May 2006

Download PDF

Download Word doc

Email

Print

BRITS SPEND £2.5 MILLION ON THEIR GARDENS
- Brits spent £2.5 million on garden goods last year alone1
- UK gardens are now worth £52 billion2
- MORE TH>N offers plant cover up to £2,000 and exterior contents cover up to £2,000 as part of its standard home insurance policy.

Forget home interiors, Brits are now spending their hard-earned cash – and lots of it – on their gardens, according to recent research from MORE TH>N insurance3. Despite recent water restrictions, those with a private garden spent £2.5 million on garden goods such as patio heaters and barbecues in the last year alone, and UK gardens are now worth over £52 billion nationwide. One million garden owners spent as much as £1,000 last year on their outdoor space. And it’s in the last two years that the majority (65 per cent) of garden owners have carried out their garden improvements.

An obsession with TV garden makeover shows could also be responsible for the outdoor enhancements, as one in eight (12 per cent) garden owners admit it’s shows such as Garden Invaders and events like next week’s Chelsea Flower Show that have inspired them to do up their garden. A strong design element is now a feature in almost a quarter (24 per cent) of UK gardens, and a small but significant 4 per cent have gone as far as having their gardens landscaped by a paid professional.

It seems that what was once a backyard is now becoming something of a status symbol, with two thirds of Brits admitting that they would not consider moving into a property without a garden. Four in ten (41 per cent) of those questioned by MORE TH>N value the look and feel of their garden as much as any other room in their home and one in eight (12 per cent) are proud of their garden and like to think their neighbours are envious.

This new wave of yuppie gardens comes at a cost, however, as UK thieves are also switching on to the trend. Statistics from the British Crime Survey found that in the last 12 months, 1.1 million thefts took place around the house that were not vehicle or burglary related. The MORE TH>N research reveals that one in four (26 per cent) of Brits with private gardens have experienced garden theft or attempted theft in the last two years. The top target was garden tools (12 per cent), closely followed by plants, bushes, shrubs and lawns (11 per cent), and garden equipment such as barbecues (7 per cent). Despite this, almost a quarter (23 per cent) don’t have any security measures in place to protect their garden.

Craig Allen, head of home insurance at MORE TH>N, says: “In the last few years we have seen a rise in popularity of garden furniture such as patio heaters and hot tubs, and it seems more and more people are taking pride in their outdoor space. Unfortunately, expensive plants and landscaped gardens prove to be a prime target for thieves. As well as good insurance for plants and external contents, we also recommend simple security measures such as security lighting, a wall or fence around the garden, and locking away all equipment to deter thieves from helping themselves to expensive garden goods.”

MORE TH>N has the following tips to prevent garden theft:
1. Install security lights and an alarm, and don’t forget about your shed. If neighbours know you’re away, they will be alerted to any intruders.
2. For expensive/valuable garden equipment, install an infra-red beam – it should be placed high enough to pick up any human activity, but not animals. You can buy this from a specialist security retailer.
3. Put gravel on your drive – not only will you be able to hear intruders but it will slow them down if they have a wheelbarrow, etc.
4. Dense hedges such as Beech act as a great barrier, but don’t let them grow too high as they could also provide burglars with a screen.
5. Remember to lock all equipment away and keep it out of sight if possible.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?