GARDEN centre operator Peter Barratt's is bucking the retail trend following a record year of sales.

While some of the biggest names on the high street continue to suffer as a result of a retail spending slowdown, Peter Barratt's Garden Centres, which has stores in Gosforth and Stockton, has reported a 16 per cent rise in turnover for the past 12 months.

Total sales at the two centres are now more than £18m.

Owner and managing partner Peter Barratt said: "The figures over the last 12 months have really been boosted by a great performance in departments such as gifts, homewares, clothing, footwear, and garden furniture - plus our restaurants are more popular than ever."

The company reported an 8.5 per cent increase in sales of furniture over the past 12 months as well as a 20 per cent rise in the sale of gifts.

That was further boosted by its core range of garden plants, which was up ten per cent on this time last year. More than £2.5m was spent in the company's outdoor plants department in the past 12 months.

The husband-and-wife team of Peter and Angela Barratt maintain a hands-on approach to the business and both are still the group's chief buyers.

In total, they employ more than 350 staff across the company, including more than 30 at a central distribution warehouse and head office at Team Valley.

Mr Barratt said one of the company's core strengths was providing plants that would grow well in North-East gardens. "Many of our bedding packs, instant colour baskets and containers are grown locally, therefore they travel less distance, offer better value for money and are guaranteed to perform in our customers gardens.

"This gives us the edge over the bigger companies like B&Q or Homebase who transport similar product much greater distances."