Apple ‘Trinity’ from Frank P Matthews has been crowned Best in Show at the New Plant Awards 2020. The 2020 judging panel included  Matthew Biggs (gardener, writer and broadcaster); Tamsin Westhorpe (Co-chair of The Garden Media Guild); Lesley Watson (director of New Hopetoun Gardens & RHS Show Garden Judge); Jonathan Savage (general manager for Scotsdales Garden Centres) and Ian Hodgson (editor […]

Travis Perkins Group has commenced a consultation process regarding the closure of around 165 branches across the overall branch estate, representing approximately 8% of the Group’s network. In addition, the Group is consulting on above-branch roles in the distribution, administrative and sales functions. Branch closures will be concentrated in the Merchant businesses, in particular the Travis Perkins General Merchant, focusing […]

Over the last six weeks, Travis Perkins has continued to open more of its branches under the safe, social-distancing working practices, in conjunction with customers, suppliers and construction industry bodies, as well as the UK Government. The Group volumes in May were around 60% of prior year with an improving trend throughout the month. The Group’s weekly volume run rate is now around […]

GIMA has announced that they are hosting a virtual Meet the Buyer session with Homebase to be held on Thursday 25 June 2020.  This speed networking event will allow potential suppliers to meet with key garden retailer buyers in timed 20-minute appointment sessions. It is hoped that this will be the first of many virtual Buyer Connect sessions, and GIMA would […]

The best and worst garden trends of all time have been revealed by leading tool firm Draper Tools – with bird feeders and vegetable patches among the good, and gnomes and fake grass among the bad. The study of 2,000 UK adults with gardens also found that over a third of people say improving their garden is a priority right […]

The LANDSCAPE Show returns in 2020 on Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd September. Now in its 10th year, the industry’s leading trade event is dedicated to bringing together an array of industry professionals from all over the UK and beyond, including Garden Designers, Landscape Architects & Contractors, Facilities Managers and Local Councils. Work has already begun on its hugely popular […]

Skip Hop, the innovative lifestyle brand and creators of the award-winning and much-loved Zoo Collection welcomes the bold Bailey Bat and loveable Luna Llama to its crew of characters. Children can choose their favourite friend to drive imagination and keep them company all through the day, from mealtime to bed-time. The ZOO collection is one of the largest non-licensed character-driven […]

The plan was to walk 175 miles along the South West Coast path in 7 days, from Newquay to Mevagissey averaging 25 miles and 4,000 feet of climb per day. Celebrating the 175 years that the Rainy Day Trust has been helping people from the home improvement industry. We certainly achieved that but like all plans, things changed!  My hiking […]

Summer is definitely over and we finally have a crisp autumn feeling to the air and whilst retailers are gearing up for the busiest shopping season of the year; manufacturers and suppliers of giftware and Christmas ranges are focusing on their next BIG event – Harrogate Christmas & Gift. The show, which takes place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from […]

Greenfingers celebrated the start of its 20th anniversary at this year’s Glee with some magnificent industry contributions, as well as unveiling some exciting plans for 2019. Support for Greenfingers’ precious work was a key focus at this year’s revitalised show with product partnerships between Vivid Arts and Needlefresh being launched, the 2019 annual fundraising Garden Re-Leaf Day being announced and […]