Industry Comment: Contents GARDEN CENTRE UPDATE


Inside this issue: • GCA Comment • HTA News • Garden Power • Landscaping


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GCA Comment News


HTA News


Garden Press Event 2026 Report


Garden Power Garden Power


10 Landscaping


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Industry Comment: GCA


GCA relaunches Rising Star Academy for hospitality staff


Following the on-going success of the Garden Centre Association’s innovative Westland Horticulture-sponsored Rising Stars initiative, it has this year relaunched its hospitality section.


C


oordinated by Costas Constantinou of Kosko, it has been created to


highlight and develop talented individuals in garden centre restaurants and cafés and to recognise the important industry role hospitality plays. Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “After


a few years away, we’re delighted to reintroduce this bespoke training programme, brought together by Costas. It includes activities with companies that are true market leaders with specialist training teams who will deliver something genuinely unique for


GCU Spring 2026


our Rising Stars, supporting their development and future careers within our sector. We would like to thank our sponsors Brakes, Gratte Brothers and Beanworks for helping make this happen by getting behind the Academy.


“Our existing Rising Stars programme, sponsored


by Westland Horticulture, has gone from strength- to-strength and remains a significant benefit to GCA members wishing to develop their staff. It is also an important tool for garden centres wishing to celebrate and acknowledge those staff that give their all and are eager to learn more. The benefits


to the individuals taking part are huge and the programme is a big boost to career progression. “For most garden centres, certainly in recent


years, the percentage of hospitality staff is at an all-time high. We felt that it was right to develop a Rising Stars section that ‘caters’ specifically for their needs. So, we have re-launched a separate hospitality programme with the aim of developing individuals within our industry. “We’re grateful to Costas, who has more than


40 years of hospitality leadership, for sharing our vision and acknowledging the need to develop the talented individuals within our sector.” Costas Constantinou added: “We are committed


to ensuring every attendee receives thorough, ground up training, with no assumptions about existing knowledge or skill levels. “We’re now inviting applications from member


garden centres who would like to put candidates forward. Application forms are available to GCA member garden centres through the members’ section of the GCA website. The closing date for applications is 28 February 28 2026.” The GCA represents more than 200 garden


centres nationwide.Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability. For further information, visit www.gca.org.uk


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SPRING 2026


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