorley, Floralsilk’s Marketing Manager, says: “Our customers frequently comment on how glad they are to have taken the time to visit our showroom. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, our sales team can help each customer source the perfect products for their unique business requirements. Our large UK stockholding means we can provide a fast delivery too.”

Their in-house UK floristry team designs and produces all their faux flower arrangements, which for larger companies, can be created completely bespoke. Order during your visit to their inspiring and beautiful showroom, as well as via phone, trade show, a member of their sales team, or via their responsive trade website that allows you to check stock levels, browse ranges, and check order status and history.

Book an appointment to visit the Floralsilk Showroom by emailing: sales@floralsilk.co.uk or phoning: 01778 425205.

Floralsilk, Meadow Drove, Bourne, PE10 0BQ www.floralsilk.co.uk/trade

24 May 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Summer Showrooms Promotion

Visit Westland’s little corner of the earth

W

Westland’s flagship showroom in Peterborough, is a must-visit destination for garden centre buyers

hen it comes to shaping the future of garden retail, Westland Horticulture is leading the way, and its flagship showroom in Peterborough is a must-visit destination for garden centre buyers looking to stay ahead of trends and experience the full power of Westland’s market-leading brands.

Covering an impressive space designed to both inspire and inform, the Peterborough showroom offers an immersive journey through Westland’s diverse portfolio. From the power of the Your Little Corner Of The Earth campaign that drives cross-category Westland sales, to the quality craftsmanship of Kent & Stowe tools, to the vibrant wildlife offerings of Peckish, every brand is given the spotlight it deserves.

Westland understands that buying decisions are about more than just products — they are about stories, solutions, and how collections connect emotionally with consumers. That’s why the Peterborough showroom is designed bring products to life through dynamic, real-world merchandising concepts, seasonal promotions, and category innovations.

Recent additions to the showroom include bringing to life Westland’s Your Little Corner Of The Earth campaign, which celebrates all the different types of gardens. The campaign encourages everyone to discover the joy of gardening, no matter how much space they have. Retailers visiting the showroom can see how Westland has unified its merchandising across key categories — including lawn care, growing media, and plant nutrition — under a single, cohesive look and feel. The Kent & Stowe Extraordinary Shop is an innovative in-store retail concept now rolling out across

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

garden centres. It brings to life the extraordinary essence of the brand, drawing inspiration from the classic Kent Barn, to reflect the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship. The Extraordinary Shop reimagines how tools and gloves are merchandised to deliver a truly differentiated retail experience that encourages consumers to slow down, explore, and engage with products on a deeper level.

Furthermore, the Peterborough showroom highlights the Peckish brand’s commitment to driving category growth through its marketing investments that celebrate the colour and joy that feeding wild birds brings to the nation’s gardens year-round. The leading wild bird food brand’s Colour In Your Garden campaign can be brought to life in store throughout the seasons. Visitors can explore the new giant birdhouse-inspired merchandising display, designed to inspire impulse purchases and maximise return from a compact

footprint, as well as the Woodland Feast Feeder collection.

As a garden centre buyer, there’s no better way to stay ahead than to see, touch, and experience the very best that Westland has to offer. A visit to Westland’s showroom is an investment in your centre’s future success so speak to your Westland Account Manager to organise your visit.

Westland Horticulture, Morley Way, Peterborough PE2 7BW Please contact your Westland Account Manager to organise your visit.

May 2025 25

Summer Showrooms Directory

Floralsilk

Floralsilks’ beautiful trade showroom is spread over 6,500 sq ft where you’ll see ranges from equisite florals and foliage to Christmas in all its glory. Contact sales@ floralsilk.co.uk

Greenkey Garden & Home

Visit the showroom with over 500 products, the hidden gems of he Greenkey garden products range in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.. E-mail sales@greenkeygarden.co.uk to book your visit.

Handy

Handy has developed some of the UK’s leading machinery brands including Webb, The Handy and Q Garden. These distinct brands stand as a testament to the company’s creative and manufacturing prowess. For showroom visits go to www. handyonline.co.uk

WELCOME TO YOUR TRIBE

Satchville

Hartman

See the Hartman 2026 collection in their exclusive Showroo Preview from June 2nd including fresh designs and sophisticated new colour palettes. By appointment only, at the Hartman HQ in Telford. Call 01952 231231

Pera Business Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0PB

Smart Garden Abingdon

Spend the whole day reviewing the entire Smart collection at their Abingdon HQ. 5,000 sq ft of showroom and meeting rooms await trade only visitors. Contact sales@sgpuk.com

Smart Garden Peterborough

Visit the Eureka building in Peterborough to see the two floor, 6,000 sq ft Smart showrooms. Smart typically add 400 new products each year, so its well worth a visit. Contact sales@sgpuk.com

Supplying to garden centres, gift shops, florists and independent retailers for over 10 years and home to the award winning Earthy Sustainable™ Our Home and Giftware Showroom in the market town of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire is open Monday to Friday and has over 1800 products on display.

