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Garden writer Peter Seabrook makes an impassioned plea for the Government to reopen garden centres on May 8. Source: Garden1

Paris is former operations and buying director for Garden & Leisure, which was was sold to Wyevale Garden Centres in 2013 when Paris became HTA chief executive. Source: Garden1

Cabinet minister Michael Gove acknowledged in Parliament that coronavirus spreads more easily inside than outside – a key factor as the Government considers easing lockdown. Source: Garden1

Former Howard Nurseries open ground manager and Cherry Lane Garden Centre manager Paul Howling has died. Source: Garden1

Sales at Wickes parent company Travis Perkins were down to one-third of the same period last year during the first three weeks of April. Source: Garden1

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis has questioned Defra secretary George Eustice on the nature of Government discussions regarding garden centres and private gardens. Source: Garden1

There has been a massive increase in online shopping during the coronavirus pandemic, with garden retail showing one of the biggest shifts to online. Source: Garden1

After working for the HTA for 12 years, communications manager Gill Ormrod will be stepping down from the organisation on 30 April. Source: Garden1

On 27 April, 50 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) sent a joint letter to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski calling for EU support to the flowers and live plants sector, which has been dramatically hit by the exceptional crisis derived from COVID-19. Source: Garden1

HortAid-20 Gardening Competition, supported by Suttons and panel of well-known judges, will kick start Perennial’s emergency Covid-19 appeal. Source: Garden1

In an open letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, recently bereaved Peter Seabrook makes a plea for garden centres to be re-opened. Source: Garden1

GCA chairman Mike Burks says there is “considerable anger” that garden centres cannot open but he is hopeful lobbying will persuade the Government to change its mind. Source: Garden1

Affinity Water has launched a short audio podcast on social media to support its collaborative campaign for the improved water efficiency labelling of plants. Source: Garden1

Some 215 stores are now open, and B&Q plans to open the remaining stores across the UK by early May. Source: Garden1

The Gardens Group has been seeking out opportunities during the coronavirus crisis “to bring the positive power of plants to flower beds, vegetable plots and window sills in need”. Source: Garden1

Don has retweeted a tweet by a small family-run peat-free grower of herbs, which has seen online sales rocket since the coronavirus lockdown. Source: Garden1

Dobbies Garden Centres, which has 68 centres, but has been shut since March, is supporting RHS National Gardening Week (27 April-3 May) with a new podcast. Source: Garden1

The new arm of the Ivyline business, Cleaner Retail, is now offering sanitisation and hand washing stations, social distance signage and clothing, PPE equipment and screening. Source: Garden1

BBC Three Counties Radio has heard garden centres spokesmen call for garden centre re-opening as B&Q, Homebase and supermarkets increase gardening sales. Source: Garden1

BBC Three Counties Radio has heard garden centres spokesmen call for garden centre re-opening as B&Q, Homebase and supermarkets increase gardening sales. Source: Garden1