RNS Number:0641K
Dobbies Garden Centres PLC
15 April 2003

                
                           DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRES plc

                            CHAIRMAN'S AGM STATEMENT

At the Company's Annual General Meeting held today, Mr Alex Hammond-Chambers,
Chairman of Dobbies Garden Centres plc made the following statement:

"I would like to update shareholders on current trading. Just after Christmas we
announced that like for like sales for the period to the end of December were
4.1% up on the previous year.

The like for like sales over the 24 week period to date are affected by the
timing of Easter, which falls 3 weeks later than last year. However, good
weather in March and April combined with merchandising improvements in our
stores has lifted our cumulative like for like sales growth to 5.6%."

                                    - ENDS -

Enquiries:

James Barnes, Chief Executive

Sharon Brown, Finance Director

Dobbies Garden Centres plc      Tel: 0131 663 6778

Jonathon Brill, Director

Bell Pottinger Financial Ltd    Tel: 020 7861 3232


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