Green-fingered customers are keen to make the most of summer after lockdown helped Dobbies Garden Centre to outperform expectations.
Chairman Andrew Bracey said the company had shown “resilience” in navigating the challenges of Covid-19. The UK’s largest garden centre chain counts outlets in Monifieth, Perth and Dunfermline among its 69 branches.
It closed its Dalgety Bay store in February last year, after 25 years, citing the close proximity to its premises in Dunfermline. Newly filed company accounts show the company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant garden centres closed from March 24 until the end of May.
During this period, Dobbies took several actions to ensure its financial stability. Capital projects were temporary suspended, negotiation of rent deferrals with landlords took place as well as a review of operating costs. Dobbies utilised the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme and deferred tax payments.
But trading came back strongly when its branches reopened. “Since reopening, trade of the company’s garden centres has exceeded initial expectations as the company benefited from consumers who were keen to enjoy the remainder of the gardening season,” the director’s report said.
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