FEATURE: MADE IN BRITAIN DOFF PORTLAND
CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF HELPING BRITAIN GROW
Garden care manufacturer marks milestone anniversary after eight decades of supporting British gardeners and retail partners.
unit in 1952 before relocating to the Midland
D
off, the Nottingham- based brand, is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of
providing practical garden care products to generations of British gardeners.
Founded in 1946 by Stanley Whyatt, the business began as Portland (Distributors) Limited, selling bulb bowls at a local market during a period when gardening and food growing played an important role in post-war Britain. The company expanded steadily, moving into its first production
“We are incredibly proud of the role Doff has played in helping generations of gardeners care for and enjoy their outdoor spaces.”
As Britain embarks on one of its biggest periods of housebuilding in a generation, a new national campaign is calling for the gardens around those homes to be given far greater attention. The New Build Manifesto (https://newbuildmanifesto.
co.uk/), founded by award-winning garden writer and designer Andrew Jackson, launches on 24 September with a mission to raise the standard of new-build gardens across Britain. With more than a million new
gardens potentially being created during this Parliament, the
www.diyweek.net
Railway Goods Shed in Nottingham. It was there that Doff developed its first slug pellet, helping establish a product category that remains central to the business today. Over the following decades, Doff
grew alongside the changing face of British garden retail. As home gardening became increasingly popular and garden centres transformed the way consumers shopped for garden products, the company continued to develop its range while investing in manufacturing capability and retail support. Today, Doff Portland is part of the Pelsis Group and Doff products are available through national retailers, independent garden centres and online channels across the UK. Richard Reihl, Commercial
Director for Doff, says: “Reaching 80 years is a milestone that very few businesses achieve. We are incredibly proud of the role Doff has played in helping generations of gardeners care for and enjoy their outdoor spaces.
“While the gardening market has evolved significantly since 1946, our focus remains the same: providing practical, reliable products that offer gardeners real value and confidence. We are also grateful for the support of our retail partners, many of whom have worked with us for many years and have been an important part of our journey.”
Pelsis continued its 80th anniversary celebrations at Glee in September, where the team showcased the latest additions to its product portfolio, alongside some of its most trusted brands. Visitors to the stand were able to discover new product developments while exploring the company’s 80-year heritage of innovation in pest control and garden care.
About Pelsis
Founded in 1984, Pelsis UK Ltd provides innovative and effective solutions in pest management across the UK. Serving a wide range of clients, including commercial businesses, public sector organisations and homeowners, Pelsis UK is committed to
delivering high-quality, reliable products and services that meet the needs of diverse markets. As part of its offering, Pelsis UK ensures the highest standards through its accredited programmes and rigorous quality control
processes, guaranteeing that clients receive both effective and safe solutions.
Pelsis UK’s mission is to educate, support and inspire its network of partners, stakeholders and end- users, helping them benefit from its innovative products and services. Its solutions combine efficiency, reliability and compliance, providing measurable results while maintaining high environmental and safety standards.
• For more information, visit
www.pelsis.com/uk or contact the Nottingham sales office by email:
nottingham.sales@pelsis. com or call 0115 983 4300.
CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR A NEW STANDARD FOR BRITAIN’S NEW-BUILD HOMES
campaign argues that Britain has a once-in-a-generation opportunity: not simply to build new homes, but to create an entirely new generation of gardens. Yet many buyers currently receive outdoor spaces that are little more than a starting point – compacted or poor-quality soil, thin turf, close- board fencing, limited planting and little provision for wildlife, shade or increasingly extreme weather. For homeowners, the result can be years of work and considerable additional expense before the space outside their new home becomes the garden they expected it to be.
The New Build Manifesto wants that to change.
Its central argument is simple: a
garden should not be treated as the space left over once a new home has been built. It should be regarded as part of its essential infrastructure. “We are building new homes at a huge scale, but we urgently need to ask what we are building around them too,” says Andrew Jackson, founder of The New Build Manifesto. “We have the opportunity to
create more than a million new gardens in just a few years. Imagine the impact if those gardens began life with decent soil, better planting,
space for nature and the ability to cope with heavier rainfall and hotter summers. “A new garden shouldn’t be an expensive problem handed to the homeowner with the keys. Done properly, it can be an asset from day one – for the people who live there, for wildlife and for the neighbourhood around it.” From 24 September 2026, homeowners, organisations and industry professionals will be invited to take the New Build Manifesto pledge and support the campaign for a better standard of garden alongside every new home.
SEPTEMBER 2026 DIY WEEK 23
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