THE GARDEN Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference at the end of January, saw a 15% increase in attendees this year and among them a greater number of garden centres.

The event, which took place at the De Vere Carden Park in Chester, was heralded as one ofthe biggest and best conferences so far in the GCA’s 49 year history.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “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.

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide and through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plan quality and reliability.