Associated Independent Stores (AIS), which ran the GCA's GRO scheme, will now take it over, dropping garden goods and concentrating on AIS products — housewares, fashion, linen and soft furnishings.

GRO had 36 members but Solihull-based AIS GRO manager Anthony Holloway said it needed 70 to work. He added: "We will now be able to talk to garden centres outside the GCA and see building membership numbers as a long-term project."

A GCA representative said: "Since its inception in 2008, almost £3m has been spent with the suppliers that have signed up. However, the number of garden centres and suppliers has not grown to the level that was anticipated and the decision has been taken to change direction.

"The need for buying members to have area exclusivity has meant the GCA will cease to be involved. The group will re-launch within AIS, still as a garden centre division but initially focusing on existing AIS suppliers that have an understanding of the benefits to them. Currently, these are mainly gift, clothing, cookware and toy suppliers but the new group would happily discuss trading relationships with any other supplier that wishes to become involved."

GCA chairman Martin Davies said: "GRO remains a good vehicle for getting business contracts and terms."

 

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