01664 898490

26 May 2025

info@satchville.co.uk www.satchville.co.uk

Solex

24,870 sq m of Outdoor Living Products under one roof at the NEC, July 8-10.

Register now at www.solexexhibition.com/

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Summer Showrooms Promotion

Smart Showroom visits on the increase Smart Garden Products’ Spring/Summer 2026 ranges will all be available to view at their Peterborough and Abingdon Showrooms from mid-August.

A

s you would expect, there will be a wealth of new products to see across all the Smart product categories. At the end of the year, stateof-the-art Showrooms will open in Eureka II, Smart’s new facility just 400m from the existing Eureka hub. This will enable Smart to showcase their Spring/Summer, Seasonal and Christmas Ranges all year round with dedicated showroom spaces for each.

Showroom visits remain extremely popular with Smart’s customers with a record number of visits in 2024. In fact most visit one of Smart’s showrooms twice a year, some even more frequently. Many of the new products introduced for 2025 have proved to be runaway successes and bookings are already coming in thick and fast as customers look forward to finding out what excitement Smart has in store for 2026! Being able to spend a day comfortably reviewing the entire Smart collection without distraction is invaluable and affords much more time and focus than is ever possible on a busy exhibition stand.

Currently Smart has two UK showrooms as well as a new facility in Lille, France.

The Showrooms in the Eureka building in

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Peterborough span two floors covering 6,000 square feet plus meeting rooms. The second is at Smart’s Abingdon HQ and is 5,000 square feet plus meeting rooms. A new 5,000 square foot Showroom was opened last year in Lille, designed to cater for continental European customers although of course anyone is welcome if they want to experience a piece of French hospitality.

So don’t delay, contact your Sales Manager to book an early appointment and enjoy a Smart day out!

May 2025 27

Summer Showrooms Directory

20,000 SQFT SHOWROOM Visit our showroom in the Cotswolds this summer discover our extensive range of indoor and outdoor pots, stylish accessories, and our stunning collection of outdoor furniture.

The Satchville Gift Company

Home and giftware showroom in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, is open Monday to Friday and has over 1800 products on display. Call 01664 898490 to arrange your visit.

Westland

Immerse yourselves in all the Westland brands to boost your sales and discover their latest innovations and marketing campaigns. Contact your Westland sales representative to arrange a showroom visit.

Woodlodge

Discover the extensive range of Woodlodge pots and accessories plus the W Living range of outdoor furniture in the 20,000 sq ft showroom. Contact showroom@ woodlodge.co.uk

OPENING SUMMER 2025 from 2nd June Onwards

ALL ENQUIRIES - showroom@woodlodge.co.uk - 01666501000

Compact Yet Powerful: A Smart Addition to Any Garden Machinery Range Webb Launches High-Performance 2500W Electric Garden Shredder British garden machinery brand Webb has expanded its electric tools portfolio with the introduction of the WEISWB Electric Garden Shredder - a high-performance 2500W impact shredder designed to make garden waste reduction fast, safe, and efficient.

Ideal for medium-sized gardens, the shredder combines robust cutting power with a compact, user-friendly design. Its 2500W motor drives steel blades at an impressive 4500rpm, effortlessly handling branches up to 45mm in diameter. The result is fine, nutrient-rich mulch that’s ideal for composting or improving soil quality in flowerbeds and vegetable plots.

Featuring a practical design, the WEISWB includes a 40-litre collection box to minimise downtime, a removable hopper for easy feeding, and a large on/off switch for straightforward operation. For added safety, a locking lever prevents access to cutting components during use, while built-in overload protection automatically cuts power if the machine becomes jammed.

Become a Webb Stockist

Portable, with large integrated wheels, the shredder is easy to move and store, making it a smart choice for gardeners with limited space. Suitable for beginners or experienced garden enthusiasts, the WEISWB offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for year-round garden clearance.

Retail-ready with eye-catching packaging and full POS support available, the WEISWB is available now for trade orders. .

