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UK retail sales rebounded by 1.9% in January after pandemic restrictions eased, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the jump came after a 4% fall in December. Source: Garden1

The NFU has called for growers to respond to the consultation Ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England and Wales, launched by Defra and the Welsh government, proposes to end the use of peat in 2024 for retail, and for 2028 for commercial growers. Source: Garden1

A horticulture therapy centre in Powick. Worcestershire, which provides services to its local community, is now planning for the future after signing a new five-year lease. Source: Garden1

Storms and tough comparisons could mean a “hiccup” into the upward trend of garden centre sales so far in 2022. Source: Garden1

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement retailer, is announcing several senior management changes. Source: Garden1

Mourners at Peter Seabrook’s funeral on 24 February are invited to pay tribute by wearing a floral tie or to pick a flower and wear it in their button hole. Source: Garden1

A new outdoor storage and garden furniture brand has launched, selling British made, metal sheds and storage solutions. Source: Garden1

On 15 February 2022, The Old Railway Line Garden Centre were awarded ‘Garden Centre of the Year 2021’ at the national Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards. Source: Garden1

Cherry Lane, announcing it has acquired its 16th garden centre. Source: Garden1

Garden Centre Association awards have been announced with destination larger centres and non-destination smaller centre prizes given out in an online ceremony. Source: Garden1

January saw the lowest rate of online retail growth ever documented in 22 years of tracking, according to the IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, which tracks the online sales performance for over 200 retailers. Source: Garden1

BGC has bought a Horticulture Week-award winning garden centre. Source: Garden1

Bents Garden & Home is adding kitchenware and home brand Lakeland to its concessions, as the garden centre celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. Source: Garden1

Notcutts has launched a year of celebrations to mark its 125th anniversary with an event at the new-look Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre in Suffolk. Source: Garden1

In recognition for all the fundraising it achieves on behalf of a children’s charity, a West Sussex garden centre has been presented with a life-saving defibrillator. Source: Garden1

Horticultural lecturer and advisor Howard Drury has agreed with the late Peter Seabrook’s daughter Alison Moore Seabrook that he should put together a talk based on Seabrook’s huge commitment to horticulture in all its different aspects. Source: Garden1

Supermarket daffodil prices remain the same as they have been for years, despite increases in labour costs and a Government recommendation. Source: Garden1

NatWest is launching green loans, and through Lombard, green asset finance propositions for qualifying SMEs, with no arrangement fee, to fund sustainability projects. Source: Garden1

As part of efforts to end peat use in horticulture, two new schemes are being launched this February. Source: Garden1

The Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media has been developed by the Growing Media Association under the HTA and in collaboration with leading retailers, Defra and NGO’s. Source: Garden1