Dimmock attracts punters to Dobbies

FAIR-WEATHER friends turned out in force over the Christmas and New Year holiday at Dobbies Garden Centres, tempted by a rich mulch of dry days and come-hither advertisements featuring TV gardener Charlie Dimmock.

Like-for-like sales were up 20% on the wet 1999 holiday while total sales were 40% to the good. Dobbies chief executive James Barnes said the group's centres were now seen as a destination for buying Christmas decorations and presents as well as garden goods.

The acquisition-minded Dobbies is now second only to Wyevale in the fragmented garden centres industry, and plans to double its number of outlets to 32 over the next five years. The shares today put on 32 1/2p to 442 1/2p.