I guess many of us feel sad as every High Street in the country begins to have the same look.

The larger companies elbow out our individual shopkeepers and small businesses have almost disappeared from our cities.

Now the same is happening in the countryside and Wyevale has recently taken over Country Gardens, which will make independent garden centres an endangered species.

This is no criticism of Wyevale, which has been extremely successful and is obviously a well-run company. Nor is it just a garden centre. I suspect some High Street retailers might be envious as Wyevale extends its selling areas and range of goods.

Pet food, prize carp, furniture, books, sweets, leisure wear, Christmas presents - if things go on like this, you will be able to pick up your doctor's prescription there on a Sunday morning.

In December, I bought a few bits and pieces from our local Wyevale Garden Centre in Brighton. The bill mounted up. Did I really want two pointsettias, perhaps one would do? And the winter wash for our crab apple trees seemed very expensive. Had I enough money to settle the bill? I was beginning to get a bit panicky and then I had a wild idea.

They were advertising for a Father Christmas. Should I apply? I'm about the right age. Whatever next in our garden centres?

While Wyevale is expanding, it continues to look after its core business and its gross margins are the envy of many retailers. Wyevale knows its customers. There are instant trees, shrubs, window boxes and hanging baskets for busy buyers.

Erotic, or should I say exotic, plants, too, if you like that kind of thing. And for regular gardeners, there continues to be a bewildering array of seeds, bedding plants, tomatoes, cabbages and the rest.

I have just read Wyevales latest annual report and accounts. They make good reading. Sales are up nearly eight per cent, despite the very poor weather in May and the continuous rain and floods in the Autumn. At the same time, margins were improved. So all in all, Wyevale had an excellent year.

Now we have the news of Wyevale's purchase of Country Gardens. This is a major purchase and, given past performance, there is little doubt Wyevale will be able to produce better margins at these new centres. They will widen the range of products and they have new centres coming on stream in Surrey, Lincoln and Leicester.

I consider there are real prospects for this group and I have half a mind to ring my stockbroker. He hasn't heard from me for several months.