Wyevale Garden Centres has today announced the sale of two centres, Barnett Hill and Seven Hills.

Barnett Hill has been sold to Cherry Lane, the value garden centre group (part of QD Group) and will continue to be run as a garden centre by the new owners. Staff at Barnett Hill will transfer to the new ownership.

Seven Hills has been sold to a property development and investment company. WGC will continue running Seven Hills under licence for up to six months during which time the company will be looking to find alternative employment for all staff members.

The deals are expected to complete during March.

Anthony Jones, Chief Operating Officer of WGC, said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of two more garden centres, taking the total sold since the start of the process to 48.

"We would like to thank our great colleagues at these centres and wish them well for the future, whether under new ownership or within Wyevale Garden Centres.

"We continue to evaluate and discuss a wide range of competitive offers and look forward to further positive discussions with all potential buyers.

"Meanwhile, the Spring gardening season has well and truly started and we are focusing our efforts on trading our remaining portfolio during this important period in the year.”

Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor managing the sale process on behalf of WGC, has achieved considerable interest from a wide variety of buyers. The opportunity to acquire garden centres has ignited significant interest within the sector and beyond, and as part of the process Christie & Co continue to liaise with bidders.

Cherry Lane said it was delighted to announce the acquisition of Barnett Hill, Worcester Road, Stourbridge. This represents the third acquisition of its type over the last 12 months for the group as they continue to look for further sites as part of their on-going fully funded expansion strategy.
 
Nick Rubins, Chief Executive of the QD Group which owns Cherry Lane, said: “The acquisition of Barnett Hill Garden Centre is another great landmark in the ongoing growth and success of Cherry Lane. We are a family run business and this is a major purchase for our Group. We are very pleased to welcome the team from Wyevale and are looking forward to sharing with our customers our great value, excellent quality and ever-changing spectacular new deals.”
 
The Garden Centre will be known as Barnett Hill by Cherry Lane and will retain all staff enabling them to remain in their existing roles.
 
Cherry Lane will be working to introduce a number of key improvements and developments to the garden centre over the next few months to enhance customers enjoyment and experience of the great value and quality of products from garden furniture, comprehensive pet department and wild bird care not to mention seasonal special offers and the wonderful array of plants, many grown within the Group’s three nursery operations, located across the country.
 
Barnett Hill by Cherry Lane is now the 13th garden centre owned by Cherry Lane, the UK’s eighth biggest garden centre group.
 
For more information on Cherry Lane, visit www.cherry-lane.co.uk.