Selby Garden Centre in North Yorkshire has been acquired by the Noble family, owners of Victoria Farm Garden Centre & Café at Whitby.

Ann and Stephen Ward, who started Selby GC in 2000, are to retire.

The 5.25-acre centre is on Hull Road at Osgodby, near Selby.

Victoria Farm Garden Centre & Café, originally opened in 2003 by Bill & Jean Noble, is now run by their sons Mark (pictured) and Paul.

The Noble family were originally dairy farmers but as the milk price dropped, they found it unsustainable to run a dairy farm on the edge of the moors.  A local agricultural engineer who found he was losing business as farmers stopped farming put his site up for sale. Bill and Jean Noble sold their cows to buy it.

A strong family interest in gardening made a garden centre business an obvious choice After it was set up in 1996, a cafe was incorporated so visitors could enjoy the outstanding view and the Old Barn on site was the ideal place to exhibit Bill's collection of farming bygones and relics.

The garden centre thrived thanks to a loyal core of regular customers, some of whom travel long distances. Although supposedly retired, Bill still visits the centre to chat with customers, who enjoy listening to his stories of farming on the moors. 

The sale was handled by Alexander Mackie Associates Ltd.