People
British Garden Centres appoints Amy Stubbs, as Managing Director
British Garden Centres announced the appointment of eldest daughter, Amy Stubbs, as Managing Director alongside her father, Charles Stubbs and uncle, Robert.
People
Population of England and Wales increased to 61.8mn, says ONS
Latest ONS dat indicated that the population of England and Wales continued to grow in the year to mid-2024, reaching 61,806,682 people.
Regulation
Gardener arrested for ‘knife’ possession
Armed police arrested a gardener returning from his Manchester allotment on account of his gardening tools, which were mistaken for weapons.
Charity
HRH The Princess Royal opened Horatio’s Garden Sheffield & East
Designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, the charity’s eight garden at the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield has opened.
Media
Uncovering nature’s silent giants: The Secret Life of Trees
Broadcasting this Friday, 25th July at 9pm on Channel 5, the new series follows the incredible lives of trees – from tiny seeds, to magnificent giants and into old age.
Business
Shoplifting soars in England and Wales
Official figures indicate that shoplifting hits record high in England and Wales since current records began more than two decades ago.
Business
Entries invited for the 2025 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund
Now open for entries, the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is designed to support the next generation of garden industry innovators.
Regulation
Employment Rights Bill: House of Lords amendments
The Employment Rights Bill has reached its conclusion in the House of Lords, with a series of amendments having been mutually agreed upon.
Awards
Still cutting it at 60: UK’s oldest Flymo lands in Lawnmower Museum
Crowned UK’s oldest Flymo, a sixty year old lawnmower goes on display at the Lawnmower Museum in Southport, Merseyside.
Natural Capital
Proposed BNG exemptions undermine nature recovery and biodiversity market
Research reveals the scale of current claimed exemptions, raising concerns for the intended nature recovery and viability of the biodiversity unit market if BNG requirements are removed for small sites.
Charity
Greenfingers Charity Floral Ball raises £60,000
A funding milestone for the charity, which will help propel Greenfingers into its next 25 years of creating magical, therapeutic gardens for children’s hospices.
Business
The second-hand market is booming: Threat or opportunity for garden brands & retail?
Latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) Opinium survey data shows that more people than ever are turning to second-hand products.
Business
Public rallies in support of Woottens of Wenhaston
The crowdfunder campaign organised to safeguard future of the specialist pelargonium, auricula, and iris nursery reached its target in just over 24 hours.
Gardens
Double win for RNIB Legacy Garden at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse
Designed by Paul Hervey-Brookes, the garden, which explores the experience of living with sight loss, wins top awards at the RHS’s inaugural flower show in Yorkshire.
Business
Sales cool for garden centres as water issues heat up
The Horticultural Trades Association Market Update for June trading reveals a cooling in sales momentum as the UK entered one of the hottest Junes on record.
Regulation
British growers and traders support of UK-EU Plant Deal
EU Relations Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds met New Covent Garden Market traders in London to talk about the import and export issues faced since 2020.
Gardens
Record Green Flag Awards for UK parks & green spaces
In recognition of achieving the international quality standard for parks and green spaces, 2,250 parks and green spaces across the UK gained a Green Flag Award in 2025.
Business
Lack of water threatens survival of Woottens of Wenhaston
Facing severe water scarcity, the specialist pelargonium, auricula, and iris nursery is urgently requesting assistance from supporters and the wider community.
Business
sarahraven.com acquired by founder, Sarah Raven
The gardening and lifestyle retail brand has been acquired by its original founder and creative director, Sarah Raven.
Business
Thames Water brings in hosepipe ban
The water firm has announced the introduction of a hosepipe ban across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire.
