The countdown to Glee 2025 (16th-18th September) is well underway, and the positive news just keeps coming. Following one of the most successful gardening seasons in recent memory – with many in the industry suggesting it has even surpassed the record-breaking boom seen during the pandemic – all eyes are now on Glee as the essential hub to discover the latest innovation and connect with new and established supply partners.

Set to be one of the most vibrant editions in recent years, Glee 2025 continues to gain momentum, with the floorplan rapidly filling and every inch of halls 8 -12 being maximised to meet demand. Visitors can expect to explore over 450 brands, including an exciting 250 new and returning exhibitors, all gathered under one roof at the NEC Birmingham.

The latest additions to the Glee 2025 line-up highlight the show’s expanding scope and continued relevance. Making a welcome return after a decade, Mercia Garden Products rejoins the exhibitor roster, as does Gino Pizza Ovens, while Atom Grills makes its debut – all set to strengthen the appeal of Outdoor Entertaining, one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sectors at this year’s show.

Over in the all-new Food @ Glee area, flavour will be added by two leading coffee roasters, Ritual Coffee Roaster and CAYE Coffee Machines UK.

Elsewhere on the show floor, Fandango Fire Tools make a welcome return, while Landscape Plus andWilson strengthen the Landscape and Garden Decoration and Home, Gift and Clothing sectors respectively.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: "The energy surrounding Glee 2025 is palpable. After such a strong season for gardening and outdoor living, the industry is eager to come together to build on that momentum. We’re proud to be welcoming so many new and returning brands, and it's clear that Glee is once again the destination for the garden retail community to connect, inspire, and do business."

With such an impressive exhibitor line-up and even more developments to come, Glee 2025 is not to be missed.

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information, to register your interest in exhibiting, or to secure your free ticket to Glee 2025 please visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Online registration for Glee is live, enabling buyers and retailers to get online and book their free ticket for the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition.

To register for Glee 2025, simply visit https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visitor-registration and confirm your attendance at the show.

Following the overwhelming success of Glee 2024, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show is riding high, with industry-wide recognition of its value as the place to launch new products, forge lasting relationships, and stay ahead of the curve. 

Now, as excitement builds for the 2025 edition – taking place at the NEC from 16th-18th September – the show organisers have confirmed an unprecedented wave of fresh talent will be taking to the halls, including a host of never-before-seen brands, as well as many returning to the fold after time away.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “One of Glee’s greatest strengths has always been its ability to showcase newness. Garden retailers are increasingly looking for ways to differentiate from the high street and offer something truly unique to their customers. That starts by sourcing fresh, exciting products that give people a reason to keep coming back. Every new brand at Glee represents an opportunity to spark that journey of discovery for both the buyer and the end customer.

“It’s also fantastic to see so many well-known names returning to Glee this year. There’s been a real shift in sentiment as the industry noise around Glee’s value grows louder with each edition. For many, the fear of missing out has become too big to ignore, and our growing exhibitor base is testament to that.”

New names making their debut

A raft of new brands have already signed up for 2025, including many that have never exhibited at any trade event before. This injection of fresh ideas, innovations and creativity means buyers will have more choice and inspiration than ever before.

Among those confirmed are A Little Bird Company, Biolan Oy, Buzz Into Beekeeping, Coffee King Ltd, Donkey Works Ltd, Einhell UK, FENTO Knee Protection, Grow-Genius Ltd, Hoppy Pets Ltd, Inspirational Gifting Ltd, James C Brett, John Cotton Group Ltd, Kefi Textiles Ltd, Kirsty Todd Illustration, Long Clawson Dairy, Mediterranean Pottery, Nisa Retail, Paper High, Smoked Bishop, Sowvital, Spike Innovations Ltd, The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, The Evergreen Agency, The Happy Garden Ltd, Twisted Vanilla Ltd, Visions Innovation Co., Ltd., Welford Trading Inc, Yolo Inc 1  – to name but a few.

Welcome back!

Alongside the impressive number of newcomers, Glee 2025 will also see a raft of returning names, some for the first time in several years, a further endorsement of the event’s growing momentum and reach.

These include a wide spectrum of suppliers from garden care and machinery to outdoor leisure, gifts, seeds, and retail solutions, all eager to reconnect with the UK garden retail sector. 2025 returning brands include Andermatt, Anglo Eastern Trading, EP Barrus Ltd, Handy Distribution, Gorse Lodge Ltd, Kings Seeds, Leisure Grow, Monty Miracle, NedFox Ltd, SBM Life Science Ltd, Sincere UK Ltd, Sound Leisure Ltd, and The Helping Hand Company and Thompson and Morgan.

To find out more about all of these brands – plus many more confirmed for Glee 2025 - visit the exhibitor area at www.gleebirmingham.com

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

The Green Heart at Glee 2025 (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham) is flourishing with fresh energy and an outstanding line-up of leading plant and nursery specialists.

Returning favourites – including Darby Nurseries, Grafton, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, Pond Plants UK, New Leaf Plants, Craigmarloch Nurseries, Gardeners Kitchen and Anglo Aquatic – will once again take centre stage, joined by exciting new names such as Lovania, Golden Grove, HSK, and Farplants. Together, they’ll transform this much-loved zone into a lush, vibrant hub bursting with seasonal inspiration and horticultural excellence.

Anglo Aquatic Plants, crowned Best Stand Winner in 2024, returns this year to defend its title – a testament to the high calibre of displays that define the Green Heart and set the tone for quality plant retailing across the show.

Also returning in 2025 is the Green Heart Café, offering a relaxed, welcoming space for plant buyers and retailers to pause, connect and take stock. Nestled among a stunning array of plants and greenery, the café provides the perfect spot to rest, regroup and soak up the atmosphere of this thriving marketplace.

