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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced the winner of the prestigious RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year 2020 for the first ever Virtual Chelsea Flower Show. Source: Garden1

As the ‘virtual’ RHS Chelsea Flower Show, running on the BBC and RHS website, replaces the cancelled physical event this week, the Queen and TV gardeners Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don have talked about the importance of gardening during the coronavirus lockdown. Source: Garden1

Capel Manor College is evolving its digital strategy to “enhance the student experience and make it easier for people to apply for courses online”. Source: Garden1

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will not ease the coronavirus lockdown until 28 May at the earliest. Source: Garden1

Garden centre owners say they need to maximise returns in the next two weeks after missing almost two months of the spring because of the coronavoris lockdown. Source: Garden1

Source: Garden1

Garden centres are seeing pent-up demand for plants and compost lead a sales boom after almost two months of being closed. Source: Garden1

The UK’s biggest garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, has announced its support for the RHS Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from 18 to 23 May. Source: Garden1

Seven out of ten respondents said outside space has helped their mental health. Source: Garden1

Retailers which have been able to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic have prospered most, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Source: Garden1

Garden centre design and business consultancy Pleydell Smithyman has produced a solution for customers who do not want to go inside garden centres. Source: Garden1

Lidl has launched a brand new range of plants called Bloom Your Room aimed at helping people brighten up their homes in the coronavirus lockdown. Source: Garden1

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will outline on Monday 18 May the Government’s lockdown exit strategy, including plans for garden centres, but she has not confirmed and what reopening timeline she is working to. Source: Garden1

Speaking in the Lords, Lord Taylor, from the Taylors Bulbs family, said: “I am fortunate to live at the heart of my family business; the last eight weeks have been an opportunity to reconnect with my roots after a long spell of time spent in government and the House.” Source: Garden1

Following updated guidance from the Northern Irish Government that garden centres may open, the UK’s biggest garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, will reopen its Lisburn store on Monday 18 May. Source: Garden1

Earlier this week, the UK Government confirmed that it will step in to prop up the trade credit insurance market, bringing welcome relief to GIMA members and other suppliers within the garden retail sector. Source: Garden1

The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association’s annual garden furniture and barbecue trade show at Bimingham NEC on 7-9 July has been cancelled. Source: Garden1

Opening franchises within garden centres has been unclear after garden retailers reopened this week in England and Wales, while extending opening hours to make the most of pent-up demand may now be permissible. Source: Garden1

After garden centres reopened on 13 May, bedding plants have proved to be in short supply. Source: Garden1

Scottish centres remain closed after the rest of Britain and Ireland opened or gave dates for reopening. Source: Garden1