Coolings Nurseries of Sevenoaks, have agreed to purchase the well-respected retail business known as The Potted Garden Nursery, near Leeds Castle in Kent...

Chairman Paul Cooling (left) said: “We are over the moon to welcome the new team into the Coolings family.  The focus on plants has always been paramount at Coolings and we look forward to being part of the next chapter in the history of this new site.”

MD Gary Carvosso (right) also said Coolings would work with the current team to further improve what was already a successful and profitable business. “Plants will always remain at the core of what we do and we will not be rushing into any additional investment just yet, as we are mindful to preserve the wonderful charm of the site.”

The site, on the busy A20 close to Maidstone, comes with planning permission for the introduction of catering and a larger garden shop.

Rob and Amanda Brookman, the current owners of The Potted Garden, said: “When we were looking for a buyer for the site we were keen to find a company that valued its staff and whose core interest was plant based, so we’re delighted to have found the ideal buyer in the great company that is Coolings. We wish them every success taking the business forward.”

The official handover date is 1 November.

The sale was handled by Alexander Mackie Associates Ltd.