industry news Garden Re-Leaf 2018
registration now open Following a fantastic Garden Re-Leaf Day this year, Greenfingers Charity has announced 2018’s event will take place on Friday March 16 and with some new exciting events planned for next year promises to be even bigger than this year. More details of new events will be revealed in the coming weeks... The Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk will take place once again and is now open for entries. Starting and finishing at Wyevale’s World's End Garden Centre, Buckinghamshire, there will once again be two routes available this year; a gentle 10 mile walk or a more challenging 20 mile route through the Chilterns.
The popular Plantathon will return with Greenfingers Charity calling for garden retailers across the country to pot up as many plants as possible within a 12 hour time frame. Sponsored to plant from dawn to dusk, many garden centre teams have had brilliant fun with this challenge, going on to upsell their pots with a donation from each going to the charity.
If walking or hosting a Plantathon aren’t for you, there are loads of other ways you can get involved. From holding a quiz night, virtual in- store challenge or making a donation from every cuppa sold in the café. However you choose to support Garden Re-Leaf Day, it really is a great fun way to increase footfall and at the same time engage with customers, motivate your team and raise your profile both locally and in the garden industry press - what better way to start the gardening season! Greenfingers head of fundraising and communications Linda Petrons said: “In 2017, a staggering £100,000 was raised, and with your support, we are hoping 2018 will be even bigger. Whether you are a retailer, supplier or lover of all things gardening we encourage you to get involved with our Garden Re-Leaf Day events or organise your own event or promotions to raise vital funds to help make a difference to children and families who spend time in hospices.”
Two record breaking gold medal winners join forces
again at Chelsea 2018 The most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is once again teaming up with the most decorated garden designer in the show’s history, hoping to win a 73rd consecutive gold medal. Hillier is now officially confirmed as an exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2018. The company will once again enlist the expertise of garden designer Sarah Eberle, who has designed the Chelsea garden for Hillier since 2016.
Sarah has won 15 RHS gold medals, 9 of which were awarded at Chelsea, and is the most decorated designer in Chelsea history, having won gold in more categories than any other designer. She will be hoping to further that total with her 2018 Hillier design and help Hillier maintain its position as the record holder for consecutive gold medals at Chelsea, with a remarkable 72nd won at the 2017 show.
You can sign up to take part in Garden Re-Leaf day by visiting the Greenfingers Charity website,
www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf.
Hillier head of property George Hillier commented: “Our Chelsea plans are well underway and the designs for the garden are flourishing. Sarah is working closely with our nursery team to ensure the very best plants are grown and selected, and we can’t wait to see the garden come to life in May. It may seem a while away yet but showtime will soon be upon us!”
Growing garden centre business appoints finance director
A Bradford garden centre has strengthened its senior management team with a board level appointment. Charlie Barker (pictured left) is joining the team at Tong Garden Centre in the newly created position of finance director. He joins the Tong Lane business from Cranswick plc and brings a wealth of corporate finance experience. Tong managing director Mark Farnsworth (pictured right) commented: “We are delighted that Charlie is joining the team. We have known each other for a long time and are very confident that he will be a great fit for our team and business. We have had a very busy two
20 |
www.gardencentreupdate.com
and a half years as we have set about re- establishing Tong as one of the best garden centres in the area and are delighted with the progress that we and the team have made. Now is the time to further strengthen our team as we look to the future.
“In addition to our ambitions at Tong, we have always stated that we intend to expand and grow our business and the addition of Charlie to the team gives us even greater strength as we try to turn those ambitions into reality. His wealth of experience in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions will be invaluable to us as we move forward.”
Charlie added: “This is a great industry to be involved in and I am delighted to be joining the team who have achieved so much in such a short time. This is an ambitious business and I look forward to helping them to deliver the plans.”
GCU November/December 2017
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24