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

On Wednesday 17th September, 11:30am-12:00pm at The Hive Stage, Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, will sit down for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred industry conversation.

Renowned for reshaping garden centre retail and setting new benchmarks for success, Alan is ready to answer your questions head-on, from business growth and leadership to the future of the sector, and even what comes after achieving your vision.

Guiding the conversation will be Phil Wright, host of The Underground Podcast, who will be putting your questions directly to Alan in front of the live Glee audience.

This isn’t a keynote. This is your chance to shape the discussion. Whether it’s customer experience innovation, resilient business models, company culture, or Blue Diamond’s journey towards 2035 – no topic is off limits.

But to make it happen, Glee wants to hear from you.  Submit your questions now via the Glee website: An Industry Conversation with Alan Roper.  Deadline for submissions: Sunday 8th September 2025.

Westland Horticulture, home to brands such as Boost, Jack’s Magic, Resolva, Kent & Stowe, Peckish and Unwins, is set to return to Glee 2025 with an exciting portfolio of new product launches and campaigns designed to drive growth across all categories. 

With consumer engagement at its core, Westland continues to develop products that not only perform season after season, but also meet the evolving needs of today’s gardeners. From blooming borders to thriving indoor jungles, Westland is committed to helping every gardener create their own Little Corner of the Earth, and its 2026 range is no exception.

This September, Westland and its brands have a suite of new products to highlight across every category. Rooted in consumer insight and backed by rigorous testing, Westland’s latest launches deliver on quality, consistency, and efficacy…in every bag, on every pallet, and with every use.  

Show highlights include: 

• New Westland Organic Compost & Mulch: A new collection of organic compost and mulch, created in response to the rising demand for truly natural gardening solutions
• New Lawn Seed: Westland will be unveiling its most premium lawn seed yet, developed through Westland’s own breading programme, it has been designed for gardeners seeking the thickest, greenest, and weed-free lawns across all seasons
• Kent & Stowe Watering: A premium collection with a ‘patio-worthy’ design that combines style and functionality for a watering solution consumers truly want on display
• Peckish Colour Watch: The next step in the brand’s ‘Colour In Your Garden’ campaign, that captures consumer attention throughout the seasons to increase participation  
• Unwins Seed Innovations: A refreshed range of new and exciting seed varieties, aligned with growing trends in edible and ornamental gardening, alongside a brand-new houseplant seed collection to tap into this growing category.

Beyond product, Westland is also launching a new and inspiring in-store merchandising solution to support its ‘Your Little Corner of Earth’ campaign. Designed for maximum impact in a compact 360° shopping footprint, the unit delivers seasonal versatility and shopper engagement year-round. 

Visit Westland in Hall 10, Stand C51-F50, to explore the new 2026 collection and see how the company continues to shape the future of gardening.

Altico Garden Products are preparing to unveil an expanded and enhanced 2026 range at the highly anticipated Glee Birmingham exhibition. Expected to be the most ambitious product launch to date, there will be over 70 new introductions across multiple categories. Altico is setting the stage for an inspiring new season of garden retail, driven by innovation, customer insight, and standout visual merchandising.

The 2026 range will include extensive additions to decorative aggregates and an unrivalled collection of new water features that combine elegance with functionality. Alongside increased production of the best-selling Virtue range, the expanded new range will feature fresh, exciting Virtue designs, some with unexpected twists that will redefine garden water features.  

From garden-defining water features to statement pieces, the 2026 range will continue to pave the way to empower retailers to offer homeowners and landscapers the tools to turn ambition into reality.  As well as range development for key categories, garden centre buyers should also expect to see new innovative products that spark conversation!

The Altico team will also unveil a first to market initiative to help garden centres boost customer interaction, turning browsers into brand advocates. This includes the next generation POS concept, which will demonstrate how to make any garden beautiful. With dynamic, modular point of sale designs, Altico aim to captivate garden enthusiasts and simplify in-store merchandising.

See it all at Glee Birmingham 2025 - Join Altico at Stand 10F51-G50 from 16th-18th September to explore this bold new chapter first-hand. Meet the team, see new concepts, and discover how Altico’s passion for outdoor living translates into profitable, customer-focused solutions for your store.

After a hugely successful year following the launch of several standout products at Glee 2024, Meadow View Stone is back for Glee 2025, ready to showcase more innovation and new products.

Join us on stand 11E51-F50, where we’ll unveil exciting new product launches for the coming season and demonstrate how our retail displays and POS solutions can genuinely transform garden centre performance.

From our new products launched at Glee 2024, Flexi-Fix edging has seen outstanding uptake across garden centres, with 95% reordering within just 60 days of launch. Eco Sparkle has also delivered impressive results, achieving a 72% reorder rate in the same timeframe. What’s more, customers implementing our market-leading retail displays (also first introduced at Glee 2024) have reported sales uplifts of up to 60%.

At Glee 2025, you’ll discover:

• New and exclusive product launches
• Creative merchandising solutions that convert browsers into buyers
• Fully styled garden displays that bring the retail environment to life

Our expert team will be on hand to discuss how we can support your business, from bespoke display planning to practical merchandising strategies that increase footfall and boost sales.

If you’re looking to refresh your offer and achieve real commercial impact, make Meadow View Stone your first stop at Glee.

We look forward to welcoming you and showing how we can help your retail space stand out - stand 11E51-F50.

Woodmansterne is set to make a big impact at Glee, presenting its latest Gift Packaging Collection alongside its award-winning greeting cards at Hall 9, Stand D31–E30.

The stand is styled with a striking botanical design by licensed artist Sarah Gordon, creating an inviting space for visitors and welcoming them with refreshments and treats.

