Features
Garden Re-Leaf Day is fast approaching! With just under three weeks until the garden retail industry comes together to kickstart the season and raise much needed funds for Greenfingers, the event organisers are urging interested parties to sign up now and take part before it’s too late!
FUNdraising Days
Garden businesses across the country have been busy planning their own FUNdraising events for Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 16th March, and across the weekend. Longacres Garden Centre will be going the extra mile with over 40 people completing a sponsored walk which will start at their …
A TRADITIONAL foundry has diversified to manufacture stunning garden furniture and has already despatched orders across Europe.
When Lancashire-based Glen Castings was incorporated in 1972 its core business was creating products for the building and drainage trades.
Jim and June Butterworth founded the business and when their son Alan joined the company in 1973 it was supposed to be just for six months as he planned to join the army.
However, he stayed and for the last 30 years has been managing director of the business, which is now based in Burnley Road, Bacup.
Alan spotted that…
Get set for summer in style with the latest, luxurious garden furniture from Kettler
The latest in luxury garden furniture, Kettler’s new Palma Round Set is perfect for the garden or conservatory. RRP £1999.
The collection comfortably seats eight on its sumptuous six seater sofa and two matching stools, and includes a glass top dining table.
With comfort at its absolute core, the Palma Round collection features ultra-soft cushioning on all seating with double piping for extra support. The cushions are UV, stain and shower resistant, and all furniture pieces are made from weather-proof…
It’s official! Wales's Moody Sow Farm Shop makes the best Welsh Lamb products
Moody Sow Farm Shop in Wales is celebrating after winning a Diamond Award for the Welsh Lamb product in the UK’s most prestigious competition for craft butchery products – The Smithfield Awards. The event, which is held annually by the Q Guild of Butchers recognises and rewards the excellent products that are being produced by the very best butchers in the country.
Butcher Christian Regan, whose winning product was Welsh Rib Eye Crown Steak, was awarded his trophy by BBC broadcaster and food expert, Nigel Barden…
Greenfingers Charity is inviting their supporters to put their pedal power to the test this spring by taking on an inspiring new Cycle Challenge for Garden Re-Leaf Day.
The event, which takes place on Friday 16th March, will now feature a new Cycle Ride Challenge for bike enthusiasts.
The route will start in World's End Garden Centre, Wendover and take in the scenic Chiltern hills and idyllic countryside. There will be two routes available, 50 miles and 100 miles .
The inaugural Garden Re-Leaf Cycle Ride Challenge was an idea put forward my Matt Jackson (Mr Fothergill’s) and David…
The Spur ® range of brackets and shelving systems is manufactured in Devon by Storage Solutions Ltd.
Spur Shelving is a historic global brand that has been around since the 1950's. Originally part of Savage Industries Watford, and then as part of McKechnie plc. McKechnie was known as widget and co for it's diverse product range which included many other brands from Obo nails to Swish the curtain track manufaturer. Newell the American conglomerate then took over McKechnie and after a few years closed the Spur manfacturing operations and exiting the European shelving market. That is when…
Garden centre and horticultural industry staff are this month (January, 2018) being asked to sign up for a fundraising event being held at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference. A game of hockey with an element of ‘fun and frolics’ will take place on January 21 at Stratford Leisure Centre, adjacent to The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 3pm to raise money for Greenfingers, which creates gardens at children’s hospices nationwide.
Ian Flounders from Woodlodge Products, who captains The Cabbages team, which is made up of garden centre suppliers, said: “Last…
In previous years, neutral shades such as white and ivory, have typically been the preferred paint colour choice for conservatories, orangeries and garden rooms, especially around the time when white uPVC was very much en vogue. However, Westbury Garden Rooms, designer and manufacturer of bespoke timber extensions has seen an exciting new trend emerging amongst their customers, with more homeowners choosing to paint the exterior timber of their extension in black shades of paint, in order to create a real statement in their garden.
In addition, white paint has long been a popular choice as…
RADIO and TV comedian Jo Caulfield will be compering the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) conference awards’ dinner this month (January, 2018).
Jo, who is also a comedy writer, has worked on some of the biggest shows and with some of the top names in British comedy.
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Not only has Jo been the regular warm-up performer for the BBC’s ‘Have I Got News For You’ for many years, she has appeared as a guest on the show, as well as on ‘Mock The Week’ and ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’. She has also appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
“On Radio…
Latest luxury and practical pet products on show on British pavilion at Global Pet Expo 2018
Among the many new products being launched by leading British suppliers exhibiting on the British pavilion at Global Pet Expo will be luxury dog accessories, a range of pet treats and coats, pet cleaning and hygiene products, flea and bug repellents, chicken coop safety features and pet treat packaging.
The British exhibitor group at Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida (21 to 23 March 2018) is being organised by PetQuip, the UK pet trade association, for the eighth consecutive year. In addition…
The Gardenex export federation has been successful in securing cash grant funding for four major international garden trade exhibitions in the Government’s latest bidding round. The funding is available to eligible SMEs under the DIT’s Tradeshow Access programme and will enable British companies to exhibit their products to international markets in a cost-effective way, while also benefiting from the wide range of practical research, logistical and promotional support offered by the Federation.
In addition to the shows in the US, Germany and Japan - where Gardenex has extensive experience…
Brand-leading garden tools company, Spear and Jackson, has teamed up with the award-winning garden landscape designer, Lee Bestall, of Bestall & Co. Both based in Sheffield, the two have a long-standing relationship and Spear and Jackson are pleased to announce that Lee will officially be renewing his role as their Brand Ambassador with effect from 1st January 2018.
In Lee, Spear and Jackson have found a partner who shares their passion for gardening and outdoor living. A regular contributor to industry titles and a stand-in presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Gardeners Question Hour, Lee…
Bigger content programme with more high-profile speakers
Retail Lab set to return in 2018
Increased footprint at NEC
Still on a high following Glee 2017, the event’s post-show report has helped shape much of the thinking for the short and long-term future of Glee. The research has highlighted Glee’s ongoing value for the industry it represents. With over three-quarters of the attendees at the 2017 exhibition responding positively, it’s safe to assume that the show hit the mark for those that made the journey to the NEC Birmingham, including the 31% of first-time visitors. What’s more, the…
Why has Glee added an additional show at Spring Fair?
Glee at Spring Fair has been introduced for a simple reason – Spring Fair is the UK’s No.1 Home and Gift Fair, so the audience is already there, ready and willing to do business. Garden centres are already attending Spring Fair, with owner/operators and gift buyers out in force. Glee’s aim is to encourage other category buyers from across the gardening spectrum to maximise their attendance at Spring Fair.
Taking place from 4th-8th February, Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges…
Whilst gardening may be considered an older person’s game, the 25-34 year olds are actually the biggest spenders when it comes to tools and accessories, spending over £650 on average.
Andy Baxter, managing director of leading gardening ecommerce store, Internet Gardener offers his input on what’s trending in the garden fashion and accessory scene.
Garden fashion
Classic boots and wellies will never go out of fashion for the garden. The practical old school cool wellies like Grubs boots have embraced classic design with contemporary elements like bold colours and contrasting…
A green fingered Blackwood tenant has been rewarded for his skills by winning the housing and care provider’s prestigious gardening award.
Edward Stanton, who has been a tenant at Blackwood’s Argyle Street development for 25 years, won the ‘Best Hanging Basket’ award at the charity’s AGM in Largs.
The 78-year-old started work on his balcony five years ago and has since installed four hanging baskets which he believes make the perfect decorations for his balcony.
Edward said: “I have always loved gardening and so I couldn’t believe it when I was awarded ‘Best Hanging Basket’ as I have…