The Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual conference at the end of last month was one of the biggest in the association's 49-year history.
It saw a 15% increase in attendees this year, and among them a greater number of garden centres: more than 90 centres were represented.

Said GCA chief executive Iain Wylie: "It was a thoroughly brilliant event on all levels, with lots of excellent speakers giving salient business advice for the coming year, plenty to celebrate as an industry with the various awards given out and a wonderful opportunity to network with other garden centres and suppliers."

During the event several new full members were welcomed to the association: Pacific Nurseries, Thetford Garden Centre and Thirsk Garden Centres. Millbrook Staplehurst and Creative Gardens Galgorm Castle became new subsidiary members.

New associate members were Ellis Whittam, Ovation, Kärcher, Paroh, Pacific Lifestyle, GJ Handy and Hug Rugs.

Read a full report on the conference in DIY Week's March 6 issue