Rainy day gains

COUNTRY GARDENS' results for the half-year to 30 June were affected by the worst period of weather for 15 years, said chief executive Nicholas Marshall.

In spite of the adverse weather, the garden centres operator reported a 22 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to pounds 4.1m on a 14 per cent increase in turnover, with like-for-like sales up 9.6 per cent.

The board proposed an interim dividend of 0.7p per share, an increase of 17 per cent on last year.