Our office is based in a Garden Centre and over the last few weeks I have noticed a continued and steady flow of people in the Garden Centre, more so than previously experienced. It is by no co-incidence that we have had above average weather conditions, some 7 degrees above the seasonal average of 14 degrees, reported recently.  So is this flurry of activity a sign of a recovery in consumer confidence? Is it a sign that the consumer is improving there surroundings because they are planning to spend more time in there gardens this summer? Is it the result of a great marketing campaign? It could be all or none of these but one thing is certain, when the sun shines it makes a difference.

But the weather aside, there are signs movement in housing stock, estate agents are seeing a slow recovery in there activity, mortgage approvals are on the increase for the first time in 12 months. The Government have announced an increase in house building initiatives in the budget and some developers are starting to re-open sites they had moth balled which has to be good news. But it will take time for this to filter through to being on site and landscaping a new build site.

So where does that leave the current market. Still on a very fine line, the grey pound (55-65 market) was always a sure bet with dividends funding projects for many landscapers across the country – it is again no co-incidence that this is/was the biggest market for most. The high rollers are perhaps not rolling so high now and those at the bottom of the market have all but gone. So here does that leave the many garden designers and landscapers until this happens?

Building links with other businesses and sharing opportunities is a way forward, it is not very sophisticated or scientific, but it will broad your potential network of contacts and therefore potential work.  There is still a long hill to climb and we cannot just rely on the weather.