Top TV comedian to host our awards dinner

TOP RADIO and TV comedian Justin Moorhouse will be appearing at our conference next month (January 25-28, 2015).

The talented entertainer will attend our annual dinner on Tuesday, January 27 at the De Vere Carden Park in Chester to host the awards.

Justin Moorhouse is an established favourite on the UK comedy circuit, with more than a decade’s experience as a comedian. 

His comedy has taken him on tour to Australia, China, Japan and the Middle East and we’re very much looking forward to him appearing at our annual conference this year.

National GCA Christmas display winners revealed

BENTS and Castle Gardens are the national winners of our annual Christmas competition (December, 2014).

The garden centres were judged to have the best Christmas displays in the UK and will be presented with their awards at our annual conference next month.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, said: “We announced the regional winners of our Christmas display competition to members at the end of November. Following this, the area winners were all judged for a second time and these two national winners were selected this week.

“We’d like to congratulate Bents in Cheshire who were the stars on the tree in the Destination Garden Centre category, and Castle Gardens in Dorset who scooped the prize in the Garden Centre category.” 

Economist to speak at our annual conference

A leading economist will be presenting to delegates at our conference next month (January 25-28, 2015).

Roger Martin-Fagg will be speaking at the event on Tuesday, January 27.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie said: “Roger began his career as an Economist with the New Zealand Treasury in 1972, then as Economist to the Air Transport and Travel Industry Industrial Training Board. In 1975 he was asked to design and run a postgraduate programme in Airline Management for British Airways, which ran very successfully for 12 years at Thames Valley University.

Christmas and catering come out on top in November

Garden centre shoppers were busy preparing for the festive season last month (November, 2014) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.

Compared to November 2013 the results showed Christmas sales up 23.53%, catering sales 9.71% up, outdoor plants up 10.9% and houseplants doing well at 11.88% up.

It’s great to see that Christmas and catering were the real winners last month and that’s no surprise as people prepare for the biggest day of the year.

Garden centres have become real destinations to do your Christmas shopping in and people often like to stop off at a café or restaurant for lunch or a spot of tea as they go.

Other good performers during the month included furniture and barbecues up 5.54% and gifts at 7.15% up.

Our BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

Top boss who headed up Porsche GB to speak at our conference

KEVIN Gaskell will be one of the headline speakers at our annual conference next month (January 25-28, 2015).

The businessman and entrepreneur who ran Porsche GB Limited in the early 1990s will present to the conference at the De Vere Carden Park in Chester on the Tuesday, January 27.

Kevin is an energetic and passionate leader with a proven record of managing growth, driving successful turnarounds and delivering substantial improvements in companies already considered to be market leaders.

Recognised as one of the most capable managers of his generation he qualified as an engineer and accountant. He completed an MBA before starting his career in the construction sector before moving into the chemical industry and then to the automotive sector.

In 1987 he joined Porsche GB Limited and four years later, at the age of 32, was appointed UK Managing Director. He later went on to become a dot com entrepreneur.

GCA garden centres dazzle with Christmas displays

THE REGIONAL winners of our annual Christmas display competition have been revealed this week (December 9, 2014).

Thirteen garden centres have been named as having the best Christmas overall displays in our individual regions.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to announce the area winners of our Christmas competition. The winning centres are now being judged by Neville Stein from Ovation Business Consultants to determine the national winners. Congratulations to all the winners so far and thank you to everyone that entered, and to our band of judges who volunteered to visit them.”

Learn how to achieve the impossible at GCA Conference

A professor who has helped celebrities complete various physical challenges will be sharing his secrets on achieving the seemingly impossible at our annual conference in January (2015).

Professor Greg Whyte OBE, who has led 18 Celebrity Comic Relief Challenges raising more than £33 million for charity, will be speaking at the conference on Monday, January 26.

We are really pleased Greg will be joining us and sharing his secrets on achieving the seemingly impossible. He’s had a fascinating career, working with some well-known celebrities including training David Walliams for the cross-channel and Thames swims and helping Eddie Izzard run 43 marathons in 51 days.

During his presentation Greg will be showing us that success is rarely a chance event and that it is all about having the right strategy as well as delivering to plan. We can’t wait to hear what he as to say.

Outdoor categories stole the show in Oct at GCA centres

Garden centre customers were still getting out in their gardens last month (October, 2014) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.