With every gift wrap item made entirely from paper and fully recyclable, Woodmansterne’s Gift Packaging Collection is sustainable, stylish, and stunning.

Alongside their Gift Packaging Collection, visitors will explore a carefully curated range of new products, featuring The Leaf, National Trust, Greenfingers Charity, Emma Bridgewater, Quentin Blake, and more than 20 leading UK publishers through its W-Select Category Management Programme.

Woodmansterne will also show retailers how to boost retail sales through cross-selling greeting cards and gift packaging, creating engaging in-store displays that delight shoppers.

As a prospering third-generation family business, Woodmansterne values the environment and is passionate about protecting it so that future generations can prosper too. They are committed to using sustainable materials and practices wherever possible, continually seeking new ways to reduce their environmental impact.

• Their Gift Packaging Collection is made from the highest-quality, sustainably-sourced materials and every item in the collection is made entirely from paper, making them 100% fully recyclable – a first in the UK.
• They have eliminated all plastic packaging from their product across both retail and shipment of goods to stores. 
• They pride themselves on maintaining the majority of their products through UK manufacturing and supply, working only with European and Far East suppliers who adhere to both environmental and ethical standards.

Join Woodmansterne for a coffee and a chat in Hall 9, Stand D31–E30, and discover why they’re the UK’s leading name in greeting cards and gift packaging.

Call: 01923 200600 | Email: hello@woodmansterne.co.uk | Visit: www.woodmansterne.com

On-line votes are pouring in for GTN's Greatest Garden Centre Food & Drink Team Awards, and paper votes in their thousands are being collected in garden centre restaurants and cafes too.

As of last weeked the top ten Food & Drink Teams in the on-line voting were:

1. Meadowcroft Garden Centre
2. Old Railway Line
3. Perrywood Sudbury
4. Perrywood Tiptree
5. Charlecote Garden Centre
6. Crown Garden Centre Whitley
7. Perrywood Buckhatch
8. Charlbury Garden Centre
9. Crawley Garden Centre
10. Thetford Garden Centre

Customers can vote on-line using the QR code, accessed by this link, up until midnight on 7th September when those votes will be combiuned with the in-store collected votes to find out who the winners are.  The winners will be announced during Glee on Wednesday 17th September at 5:00pm on the Feed Your Business Stage.

When your food & drink teams are collecting in-store voting forms (link to forms artwork here) please send them in in batches to:

The Greatest Food & Drink Awards

Garden Trade News

Potting Shed Press 

Dairy House, 8 Dairy Drove

Thorney

Peterborough

PE6 0TX

For in-store paper votes to be counted in the final result they need to be received at the GTN offices by Wednesday 10th September.

GTN September 2025 – Bumper Glee Preview. In this issue: Westland Glee Preview Special, GTN’s Exclusive Interview with Alan Roper, AMES are back on track for 2026, Art in bone china from Museums & Galleries, Zest have awards winning flexibility, Vitavia are the smart choice, GTN’s 34 page Glee 2025 Show preview: Glee floor plan and where to meet Team GTN, What’s on at Glee 2025, Glee Exhibitor News – Latest products and services, Floral Thursday FUNdraising at Glee, Hozelock’s Solar Select watering system, Fandango Fire Tools light up Glee, GTN Planteria – Inspiration from Ball, PATS 2025, Are you up for change? Paul Pleydell viewpoint, HTA Viewpoint – Getting out and about, GIMA Viewpoint – The perfect time to reconnect.

Your customers will be the judges of Greatness.

As customer service and customer satisfaction are the keys to the ongoing success of garden centre catering, the winners of The Greatest Food & Drink Team awards will be decided by the number and quality of customer votes your teams receive before the closing date of September 7^th 2025.

Your customers can vote online by scanning the QR code or you can get them to vote in store and then send completed voting forms to the GTN office for counting.

To get your customers voting, all you have to do is download the voting posters and voting forms artwork from the links below  display them in your restaurant or coffee shop and add voting links into your websites and social media pages.

GTN's Greatest Food & Drink Team Awards Voting Poster

GTN's Greatest Food & Drink Team Awards Voting Forms

GTN's Greatest Food & Drink Team Awards Voting QR Code

Or, access the poster, voting forms and QR code via this dropbox link

As well as overall Greatest Food & Drink Team Awards for different sizes of garden centre catering operations there will be regional awards too.  What better way to promote your Food & Drink offerings during the Autumn than with a GTN Greatest Awards win, especially as it will be thanks to your customers.

Customer voting is live now and runs until midnight on Sunday 7^th September, when the votes will be counted in readiness for the presentations at Glee.

Do you serve The Greatest Garden Centre Afternoon Tea?

One of the most eagerly sought after catering awards that GTN ran in the past was for The Greatest Afternoon Tea Team.  The judges really had a tough job going out and tasing them all!

This year, if you believe your team currently serve The Greatest Garden Centre Afternoon Tea, you have the opportunity of bringing your Afternoon Tea to Glee to be displayed on the “Feed Your Business Stage” and judged by a panel of experts who will decide an overall Afternoon Tea Team winner plus regional awards too.  The judges will also be looking for The Greatest Garden Centre Scone, and The Greatest Garden Centre Traybake within the Afternoon Teas displayed.  Both sweet and savoury Afternoon Teas can be entered.

The competition takes place at 3:00pm on Wednesday 17^th September with the entered Afternoon Teas taking pride of place on the “Feed your Business Stage”.  There will be a food prep area available for your team to compile your Afternoon Tea ready for display and judging.

To reserve your teams place in the display and be in with a chance of winning The Greatest Garden Centre Afternoon Tea Award please send an e-mail to Trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk stating why you think your team should be part of the competition. Closing date for Afternoon Tea entries is Friday 5th September 2025.

