Catering and gardening categories were the standout successes in February (2023) according our Barometer of Trade (BoT) report. Sales in catering were up 15.8% compared to the same month in 2022. Outdoor plant sales were up 6.58%, seed and bulbs up 8.76% and garden sundries 6.31%. Customers out in good numbers It was great to…
Sent on behalf of 6XD Media :- 50 ways forest and outdoor learning experiences benefit child development: https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/outdoor-education-and-child-development-guide/ Our guide includes information that the audience of gca.org.uk might find valuable: Statistics on how much outdoor experiences help children learn. The important skills like confidence and responsibility that kids learn by being outdoors. How outdoor activities…
Members who were unable to attend our recent annual conference are now able to view presentations from our Rising Stars finalists. The seven finalists took part in a series of workshops before presenting at our conference at the end of January. Their presentations are now available to view at https://gca.org.uk/powerpoint/risingstars-presentation.pptx Seven finalists Matt Carr and…
We are thrilled to reveal our 2024 conference will take place at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel near Cirencester from Sunday, January 28, 2024 until Wednesday, January 31, 2024. 57th annual conference Members can expect a line-up of top-quality speakers and plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends, colleagues and associates from the…
The notion that the better you understand human beings, the better you do at business, has been a guiding force for my work for a long time. Having recently been a guest speaker at the Garden Centre Association Conference and having spent two days immersed in the world of garden centres and plants, I think…
Our members will hear from experts as well as peers on cost saving measures they can put into practice in their garden centres during a free webinar on Thursday, February 9 from 10.30am until 12noon with presentations from Squires Garden Centre, The Pilot Group, Virrata and Oakfield Technical. Cost-of-living crisis Garden centres, like all individuals…
If you were unable to attend our annual conference this year, then some of our Inspectors have very kindly shared their presentations here, so you can catch up and still take some of their advice and insights to use in the everyday running of your garden centre. Inspector Colin Farquhar talked to our attendees about…
Ella-May Bradshaw from Bosworths Garden Centre was recently revealed as the winner of our Rising Stars programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture. The 21-year-old was declared the winner after her presentation during our annual conference at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa in Blackburn, Lancashire. Outstanding presentations Gordon Emslie, who mentored the candidates taking part in…
Our members recently voted Wyevale Nurseries Wholesale Nursery & Commercial Plant Suppliers | Wyevale Nurseries as our Associate Member of the Year for 2022 and we presented the company with their award during our recent annual conference (January 24, 2023). Highly regarded award The award recognises companies or individuals that have contributed to the success…
Some of our members are celebrating after being crowned the winners after an afternoon of FUNdraising raised £50,000 towards a £100,000 total for national charity Greenfingers (January 2023). Teams competed for the Greenfingers Challenge Cup during an afternoon of bowling, crazy golf, crazy pool and curling to mark the start of our annual conference, which…