NEWS

Over the past few months, I’ve had a number of conversations that have all ended in a similar way. Clients, colleagues and industry partners have said to us: “You offer so many services and have so much experience – why don’t you market the business more?” It’s a fair question, and one that has prompted some reflection. The honest answer is that Pleydell Smithyman has grown by doing the work well , building trusted relationships and earning a reputation for delivering results

One of the real highlights of the past year for me has been the opportunity to judge both the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards  and the Farm Retail Association (FRA) Awards , working alongside an exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable panel of fellow judges. The team at Pleydell Smithyman – one of the UK’s leading farm shop and garden centre consultants – we spend much of our time supporting and advising the sector, but judging these awards offers a unique and inspiring

2025 has been another testing yet positive year for farm shops across the UK. Rising costs, tightening margins, government changes in National Insurance, wages and business rates, and fierce supermarket competition have placed real pressure on independent rural retailers such as farm shops. And yet, what has stood out most is the sector’s resilience. Despite the headwinds, many farm shops have not only held their ground but continued to grow in value by staying true to what m

Over the past 24 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible garden centres across the UK, and one thing has become really clear: every garden centre is unique.

At Pleydell Smithyman, we’ve spent over 30 years helping farm shops across the UK start up, grow, improve, and reach their full potential. We know that every farm shop is unique, and that’s why we work closely with each client to understand and develop their vision and goals.

Whether you’re expanding a garden centre, adding to your farm shop, diversifying rural land, or envisioning a new visitor destination, one fact remains: successful development hinges on more than ambition. It demands strategic planning — and that’s where a trusted planning partner like Pleydell Smithyman becomes essential.

In the world of garden centres, where plants, people, and retail all come together, it’s easy to focus on the practical side of the business—product ranges, layouts, or seasonal displays. But one thing that often gets overlooked is the role that thoughtful, consistent graphic design plays in shaping how your centre looks, feels, and performs.

Our core values—Passion, Empathy, Solution Focus, and Partnership—are more than just words. They shape our thinking, guide our relationships, and support a ‘client first’ approach in all aspects of our work.

This tailored Health Check is designed to offer practical support by identifying ways to strengthen profitability and efficiency, without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.

Running a garden centre isn’t just about selling beautiful plants or having the best cafe—it’s about growing a thriving, efficient, and competitive business. And just like plants need the right conditions to flourish, your business needs the right insights to grow.

At Pleydell Smithyman we are aware that the weather has a massive impact on trade, so we do a monthly weather forecast review in our news articles.

Running a garden centre isn't just about keeping things going and plants alive—it’s about keeping your business driving forward and thriving too. That’s where a regular business “health check” comes in. Think of it as stepping back and taking stock, just like you would when planning the next season’s layout or doing a stocktake.   There are a number of benefits in completing a health check, and the headlines are:    A Health Check lifts profits   Turnover is a key element in

Pleydell Smithyman have recently been working with a number of garden centres and farm shops that are focusing on website and marketing awareness for their customers.

It has been a great start to the gardening season, with the good weather having a really positive impact on trade.  As we have seen in Garden Centre Associaion Barometre of Trade and the HTA Market Updates, trade is up, and the weather has been a massive factor in this!

There is no hiding from it, and we all know it; technology developments and AI are buzzwords on everyone’s lips.

Monkton Elm Garden Centre embarked on an exciting re-development to refurbish and extend their highly regarded and popular Elm Tree Restaurant. 

As we step into 2025, the year of courage, businesses are bracing for a transformative journey. The government policy and tax changes of 2024 have posed significant challenges, leading to increased costs across the industry.

It’s a changing world. It seems that since 2020, we have been going through an ever-evolving life. The word ‘Permacrisis’ hit the Oxford English dictionary in 2022, a word describing the feeling of living through a period of war, inflation, and political instability.

What has changed in the past few years? In short, pretty much everything! Garden centres are not standing still –  they are improving! 

On the 12th April 2023 Staverton Nursery, experienced a devastating fire which destroyed half of their retail space, coffee shop and offices. Eighteen months later, Staverton Nursery, near Lewes in East Sussex have rebuilt and opened its brand new restaurant and food hall on 23rd October 2024.