The results showed hard landscaping sales were 25.84% up, furniture and barbeques 18.75% up and outdoor plants 14.5% up as compared to October, 2013.

The cooler weather certainly hasn’t put gardeners off from getting out into their gardens.

We know that October is a great month to plant all sorts of things such as spring flowering bulbs, shrubs, evergreens and fruit trees. With many garden centres getting behind campaigns like the HTA’s ‘Plan it, Plant it this Autumn’ it seems to have helped make people aware of the opportunities to be had. This has almost certainly helped contribute to the strong outdoor plant figures seen by many of our members.

World record holder to speak at our annual conference

We are pleased to announce that David Thomas, who broke the world record for reciting the maths formula Pi (3.14..) to 22,500 digits, will be speaking at our annual conference on Monday, January 26.

Members invited to compete for the Worrall Cup

We are inviting our members to put their marketing campaigns to the test and compete for the chance to win the Worrall Cup.

The cup will be awarded to the garden centre that has the best marketing campaign or initiative during our annual conference in January (2015).

Headline sponsors for our conference revealed

We are pleased to announce that Scotts and Westland Horticulture will be the headline sponsors for our annual conference taking place in January next year (2015).

Scotts is a leading producer and marketer of products for do it yourself lawn care and gardening and Westland Horticulture is a market leader in garden and environmental products.

Early birds can catch a discount for our conference

We’re giving our members a chance to take advantage of an early bird discount when they book their place at our annual conference this month (November, 2014).

Anyone who books to attend the conference before November 30 will benefit from a 10% reduction in price for the event, which takes place in Chester in January (2015).

Hard landscaping sales paved the way in September

The continued dry weather last month (September, 2014) saw garden centre customers investing in improving their outdoor spaces according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.

Hard landscaping sales were up 27.12% for the month as compared to September, 2014 according to the results.

Regional Ruxley Rose winners announced

We have announced the winners of our annual Ruxley Rose competition.

The Ruxley Rose competition focuses specifically on our members’ outdoor plant areas and recognises excellent quality and range of plants.

Clothing sales were on the up at member centres

Garden centre customers were preparing their wardrobes ahead of the change of season according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for August (2014).

The results show clothing sales were up 25.85% as compared to August, 2013.

Rising Stars final masterclass

Our Rising Stars candidates recently delivered outstanding presentations on merchandising during their final masterclass (September, 2014).

The final five are still being discussed as judges were so impressed. Once chosen, the five will go on to present at our conference in Chester in January and the overall winner will be chosen by delegates.

The candidate’s presentations were full of success stories including some who had quadrupled sales overnight through merchandising and creating themed displays for events such as Mother’s Day and food retail.

Scotland and N.Ireland award winners unveiled

We revealed the winners of our Scotland and Northern Ireland regions at a presentation last night (Monday, September 22, 2014) at Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre in Dumfries.

Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre was named Best Garden Centre and Simpsons Garden Centre Best Destination Garden Centre in Scotland. Creative Gardens Donaghadee scooped Best Garden Centre in Northern Ireland.

GLEE visitors invited to GCA’s stand

We will have a stand at GLEE this month (September, 2014) where existing members and those interested in finding out more can drop by.

GLEE takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from Sunday, September 14 until Tuesday, September 16. Our stand is located in hall 20, near the business lounge. The stand number is G38.

Record turnout at GCA regional meetings

Five-hundred people turned out for our regional meetings last month (July, 2014), which is a 25% increase in the amount of attendees at meetings held at the same time last year (2013).

We held the meetings in locations across the country to announce the results of our annual inspections.

GCA reports good sales for July

Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for July (2014) have revealed strong sales at member garden centres during the month.

The results show the year to date figure currently stands at 8.97% up.

South Thames results out

We have unveiled the winners for our South Thames region during a presentation this evening (Wednesday, July 23, 2014) at Chessington Garden Centre.

Squires Garden Centre – Hersham took home the title of Best Garden Centre and Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre was presented with the award for Best Destination Garden Centre.

The awards included Best Customer Service, which went to Thompsons, Isle of Wight, and the Best Environment and Community award was scooped by Thompsons, Canterbury.

Here are our North Thames winners

Our winners for the North Thames region were presented with their awards at a presentation this evening (Tuesday, July 22, 2014) at Van Hage, Great Amwell.

