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The magnificent GIMA Team WingWalk for Greenfingers Charity
GTN Bestsellers analysis: Bring on the sunshine
Plant sales up by 12% as rain relents
Garden centre team does Land's End to John o'Groats charity ride...on static bikes.
GYO leads the way as Dobbies roll out Elho concept
Hillier begins re-brand of four former Wyevales
Beware hosepipe 'backflow' warning as weather warms
Planning for catering: an expert's view at HTA one-day conference
Kettler GB invests £2m in warehouse to streamline distribution
New Hopetoun Gardens owners hand control to employees
Planting inspiration in Notcutts new display garden at Maidstone
Suttons reaffirms its commitment to retailers with new investment
Two New Greenfingers Gardens Open
Mild May makes way for increase in houseplants sales
Free stands at Autumn Fair for 12 Theo Paphitis-endorsed winners
Blenheim Palace show attracts 24,000
Retail launch for non-toxic firelighter used by British Army
FlowerTrials visitors undaunted by poor weather
Medals for quartet with 120 years long service...
Garden Centre Photo Tour - RHS Wisley New Plant Centre
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Core gardening products improve after the rain
25% uplift for Growing Media
Great year for garden veg
Wild Bird Care benefits from the rain
GARDENA makes Hampton Court debut
The best of last week's
Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of Podington Garden Centre
Police arrest three as they flee from Sanders GC early-hours break-in
‘Adopted Yorkshireman' relocates from Australia for garden centre role
Clematis wins visitor vote at National Plant Show
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New Hopetoun Gardens owners hand control to employees

The owners of New Hopetoun Gardens near Edinburgh have transferred ownership to an employee trust to secure the centre’s future for its staff.

 

In considering their own futures after 40 years running the business, Dougal Philip and Lesley Watson felt selling up to a third party would not guarantee security for the staff and customers and protect their life’s work. An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) was suggested by their lawyer.

 

The arrangement hands a controlling majority of the shares to the trust, – a limited company run by three employees and an external trustee. The purchase price for the £2m turnover business will be covered by accumulating dividends over the next decade, without staff having to pay for shares.

 

Scottish Enterprise have provided grants to cover a proportion of the costs. Under EOT rules, owners can sell a business to employees without paying Capital Gains Tax.

 

 

New Hopetoun Gardens’ office manager Morag Macrea (above, right, with Lesley and Dougal) takes on the role of managing director, leading a staff of 36. Lesley and Dougal will remain with the business for five years but reduce their input as the new regime takes over.

 

Dougal Philip is a past president of the HTA a vice president of the RHS, for who he is also a shows judge.

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