The acquisition, the group’s fourth centre, is part of a plan to grow to 10 sites over the next few years. “We’re interested in talking to low-turnover traditional businesses with potential in the right areas,” operations director Karen Gill told GTN Xtra.

An introductory sale soon after the Rutland deal was completed triggered such an influx of trade that police were called to control the traffic.

The existing employees, including manager Kevin Barker, have been retained and additional staff have been taken on, with more recruitment in the pipeline.

Mrs Gill said the group, whose main nursery facility is Chessum Plants at Biggleswade, was focusing on plants and gardening. “We want customers to feel they are in a gardener’s garden centre when they walk in the door,” she said.

The other Home & Garden sites, all trading under their local names rather than the group banner, are at Willington (Beds), Kettering (Northants) and Uttoxeter (Staffs).

Info: 01767 603990