Podington Garden Centre scooped the title of Best Garden Centre and Burston Rose & Garden Centre took home the award for Best Destination Garden Centre.

The awards included Best Customer Service, which went to Burston Rose & Garden Centre, and the Best Environment and Community award was scooped by Poplars Nursery Garden Centre.

Our Midlands regional winners are announced

We have revealed the winners in our Midlands region at a presentation this evening (Monday, July 21, 2014) at Klondyke’s Byrkley Park Garden Centre in Burton Upon Trent.

Fairways Garden Centre – Ashbourne was named Best Garden Centre and Webbs of Wychbold scooped Best Destination Garden Centre.

The awards included Best Customer Service, which went to Planters Garden Centre – Tamworth, and the Best Environment and Community award was picked up by Planters Garden Centre – Bretby.

Wales & West regional winners unveiled

Our winners in the Wales and West region were revealed at a presentation this evening (Thursday, July 17, 2014) at Hillier Garden Centre, Bath.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Wales was named Best Garden Centre (GC) and Trelawney@Wadebridge Garden Centre in Cornwall scooped Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC).

We had a wonderful, lively awards’ evening and I would like to congratulate all our members who took home coveted GCA awards. They are a testament to the hard work of all those involved and their pursuit of excellence, and we’re very proud of their achievements. Well done to everyone and a big thank you to Hilliers for being our hosts for the event.

BBQ sales continue to sizzle in June

The continued warm weather last month (June, 2014) saw barbecues and furniture remain one of the best performing categories for the fourth month running according our Barometer of Trade (BoT).

The results showed furniture and barbecue sales were up 26.6% compared to June, 2013.

N. East & N. West regional winners unveiled

We revealed the winners of our North East and North West regions at a presentation last night (Tuesday, July 15, 2014) at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) garden Harlow Carr near Harrogate.

Cowell’s was named Best Garden Centre (GC) and Armitage’s Pennine Garden Centre Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC) in the North East. Burleydam scooped Best Garden Centre and Barton Grange Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West.

We would like to congratulate all our members who picked up awards. It is a reflection of all their hard work and dedication to excellence, and they should all be very proud of their achievements. Thank you also to the Harlow Carr team for your hospitality and to Langlands Garden for providing a barbecue after the awards presentation, it was greatly appreciated.

There were lots of other awards presented by our inspector, Liz Hutson, who attended the ceremony, and it was an inspiring and motivational event for everyone involved.

The full results for the North East and North West area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Five more members sign up in June

We are pleased to announce that last month (June, 2014) we signed up some new garden centre members.

Approved as new full members at our recent Executive Committee meeting, following successful inspections, were Thetford Garden Centre, Pacific Nurseries and Thirsk Garden Centre.

We also approved Millbrook, Staplehurst and Creative Gardens, Galgorm Castle, which are additional sites or ‘subsidiary’ members for existing GCA members.

Good weather helps ignite BBQ and other sales in May

The recent warm weather helped our members boost their sales of barbecues and garden furniture last month (May, 2014) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT).

The results out on June 16, which are the only official May trading figures to be released to us, highlighted that furniture and barbecue sales were up 23.4% compared to the same month in 2013.

Will Armitage, our Chairman, explained: “Overall our member garden centres had a good May, busier than anticipated with the weather playing a vital part in their successes. All categories were up on the year to date, which is also very encouraging.

GCA announces regional award meetings

We will find out who has come out top in our annual inspections this year at various regional award meetings taking place this July (2014).

Garden centre members we’d really love you to attend the event taking place in your area and to bring as many of your team members along as possible.

Will Armitage, our Chairman, said: “The inspector will present the findings from the area, highlighting best practice and new ideas, as well as announcing all the category winners.”

GCA inspector called yet? They are coming this week...

Calling all members: If you have not yet had your Garden Centre Association annual inspection then you will receive a visit this week (up to and including June 13, 2014).

Since March member garden centres have been assessed across all departments and awarded an overall score by an inspector. Those who have not yet had their impromptu visit will do so soon.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “So far the inspectors are reporting back that they are pleased with what they are finding and that standards are particularly high this year, especially at the top end.

