Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, returns to The Underground Podcast for another unmissable conversation ahead of Glee 2025. As the UK’s most profitable garden centre group, Blue Diamond has become the sector’s benchmark for growth, ambition, and resilience.
In this candid discussion with Phil Wright and Kate Turner, Alan shares his no-nonsense perspective on:

• The acquisition of Barton Grange and why legacy, culture, and profitability matter in today’s market
• How Blue Diamond balances group scale with the local identity of iconic garden centres
• Why sustainable growth and customer focus must trump the “numbers game” of acquisitions
• The challenges of moving to peat-free compost and the role suppliers must play
• Opportunities to engage younger generations through houseplants and social media
• What loyalty data is teaching Blue Diamond about its customers — and how that will shape strategy to 2026

• His advice to other garden centre owners: focus, benchmark, and know your customer

Alan also speaks openly about the wider pressures facing retail, from wage inflation to government policy, and why keeping gardening at the heart of the business is non-negotiable.
And the conversation doesn’t stop here. Alan will be live at Glee 2025 in The Hive for an exclusive Q&A session hosted by Phil from The Underground Podcast. This is your chance to put the big questions directly to one of the sector’s most progressive leaders.
Submit your questions by Sunday 8th September: https://forms.office.com/e/ASZBwwS9wK
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from Alan on the podcast, then continue the conversation at Glee.