Peter Burks, our CEO, says: “Following the Government’s announcement on March 23, that all retail sales of peat would cease at the end of 2024, and that nurseries are to no longer use peat after 2026, we have been discussing with our members and have two concerns. “Firstly, we believe there needs to be government…
Twenty-four staff members from garden centres across the country took part in a training day at Millbrook Garden Centre Gravesend recently with expert mentors as part of this year’s Glee Talent Store (March 2023). The Glee Talent Store, in collaboration with us, aims to nurture and encourage the next up-and-coming stars of horticultural visual merchandising.…
A healthy heart is a healthy life, for most cases at least. Keeping a healthy heart should not be difficult for anyone. There are a lot of activities that we can do to reduce our risk of getting any heart related diseases. It goes without saying that doing cardiovascular exercises promote a healthy heart but…
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…