Business
Dobbies reports £130m loss
UK’s largest garden centre operator reported pre-tax losses of £130.8m, a significant decline from the £21.3m loss reported the year before.
Regulation
Low-level offenders to plant trees to ease pressure on prisons
Offenders convicted of crimes such as drink driving and shoplifting are planting trees instead of serving short sentences in prison.
Media
New vice-chair Garden Media Guild
Kimberley Hornby has been appointed as vice-chair of the Garden Media Guild (GMG).
Design
Physical model magic endures
Technological advances of (3D) computer modelling has resulted in decline in demand for physical architectural models, but for one modeller the landscape design industry is offering new opportunities.
Business
Shadow Minister seeks clarity on Kew herbarium relocation plans
By means of a letter to the Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, the Government Secretary for the Environment questions are asked about the Kew Herbarium move to Reading.
Local Heroes
Over £30,000 raised for Greenfingers
The funds were raised at the Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner, hosted by Patron’s Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton in aid of the children’s hospice garden charity.
Business
How big is Christmas for garden centres?
British Garden Centres’ provide an insight into the commercial power of the festive season for garden centres across the country.
Business
Durham plant nursery on the market
New Row Farm plant nursery, with three-bedroom house, outbuildings and retail space is on the market for a guide price of £975,000.
Media
The Plant Review’s new artist-in-residence
Botanical artist Caroline Jane Buckley has won the coveted prize of a year-long commission to work for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Plant Review.
Charity
Plant Heritage appointed new Vice Presidents
The charity has appointed four new Vice Presidents to ensure their aim of conserving the diversity of garden plants for future generations is achieved.
Awards
BALI 2023 Award Winners
The National Landscape Awards provides the industry with a platform to showcase and celebrate their business achievements both within and outside of the industry.
Business
Feverfew Garden wins Scottish EDGE award
Orkney-based garden wear business wins Young Edge award in Scotland’s funding competition aimed at identifying and supporting entrepreneurial talent.
Awards
London Tree and Woodland Awards
Celebrating the work of individuals, communities and professionals to protect, improve and expand London’s tree and woodland cover.
Health
Urban Green Spaces: Parliamentary evidence
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into urban green spaces.
Tourism
The Newt: winner International Garden Tourism Awards & Britain’s best boutique hotel
The Somerset based country estate hotel wins 2023 International Garden Tourism Awards and claims top spot in the Top 50 UK Boutique Hotels list.
Business
Plants in Parliament
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) presented at Parliament this week to relay the importance of UK environmental horticulture.
Regulation
Biodiversity Net Gain framework updated
New draft legislation published with rules and guidance setting out the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) conditions imposed on planning.
Worth a listen
Talking Gardens: Tamsin Westhorpe
Gardener and garden writer Tamsin Westhorpe talks to Stephanie Mahon on the Gardens Illustrated podcast series, Talking Gardens.
Charity
Record National Garden Scheme donation to nursing and health charities
A mammoth £3,403,960 has been generated by the scheme through the incredible achievement of garden owners and volunteers hosting open days at 3,389 gardens in 2023.
Books
Mark Diacono’s favourite 25 cookbooks
Award-winning food writer and gardener Mark Diacono selects his best 25 cookbooks of 2023 for Delicious Magazine.
