Footfall across Garden Centre Association member centres increased during the Easter weekend - but many visitors were not purchasing gardening products.

GCA chairman Peter Burks (above) said: “The Easter weekend is a key time in the gardening calendar and so we were all hoping for some good weather. Thankfully the sun put in an appearance so it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

“There were plenty of people visiting our member garden centres during Easter but the cold weather appeared to have put people off going out in their gardens  as most had come in for a wander round, a cuppa in the restaurant or to pick up a gift. Unfortunately, overall sales were well below what was expected.

“Our members all know that it’s imperative to give customers something to come in for whatever the weather so many also ran Easter-themed events to draw families  in.”

Many GCA members also had a petition, calling for Easter trading laws to be relaxed so garden centres can open on Easter Sunday, available during the weekend for customers to sign.

“Lots of people mentioned it was the first they had heard of the law and were outraged that they couldn’t come and visit their local garden centre on Easter Sunday if  they wanted to,” Burks added.

“Traditionally the Easter weekend is one of the busiest gardening weekends of the year. Easter Sunday trading could be worth 25% of the total sales for the Easter week.”

Norma Moore (below), general manager of Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre near Taunton, said: “We weren’t sure what the weather would be like during the long weekend so we made  sure we had plenty going on to attract people, even if they weren’t going to be picking up essential gardening supplies.