The 129-strong Garden Centre Group has posted results showing a profit dip for the year to December 25, 2011, but an upbeat picture of H1 2012.
The yearly results, reported by City A.M., showed year-on-year revenue growth of 10%, despite pre-tax profits falling from £860,000 to £586,000. It is thought the sale of the GCG by Lloyds Banking Group to Terra Firma in April meant the results were affected by "higher exceptional costs."

The group reportedly paid out £1.8m after paying professional and advisor fees relating to its refinancing and disposal, as well as incurring a £2m loss following the closure of the Pyle and Beverley garden centres in 2011.

While the GCG's H1 2012 update admitted a blow to garden sales as a result of the wettest summer in 100 years, it added that the success of restaurants and children's play areas had helped overcome this. While centres with playgrounds were described as having "performed exceptionally well" during the period, concession income also saw a boost.

Other significant developments mentioned included a new plant centre and shop opened at Westonbirt Arboretum, working in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the arboretum itself, and the group's new e-commerce platform. Including a Click & Collect plant service, this new system was described as "highly successful and popular."