Who has The Greatest Catering Support Team?

Every good garden centre Food & Drink operation is only as good as the back of house support they get from their Wash-up teams, their Marketing Teams and increasingly their EPOS teams.

This award is for The Greatest teams that keep it all going without ever being seen by the customers.  For that reason, to enter your Catering Support Teams all you need to do is send an e-mail by Friday 5th September to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk with:

• photos of the team
• their names and roles
• plus a 200 word citation as to why they should be crowned The Greatest Garden Centre Catering Support Team at Glee on Wednesday 17^th September at 5:00pm.

We can’t wait to receive your nominations Closing date for Support Tea entries is Friday 5th September 2025.

The UK’s most anticipated garden retail trade event, Glee (16-18 September, NEC Birmingham), is set to return for its 51st edition with an exciting and flavourful new addition – Food @ Glee. This new sector is set to transform the show experience, offering garden centres and retail buyers the opportunity to explore the growing world of food and drink in garden retail.

Launching exclusively at this year’s show, Food @ Glee brings together a carefully curated selection of producers, suppliers and innovators from the world of speciality food and drink, catering solutions, and destination retail experiences. As garden centres continue to cement their position as lifestyle destinations, food is playing an increasingly important role in the customer journey. Recognising this shift, Glee’s organisers have crafted a new platform where quality, provenance and retail opportunity meet to create a must-visit zone for buyers looking to capitalise on the powerful connection between food and leisure.

The inaugural line-up for Food @ Glee showcases a high calibre of brands and expertise, including many exclusive to the 2025 event. Brakes – a Sysco Company, the UK’s leading wholesale food supplier, marks a major coup for the show. Coffee King Ltd will bring café culture solutions tailored to garden retail, while Appetite Me / Twisted Vanilla is renowned for bespoke food development in farm shops and food halls. The Full Range Ltd adds procurement expertise to help garden centre operators streamline supply chains and drive profitable catering operations. Arrange Spaces Ltd will highlight its skills in restaurant design and build, creating standout farm shops and delis, while Magrini Ltd will showcase commercial coffee and milk equipment, complemented by live barista demonstrations from 200 Degrees Coffee.

The line-up is further enriched by Beanworks Coffee Roasters, CAYE Coffee Machines UK, Co-op Wholesale, iSqueeze, Long Clawson Dairy, Ritual Coffee Roasters, Smoked Bishop, The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, Tudor Tea & Coffee, Stagecraft Display Ltd, Whitco Catering and Bakery Equipment, Nisa Retail, and Pleydell Smithyman. Together, these exhibitors promise a diverse mix of indulgent food experiences, specialist equipment, and strategic insights, reinforcing Food @ Glee as a must-visit showcase for 2025.

Workshops, demos, and the Feed Your Business Stage
Beyond exhibition stands, Food @ Glee provides practical workshops and live demonstrations of pop-up cafés and mobile food units. Sessions cover menu development, supplier selection, sustainability, and cost management, giving visitors actionable strategies to enhance their food offerings.

On the Feed Your Business Stage, expert-led talks explore menu engineering, kitchen design, food truck partnerships, farm shop development, technology-driven cooking, and coffee model evolution. Participating brands include Brakes, WhitCo, Debag, the Foodservice Equipment Association, Choice Marketing, Perrywood, Raemoir, and Warbeck Garden Centres, equipping operators with tools to maximise dwell time, margins, and customer loyalty.

Key stage sessions include:

• • Tuesday 16th Sept | 15:30–16:00 – The Psychology of Design: How Smart Choices Drive Business Success
  • Wednesday 17th Sept | 10:45–11:15 – Kitchen Revolution: Modern Cooking Tech That Reduces Energy Bills & Improves Food Quality
  • Thursday 18th Sept | 13:30–14:00 – The Perfect Rise: Baking Technology That’s a Secret Weapon

Celebrating excellence: Greatest Food & Drink Awards
In partnership with Garden Trade News, Food @ Glee will host the Greatest Food & Drink Awards, recognising the very best in garden centre food and beverage, including The Greatest Food & Drink Team, Greatest Catering Support Team, and The Greatest Garden Centre Afternoon Tea.

Exhibitor spotlights

• Magrini - visitors can experience a range of commercial coffee machines and hot and cold milk solutions, including traditional espresso machines with automatic tamping and stand-alone milk texturing units. Live demonstrations show how automation can reduce queues, increase productivity, and cut milk waste. Amanda Grove, Marketing Manager, says: “Glee is the perfect exhibition to showcase what Magrini can offer the garden centre café market.”
• The Full Range Limited - sharing a stand with Brakes, The Full Range will showcase procurement solutions designed to streamline operations and improve margins. Nicky Prentice, Managing Director, notes: “Managing a garden centre day-to-day is a huge job; we take care of your supply chain so you can focus on your customers. Our speaker sessions will provide practical insights into profitable catering operations.”
• iSqueeze - demonstrating a variety of juice, smoothie, and plant-based milk machines, iSqueeze will highlight how high-quality beverages can differentiate garden centre cafés and increase customer dwell time. Elias Ebert, Managing Director, says: “Garden centres are more than plants; refreshing, top-quality juice can drive repeat visits and boost profits.”
• WhitCo Catering & Bakery - WhitCo brings over 30 years of foodservice expertise with a fully integrated hospitality stand featuring Debag, Wilmax, Tilia, and LightFry, alongside bespoke design services. Visitors can explore air-frying technology, German-engineered bakery ovens, and stylish furnishings that optimise customer flow and profitability. CEO Vita Whitaker adds: “With the right partners and tools, operational pressures can be turned into commercial opportunity.”

