A garden centre chain based in Suffolk is celebrating an upturn in turnover and profits against a challenging backdrop.
Woodbridge-based family owned firm Notcutts has seen its turnover rise by 4.1% and its operating profit reach £1.6m.
This is in spite of difficult trading conditions including rising interest rates, a drop in consumer spending and supply cost pressures, it said.
The fourth generation family business - now emerging into its fifth generation with the arrival of Samuel Price, the eldest son of vice-chairman Caroline Notcutt - operates 19 centres across England.
Chief executive Nick Burrows said trading has begun to rebound and the company believes the trend will continue as economic conditions improve.
“We continue to provide a strong offering that our customers rate favourably – as shown in our highest ever customer satisfaction scores in the year measured through NPS (Net Promoter Score)," he said.
“We have continued with our programme to develop our garden centre portfolio in order to support the ongoing prospects of the business.
"This has included the completion of our project to restore the historic Edwardian Messenger glasshouses at our Dukeries garden centre near Worksop, the expansion of our restaurant capacities in Oxford, Tunbridge Wells, Wheatcroft (Nottingham) and Norwich and a solar power installation in Woodbridge.
"We have also made significant investments in our IT infrastructure with new retail, stock management and CRM (customer relationship management) systems during the year which will bring exciting new efficiencies and opportunities for our business.”
Vice chairman Caroline Notcutt said the business focuses on creating the right culture in which staff can succeed and enjoy their roles.
“We were really encouraged to win the award for Best Employer in the East of England in retail and hospitality during the year," she said.
"Part of the assessment of our organisation for this award was an in-depth survey conducted by the adjudicators amongst colleagues in a number of our garden centres.”
She was delighted that "our well-established approach to succession planning" was bearing fruit with key senior operational leadership roles filled by internal candidates, she added.
"We offer a range of training, coaching and personal development support to colleagues at all levels in Notcutts and it’s great that this can lead to genuine career openings and progression within our organisation.”
Chairman Bridget McIntyre said Notcutts garden centres and support office have continued to work closely with local communities to support various charities and schools.
"We are into the third year of our charitable partnership with The Green Light Trust, whose mission is to ensure everyone has equitable access to the power of nature.
"They work with people of all ages, who are often more disadvantaged members of our communities, through organised outdoor activities in woodlands and green spaces.
"Alongside this each of our garden centres has developed partnerships with local charities and community groups – we see this as an important part of the role we play in each of our locations around the UK.”
Two years ago, the firm set a goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 15% by the end of 2023/24 and has exceeded its target, said Mr Burrows.
It has introduced new wildlife gardens in all its garden centres for customers and staff to enjoy and where animals, birds and insects can thrive.
It has also installed rainwater harvesting facilities at eight garden centres.
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