June BoT shows garden centre members resilient despite challenging weather Our members saw another month of highly variable weather conditions but proved resilient with overall sales increasing by +2.08% according to June’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) released today (July 20, 2026). Despite a month marked by periods of cold, wet weather followed by extreme heat,…
Our 2026 Midlands, Wales & West regional winners Staff at garden centres across our Midlands, Wales & West region are celebrating after scooping awards during a presentation yesterday afternoon and evening at Gates Garden Centre in Hinckley (Thursday, July 16, 2026). Garden Centre of the Year winners were Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth in the Destination…
Our North region summer 2026 award winners Our North region members met yesterday afternoon and evening at RHS Bridgewater in Greater Manchester for their Area Award presentations (Wednesday, July 15, 2026). Destination Garden Centre of the Year, (DGC) was presented to Bents Garden and Home, the Garden Centre (GC) award went to Fron Goch Garden…
Our 2026 South East region summer award winners Garden centre teams from across our South East region are celebrating today after scooping awards during a presentation evening yesterday at Birdworld, Haskins Forest Lodge in Surrey (Tuesday, July 14, 2026). Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Haskins Snowhill, the Garden…
Our 2026 East Area winners revealed Garden centre staff throughout our East region are celebrating today after picking up awards at a presentation at Scotsdales Garden Centre in Cambridgeshire yesterday evening (Monday, July 13, 2026). The Garden Centre of the Year winners were Perrywood Tiptree in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category, Poplars in the…
Clive Humby OBE to speak at our Conference Data science pioneer Clive Humby OBE who co-founded the global consumer insights company behind the Tesco Clubcard will be speaking at our annual conference in January 2027. Clive will present on January 26 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon, sharing his expertise on data strategy, consumer behaviour and…
2027 conference sponsorship packages We’re inviting businesses across the horticultural and retail sectors to explore sponsorship opportunities with us for our 2027 annual conference, taking place from January 24–27, 2027. The prestigious event at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon will once again bring together key decision makers from leading garden centres across the UK, offering sponsors…
Richard Coles to speak at our Conference & tickets go on sale today BROADCASTER, former popstar and Church of England priest Reverend Richard Coles is speaking at our annual conference in January 2027…and tickets go on sale today (June 22, 2026). Richard will take to the podium on Tuesday, January 26 at the Crowne Plaza,…
Retail leader Justin King confirmed as one of the lead speakers at our 2027 Conference Former Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King CBE is going to be one of the main speakers at our annual conference in January 2027. The highly respected businessman will speak about leadership, transformation and customer-focused retail on the Monday of the event…
May BoT shows strong performance for furniture & BBQs Members had an ‘encouraging’ May according to the body’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) out today – with furniture & BBQs sales up significantly on the same month last year (June 15, 2026). With highly variable weather conditions moving from cooler periods into intense heat, the industry…