Why Food @ Glee matters
Food is no longer an add-on in garden retail, it is a core ingredient in creating vibrant, multi-sensory retail environments. Whether for grab-and-go, café menus, or curated in-store food halls, Food @ Glee is the hub for discovering ideas, sparking collaborations, and shaping future success stories.

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information, to register your interest in exhibiting, or to secure your free ticket to Glee 2025 please visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Glee, in partnership with GIMA, has confirmed that a record-breaking number of exhibitors have already secured their space within the GIMA Business Village at Glee 2025 (16th-18th September, NEC Birmingham).

This dedicated showcase for GIMA members is experiencing unprecedented demand, reflecting the growing recognition of the association’s value among both established and emerging brands across the garden, home, DIY, and peripheral markets.

The GIMA Business Village has long been a central hub within Glee, providing a launchpad for innovative brands and a crucial networking space for industry professionals. One of the key factors behind its continued success is the unique opportunity it offers for businesses to exhibit with the support of GIMA, enabling them to gain exposure, build connections, and benefit from expert guidance in a highly visible and collaborative setting.

The rapid expansion of GIMA’s membership is also contributing to this momentum, as more brands recognise the value of aligning with the association. Companies within and beyond the garden industry are increasingly leveraging GIMA’s extensive network, business support services, and industry expertise to drive growth and visibility.

A standout feature of the GIMA Business Village at Glee is the hugely popular GIMA Hosted Meetings. These highly effective, pre-arranged networking sessions offer suppliers direct access to influential buyers, fostering meaningful business relationships and unlocking new sales opportunities.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, commented: “We are thrilled to see such a strong response to the GIMA Business Village at Glee 2025. The record-breaking exhibitor numbers are a testament to the strength of our partnership with GIMA and the vital role this dedicated area plays in supporting new and established businesses alike. With the continued success of the GIMA Hosted Meetings and the invaluable resources GIMA provides, the Business Village remains an essential hub for industry growth and collaboration.”

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director, added: “The fact that we are seeing such unprecedented demand for space within the GIMA Business Village is a clear indication of the value that GIMA brings to its members. Our expanding membership base and the increasing recognition of the support we offer are driving this growth. Exhibiting alongside likeminded businesses, with GIMA’s guidance and the added benefit of initiatives like the GIMA Hosted Meetings, ensures that our members gain the maximum return from their presence at Glee.”

Find out more

Glee 2025 offers garden buyers an unparalleled opportunity to explore a diverse range of products, connect with industry leaders, and gain insights into the latest trends. Mark your diaries for 16th to 18th September 2025 and be part of an event that continues to shape the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

For more information about GIMA, including how to become a member, visit www.gima.org.uk

Garden retailers who are seeking new suppliers are warmly invited to sign up to the  GIMA Hosted Meetings at Glee 2025. 

The Hosted Meetings will take place at the GIMA Lounge in the GIMA Business Village (Hall 9) for the duration of Glee, which is running from Tuesday 16^th – Thursday 18^th September at the NEC, Birmingham. The format will consist of 10-minute introductory sessions with up to 10+ suppliers in a relaxed, non-pressurised environment, designed to gauge if there is potential for you to work together. It is a fast and efficient way to jump on seasonal promotions, spot buys or simply keep an eye on what’s new and up-coming in the market.

Meetings can be arranged between visitors and any of the hundreds of companies exhibiting at Glee this year. This superb portfolio ensures that retailers will be spoilt for choice when selecting suppliers for their Hosted Meetings.

GIMA is home to more than 200 members and over 40 new exhibitors amongst the 70 that are joining the GIMA Business Village at this year’s show. A broad swathe of product categories are represented, including: Garden Care, Landscaping & Garden Decoration, Outdoor Entertaining, Plants, Food, Home, Gift & Clothing, Retail Services & Experiences and Pet Products,

If you would like to participate in the GIMA Hosted Meetings at Glee, contact the GIMA team by the deadline of 8^thAugust via email at info@gima.org.uk .

For further information about GIMA visit the website: https://gima.org.uk/

When Glee returns to the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday 16th –Thursday 18th September 2025, it will bring with it a dynamic and future-focused seminar programme, designed to spark insight, drive profitability, and energise the garden retail sector.

This year’s content will be delivered across two specialist stages. The Hive will serve as the hub for all things garden retail, from leadership and sustainability to business strategy and future trends. Meanwhile, the Feed Your Business Stage, located in the newly launched Food @ Glee area, will take a deep dive into the commercial opportunities within catering, hospitality, foodservice and food retail as well as design.

Profit, purpose and the ‘Garden Centre of the Future’

From high-level strategy to hands-on innovation, Glee 2025 addresses the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s garden retailers. Central to the programme is the need to balance profit and purpose, and lead businesses into a new era defined by smarter operations, sustainable growth, and unforgettable customer experiences.

In one of the most unique and interactive sessions of the show, Michael Perry – better known as Mr Plant Geek – returns with his ever-popular ‘Future Plants’ insights. This year, he’ll take things a step further by hosting an exclusive walking tour of the show, giving participants the chance to meet the pioneering growers behind the next generation of plants set to transform UK garden centres.

In a flagship keynote, Pleydell Smithyman’s Paul Pleydell will unveil their visionary take on the “Garden Centre of the Future”, combining architectural creativity with real-world data to show how design can power everything from dwell time to footfall and spend.

In one of the most anticipated sessions of the show, Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at leadership in action. “An Industry Conversation” will explore his approach to retail transformation, culture, and staying ahead in a competitive and increasingly digital landscape.

