St John’s Garden Centre in North Devon has changed hands after being acquired by two  long-standing employees.

Jason Mellet and Mark Toon are the new owners after buying the garden centres in Barnstaple and at Ashford from the Oliver family, who have operated the hugely well-known garden centre and landscaping business for 66 years.

Admin manager Jason and Landscape Manager Mark became the official owners of St John’s on Friday 29th March.

Jason told GTN Xtra: "The opportunity came about after other sales of the business fell through.  Knowing the business inside having been involved in all aspects for 35 years, we sought out backers and advisors who would be as excited and pro-active about the opportunity as us.  Nat West Bank have been 100% positive and helpful.  By the end of our first meeting they were as enthused as us about the possibilities."

Jason joined St Johns in 1989 when their first computer system was installed and Mark has headed up the Landscape business for the past 15 years after starting at St Johns as a Saturday lad.

“We are delighted that Mark and Jason are taking over,” said former joint owner Nick Oliver. “They have been long serving members of our staff and understand the business ethos and our commitment to serving customers.”

Nick’s parents, David and Patsy Oliver began the nursery in 1958 as a smallholding at the site at the bottom of St John’s Lane in Newport, Barnstaple, where the garden centre is today.