Paul Chessum’s Home & Garden group has acquired its eighth garden centre -  Plowmans at Ferndown in Dorset, right opposite major local competitor Golden Acres. It takes the turnover of the group, which has said its target is 10 centres, to more than £6 million.

The site, managed by former Blue Diamond manager John Blackstaff, has the best sales growth potential in the group, the company says.

The buyer at Plowmans is Andy Schofield.