“We are urging all garden centres yet to be visited to be prepared for the inspections. Inspectors drop in unannounced and garden centres are not able to turn them away. Inspections cannot be delayed or deferred because of any ongoing development work – customers see this when they visit and so will the inspectors! The garden centres will not lose marks because of such works, provided they are carried out safely and disruption is minimised with the customer in mind.

GCA centres report mixed results for end of May

Our members reported mixed results for the end of May with weather affecting sales during the second Bank Holiday of the month.

We asked members for feedback on the weekend’s trading (May 24-26) to see how one of the industry’s busiest weekends had gone.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, explained: “The feedback we have had from members has been that it was very hit and miss due to the cooler, rainy weather that was experienced on one day or another across the country for much of the weekend, especially in the North.”

The GCA garden centres that were contacted said generally Sunday and Monday were the better days despite the poor weather.

Rising stars reach round two

Young representatives of the horticultural industry are preparing to take part in the next round of the 2014 Rising Stars Programme next month (June, 2014).

The second of three masterclasses to be held throughout the year will take place at Westland Horticulture in Peterborough on Thursday, June 5.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “The first masterclass included a session on merchandising, opportunities for business growth and managing the seasons to make maximum sales and profits.

“The second round will see all of the candidates put what they’ve learnt to the test. They will also receive more extensive coaching and mentoring on working in the horticultural industry and we’re hoping to arrange a trip to Van Hage Garden Centre in Peterborough on the day too.”

Members report a good start to May

Our members say May (2014) has started well with ‘no records being broken’ during the first Bank Holiday of the month but with business continuing at ‘good levels’.

We asked our members to give feedback from last weekend’s trading to see how the industry was fairing in its generally busiest month of the year.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “The members who contacted us said ‘no records (were) broken but trade had continued at good levels’.

Outdoor living sales soar in March

Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for March (2014) revealed people were improving their outdoor living spaces.

The results released on April 17, which are the only official figures to be given by us for March trading, revealed barbecue and furniture sales were up 102.28% compared to March 2013. 

HTA Plant of the month – Rhododendron

Spring has well and truly arrived and gardens all around the country are shaking off the last bits of winter and coming to life. Vibrant flowering shrubs and plants are beginning to bloom including the mighty Rhododendron.

Our friends at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have chosen the Rhododendron as their plant of the month for April.

Its name derives from the ancient Greek meaning ‘rose tree’. It prefers acidic soil and sheltered conditions and grows best in areas with high rainfall, which is handy, ironically.

Garden centres give GCA inspection feedback online

Our members can for the first time this year (2014) give feedback on their annual inspections online.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, said: “Garden centres are asked to give feedback at the end of their inspections and for the first time this year they will be able to do so via the web, making it both easier and quicker for them.”

Rising Stars

The Rising Stars programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, has got off to a flying start as participants attended the first masterclass at Westland Horticulture’s merchandising lab in Peterborough recently.

The class was delivered by trainer, Ian Boardman, who gave advice and tips on merchandising, opportunities for business growth and managing the seasons to make maximum sales and profits.

Clothing sales fly off the rails in February

Garden centre customers were updating their wardrobes ready for spring according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for February (2014).

The results, which are compiled using member garden centre sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement, revealed clothing sales were up 11.7% as compared to February 2014.

New area chairmen announced

We have announced our new area chairmen who will represent member garden centres in each region. 

Under the chairmanship of Will Armitage the regions will look to help improve opportunities for members and help them to get more from the organisation.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “We’re delighted to have our area chairmen for 2014. Each one will take over the representation of the member garden centres in their area.

HTA Plant of the Month – Pansies

Our friends at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have chosen their plant of the month – the Pansy.

Twelve different plants have been unveiled by the HTA for a special calendar, which will highlight plants that are widely available in garden centres and are looking their best on a month by month basis, and the pansy is this month’s pin-up.

Sign up for the International Garden Centre Conference

THERE’S still time to sign up for the International Garden Centre Conference taking place in Ireland this summer (August, 2014) says our representative Paul Cooling.

Paul, who officially started his GCA role on the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) board in January, replacing Sue Allen, is urging us British garden centres to join the event.

The Chairman of Coolings Nurseries, who has been a long-time supporter of the IGCA, said: “I am really getting into my new role now, although it’s only been a few months, and there are interesting and inspiring times ahead. 

An inspector calls...

Our annual inspections are now underway (March 17 until June 13, 2014).

Each of our member garden centres will be assessed by an inspector across all departments and awarded an overall score.

