Industry News
Homebase and Hearst UK venture outside as they launch an exclusive range of sheds, summerhouses and greenhouses
Homebase is launching an exclusive range of Country Living sheds, summerhouses, and greenhouses at a time when customers are continuing to search for new ways to create extra room in their homes and gardens. This is the newest range to be launched as part of the home and garden expert’s three- year partnership with the leading premium content and experience business, Hearst UK, and its magazine titles. There are 29 different structures in the range,
and each are handmade in the UK from sustainable materials. This collection, with its wide range of shapes and styles, gives customers a huge selection to choose from, with styles that will suit all types of gardens or projects. The collection ranges from freestanding or
GCA announces virtual regional meetings
The area meeting for the North Thames took place in early February. The meetings for the North West and North East areas are yet to be confirmed, but members will be informed shortly. Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “We’re
thrilled to announce our area meetings will still go ahead this year online. All our members are welcome to participate. They may be
attached practical potting sheds and greenhouses suitable for working in and storing garden tools, to larger summerhouses for those looking to create a home office, extended playroom, or an indulgent bolthole. Each structure is handmade to order. It’s pre- treated and painted one to two, unique Country Living heritage colours, before being installed by Homebase trusted suppliers. Stephen Pitcher, trading director for garden
and seasonal, Homebase, said: “We’re excited to launch our new range of outdoor structures with our partner, Hearst UK, at a time when we know our customers are looking for creative ways to add extra space to their homes and gardens. Together we’ve created a fantastic collection that’s on-trend, is of the highest
slightly different in style to our normal face-to- face meetings and may cover different topics, given the times we’re currently living in, but most importantly, they offer members the chance to air their views and discuss them with peers in the industry. Just some of the topics on the agenda to discuss include current trading, plans for 2021, issues surrounding import challenges, Brexit and Phytosanitary legislation and environmental matters, including the peat debate. “Many GCA members have said that the meetings are one of the biggest benefits of membership. They are a fantastic motivational and management tool and really keep staff on their toes, making sure they are always doing their absolute best.”
Evergreen Garden Care signs new partnership with David Domoney
After a hugely successful first year, leading garden care brand Evergreen Garden Care (
www.lovethegarden.com), has announced that it will continue working with Chartered Horticulturalist and TV Gardener, David Domoney. One of the key calendar events this year will be the Chelsea Flower Show, where Evergreen
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Garden Care’s leading brand Miracle-Gro will sponsor David’s major exhibit, entitled ‘My Houseplant Changed My Life’, inspired from his new Book published by DK. With the recent news of Chelsea Flower Show being rescheduled from May to 25 September 2021, Miracle-Gro and David Domoney are pleased to confirm their continued support of the RHS event. David Domoney commented: “I am delighted to be working with Evergreen Garden Care again during 2021 as brand ambassador to help grow more enjoyment for gardeners. Working together to create ‘My Houseplant Changed My Life’ for Chelsea Flower Show is a very momentous development in our partnership. Under the current circumstances, the management team at the RHS have made the right decision by moving the date to a hopefully safer situation.”
quality and delivers brilliant value for money for our customers.”
Garden centre boss calls for united
approach to Covid A garden centre boss is urging the industry to stick to the latest set of government guidelines or face being stripped of their essential status. Chris Bonnett who runs Bonnetts Garden Village in Brentwood has voluntarily taken the decision to shut his doors to keep staff and customers safe as the new strain of Covid-19 takes hold. He believes garden centres should only open if they’re selling essentials like pet food and fuel and if they’re not, they should be forced to shut. Bonnett says now is a good time for the
industry to go into winter hibernation ready to reopen to the public safely when restrictions are eased. And while his garden centre is closed, he’s offering it to the Government for use as a vaccination hub or a drive-in testing centre. The gardening sector was hit hard last year when the first lockdown was announced with outlets being forced to shut their doors to the public. During the November lockdown, garden centres were given essential status which has been retained this time round. Bonnett, who also runs
GardeningExpress.co.uk, said: “I’m urging garden centres who are choosing to remain open not to be short-sighted and lose the essential status they’ve been fortunate enough to receive.
“We took the decision to close our garden centre before the new lockdown was announced to help in the battle to prevent spread, save lives and to keep our staff and customers safe. It was a heart-breaking decision but given the current situation the country finds itself in, it was the right one.”
GCU February/March 2021
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