British Garden Centres has released its latest accounts, reporting a very solid performance for 2024 despite a challenging trading year marked by difficult weather conditions. Group turnover grew by 3.6%, and profit increased by 48%. These results reflect the company’s strong operational focus and strategic management throughout a demanding year.
The business has remained comfortably profitable, with tight management of wage costs clearly reflected in the numbers but has still maintained the high level of customer service and shopping experience that the company is well known for. The Gross Profit Margin (not including wages) increased from 49% in 2023 to 52% in 2024. Operating profit for BGC South Ltd for the year 2024 was £3.1 million. Woodthorpe Hall Garden Centres Ltd achieved an operating profit of £7.6 million.
Looking ahead to 2025, the outlook is positive for the largest family-run garden centre group, with further profit and growth expected, building on its strong performance in 2024 and supported by a healthy gross margin. The company continues to benchmark across its 73 national sites to drive margin improvements and overall profitability.
Growth in turnover and profit remains a key focus for the Stubbs family, with confidence in delivering the necessary efficiencies to remain competitive and successful.
Amy Stubbs, Managing Director at British Garden Centres, said: “We’re very pleased with last year’s results, especially given the tough weather challenges that the country experienced. Our teams have done an excellent job managing costs without compromising the service quality. As we look to the future, we’re optimistic about continuing growth in the business and driving efficiencies forward. A big thank you is extended to all team members whose dedication and hard work have made this performance possible and positioned the business well for the years ahead.”
British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 73 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
BGC was launched in 1990 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018, it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres, allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now, with 73 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.
The group has a team of 3000 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.
