Our 2025 Christmas display competition winners Our Gisela Graham-sponsored annual Christmas competition national winners were announced today in a webinar for members (December 5, 2025). Bents came a starry first in the Destination Garden Centre category; Garsons Titchfield shone in the Garden Centre section and Brimsmore Gardens in Somerset sparkled in the Local Garden Centre…
HSBC economist at our Annual Conference Chris Hare an Economist at HSBC Global Banking and Markets will be taking to the podium at our Conference at Carden Park Chester on January 27, 2026. Chris, who also spent five years in the UK forecasting division at the Bank of England, is speaking at our 60th anniversary…
Look after your garden wildlife this winter At this time of year, the wildlife in our gardens will need a little bit of extra help to keep it going during the colder days and nights. Here are our handy hints to help keep your friendly mammals, birds and insects well-fed, safe and cosy: To help…
Entries open for this year’s Worrall Cup Garden centre members are being asked to submit their marketing campaigns for our annual Worrall Cup competition. The member garden centre judged as having the best marketing initiative will be presented with the cup during our 60th anniversary year Annual Conference in January 2026. How to enter Peter…
BoT figures for October show an ‘excellent month’ up 10.71% on 2024 October’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) out today (November 19, 2025) reveals an ‘impressive increase’ of +10.71% when compared to October 2024. From the 13 categories recorded by member garden centres, 10 were positive, when compared to the same month in 2024, with clothing…
‘Positive habits’ expert to speak at our Conference AN INTERNATIONAL speaker on workforce burnout, anxiety and stress is taking to the stage on the Tuesday of our 2026 Conference at Carden Park Chester (January 27, 2026). Kat Thorne, who is a teacher and consultant, is presenting to delegates at our 60th anniversary year event on…
What’s the right fresh Christmas tree for you? Our member garden centres offer a selection of Christmas trees. But which one should you choose? Here are some of the benefits of three of the main varieties that are usually available at our member garden centres. Norway Spruce The Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree…
Tree-sons to be cheerful November is an ideal month for tree planting in the UK. The soil is still warm from summer, allowing roots to establish before winter sets in, and the cooler air reduces stress on young trees. As long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, it’s a perfect time to get planting.…
Garden centre members are being asked to nominate their Associate Member of the Year 2025 – with the winner crowned at our Annual Conference in January (January 25 until 28, 2026). The award recognises companies or individuals that have contributed to the success of the sector and that are highly regarded and valued by garden…
Google leadership team member to speak on AI A member of the leadership team at Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) HQ in Dublin will be speaking at our Conference at Carden Park Chester on January 26, 2026. Edoardo Bortolato, who heads Google’s Large Customer Sales Team for Italy, Spain and Portugal, is speaking…