Wyevale Garden Centres announces the sale of five garden centres to Dobbies.
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The centres are: Gloucester; Heighley Gate; Huntingdon; Woodbridge and Woodlands.
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Roger Mclaughlan, Chief Exec of Wyevale, said: ?We’re pleased to have agreed the sale of five of our largest centres to Dobbies. They are one of the UK?s biggest and most experienced garden centre operators.
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“We would like to thank our colleagues at these centres. They have been central to our turnaround in the past few years.
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“We wish them well for the next stage of their growth and development under Dobbies? ownership.?
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Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: ?The acquisition of these five centres is in line with our strategic growth plan for Dobbies.
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“We are looking forward to welcoming our new team members and to working with them to develop the centres.?
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The acquisition brings more than 400 team members to Dobbies. It takes their estate to 39 centres across the UK.
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Dobbies takes 5 of larger destination stores
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The five centres are all larger destination garden centres, similar in size to the nine centres sold to Blue Diamond.
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The sale is expected to complete in late October with the centres reopening as Dobbies soon after.
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Anthony Jones, Chief Financial Officer of WGC, said: ?Since the launch of the sale process in May we have already sold 23 centres. We’re currently evaluating a wide range of competitive offers from buyers. We look forward to further positive discussions with all potential buyers.?
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Darren Bond, Managing Director of Christie & Co, said: ?We’re delighted to have supported the sale of these five centres to Dobbies. It means we have now exchanged on 28 sites as part of the sale process.?
