Wyevale has announced the sale of its Woodcote Green garden centre to Dobbies.
Wyevale said Woodcote Green branch is the third largest garden centre in the UK market and news of the sale comes after Dobbies’ acquisition of five other stores from the gardening retailer earlier this month.
Located in south London, the Woodcote Green centre was bought by Wyevale in 2016 and run as a stand-alone entity within the Wyevale Group.
“We are pleased to have agreed the sale of Woodcote Green to Dobbies, one of the UK’s biggest and most experienced garden centre operators,” Wyevale chief executive Roger Mclaughlan said.
“We would like to thank our great colleagues at this centre, who have made a huge contribution to the business, and wish them well for the next stage of their growth and development under Dobbies’ ownership.”
Dobbies chief executive Graeme Jenkins said: “The acquisition of Woodcote Green represents another step in our growth plan and expands our footprint in the south of England.
“There is a great team at Woodcote Green who have succeeded in creating one of the UK’s best garden centres and we very much look forward to welcoming them to the Dobbies’ family.”
The sale is expected to be finalised by the end of this week and will bring Dobbies’ estate to 40 garden centres across the UK.
Woodcote Green will become the largest garden centre in the Dobbies group.
Wyevale has received a significant number of offers for all or part of its remaining business from national, regional and financial operators as well as local entrepreneurs.
“Since the launch of the sale process in May we have already sold 29 centres and are currently evaluating a wide range of competitive offers,” chief financial officer Anthony Jones said.
“We look forward to further positive discussions with all potential buyers.”
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