Alan is inviting the industry to submit their questions ahead of the session in a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the most influential voices in garden retail. Whether you’re curious about leadership strategies, business transformation, or the future of the sector, Alan wants to hear from you.

British Garden Centres will also take centre stage with “Buzzing with Innovation: Next Gen Leaders”, where Amy and Libby Stubbs present how the next generation is not just preserving a legacy but actively rewriting what success looks like in the modern retail era.

The HTA will also bring its invaluable market intelligence to The Hive stage, helping retailers decode the latest research, performance metrics and consumer trends in their session “Pollinating Insights”. With a clear focus on data-led decision making, this is a must-attend for anyone looking to build resilience and plan for the long term.

Other sessions explore technology, supply chain strategy, and sustainability as competitive levers, showcasing stories of garden centres that are not just surviving but thriving by placing environmental and ethical practices at the heart of their operations.

Feeding growth

On the Feed Your Business Stage, content is all about delivering ROI through food and catering. From expert-led sessions on menu engineering and kitchen design, to talks on food truck partnerships, the power of farm shops, technology-driven cooking methods, and the evolution of the high-street coffee model, attendees will walk away with actionable ideas to increase dwell time, margin, and customer loyalty.

Sessions from Brakes, Whitco, Debag, the Foodservice Equipment Association, Choice Marketing, Perrywood Garden Centres, Raemoir Garden Centre, Warbeck Garden Centre and others will equip businesses with the tools to make smarter decisions in layout, procurement, sustainability, and even menu insight, making Food @ Glee an essential destination for garden centres evolving their food and beverage offer.

Celebrating excellence

Finally, Glee has long recognised and celebrated creativity and innovation, and this year will be no different.  The Glee New Product Awards return as a major highlight, spotlighting the most exciting product launches and giving buyers a direct line to the next big thing.

New for 2025, GTN’s Greatest Food & Drink Garden Centre Team Awards joins the line-up, recognising the teams behind the UK's most successful catering offers. Categories will celebrate excellence in everything from afternoon tea to traybakes to customer service, shining a spotlight on the F&B teams helping redefine the garden centre experience.

To find out more about Glee’s thriving seminar programme, be sure to visit www.gleebirmingham.com/seminars.

Find out more

Glee 2025 promises garden buyers an unrivalled opportunity to discover an exceptional mix of new, returning and long-standing exhibitors. From fresh innovation to trusted favourites, the show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest products, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights into emerging trends. Make sure to mark your diaries for 16th–18th September 2025 and be part of the event that continues to define the future of garden retail.

For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Hyve Group has announced the exciting co-location of Autumn Fair and Glee at the NEC Birmingham in 2026. Autumn Fair will take place 6-9 September 2026 and Glee will take place 8-10 September 2026.

This strategic move by two industry-leading trade exhibitions unlocks multiple benefits for their respective sectors, creating a stronger, future-proofed platform that supports the long-term retail growth and successes of the industries they represent. Driven by industry feedback, extensive research, and considered planning to streamline the buying calendar the co-location will deliver new opportunities, maximise return on investment and enhance the experience for both exhibitors and visitors.

Sitting alongside Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading home, gift, and fashion exhibition with a four-day content programme, Glee, the premier event for the garden retail sector, will continue as a dedicated three-day showcase for the garden, leisure, and pet industries. Each show will continue to bring their distinct identity, voice, and ethos.

Delivering tangible value across the board, aligning both events unlocks extensive commercial opportunities. Exhibitors gain access to a broader network of high-quality buyers spanning home, gift, and garden sectors. Meanwhile, the thousands of retail buyers attending Autumn Fair and Glee will benefit from expanded cross-sector buying opportunities, accessing a wider range of suppliers, trends, and innovations.

Enhancing return on investment for all participants, the co-location delivers cost and time efficiencies, providing strong insight into broader consumer trends that are driving growth opportunities for both audiences. Ultimately, co-location will foster new business partnerships, streamline the sourcing experience, strengthen innovation, and drive increased sales for all involved, resulting in an exceptionally powerful and uniquely comprehensive trade event.

Jackson Szabo, Retail Portfolio Director, Hyve Group, comments, “We’re excited to announce the alignment of Glee with Autumn Fair from September 2026. The Hyve Group’s heritage across its retail portfolio, Spring Fair, Autumn Fair and Glee, has been delivering commercial opportunities to brands and buyers for over 75 years. Looking to the future, the co-location aligns with our mission to support and spearhead growth within the UK retail and garden sectors.  We are excited about this next step for Autumn Fair and Glee and look forward to welcoming our communities to an even more dynamic and commercially rewarding event in 2026.”

Autumn Fair and Glee continue to connect industries by driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and inspiring growth. To learn more or to register interest in exhibiting at Autumn Fair 2025 (7th – 10th September, NEC Birmingham), visit www.autumnfair.com and Glee 2025 (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham) visit www.gleebirmingham.com

The team from GTN are proud once again to be the official media partners for Glee producing the Glee Planner, the Glee Show Catalogue and the Glee Daily News.

After this launch issue we will be publishing further Glee Daily News issues as follows:

• Glee Preview - 10th September
• Glee Build-up - 15th September
• Glee Day 1 - 16th September
• Glee Day 2 - 17th September
• Glee Day 3 - 18th September
• Glee 2025 Omnibus - 30th September

Exhibitors should contact Alan Burdon, alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk, or 07939 048899, for advertising details. 

Got a bright idea that could transform garden retail?  The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund (GISCF) – run in partnership with Glee – is now open for 2025 entries, ready to support the next generation of garden industry innovators.

Now in its 11th year, this unique initiative is a celebration of grassroots innovation and the people behind the freshest ideas in gardening. The GISCF winner will be announced at the Glee trade show (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham), a big moment for the industry and a great opportunity to kick-start their success.

