// Wyvevale sells another 2 stores as part of scheme to slim down its estate
// Stores located in Seven Hills, Surrey and Barnett Hill, West Midlands
// Cherry Lane acquired the Barnett Hill store, while Seven Hills
Wyevale has announced the sale of another two garden centres as part of an ongoing scheme to trim down its store portfolio.
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The gardening retailer said its Barnett Hill centre in the West Midlands has been acquired by Cherry Lane, a value gardening chain owned by the QD Group, and staff members there will keep their jobs.
Meanwhile, Wyevale’s Seven Hills centre has been sold to a property development and investment company.
Wyveale said it would continue running Seven Hills under licence for up to six months, during which the company would seek alternative employment for the staff members.
Wyevale said the two deals are expected to complete during March.
The latest sales mean Wyevale has now sold 48 of its stores since it first announced plans to do so last year in May, after a huge investment scheme saw the garden retailer return to profitability.
One of the handful of buyers of Wyevale’s estate includes rival Dobbies, which snapped up at least six stores.
“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,” Wyevale chief executive Anthony Jones said.
“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.”
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