Garden retailers are "bucking the trend" according to the GCA, as people choose to stay at home this spring.
The Garden Centre Association's Barometer of Trade has revealed that garden centres are up an average of 38% for the month of April, compared with the same period last year.

Although the figures are not finalised until later his month, it is already showing positive signs with member reporting sales of outdoor plants up 61% and garden sundries up 53%.

The GCA's Gillie Westwood said of the figures: "We're certainly bucking the trend. I would say that garden centres will fare very well this year. If the good weather continues and if people choose to stay at home and go out into their gardens, it will be good news for the industry."

Sales of garden furniture and barbecues were up 27% for the month, while hard landscaping saw an increase of 36%.

Despite the drop in consumer confidence, Ms Westwood believes garden centres will continue to do well if the good weather holds out. "When you think that the average spend is £24 - it falls below the radar. It's not really seen as a huge expense. In which case, people are more likely to spend on their gardens rather than holidays or new cars or, which are seen as luxuries."