Garden centres enjoy healthy Easter sales

Britains gardens could soon be blooming more than usual after the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reported strong sales over the Easter break.

The organisation noted a particular interest in National Garden Gift Vouchers (NGGV), continuing on from their success last month.

Garden centres enjoyed record sales of NGGVs during March and HTA members purchased 24 per cent more units in the first two weeks of April than during the same period last year.

There were also strong interest in core gardening, plants and grow-your-own products – something HTA retail management group chairperson Caroline Owen was not surprised at.

She explained her own Scotsdales Garden Centre had enjoyed its best ever Easter Monday and said it shows people are keen to try their hand at producing their own food.

"This is just what the industry needed and sets us in good stead for the rest of the season," she added.

A number of Royal Horticultural Society shows are due to take place over the summer, with the Cardiff Flower Show this weekend.