Blue Diamond have completed the purchase of Barton Grange Garden Centre with their first day of trading tomorrow, Saturday 26th July 2025.

Having spent most of this week on site at Barton Grange, Blue Diamond Managing Director, Alan Roper told GTN Xtra: "It's the team that make Barton Grange.

"I don't think I've ever come across a centre where it doesn't matter where you are, whether you're in a department, on a till or in the restaurant, every single member of staff without any exception have all got the right attitude and customer centric behaviour.

"They are always on it. There's no one slouching, no one kicking it around, they always work with purpose. There's a good energy about the whole team."

Alan is looking at a £3m profit uplift at Barton Grange with the most significant change being the clothing department replacing the Cook Shop, which will become part of home as at other Blue Diamond centres.

As with most of the recent Blue Diamond acquisitions, Alan is always looking for ideas and retail processes that can be used across the group to improve trading.  The Revero covered planteria at Barton Grange is already making Alan talk to his team about possibly investing in covered planterias at other sites. "The percentage of hardy to seasonal plants at Barton Grange is much stronger and it must be because of that covered canopy. I mean, it is a lovely space to walk around so that'll be an interesting one for me to look at and maybe trial in a new development."

A press statement fro Barton Grange and Blue Diamond said:

The sale of Barton Grange Garden Centre and Garden Centre Plants to leading Garden Centre group Blue Diamond was officially completed this morning (Friday, 25th July).

Guy Topping, Managing Director of Barton Grange, commented: “Blue Diamond has always been our preferred purchaser. Their proven expertise in operating destination garden centres and nurturing iconic brands across the sector gives us great confidence that Barton Grange will continue to flourish under their ownership.”

He continued: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our fantastic team, whose hard work and passion have made Barton Grange such a special place. The past month has been challenging, but their dedication has been unwavering. The culture we’ve built here is unique, and I’m certain it will live on for many years to come.

I also want to wish Alan and the entire Blue Diamond team every success with the transition. I look forward to seeing a little Blue Diamond sparkle added to the Barton Grange pizzazz.”

Alan Roper said: “The acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Barton Grange, a business long admired for its innovation, customer experience, and horticultural excellence. Under the Blue Diamond umbrella, the centre will continue delivering the same high standards with fresh opportunities for growth and development. Having met the Team and spent some time with them, I can say with absolute sincerity they are outstanding and are what makes Barton Grange an exceptional business.”