Outdoor and indoor furniture retailer Whitehall Garden Centres has reported a growth in sales as turnover edged closer to £20m.
According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 May 2023, total sales rose 3.8% to £18.8m from £18.1m in 2022.
Pre-tax losses resulted at £1.6m, down from a profit of £167,000 recorded the previous year.
Stated within its report, the company, which operates three centres in Lacock Wiltshire, Whitchurch Bristol and Woodborough Pewsey Wiltshire, said: “The Company continues to be one of the top destination garden centre groups in the UK, attracting local customers, as well as others outside of our region.
“Whitehall Garden Centres are particularly well known for their Christmas displays and events for which we have won both regional and national awards within the Garden Centre Association annual competition.
“Company revenue has increased by £0.7m to £18.9m. This is due to the reopening of our hospitality offering which was the slowest of all to recover after the Covid closures. However, this was offset in part by reductions in sales in certain other departments, including outdoor furniture.
“Stock levels have decreased by £4.1m from £8.9m to £4.8m. Trade creditors have also reduced by £2.5m. Post year end, the company has reduced stock further and is now at normal pre-Covid levels.
“The Company has achieved an operating loss of £1.54m (2022 operating profit of £0.18m). This is lower due to the mix of categories sold, the restaurants not being fully operational, a greater volume of garden furniture sold at a low margin in order to reduce our stock and creditor levels, and the headwinds of increased freight and operating costs, especially the substantial increases in our electric and labour costs.”