NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF


 Energetic members of the Elho UK team are putting on their running shoes to raise money for Garden Re-Leaf Day. On March 17, 2017 UK sales manager David Nicholson will be joined by team-members Craig, Louise, Bobby and Adam to complete a 20-mile circuit for the fundraising event, which raises money for industry charity Greenfingers.  Over 500 industry buyers attended the 2017 Europlants UK Ltd Open Days. Even storm Doris couldn’t keep customers away from the two-day industry event hosted by Renato Canale and his dedicated team. Customers were able to view the nursery packed full of stunning displays, including Vanucci’s new eye-catching shaved Chamerops Excelsa plants.  In just under a month, a new pound coin will be introduced into circulation and the 30-year-old current coin will begin to be phased out. Retailers are being encouraged to ensure their coin-operated machines are fully up to date and prepared for the new coin, which will have 12 sides. The new coin will be introduced on March 28 and for a period of six months both coins will be acceptable in shops.  As part of an ongoing expansion of its local network across the UK, Actavo Hire & Sales Solutions is extending its Gateshead, Dundee, Manchester and Glasgow branches. Alongside Actavo’s other depots in Edinburgh and the Teesside, the expanded branches will offer a wide range of specialised scaffolding, light access, temporary roofing and fencing, building equipment and fall prevention load deck safety systems.  Retailers are being invited to two nurseries in Hereford this March to attend their PlantFest. Wyevale Nurseries and Allensmore Nurseries will hold the joint open day on Wednesday, March 8 from 9.30am until 5pm. Wyevale Nurseries sales and marketing director Adam Dunnett said: “We’re holding the open day event again in collaboration with our neighbours Allensmore Nurseries and customers are encouraged to come and visit both sites.”


2 DIY WEEK 10 MARCH 2017


Dobbies targetted by thieves in £3,000 raid


Water features, ornaments and an ornate five-foot bronze stag have been stolen from Dobbies in Mancetter, near Atherstone. Thieves made off with the stag statue – itself worth £700 alone – along with a collection of Alice in Wonderland ornaments between 6pm on Wednesday, February 22 and 7am the next day. The stock was worth around £3,000 in total and was part of a striking outdoor display at the garden centre. Dobbies is now offering a hamper to anyone who comes forward with any information that might lead to an arrest


and conviction. Police are also appealing for any witnesses, pointing out that the offenders would have needed a large vehicle to transport the items. Dobbies horticultural manager


Richard Bull said, “It is incredibly sad that our bronze stag along with various other items have been stolen from our store. “We are really keen to retrieve these garden ornaments, especially the stag as it was such a prominent feature in our outdoor display area. “Therefore we are offering a hamper full of goodies to anyone who has any leads which lead to an arrest.”


The stag was part of a iconic display at Dobbies and staff were “saddened” by its theft


Dragon’s Den gives boost to another DIY product


Sales of home security device Patlock have boomed since its appearance on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den last month, with a year-on-year increase of over 200%.


Craig Knott, the founder of the gadget that helps lock French doors, was seen being grilled by the Dragons for the television programme on February 5. Despite leaving the den without the investment he’d asked for, Mr Knott says that he’s seen sales of Patlock go through the roof as a result of his TV appearance.


“Sales of Patlock have


more than trebled this month compared to February last year,” he explained. “Getting the chance to beam the


product directly into people’s front rooms was a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity and it’s had an enormously-positive impact on the business. To see such a boost in sales directly after the show was amazing and demonstrated so clearly the customer demand for our product.”


Patlock is the latest DIY


product success story after appearing on the BBC Two show, following the likes of The Truncator and the Wheelbarrow Booster, who failed to take home funding from the Dragons but saw a huge spike in sales following their television debut. Grip It, another DIY product, whose teenaged creator managed to get the dragons on


Craig Knott appearing on Dragon’s Den in February


board, saw sales rocket after the show. Meanwhile, Chocbox founder Peter Moule secured his first £1m just three months after his appearance in 2008 without spending a penny of the £150,000 investment he secured on the show.


Whitehall GC Group acquires Wiltshire independent


Family-run Woodborough Garden Centre in Wiltshire was advised on the sale of its business to Whitehall by property consultantcy firm Gilbert Evans.


The acquisition of


Woodborough, which is located on an 18-acre site, brings Whitehall Garden Centre Group’s portfolio to three garden centres. The group, owned and run by the Self family, already operates centres in Lacock, Chippenham and Whitchurch, Bristol. Gilbert Evans advised


Woodborough’s Chris and Claire Rourke on the sale of their garden centre, which is well-established in the local


area. Partner Mike Gilbert said of the deal: “Demand remains as strong as ever across the country, which demonstrates the sector’s resilience against the backdrop of economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit negotiations.”


The latest published accounts for The Whitehall Group reported a turnover of £12.2m in 2015, with a pre- tax profit of £1m. The Group reportedly received £800,000 of funding from Barclays to help with the acquisition. Whitehall managing director Peter Self commented: “We’ve been looking for a third centre for a while, we believe that


Whitehall’s Peter Self


Woodborough is the perfect addition to Whitehall Garden Centres due to its location and homely feel. We are looking forward to the development and future of Whitehall Woodborough.”


Colin Squire (chairman), Mayor Alan Alderson, Matt Tanner (centre manager), Martin Breddy (md) & Sarah Squire (deputy chair) cel- ebrated the opening of the £1.5m new centre


www.diyweek.net


New Squire’s in Chertsey opens for business


Squire’s chairman, deputy chairman and the Mayor of Runnymede councillor Alan Alderson officially opened the new Squire’s Garden Centre in Chertsey on Wednesday, March 1. A plaque was unveiled on a 300-year old olive tree, which had been planted by chairman Colin Squire to commemorate the opening of the new centre. An olive tree was chosen as it’s a tree of great vigour, very hardy and easy to grow, and it is a symbol of abundance, glory and peace.


Invited guests had a tour of


the garden centre, which has a new outdoor plant area and a stylish shop with a great range of gifts. Customers enjoyed live music in the new Café Bar, which is housed in a restored 200-year old octagonal lodge building.


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