In This Issue
Guy Hands puts the "For Sale" notice up at Wyevale Garden Centres
Golds for Hillers, Cooks, Taylors Bulbs and Dibleys at Chelsea 2018
Best in Show Awards for Mr Fothergills and T&M
Get the right compost for your hanging baskets & patio planters
Blue Diamond profits increase to £9.2m
Plant sales soar...'just like an old-fashioned bank holiday'
Profits up by 24% at Westland Horticulture
“You may now kiss the bride” Royal Wedding celebrations at Gouldings 
The man from Taylors Bulbs with the ‘Midas Touch’ chases his 25th consecutive Chelsea Gold
Squires host visit from 70 overseas journalists at Twickenham
spoga+gafa 2018: More space, more themes, added values
Woodlodge ranges to feature at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In its 80th anniversary year, Hartley Botanic showcases the value of provenance & history on its RHS Chelsea trade stand
Burgon & Ball showcases New Wonder Weed Puller at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Mr Fothergill’s joins forces with BBC Children in Need
Deputy Centre / Planterea Manager
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden care just the support act...
Rolawn lend Malvern winners a helping hand
Haskins donates gardening equipment to hospital’s mental health ward
Acclaimed gardener, writer and plantswoman Beth Chatto, OBE VMH, dies
Wild bird sales chirpy in the sunshine
Rapper to open RHS Feel Good garden at Chelsea
Growing media sales set new record
Dine with Petersham Nurseries at Chelsea Fringe
Gardening Journal is a passion for Moleskine
The best of last week's
Home and Garden UK Ltd still alive and trading
Bosworths expand to 2 centres with The Walled Garden at Elton Hall
From record low to record high in 10 weeks - GTN Bestsellers reports an all time record for Bank Holiday week
Smart Garden Products named in the FT 1000
Blue Diamond buy Orchard Park Garden Centre
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
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Join leading operators at Commercial Kitchen: 5-6 June
Ivy House All Day Kitchen opens at Groves Nurseries
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Guy Hands puts the "For Sale" notice up at Wyevale Garden Centres
 

After dropping hints yesterday at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show that the business would be for sale within the next year, Guy Hands' Terra Firma has announced today that the garden centre group is officially up for sale either as a whole, as sub groups or as individual garden centres.

 

Here is the statement in full:

 

Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC), the UK’s biggest garden centre operator, has been put up for sale by Terra Firma as it seeks to complete a full exit for investors from its third fund, TFCPIII.

 

Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor, has been appointed to explore a range of sales options for the business, from a sale of the whole business to individual garden centres. The centres are expected to be attractive to a wide range of buyers, from financial institutions through to existing garden centre operators and local entrepreneurs.

 

The sale comes at an advanced stage of a turnaround programme for WGC, which has seen significant investment in the core business. Customers and colleagues have responded positively to these improvements with the business now achieving sales and profit growth.

 

The business has enjoyed exceptionally strong sales in recent weeks, with a record breaking Mayday bank holiday weekend, the highest one-week’ sales ever and May on track to be the most profitable month in the company’s history.

WGC is the UK’s biggest garden centre chain, with 145 garden centres, ranging from local horticultural centres to major leisure destination venues. The garden centres include 144 restaurants and cafes and 700 concessions with 240 partners. These have been significantly developed during Terra Firma’s ownership and have been key to driving footfall and de-seasonalising the business, making the centres attractive all-year round destinations.

 

The garden centre sector is vibrant and growing with Mintel forecasting a growth rate of around 3% per annum through to 2021.

 

Justin King, Vice-Chairman of Terra Firma and Chairman of WGC, said:

 

“The improvements made by the new leadership team at Wyevale Garden Centres supported by 6,000 dedicated colleagues, means that now is the right time to seek new, long term ownership for the business.”

 

Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Executive of WGC, said:

 

“Wyevale Garden Centres has transformed beyond recognition over the last few years, and our customers are responding really positively to all the improvements we’ve been making, with improved ranges, high stock availability and exceptional garden centre standards. Our improved business has engaged colleagues and put customers at the heart of what we do. Thanks to the hard work of all of our colleagues, we remain firmly on track to grow our sales and profits this year.”

 

For further details on the garden centre estate please go to:
www.wyevalegardencentres.christie.com

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Monty Bond
The reason Wyevale failed is due to the "leadership" team who did not understand the garden centre sector. I feel really sorry for the garden centre staff as we have seen this so many times before: management and buyers coming in from outside the industry who think they understand how to run garden centres but unfortunately haven't a clue.
James
Very very true Mr Bond
Huw Williams
I hope any prospective buyer's carry out their due diligence effectively.