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.