Past winners including Potr, GERMIE, Natural Grower, Qwickhose, PotMate™, Bloomin’ Amazing, and Vivagreen, have gone on to become trusted names in garden centres across the UK. Could your business be next?

What’s up for grabs?

The 2025 GISCF winner will receive a prize package worth up to £6,000, including:

• Free exhibition space at Glee, the UK’s leading garden retail trade show
• Up to £4,000 of support with design, development, consultancy, manufacturing or marketing
• Free half page advert in the GIMA New Product Digest publication
• Free GIMA membership for 12 months
• ACID (Anti Copying in Design) membership for one year
• Free PR support around the Glee trade show

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director, said: “The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is about fuelling the future of garden retail. Every year we discover individuals and start-ups who are brimming with ideas, passion, and real problem-solving creativity. It’s inspiring to see how these fresh voices are tackling challenges, tapping into trends, and introducing meaningful change. Retailers are always on the lookout for something different and this fund helps uncover exactly that. I can't wait to meet this year's applicants and help them take their next big step.”

The 2025 winner will be revealed on Glee’s opening day with a special ceremony on the GIMA stand, joined by GIMA President Kate Ebbens and Glee Event Director Matt Mein.

Enter the 2025 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund

Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2025 are invited to do so by visiting www.gima.org.uk/innovators-seed-corn-fund/ and completing the online application form ahead of the Friday 22nd August deadline.

For further information about GIMA, please call (01959) 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk

Having firmly established themselves as an important supplier to the garden centre café market Magrini are exhibiting at Glee for the first time this year.

Their coffee and milk machines are a common site in many garden centre cafes across the U.K. including Notcutts, Hillier and Klondyke who are now serving consistently great coffee even at peak times.

The Magrini range includes traditional espresso machines with automatic tamping and milk foaming and stand-alone automatic milk texturing machines which enable café staff to make barista quality coffee with minimal training.

Amazing coffee will be served by the expert baristas at 200 Degrees Coffee and Magrini staff will be on hand to help solve your individual coffee issues.
Magrini believe they can help you eliminate queues, increase productivity and reduce expensive milk waste and will explain how clever use of automation is key to solving current industry challenges.

Magrini Ltd

www.magrini.co.uk

Glee – Stand 11E110

Monty Miracle is returning to Glee with a range of new products and merchandising opportunities for all types of retailer.

The company has enjoyed huge success since launching at Glee two years ago with its core product, the outdoor cleaner. This year, the team will be using the show to introduce its 750ml hand-held product for the first time, along with its full accessories range - created in response to consumer and trade demand.

Monty Miracle Outdoor Cleaner is proven to eliminate black spot, algae, lichen and other organic stains on most external hard surfaces including stone, wood, plastic, concrete resin and coated metals, making it the ideal option for cleaning driveways, patios, walls and other exterior surfaces. Made here in the UK, Monty Miracle completely neutralises following the cleaning process and is biodegradable so can be hosed off onto the grass or soil leaving no trace.

Since it launched at Glee, the range has been expanded and this year team will be introducing the 'Complete Your Clean' line of products: Artificial Grass Cleaner, Outdoor Sealant and now the new handheld non-concentrate outdoor cleaner, for easier use on smaller surfaces, as well as a full range of accessories, providing customers with a range of upselling opportunities supported by standout merchandising: new dedicated display units and visual content to help drive sales.

The entire range and all merchandising support will be on the stand and guests will be provided a branded tote bag with the new handheld product to take away and use. 

Monty Miracle Director Peter Beaumont says: “Glee is where it all began for us – and since then we have expanded our range, our team and our distribution, with satisfied trade and retail customers all over the UK. We’ve even launched overseas. This year we’re looking forward to showing off our full range, created with the customer in mind: a one-stop-shop outdoor cleaning collection that provides a multitude of selling opportunities, supported by in-store support and a fully funded marketing programme. It’s going to be a great show.” 

The full product list the Monty Miracle team will be showcasing:

• NEW 750ml Outdoor Cleaner
• NEW 2L Outdoor Cleaner
• 5L Outdoor Cleaner
• 1L Artificial Grass Cleaner
• 5L Artificial Grass Cleaner
• NEW 2L Sealer
• 5L Sealer
• NEW 1.5L Pump Sprayer
• NEW 5L Pump Sprayer
• NEW Telescopic SS Agitating Brush
• Protective Gauntlet Gloves
• NEW 20m Complete Hose Reel
• NEW Artificial Grass Cleaner Hose Attachment

https://montymiracle.co.uk

On the 60th anniversary of the company’s formation, Garland Products is making a welcome return to Glee and introducing 30 new products for the 2026 season.

A new range of Coco Poles has been added to Garland’s product portfolio.  The poles are made from 100 per cent natural wood and coconut material, are fully biodegradable, and perfect for supporting climbing plants, especially house plants.  To enable stockists to provide maximum exposure of the range, which comprise 60cm, 80cm, 100cm and 120cm sizes, a purposely designed display stand is available for use in houseplant areas.

Garland’s range of jute products has been extended to include three sizes of Jute Rope Nets, which are a natural way of supporting climbing plants and vegetables.  Strong, yet flexible, the nets can easily be cut to different shapes and sizes.  The heavy-duty rope nets are perfect for bean frames and can be used against a wall for climbing plants like clematis and honeysuckle.  Fully biodegradable, the nets can be added to the compost heap after use.  There are also new Jute Plant Ladders, which are a natural way of supporting climbing plants and vegetables.  They are also perfect for training houseplants up and over walls. Available in green and natural colours, the 3m long x 4cm wide ladders can be cut to size. 