Email sales@handys.co.uk Telephone 01793 333220 Visit www.webbgardenpower.co.uk

28 May 2025

Webb Brochure

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Planteria

Spotlight on trees and shrubs Garden value of crab apples promoted at Chelsea while Haskins spices up its shrub selection.

Malus ‘Cardinal’ and ‘Sun Rival’ will be included in Frank P Matthew’s display at the RHS Cheslea Flower Show.

First Editions at Haskins Garden Centres offer something a bit different.

A

spotlight will be brightly shining on crab apples this month thanks to a display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show devoted entirely to Malus by Frank P Matthews Trees. The exhibit marks the grower’s debut at the show. “Ornamental Malus trees are often underestimated in the garden, but they bring so much to the table with their beautiful blooms, rich colours, and great ecological benefits,” says Stephanie James Dunn, Sales Director.

The display will also demonstrate the art of formal training to show how fruit trees can be managed to enhance even the smallest garden.

In addition to the ornamental value in the garden from varied blossom colours, leaf shapes, tree forms and fruits, the exhibit also promotes the benefits they bring for wildlife. Pollinating insects are attracted to the blossom in spring while in autumn the fruits prove to be irresistible to birds.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Something special The first four unusual shrub varieties sold under the First Editions brand are on offer at all five centres in the Haskin’s group. Eye catching for its purple and orange point of sale, the range includes plants not widely available, offering Haskin’s customers something a little bit different.

The range in April comprised Hydrangea macrophylla Eclipse (also sold as H. macrophylla ‘Bailmacseven’), Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLENora’, Leucothoe axillaris ‘Bailcothoe’, and Vitex agnus-castus ‘Bailtexthree’. Following close behind are likely to be Buddleija davidii Funky Fuchsia and Diervilla sessilifolia Cool Splash.

First Editions is one of several brands curated

by Bailey Nurseries based in Minnesota and comprises 75 shrubs of which 25 are suited to the UK climate. “With the support of First Editions marketing and point of sale we have already seen some very positive sales of the early spring lines,” says Richard Lockwood, Plant Buyer at Haskins.

“A reserve schedule with our grower will ensure

Hydrangea macrophylla Cherry Explosion (also sold as H. macrophylla ‘McKay’) is a new addition this year to the 2025 Plants for Perennial collection from Wyevale Nurseries, one of four wholesale nurseries involved in the collaboration. It joins Salvia gregii ‘Cuello Pink’ and ‘Cuello White’. In 2024, the collection raised £14,500.

we have stock for each month, delivered in peak condition that will help customers in deciding what shrubs to buy.”

May 2025 29

View wpoint

Is our planning system broken…? And what can we do about it..?

Paul Pleydell – Founder and Director of Pleydell Smithyman.

A

re you thinking of changing or developing your business? – then let’s get started.

The garden centre sector is characterised by its ability to adapt, to be ‘light on its feet’ as the world around us changes or, to be more strategic, as we decide where we want our businesses to be. And this needs one key thing – physical change - alteration or extension of our premises. So, unless you want to face the wrath of the enforcement team at your local council, you do the right thing and apply for planning permission.

That, as a concept, is the easy part.

But there is a problem. Local authorities are struggling to attract and retain planning officers who are either moving to the private sector or doing something different.

Applications to study Town & Country Planning at university are dwindling, so there is no ‘new blood’. Council budgets are stifling recruitment and many planning departments have too few staff – some 80% are understaffed.

Overlay this with the Government’s target of 1.5million new homes, which is a starting pistol

to any ‘wannabe’ developers with a piece of land, and the new ‘Grey Belt’ which softens the rigorously enforced Green Belt that washes over many garden centre sites, and suddenly the number of planning applications starts to soar. The result, the system starts to grind to a halt, planning officers (who are good people) start to falter under the workload, and applications regularly exceed the eight or 13 week standard periods. In Northern Ireland, the average is currently 53 weeks.

Add to this the ecological requirement to survey and assess impacts on protected species (bats, great crested newts etc.), which are date sensitive through spring and summer, and then add the need to demonstrate a Biodiversity Net Gain (an improvement in the value of the habitats on your site) as a result of the changes you are making. Pile this up with the various reports that accompany today’s planning application, and I have to say it takes some grit to tackle this.

So, let’s look at the facts, fewer planning officers, greater demand, increased requirements – and limited council funding. It isn’t broken but as it carries on it soon will be.

