We have added BBC broadcaster Tanya Beckett to our line-up of guest speakers at our annual conference, which will take place at Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton, next month (January 20 until 23, 2019). We’re honoured to have Tanya joining us on Tuesday, January 22 and inspiring our attendees with her talk all about business and…
Outdoor plant sales continued to grow at garden centres for the second month running in November (2018) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) report. Sales were up 11.69% compared to the same month last year (2017). In October we enjoyed some much milder weather, which continued into November, meaning people were able to carry…
Former Channel 4 News Economics Editor Paul Mason will be joining the star-studded roster of guest speakers at our annual conference next month (January 20 until 23, 2019). Attendees will hear from the writer, broadcaster and film-maker on Tuesday, January 22 during the conference, which will take place at Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton. Paul is…
Garden centre staff from across the country who attend our annual conference (January 20 until 23, 2019) can learn how they can become a game changer from guest speaker John Stanley. Our conference will take place at Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton and attendees will hear from John, who has been a garden centre consultant for…
Attendees to our conference, which takes place at Luton Hoo Hotel, Luton, next year (January 20 until 23, 2019) will be able to hear from former England cricketer and superb orator Kevin Pietersen. Kevin will be one of our guest speakers in the afternoon on Tuesday, January 22. Using a new format, Kevin will…
Our GCA Trust delegates return from ‘inspirational’ IGCA Congress Squires Garden Centres’ Matt Tanner and Klondyke Group’s Jayne Scott who were sponsored by our GCA Trust to attend the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) Congress are back from their trip. The young duo were picked for the Trust’s Dick Allen Scholarship Award Scheme and joined…
Media statement from The Garden Centre Association regarding Gardman Mike Lind, Chairman of The Garden Centre Association (GCA) said: “The GCA are devastated for Gardman following the recent fire at their Daventry HQ. “The fire has completely destroyed Gardman’s main UK warehouse and distribution centre. “Gardman have worked extremely hard over the last few months to ensure…
New Rising Star programme for catering staff launches Following the on-going success of our innovative Rising Stars initiative a new programme aimed at garden centre catering staff was launched at our conference in January this year (2018). Sponsored by Creed Foodservice, it has been created to highlight and develop the talented individuals in garden centre…
Mike Lind becomes GCA Chairman for 2018/19 We recently (2018) welcomed our new Chairman for 2018/19. Mike Lind, who is the Managing Director of Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre in Somerset, took on the role as our Chairman elect for 2018/19 during our annual conference, which took place in Stratford-upon-Avon. Mike said: “During my…
The Cabbages team lift Greenfingers Challenge Cup Some of our members are celebrating after being crowned the winners of a game of ‘fockey’ and helping raise £25,150 for Greenfingers (January, 2018). The Greenfingers Challenge Cup, which was held at Stratford Leisure Centre, adjacent to The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon and marked the start of…