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Happy medium

Size does matter, argue the directors of middle-sized chains, and they don't want to grow too big. Annette Rawstrone reports Think of a nursery chain and it tends to be one of the largest groups with thousands of places that springs to mind. But with more than 160 groups listed in the Nursery Chains directory, there are many thriving middle-sized companies that have no intention of challenging those topping the league table. Big is not necessarily better, in the opinion of their directors. There are many benefits to keeping to growth within bounds.

Think of a nursery chain and it tends to be one of the largest groups with thousands of places that springs to mind. But with more than 160 groups listed in the Nursery Chains directory, there are many thriving middle-sized companies that have no intention of challenging those topping the league table. Big is not necessarily better, in the opinion of their directors. There are many benefits to keeping to growth within bounds.

'To be honest, I'm not sure that we would want to be a lot bigger than we already are,' says Sue Watson, director of Bramleys Nurseries, which comprises six settings. 'I know every member of staff and am in tune with all the different locations and what is happening in the local areas. I feel genuinely involved in all the nurseries and visit each one every two weeks.'

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