Over the past two months, sales of garden sundries, books, gifts and clothing have seen sales increases between 12% and 63% at the Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown - all thanks, says MD Juilan Winfield, to a wider pathway.
The garden centre, which has seen profit on its £31m turnover figure in recent months, made the decision to create a wider, straight pathway between the garden centre and the restaurant on the advice of buying director Conna Powles.

Said Mr Winfield: "Since Conna Powles joined us just a year ago we have improved the range of stock across the departments but her suggestion to entire more people to explore the centre after leaving the restaurant by creating the wider, straight pathway has made a big difference.

"Overseen by our retail operations manager Dean Ridley, the positive effect of the change has been proved by the figures."

Ms Powles added: "It was a lot of extra work for the centre but now the floor plan change has enabled the departments to become more enticing. People generally do not like change but the staff at Ferndown have received compliments following their hard work. Customers can now go with the new flow!"