Economy
Bank of England cuts interests rates to 4% amid rising unemployment
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 4%, the lowest level in more than two years.
Awards
Cultivating excellence: Record Entries for 2025 HTA Grower of the Year Awards
The HTA has received the highest number of entries for this year’s Grower of the Year Awards, which recognise excellence in UK nursery production.
Economy
UK retail footfall stumbles again
Data from the British Retail consortium showed disappointing shopping footfall across the UK, decreasing by 0.4% in July (YoY), up from -1.8% in June.
Education
A year to grow: The Adam Greathead Horticultural Award
The application process for the 2025 programme, which offers a unique opportunity for aspiring horticulturists to work with John Massey and Fergus Garrett for a year, is now open.
Gardens
Sold down the plot: Allotments at risk?
Last weekend’s news reported a concerning story that the Deputy Prime Minister granted councils the authority to sell allotments to finance spending.
Charity
Bumblebee charity issues urgent plea for support
Amidst an unprecedented crisis for bumblebees, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust faces substantial financial constraints, impeding the provision of essential support for the pollinators.
Media
Google’s new AI Mode: No links, no credit
Google’s search engine overhaul and AI overviews will fundamentally change how users interact on searches, posing a major threat to (content rich) websites reliant on organic search traffic.
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.
