A leading manufacturer of summerhouses says sales are continuing to increase as Brits look to make the most of their garden space.
Directors at Scotts of Thrapston, which is currently celebrating its 95th year of operation, say summerhouses are increasing in popularity and are being chosen in place of conservatories or extensions.
Fourth generation Scott family member and director, James Scott, says the company is expecting an increase in sales again this year, following its best ever year in 2014. He says: “Last year we sold more summerhouses than in any other 12 month period in our 95 year history. Our success is partly down to the diverse selection of designs within the range, but also thanks to our commitment to ensuring customers have the very best quality of service and a quality finished product.
“Data has shown that spending on garden related products increases significantly as the weather gets warmer and drier and our own experience supports this. And with April and May set to be sunny with temperatures reaching 21°C, we are once again expecting a busy season.”
Recent research by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)* found that almost as many people said they used their garden for relaxing as they did for gardening. Half of the people surveyed said they socialise in their garden and almost two thirds of respondents said they gardened in order to create a beautiful space.
James adds: “We have enjoyed strong sales across all of our products within the summerhouse range and our wide variety of designs cater for all requirements, from the functional RHS Arbour with its useful storage space and seating area to our Newhaven, which can be situated in a corner. Our rotating base, which is compatible with all of our octagonal buildings, is also extremely popular allowing the room to be rotated to follow the sun or shade.”
“Customers have informed us that our summerhouses offer a different option for adding extra space rather than calling in the builders. They are becoming more popular than conservatories because people like the fact they are separate from the house.
“A summerhouse is an investment that not only adds value and intrigue to a property, but also provides increased enjoyment from a garden.
“An electricity supply can be installed into a summerhouse so that it can be fully utilised during the colder nights and darker evenings. Having electricity installed also dramatically increases the number of activities that can be enjoyed in a summerhouse including listening to the radio, watching TV, home working or creating an exercise room or gym.”
Scotts is running a series of open days on 17/18 April and 17/18 July at its manufacturing facility and showroom in Thrapston, Northamptonshire, giving potential buyers the chance to see for themselves the superb range of garden buildings which are perfect for hobbies, entertaining, relaxing or just enjoying sitting in the garden.
Visitors will be able to peruse the wide range of colour finishes, roof materials, interior seating configurations, upholstery designs and a whole host of optional extras which are offered by Scotts to ensure each summerhouse is unique to its owner and the only limitation is imagination.”
The Scotts of Thrapston promotional open days will run from 10am to 3pm at the company’s premises on Bridge Street in Thrapston, Northamptonshire NN14 4LR.