They used to just feature at school sports days and village fetes but the gazebo has become a must-have garden accessory this spring as preparations for gatherings at Easter prompt sales of garden furniture and accessories to go “crazy”. Garden furniture, gazebos, outdoor pizza ovens and fire pits have been flying off the shelves in recent weeks as families prepare to reinstate their social lives outdoors under England’s “rule-of-six” Covid restrictions, which restart on Monday. A notice on the Argos website states that “due to high demand we are running low on garden furniture”. John Lewis has sold out of all but eight of the 71 garden sets listed on its website, but says “more stock is expected end of April”. Sales of decorative items such as outdoor rugs were up more than 10%, while demand for statement outdoor tiles has increased fivefold.

Source: The Guardian March 27, 2021 07:52 UTC