Time to change I think it is time for an overhaul. I think we should strip back the system to the simple post war approach where benefits of a proposal can be demonstrated and the planning officer gets to use their expertise and experience to judge each application’s merits. And increase the opportunity for permitted development to allow businesses to grow easily and quickly. This is likely to happen, as without people and money, the existing system isn’t going to get any better, but it won’t happen soon.

In the meantime, the friendly team in our office are helping to guide our clients through this somewhat tortuous process, and we need to do this if our beloved garden centre sector is going to continue to grow.

We are successful at this – why, because we understand the system, we know how to make the planning officer’s job easier by doing the ‘heavy lifting’ for them, and we specifically know how to argue the case for garden centres to develop and flourish.

My simple message, if you are thinking of developing your business… start today.

Find out more

Pleydell Smithyman is a design and business consultancy that assists garden centres and rural businesses to be even better.

Paul has been supporting the garden centre sector with design and business advice for some 40 years supported by an experienced team of professionals. They work nationwide for a broad range of companies providing business strategies and masterplans, planning advice, architecture, retail, café and interior concepts and designs, operational advice, and landscape and ecology services.

Contact Paul on 01952 433211 or email paul@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk www.pleydellsmithyman.co.uk

30 May 2025

www.garde entra adenews..co.u uk

Viewpoint

Sunshine and shows Will Armitage, HTA President

S

pring 2025 has not managed to disappoint us so far, and it’s great to hear about and see so much positivity back in the industry. Since my last GTN article, I have had the pleasure of visiting members as a customer, as HTA BIS (Business Improvement Scheme) and NBIS (Nursery Business Improvement Scheme) Chairman and in my capacity as HTA President, and the mood is so much better than last year.

As you may have seen from the HTA Market Updates, the recent sunshine and improved weather have significantly helped lift sales in our garden centres, as people are embracing their green spaces. March showed a remarkable 28% increase in sales compared to the same month last year, and at the time of writing, April was set to continue the positive trend.

The APL ‘Garden for Gathering’, in conjunction with J Paxman Landscapes scooped Best in Show at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

Time to show off One of the many fabulous opportunities I get as HTA President is the chance to visit so many of the excellent flower shows our industry creates all around the country.

Last month, I had the honour of visiting the Harrogate Spring Flower Show courtesy of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) where I caught up with friends and colleagues old and new and visited the inspirational Show Gardens. Garden designer, Pip Probert’s garden in conjunction with The Greenfingers Charity and British Garden Centres netted a Gold while The APL’s garden in conjunction with J Paxman Landscapes and designed by Melissa Morten, took Best in Show.

HTA representatives will be at most of the UK’s flower shows, including RHS

Chelsea Flower Show this month, where we will be meeting with MPs and stakeholders and showcasing the work of our members.

We will also be supporting various events and receptions taking place around that week to raise the profile of the businesses that deliver these award-winning gardens and plants.

We also have a number of other shows throughout the summer, including the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and BBC Gardeners’ World Live and I urge you all to visit at least one of them this year. Not only do they give you an opportunity to network with colleagues, but they represent the shop window that your customers will be seeing and taking inspiration from.

Seeing this for yourselves will help you keep relevant and on top of current trends. Shows are also a great opportunity to interact with fellow gardeners outside your own businesses and listen to what they are talking about. If you are visiting a show this year and see someone from the HTA, please say hello.

Another recent great gardening initiative was the HTA’s third Plants in Parliament event, where the HTA’s Policy and Public Affairs team handed out free plants to our peers and parliamentarians. Again, it was incredibly well received, giving the HTA an opportunity to raise our profile and push for the governmental support we need.

But it’s not all flower shows and hobnobbing for an HTA President, yesterday evening was spent racing to re-cover polytunnels in the fading light, keeping my feet firmly on the ground (even from the top of a cherry picker).

Find out more

© Belle Richardson, Sealstop

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

The Horticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation and welcomes all sectors of environmental horticulture. To learn more, pleasse visit www.hta.org.uk or to enquire about membership please email: membership@hta.org.uk

ne 2

35

TRADE EVENT

Who’s ready for summer?

The only outdoor living exhibition organised by the industry for the industry 8 - 10 July 2025 NEC, Birmingham

Source: Daro

solexexhibition.com

Garden Furniture | Barbecues | Shading g | Outdoor Living g Accessories | Garden Decoration Garden Leisure Buildings | Outdoor Heating | Outtdoo or Health | Outdoor Entertainment