In This Issue
Dobbies launches new Spring campaign
Special hotel rates for SOLEX Visitors - limited availability - book now, offer closes today 30th April
Garden Centres of the Year - GTN April 2024 Issue - Read on-line here
Meadow View Stone strengthens Customer Service Team
New pet accessory business has story to tell
Michael Gove joins Evergreen Garden Care in support of standardisation across the growing media category
Boost back on TV this Spring
David Domoney does it again with live garden transformation on ITV’s This Morning
Hillmount owner ceceives honour at Hillsborough Castle
Kate’s 366 running Challenge for Greenfingers Charity - April Blog update
Squire's Garden Centres charts a steady course
Notcutts collaborate with The Cloud Gardener to inspire urban renters at RHS show
GROW e-Learning platform runner-up in Totara Awards
Haskins West End continues support for Friends of PICU
Westland launch The Westland Garden Newspaper
Spear & Jackson return to Glee 2024
HTA welcomes local MP David Johnston to Horticulture House
Biggest RHS Shows innovations for a generation to reach new audiences and inspire more people to get gardening
Webb Supreme Lawnmowers now with 4-swing tip blades for added efficiency & robustness
Alitex sets new standard for employee wellbeing
Join Mr Fothergill's & Darlac in The ‘Chelsea Chop’
Sofas & Stuff creates its third superb RHS fabric collection
Milwaukee Tool is just getting started
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Brand New CIoH GROW Careers Day North Event, Harewood House
Autumn Fair launches 'New Business Pavilion'
Bradford garden centre group wins Yorkshire sustainability award
Haskins Snowhill announces 2024 charity of the year
PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt keeps on growing
The best of last week's
Dobbies appoints Robert Cook as board advisor for its restaurant business  
Gro-ments initiative part of £1 million peat-free campaign
Rising Stars focus on sustainability and regeneration
The Greenfingers Charity Dragon Boat Race – everything you need to know!
Successful launch of Yorkshire Garden Centre Group's Green Card Loyalty App
SOLEX Exhibition to kick off festivities with Awards Ceremony and Afterparty
Whisk out your tongs: SOLEX's Fire Food & Outdoor Living Evening returns for its second sizzling year
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Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Squire's Garden Centres charts a steady course

 

‘Charting a steady course in marginally calmer waters’ probably best describes Squire’s performance in their financial year ending 31 July 2023, after the somewhat rolling seas of the Covid and immediate post Covid era. 

 

This year’s results were, as anticipated, a little below the results for last year, with retail sales of £66.3m (2022: £68.2m).  Within that total, Garden Centre sales dropped to £56.9m (2022: £59.9m), while Restaurant sales rose by 13% to £9.4m (2022: £8.3m).  E-commerce recorded sales of £1.1m (+10%) in its second full year and the company is pleased with the steady development of this channel. The newly-acquired Barnsfold Nurseries business contributed £1.6m of sales in its maiden seven months with the group, taking total Group sales to £67.9m. 

 

Demand for plants and horticultural products remained strong, well above pre-Covid levels.  And, as the supply chain stabilised, stock levels were reduced, particularly in garden furniture.  

 

Underlying profit before tax dropped to £2.4m (2022: £4.0m) with an additional contribution of £0.4m from Barnsfold.  

 

Over the course of the year, capital expenditure focused on improvements across several Centres, rather than one large project. A number of these investments were aimed at carbon and energy cost reduction.  With a favourable cash position at the year-end, the company is in a good place to look for further acquisitions and to invest in existing sites.

 

Following the year end, Squire’s has reported a satisfactory Christmas. Although volumes were down, sell through was good and the sales were more profitable. With the spring season in its early stages, plants and gardening again look encouraging. Sarah Squire comments: “Calendar year 2024 started well for Squire’s. We were thrilled that Hersham was awarded the GCA Ruxley Rose trophy in the Garden Centre category. With Woking coming third and Wokingham in the top ten, this cements our confidence in the plant side of our business.”

 

Despite wider geopolitical turmoil, domestic political uncertainty and a challenging UK economy, Squire’s has confidence in its teams and the robust nature of the industry. The company will continue to invest in the business and its people. Priorities over the coming year are replacing the roof at Twickenham and the garden furniture shop at Milford. Both projects include solar panels. Work will continue on the company’s sustainability programme, and its commitment to charitable and community involvement.

 

Sarah Squire adds: “Above all, I remain full of admiration for my talented colleagues, in our Centres, Restaurants, Nurseries and in Group Office, who have shown such commitment and worked so tirelessly in the volatile landscape of FY2023, and who continue to consistently give of their best in 2024."

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