GARDEN-CENTRE enthusiasts are gutted after a major retailer has been forced to shut another one of its beloved branches.
The shop has already scrapped 12 stores in 2024 alone and fans have said the decision is “so disappointing.”
Dobbies Garden Centre at Hare Hatch, Berkshire, announced it will be shutting up shop on January 31.
The popular outdoor and DIY store offers plants, garden furniture and pet supplies, and has been a family favourite across the UK.
A spokesperson from the garden centre said: “Dobbie’s Garden Centres confirms that its Hare Hatch store is transferring to new ownership during January and is pleased to confirm that the in-store team will also transfer to the new operators.
“This follows approval of Dobbies’ restructuring plan in December 2024, which allows the business to focus on returning to sustainable profitability, unlock access to future investment and deliver a strong and well-capitalised platform for the business going forward. “
Fans of the shop are thoroughly disheartened by the news and one unhappy customer took to social media to express their concern.
On Facebook, they wrote: “So disappointing watching so many garden centres and DIY shops close down.
“Following on the footsteps of Homebase is another, Dobbies at Hare Hatch.”
One online user suggested it could be a result of internet shopping, writing: “Lots of shops closing.
“I also think online shopping is impacting but in our area, the loss of DIY shops and garden centers is quite an issue.”
Another unhappy shopper who lost a different branch said: “We losing our Homebase in Godalming.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Britain’s retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6339711979112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“Was the only home and DIY we have here and I loved it.”
This follows a spate of store closures last yearin which 12 Dobbies branches were axed in a major restructuring of the business, while i negotiated rent reductions on another nine stores.
A statement released by the garden centre at the time stated bosses went ahead with the closures to return to “sustainable profitability” and unlock access to “future investment.”
The closures included stores in Reading, Statford-upon-Avon, Inverness and Huntingdon.
A total of 10 sites were first earmarked for closure in September as they were unprofitable, and then shut in December.
An eleventh site in Antrim originally earmarked for closure was saved.
A further two locations in Morpeth and Stapleton were then transferred to new owners.
Meanwhile, six smaller Little Dobbies branches also closed in:
- Bristol
- Richmond
- Cheltenham
- Edinburgh Stockbridge
- Chiswick
- Westbourne Grove
At the time, the group said the closures would affect 465 workers, of which 82 were full-time, of the company’s roughly 3,600 strong workforce.
The garden centre chain, which was bought by investment firm Ares Management in 2023, fell to a £105.2million pre-tax loss in the year to March 2023, against a £7million loss a year earlier, according to its most-recently filed company accounts.
Restructuring plans are often launched by businesses when they find themselves in financial difficulty to help shore up extra costs.
The process can sometimes lead to store closures or job losses.
Dobbies continues to operate around 60 garden centres across the UK.
On the bright side, Dobbies Garden Centre in Hare Hatch is now offering a closing down sale to get rid of remaining stock.
The DIY store is also offering a 50 per cent sale across its gardening, home, and seed range.
If you’re looking to upgrade your plant pots, you can take home a Faux Rattan Hanging Cone for £2 down from £8.99, more than a 77 per cent decrease.
The Dobbies Wooden Foldable Grow Light has dropped down from £39.99 to as little as a tenner.
For those looking to tackle the garden before summer, the Gardena Classic Bypass Secateurs are £16.09 down from £22.99
Garden centres and DIY stores chains have also faced business struggles recently.
A combination of rising costs and fewer shoppers has squeezed businesses in recent years.
This has forced companies to close stores that are underperforming while many have not renewed leases with landlords leading to locations shuttering.