The Garden Centre Association (GCA) plan to mark its 60th anniversary in 2026 includes
a commemorative logo for members to use from September 2025 onwards.
Representing 200 garden centres nationwide, the GCA was launched in 1966 and will mark its birthday at the industry body’s annual conference in January 2026.
“The anniversary logo can be downloaded from our website from 8 September, and members will also be sent details by email,” said GCA chief executive Peter Burks.
The Association was founded by those wishing to advance garden centres, make plants available year-round and ensure gardening became more accessible, as a leisure and lifestyle pursuit, to all, he added.
“Several members have been involved with our organisation for 40 to 60 years – including some of the nation’s oldest known garden centres such as Stewarts Christchurch, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.”
Garden centres started to appear when the idea that plants could be sold in containers year-round – a US development – was pioneered in the UK by a handful of forward-thinking nurserymen in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“We’re also calling for member centres to share their own stories and images from when they launched and to find out which other businesses were super early pioneers of the garden centre concept,” Peter said.
“Anyone interested in being part of our 60th anniversary social media and press releases is invited to get in touch with me before the end of September with their story by emailing me peter@gca.org.uk.”
One of the first decisions the GCA made, at inception, was to set up an inspection scheme for members, with an ‘Approved Centre’ status. Those inspections still take place annually today.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
Members with the highest standards receive awards at the Association’s regional summer events and its annual conference each January.

Tickets for the annual conference and 60th anniversary celebration are on sale via the members’ section on its website or via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk/