In This Issue
Dobbies buy Johnsons of Boston
Best Easter fortnight since 2012 - GTN Bestsellers exclusive analysis
Iglu 360 is the perfect outdoor dining experience for garden centres
Partnership blooms as 'Caulders at Scotmid' springs up
Easter sales records, reports GTN Bestsellers
Dobbies announces ‘Not Your Average Gardener’ awards
Industry help gets horti education unit back up and running
If plants are in stock they are selling
RHS and BBC launch ‘grow and show’ competition
Deco-Pak marathon Mar-CHING for Garden Re-Leaf Day
New rules allowing socialising in gardens deliver strong boost to garden centre sales
Squire’s financial results encouraging despite challenges
Large Fire at Longacres Shepperton - UPDATED
Nicholas Marshall returns... again
Jumping for joy as Cardwell Garden Centre re-opens
Gardening voted as one of the most popular pastimes
Bents announces fundraising total and welcomes new charity
Lawns and gardening promote better mental health
Desch Plantpak presents: Colour Your Story, autumn/winter
Inside Outside... A New Beginning for the garden market - Read GTN's March Issue on-line now
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Planters announce closure for Duke of Edinburgh's funeral
Gaps on shelves as sales stay high
Zoo proposal for former garden centre rejected
50% more veg being grown
One million take part in record-breaking RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Growing Media up by 109%
Watch Your Back! returns with new scheme designed to keep everyone in horticulture sun protected.
Buckingham Palace Garden to open to visitors
RHS and Ulster Weavers announce new kitchen textiles range
Wildflowers for The Queen - a celebration of wildflower meadows
The best of last week's
Easter thank you to growers, manufacturers & distributors from British Garden Centres
Derek Bunker adds his thanks to suppliers for "their efforts throughout this amazing period in garden centre history"
East Yorkshire garden centre sells for £1.5m
Garden Centres re-open in Scotland... and it snows!
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Vital to launch educational Pet Club
Dog theft increases by 19% during lockdown
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Squire’s financial results encouraging despite challenges

 

Squire’s Garden Centres has reported a drop of 42% in underlying profits to £2.2m but said it was a “very good result” given the events of 2020.

 

The accounting period up to 31 July 2020 spanned pre-pandemic, the first lockdown and subsequent high demand when garden centres were permitted to re-open again in May 2020.

 

Given the period of closure during the peak spring trading window, total turnover dropped by 7% to £53.0m. Trade had been strong during the financial year up until closure. 

 

After lockdown, sales (particularly in plants and core gardening) were very strong, with a higher average spend. 

 

 

The believed it secured new customers, as more people were at home and wanted to enjoy gardening and spending time in their gardens. 

 

Turnover was boosted by the addition of the newly-acquired centre at Wokingham (Heathlands), which joined the group on 1 August 2019. The performance of this site has exceeded expectations.  

 

The centre at Frensham benefited from the newly refurbished Food Hall which opened shortly before lockdown, and as a stand-alone food shop was able to continue to trade while the rest of the centre was closed. During the year Squire’s completed a major extension of the shop and Café Bar at Milford. 

 

Reopening its Café Bars from early July was more challenging and sales dropped substantially by 33%. 

 

In common with many businesses the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme proved crucial for Squire’s, enabling the company to retain its workforce during the closure period.  

 

Sarah Squire, chairman of Squire’s, said; “I cannot stress enough how significant the support, commitment and hard work of our colleagues has been as we navigated the period of closure and beyond. 

 

“So many people have come up with innovative ideas, solved problems and taken on tasks outside their usual remit with willingness, determination and great good humour. 

 

“Our suppliers have also been incredibly helpful while facing not inconsiderable challenges of their own.”

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