Our Chairman, Will Armitage said: “The annual inspections take place from March 17 until June 13 and will begin with an assessment from an independent inspector.

“Once this is complete, the inspector will discuss his/her findings with the garden centre’s owners, managers and staff in a constructive feedback session. This allows the management team to make any changes necessary, based on the findings, straightaway.

Our Rising Stars start their ascent

TWENTY-EIGHT of the most aspiring young representatives of the horticultural industry are meeting this week (Wednesday, March 19, 2014) to kick off our 2014 Rising Stars Programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture.

The first of three masterclasses to be held throughout the year will take place at Westland Horticulture in Peterborough on Wednesday, March 19.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explained: “The first masterclass will include a session on merchandising, opportunities for business growth and managing the seasons to make maximum sales and profits.

Wet weather didn’t dampen outdoor plant sales

Garden centre customers didn’t let the wet weather in January (2014) put them off buying outdoor plants according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.

Outdoor plant sales were up 41.29% for the month as compared to January 2013.

Our new GCA Chair plans to reinvigorate the regions

Our new Chairman pledged to rejuvenate our regional groups as he took on the chains of office at our annual conference last week (January 27, 2014).

Will Armitage, Managing Director of Armitage’s Home and Garden in West Yorkshire, says he wants to get our regions back to being fighting fit during his two-year tenure. 

He said: “The GCA should be proud of what it has to offer. It’s a pretty unique networking opportunity for like-minded people. Our conference has always been a great place to meet and this year was no exception.

“It’s great to share information with other like-minded garden centre owners and operators. The GCA’s strength lies in its membership and the opportunities members have to get together and discuss what they’re doing well, and to share their experiences.

GCA 2014 conference hits all the right notes

Our annual conference has this week (January 26 – 29, 2014) been declared a huge success.

We received excellent feedback from the delegates who attended the conference from Sunday, January 26 until Wednesday, January 29 at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel.

Our Chairman and Managing Director of Armitage’s Home and Garden in West Yorkshire, Will Armitage, said: “This year’s conference has been another resounding success and it is great to hear all of the brilliant feedback from those who went along.

“The event was not only inspiring, but it was also thought provoking and I really enjoyed listening to all of the guest speakers. They gave us all some great advice to take away. Of course it was a wonderful social occasion too with members able to share their experiences with other like-minded business people.”

Award winners announced

The winners of our annual conference awards were announced this week (January 26 – 29, 2014).

The award ceremonies took place at the conference at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel on Monday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 28 and winners were presented with their prizes.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie, said: “Congratulations to everyone who picked up a prize during the conference, you are all very worthy winners and have worked extremely hard during the past year.”

Garden centre team wins Greenfingers Challenge Cup

Some of our members are celebrating today after being crowned the winners in our Beach, Bingo and Boogie event, which took place on Sunday, January 26 in aid of Greenfingers.

The seaside-themed event, which raised £9,600 for Greenfingers, saw the garden centre team, the Pansies, take the winners cup.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “Our fundraising events have become a bit of a tradition now to kick off the annual conference. We really look forward to the events every year as they’re great fun to take part in.

“This year we hosted the Beach, Bingo and Boogie, which included beach games such as volleyball and cricket, followed by traditional seaside fish and chips and an evening of bingo. We rounded things off with a bit of a boogie.”

GCA conference

Our Public Relations company Porcupine PR will be running the media centre from its office during our conference from Sunday, January 26 until Wednesday, January 29 and will have a member of staff at the conference on hand to assist you should you require anything media-related at the event including photography.

If there is anything you require, please call 01278 446801 and a member of the Porcupine PR team will be able to help you. If you’re calling on Sunday, January 26 or after 6pm on a week day please call 07725 577020.

Garden centres had sparkling results with Christmas sales

Christmas shoppers headed to our member garden centres rather than the high street for their festive decorations and gifts during November and December (2013) with sales in both categories up on the same months last year.

Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures revealed Christmas sales were up by 12.57% in November and 5.95% in December compared to the previous year.

Our Chairman, Peter Burks, explained: “Sales of gifts during November were up 8.14% compared to the previous year and December gift sales were up 5.58% on 2012.

“It’s encouraging to see more people preparing for Christmas by visiting garden centres in their areas instead of high streets to pick up essentials.”