GTN Bestsellers is not the only commentator predicting a potential bumper Easter for garden centres...

Analysts at Barclaycard have watched DIY and garden spending surge in the first quarter of 2014, with garden centres up 22 per cent year on year – a trend they expect to continue over the Easter break, given the good weather forecast.

A strong housing market is helping to drive growth. Chris Wood, MD at Barclaycard, said:  “The number of houses sold in the UK has grown by nearly 25 per since the Help to Buy programme was implemented last April along with growing economic confidence, and that is having a positive knock on for DIY stores and garden centres. They are both bucking the wider retail spending trend which has seen much lower growth at 2.4 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

“The good weather forecast for much of the Easter weekend means both categories are likely to continue their strong start to the year. Whether it’s for a fresh coat of paint, new garden furniture or a full kitchen remodel, homeowners will be hunting out great deals as stores compete to draw shoppers in on what is traditionally an important weekend for both sectors.”

And that’s even without Easter Sunday opening….