Folkestone garden centre bought by Grovewell

Joe Wilkinson 29/05/2016

MacFarlanes Garden and Butterfly nursery has been bought by Grovewell Garden Centres.

The 18.5 acre site in Swingfield was previously owned by the Landwood Group ? leading property surveyors, auctioneers and asset managers.

Mark Bailey, director of the Landwood Group, said: “Over the years the site had become run down and the decision was taken to cease all trading.

“The site is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, calling for owners to be sympathetic to the immediate area, which resulted in buyers being able to understand the potential for the future.”

A number of groups were interested in the site either to keep it as a garden centre or change it into a leisure, tourism or residential area.

Mr Bailey added: “We gather that the site is due to be reopened this month as a redeveloped garden and butterfly centre and will be the third site owned by Grovewell. We wish them success.”

Grovewell own two other garden centres in Kent and centre manager, Paul Smith, will be leading the new site.

He said: “We aim to build on the success and reputation of Canterbury and Tenterden Garden Centres. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from staff and locals so far and I’m really looking forward to building a Centre we can all be proud of.”

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