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Webbs Garden Centres, Bransford Webbs Plant Company and Plant Love UK donate plants to NHS
On 24 April, three Worcestershire businesses have joined forces to pay their gratitude to the hardworking staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital by donating free plants to brighten their homes and gardens. Source: Garden1
Homebase to open 20 DIY/garden centre stores during coronavirus crisis UPDATED with Homebase/B&Q open store lists
As reported in Horticulture Week on 23 April, Homebase has decided to follow B&Q and open stores again. Source: Garden1
Guidance to support reopening of garden centres and other non-essential shops during coronavirus crisis issued
The British Retail Consortium has worked with trade union Usdaw to produce guidance on social distancing for non-food retail stores Source: Garden1
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh plea for parks and garden centres during coronavirus as he sheds a tear at Kirton Farm's plant giveaway scheme
Saga’s #NotGoingOutClub podcast gardener and chat show host Alan Titchmarsh has spoken about his passion to keep parks open and to re-open garden centres. Source: Garden1
TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh plea for parks and garden centres during coronavirus as he sheds a tear at Kirton Farm's plant giveaway scheme-UPDATED
Saga’s #NotGoingOutClub podcast gardener and chat show host Alan Titchmarsh has spoken about his passion to keep parks open and to re-open garden centres. Source: Garden1
Health secretary Matt Hancock backs B&Q re-opening 155 stores during coronavirus crisis
This week, following a trial at 14 stores, B&Q has opened more than half of its stores. Source: Garden1
Young plant grower sees orders improve during coronavirus crisis
Online retailers are helping one young plant grower increase sales. Source: Garden1
International surveys show UK in small minority banning garden centre opening during coronavirus crisis
AIPH – International Association of Horticultural Producers – has surveyed to see if garden centres internationally were open. Source: Garden1
Google garden centre delivery searches rise 2,000% as Office for National Statistics reports sharp fall in March retail sales retail as coronavirus hits
In March 2020, the monthly retail sales volume fell sharply by 5.1%, the largest fall since the ONS series began. Source: Garden1
Co-op needs bedding as supermarkets increase plants offer
Co-op is selling as much as it can at present and would like to find some more British grown bedding plants to add to their existing supplier’s output. Source: Garden1
B&Q has 155 DIY/garden centres open with Homebase believed set to open stores too during coronavirus crisis
B&Q has been testing the water with openings in the last week and is now at more than half capacity. Source: Garden1
Garden Centre Association frustration at lost sales as supermarkets and B&Q sell garden products during coronavirus crisis
The GCA is hoping to see early signs that garden centres can re-open after missing half the key season. Source: Garden1
Leading MP backs garden centres coronavirus crisis re-opening in BBC interview
BBC Radio 4’s Today programme has heard Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Treasurer of the 1922 Committee and Cotswold MP, back the case for garden centres re-opening. Source: Garden1
Challenge rateable values during coronavirus advises garden centre planners
Malcolm Scott Consultants are encouraging garden centres to take advantage of all grants and relief available to them. Source: Garden1
Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show product of the year shortlist announced after coronavirus crisis causes show cancellation
Tools, pots and a robotic mower are among the 11 finalists that have made it through to this year’s RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year shortlist. Source: Garden1
B&Q opening 61 more stories during coronavirus crisis
B&Q has announced that it is reopening a further 61 stores from April 22. Source: Garden1
B&Q opening 61 more stores during coronavirus crisis
B&Q has announced that it is reopening a further 61 stores from April 22. Source: Garden1
Initiative offers growers a route to market for unsold stock during coronavirus lockdown
PlantSavers website sells direct to customers, providing a route to market for growers to sell plants at most risk of being dumped. Source: Garden1
Newey says supermarket plant sales are helping as industry awaits garden centre re-opening
Newey hopes garden centres can re-open by mid-May and the grower supply chain can survive the season, albeit with a financial hole in it. Source: Garden1
Eustice admits coronavirus lockdown has "an impact on some" ornamental producers
Defra secretary of state George Eustice acknowledged the coronavirus lockdown and closure of garden centres has “had an impact on some specialist plant producers in the ornamental horticultural sector” but has given no hint he is considering giving the industry grants or is planning to re-open its path to market – garden centres. Source: Garden1
