Landscape service businesses are small on average: the ONS figures give an average turnover of £316,000 per business in 2024, across 22,931 businesses. It is also a trade that has grown quickly, both in the number of businesses and in turnover.
| 2024 | Landscape service activities |
|---|---|
| Businesses (VAT or PAYE registered) | 22,931 |
| Total turnover | £7.3bn |
| Average turnover per business | £316,000 |
| Staff costs, % of turnover | 29.0% |
| Bought-in goods and services, % of turnover | 48.3% |
| Left after staff and bought-in costs, % of turnover | 22.7% |
Source: ONS Annual Business Survey, 2024 results (published 26 May 2026). It covers businesses registered for VAT or PAYE, so the smallest sole traders are not included. Averages are pulled up by the largest firms. For sole traders and partnerships, the owners’ own pay is not in staff costs: it comes out of what is left.
Landscape service activities: turnover rose 48% between 2019 and 2024, against a 24% rise in consumer prices, so it grew in real terms. The number of businesses rose 21%. Staff costs went from 25.0% to 29.0% of turnover, and what was left after staff and bought-in costs went from 29.0% to 22.7%.
The number of businesses grew faster than in most trades. More competition and rising wages together have reduced the share of turnover left after costs.
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