GARDEN centre group Haskins says trading has been “the most difficult we have ever experienced” this year and that the “longer-term outlook is also very uncertain”.

The warning comes despite the group reporting a rise in profit and a 31 per cent rise in sales in the financial year to February 2022.

Ferndown-based Haskins Garden Centres, which has five retail sites plus the Birdworld tourist attraction in Surrey, recently published its annual accounts, showing turnover of £50.5million. Pre-tax profits rose from £3.9m to £9.4m.

Chief executive Julian Winfield said in a statement: “Haskins experienced exceptional trading during the last financial year, which has put us in a strong position to deal with the challenges ahead.”

But he added: “Since then, trading conditions have proved to be the most difficult we have experienced. The cost of living crisis has understandably resulted in our customers spending less within our centres. The reduction in turnover, coupled with substantial increases in our own energy costs, means that our profits will be substantially down this year.

“The longer-term outlook is also very uncertain. Experience tells us that we can do well in recessions, when customers reduce spending on high value items such as holidays and cars and turn their attention to their homes and gardens, but we just don’t know what will happen. To ensure we are fit for the future and continuing to provide exceptional experiences for our loyal customers, we are working harder than ever to make our garden centres great places to visit.”

Mr Winfield’s annual report said the financial year 2021-22 had started with the third national Covid lockdown in force. Garden centres were allowed to trade but their restaurants could not open until April, 2021.

“Despite this difficult trading environment, the group traded very well during the year, benefiting from the growth in gardening and garden leisure partially due to lower travel during the pandemic,” he wrote.

“In addition, the group made significant capital investment and building repairs during the year at its Forest Lodge and Roundstone garden centres, and Birdworld to upgrade and update the businesses.”

Haskins’ situation echoes that of Christchurch-based competitor Stewarts Garden Centres, which recently reported a return to profit in the year ending January 2022. Its chief executive, Martin Stewart, said 2022 was proving “really tough” and that “we won’t be making a profit this year”.