Additions have also been made to the company’s Brooms & Patio Range and new lower prices have been introduced across much of the range.  The new items are a Heavy Duty 46cm wide Bass Broom and two Premium Heavy-Duty Brooms measuring 46cm and 61cm wide.  These have an all-metal handle and screw fitting to provide maximum strength, and they both include a hose fitting that enables a hose to be attached to the broom head to give improved cleaning. 

Also new to the range is a heavy-duty Dust Pan and Brush for use both indoors and outdoors.  Lastly in the range is a new Patio Knife that is perfect for scraping out weeds and moss from between block paving and patio joints.

Garland’s best-selling Outdoor Furniture Cover Range has been extended to include five new covers that cater for the increasingly popular low lounge sets available in most garden centres. The covers fit sofa sets that have a low coffee table and each cover is available in two different fabrics.

The company’s sales director, Mark Dedman said: “We are excited to be showcasing our ever-expanding range of garden and hardware products at Glee this year at the same time as we mark 60 years since the formation of Garland Products.  We are also celebrating the opening of yet another brand-new warehouse facility as a mark of our continued investment in the future and our ongoing commitment to British manufacturing.  This new building is located on the same site as our Pensnett factory, ushering in the next chapter in our continued evolution.  Not only does the new warehouse bring more space and opportunity, it also brings with it a brand new, even larger showroom and conference facility.  This new hub of business finally brings everything under a single roof and it will become a new central point to our distribution network”.

The Garland Products Group specialises in the manufacture of plastic injection moulded products and is one of the fastest growing suppliers to the garden industry.  The products available to both keen or hobby gardeners have beendesigned through the company’s own experience as keen gardeners. 

Exhibiting for the first time at Glee (16-18th September at NEC Birmingham) under its own dedicated stand is British garden machinery brand Webb Garden Power.  Whilst a regular to Glee, Webb’s usual home is on brand owner’s Handy stand, but this year it’s breaking free and can be found on stand 9B51-D50 proudly displaying its distinct dark green branding.

he new Webb Garden Power stand will showcase the brand’s full product portfolio, including petrol and electric lawnmowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, pruners, tillers, garden blowers, chainsaws, shredders, and more.  In addition, the innovative Webb Eco cordless range, launched in 2024 to meet the needs of modern gardeners, will be featured on the stand.  Product highlights include the best-selling BBC Gardeners’ World magazine Best Buy Webb Classic 1300w electric rotary lawnmower and Webb Eco Mini Pruner.

There will also be several product reveals at Glee for the 2026 season, including a completely new range: the Webb Eco 40v X Series designed for larger gardens.  Initial products in this new range will include lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and line trimers.

Visitors to the show can benefit from Webb Garden Power’s exclusive retailer deals for 2026 and will also be first to discover the pre-season pricing for 2026.  In addition, visitors have the opportunity to discover Webb’s extensive point-of-sale (PoS) and merchandising support, along with the brand’s customer experience insights to help boost in-store engagement and increase conversions. 

Mark Moseley, Handy’s Sales & Marketing Director, comments: “Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to Webb, you will find innovation, quality, and excellent profit margins at the heart of everything we bring to the show.  Our knowledgeable and friendly team will be on hand throughout the event to answer questions and discuss how Webb Garden Power can support your business in the coming year, from display ideas and staff talking points to partnership opportunities.”

For more information, visit Webb Garden Power at Glee on stand 9B51-D50, or go to webbgardenpower.co.uk.  For information on Glee and to book tickets go to www.gleebirmingham.com

SealStop, the clever British-made automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste and save gardeners time, is set to make its debut at Glee 2025 (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham).

As hosepipe bans and water restrictions return across the country following the driest start to a year since 1976, SealStop arrives at exactly the right moment. Retailers attending Glee will have the opportunity to discover this smart, user-friendly device first-hand, speak to the team behind it, and secure stock ahead of the 2026 season, when consumer demand for practical water-saving tools is expected to spike.

What is SealStop?

SealStop attaches to a hosepipe and clips on to any container, from watering cans and buckets to troughs and ponds. Once the container is full, it automatically shuts off the flow of water, preventing overflow and eliminating waste. It’s a time-saving solution that allows gardeners to multitask confidently, knowing their water use is under control.

“SealStop is all about convenience,” explains Isabelle Richardson of SealStop. “It means your watering can or bucket will be full and ready when you need it, without the worry of flooding or waste. Especially during droughts or hosepipe bans, it becomes an essential tool for sustainable watering routines.”

Maximising retail opportunity

Visitors to Glee will be able to see SealStop in action, try it for themselves, and understand exactly how the product supports both customer needs and retail margins. Stockists can expect shelf-ready, fully recyclable packaging, along with strong point-of-sale support. This includes a branded CDU display, demo units, staff training options and access to digital assets like videos, imagery and explainers for online and social channels. The brand is also developing a free-standing display with integrated video support for retailers looking to drive visibility in high-footfall areas.

Already rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot, early customers have praised SealStop’s reliability, simple design and game-changing functionality. It’s particularly popular among gardeners filling large containers, topping up ponds or water butts, or working with multiple watering cans at once.

With a minimum order quantity of just 12 units, SealStop is an accessible opportunity for both independents and larger chains alike. Manufactured and assembled in the UK, lead times are short, and stock is held locally, making fulfilment smooth and responsive.

As the brand looks ahead to the 2026 season, new developments are already in the pipeline, including a specialised holder designed to make SealStop even easier to use with hot tubs, ice baths and larger outdoor containers.

Retailers interested in stocking SealStop or learning more are encouraged to visit the team at Glee 2025 in hall 9, stand K97. Alternatively drop the team a line via www.sealstop.co.uk or info@sealstop.co.uk