Notcutts in discussions to buy Garden Pride Centre in Sussex

Notcutts Garden Centres have entered discussions to acquire Garden Pride Garden Centre with a view to complete the sale before Christmas.

Subject to all parties reaching agreement, transfer of the business is planned for December 6 2013.

Garden Pride is an independent garden centre in the village of Ditchling in Sussex.

It is a thriving business with a turnover of over £5m and has a strong horticultural offering and a popular restaurant.

The 26 acre site is located in the South Downs National Park on the busy B2112, linking Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath to Brighton.

Trevor Wenham, who has run the centre for over 20 years, is now planning to retire but will be staying on in a consultancy role along with Kathleen McDonald.

The existing staff at Garden Pride will be welcomed into the Notcutts family, minimising disruption to them and customers in the run up to Christmas.

Andrew Staff Interim CEO at Notcutts, said: “Garden Pride is a great fit with the Notcutts business. It is an independent garden centre with all the qualities that are important to us as a family owned company; great service, strong local reputation, quality ranges and a real focus on plants and gardening. We are delighted to welcome the colleagues into the Notcutts family.”

Trevor Wenham said: “I am delighted to be selling to a family owned business that I know will continue to provide excellent ranges and service for the local customers and continue to look after my valued staff.”

Acquisition has been a key business objective for Notcutts in 2013, so the addition of Garden Pride to the 18 centre strong group is a positive and progressive move for the business.

The business is also looking forward to the opening of its brand new garden centre in Tunbridge Wells in spring 2014.