Sharp rise in UK patio heater sales bucks economic downturn

March 28, 2012 - PRLog -- The rise in the number of patio heaters sales in Great Britain has dramatically
increased, leading retailer Simply Patio Heaters.co.uk has said.

The family business, based near Gatwick Airport, compared their sales figures from the beginning of 2008 through to the end of 2011. The results surprised the team.

According to John Mitchell, Marketing Manager, they found that as the economy
shrunk (based on UK official Government figures) their patio heaters sales figures actually went up.

"We haven't particularly been promoting our patio heaters apart from tidying up
our website. The only thing for the rise we can think of is that  more people are
spending less going on holidays, staying at home and making the most of their gardens."

But there could also be another reason for the sales increase says John.
"It also crossed our minds that because of the smoking ban - smokers are being forced outside -  they are being kept warm by patio heaters," John believes. "We certainly have seen more interest from hotel groups and restaurants. Factories and offices too seem to be buying heaters."

The smoking ban for enclosed public places was introduced as law in March 2006 in
Scotland. A year later Wales, followed by England in July 2006.  

Contrary to popular belief, today's patio heaters are often more efficient than
their predecessors says John. He says some come with 16kw of output but still run
on standard patio propane gas.  He advises people to buy the gas version and not electric because of the dangers of trailing wires.

Whatever the reason for the increase in sales, as the Prime Minster David Cameron says,  it's small businesses like Simply Patio Heaters.co.uk  that are core of the Government's plans to re-build the economic recovery.

"Compared to big retailers, small companies offer a really personal service. It's great that the Government recognises this sector," says John.

For more information on simplypatioheaters.co.uk can be found at:
http://www.simplypatioheaters.co.uk

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Powerful 16kw gas patio heater with wooden table available from the family business behind Simply Patio Heaters.co.uk . The family business has been trading in patio heaters since 2002 and employs a small team based near Gatwick Airport.

For more information on simplypatioheaters.co.uk can be found at:
http://www.simplypatioheaters.co.uk