Devon garden centre Fermoy’s could be taken over by a new owner just weeks after plans were revealed for a multi-million pound redevelopment at the site.

It’s believed the 90 staff were told of the news when the centre hosted food, ale and music festival Abbfest late last month.

A Fermoy’s spokesman said the firm are unable to comment on any takeover, however after the story broke in local newspapers the talk locally is of the Blue Diamond Group being the prospective purchaser.

The centre has currently applied for planning permission to transform and redevelop the site and create 30 new jobs. The planning application says the existing garden centre has grown to its current shape and size over the past 40 years.

In the design statement in the application, it says over the years the centre has grown but on an ‘ad hoc basis’.

It also says the internal layout of the garden centre is inefficient and is ‘not suited to modern day retailing’.

The current car park design can be difficult for customers to navigate, with a lack of disabled and coach spaces and drop off spaces.

The new centre would also incorporate a food hall to house the current butcher and a delicatessen. A new restaurant is also included.