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Barton Grange Bolton bought by The Garden Centre Group
The Garden Centre Group has acquired Bolton Garden Centre (formerly Barton Grange Garden Centre, Bolton) to add to its 129 garden centres.
Bolton Garden Centre was bought from the Barton Grange Group, which has retained its other garden centre and nursery businesses.
This is the first significant addition to The Garden Centre Group since it came under the ownership last year of Terra Firma, one of Europe’s leading private equity firms.
Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of The Garden Centre Group, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Bolton Garden Centre and to be integrating this great property and team into our Group.
"Our garden centres have a reputation for outstanding plant quality and we look forward to expanding the range and quality of plants at Bolton as well as offering membership of The Gardening Club to all our new customers.
"This acquisition further strengthens our position as the largest plant- and garden-focused retailer in the UK.”
Guy Topping, Director of the Barton Grange Group, added: “I have been personally involved with Barton Grange Bolton from the very beginning, even helping to build the garden centre.
"I would like to thank all the staff at Bolton who have contributed to its success during our years there. The business is now well placed to build on that success with the backing of The Garden Centre Group and Terra Firma, who have been a pleasure to deal with."
There are now 130 garden centres in The Garden Centre Group including Blooms Garden Centres, Country Gardens and Wyevale Garden Centres. More than 90% of the group's plant stock is British-grown, and much of this stock is grown in their own nurseries. It employs more than 5,000 staff and runs its own Gardening Club, with more than 2 million members.
Gilbert Evans advised the vendor during the negotiations.
Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of The Garden Centre Group, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Bolton Garden Centre and to be integrating this great property and team into our Group.
Guy Topping, Director of the Barton Grange Group, added: “I have been personally involved with Barton Grange Bolton from the very beginning, even helping to build the garden centre. 
