Retail expert Karl McKeever from BBC2's The Fixer has said that up to 50% of the UK's garden centres could be in serious trouble by next year if they don't up their game and make the most of crucial spring trade.
Last night Mr McKeever was shown alongside the Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi as The Fixer concentrated its efforts on helping save Oak Garden Centre in Chatteris. Mr McKeever has said he thinks the plight of Oak could befall others in the UK if they fail to offer customers a better shopping experience with improved selling environments.

He also called for garden centres to offer "better shopper entertainment and provide more seasonal display inspiration of what to buy."

"Many are already on their knees from our last drenched summer and our failing economy, and they will not survive another summer where the economy at the very least will be miserable," he added. "And with big stores like Waitrose just announcing plans to take a big bite out of the sector, this is no time for complacency."

To help, Mr McKeever has drawn up a survival plan for garden centres to follow. Advice includes focusing selling activities on what most gardeners will need next, ie stocking spring bulbs in the autumn ready for Easter, creating small, focussed 'hot spot' displays for impulse purchases, and grouping all relevant products together in a 'destination area.' Passive features, he said, should include clear signage and detailed product information, while top retail standards gives customers the confidence to buy.