British Garden Centres has confirmed the acquisition of Dobbies centres in Morpeth and Havant, taking the company’s portfolio to 70 sites.
“To reach 70 centres is a huge achievement for our family-run business,” commented Charles Stubbs, founder and director of British Garden Centres. “This would not be possible without our amazing team and the passion they have for what we do, and our suppliers who have been so supportive as we have grown over the last few years.”
Plans are afoot for the Morpeth garden centre to open in early to mid-March when it will revert back to its original name of Heighley Gate Garden Centre, with the group wishing to embrace the heritage of the site. British Garden Centres is retaining the existing centre team, building on the existing strengths of the site, and ensuring that it will become a top destination garden centre.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Heighley Gate store and teams into the British Garden Centres family,” commented Charles. “Our priority for the next few weeks is to work with the passionate team to ensure a smooth transition and swift reopening for the local community.”
Havant Garden Centre is also expected to open in March with the team working to reset and stock the site. British Garden Centres will retain the current centre team, and, due to the expected growth of the site, there will also be a recruitment drive.
“This acquisition marks another exciting step in our growth as a leading player in UK garden retail,” continued Charles. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Havant team to the British Garden Centres family and look forward to building on the strong foundations they already have in place.”
British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
Top: British Garden Centre’s Charles and Amy Stubbs.
