Westland Horticulture boss Edward Conroy has admitted that troubled company Solus Garden and Leisure would be sorely missed if a buyer for the company couldn't be found, and has suggested the industry should learn from the whole experience.

The joint managing director of Westland Horticulture said: “Our industry relies on good businesses to innovate and create engaging initiatives to get more people to realise the pleasure of gardening.

“We are a consumer industry that has changed more than most. Garden centres have developed enormously in the last 10 years, with a bigger range of products and one of the best food offerings available to consumers.

“Solus were a very good business for a long period of time and will be sorely missed by the entire industry. We should use this news as an opportunity to reflect on our progress as an industry and to consider what still needs to be done. There is much that we could still do to give consumers a better helping hand in the garden and if this news sparks that debate, then something positive will have come of this.

“At Westland Horticulture, we are committed to excellence and providing consumers with what they need, in an accessible and approachable way.”

Solus went into administration earlier this month, and the administrators have already axed 91 jobs because of the company's growing losses. 

Administrators Rob Hunt and Tony Barrell, who were appointed on May 15, remain hopeful of securing a sale of the business but when GTN Xtra contacted them earlier this week they said there wouldn't be any imminent news of further developments.