Dobbies, the largest garden centre chain in the UK and a company that’s been around for over 150 years, has announced it is closing a dozen sites across the country. The brand intends to shutter ‘unprofitable stores’ as part of a restructuring plan – and that plan has now officially been approved in court. Several garden centres have already shut.
Known as much for its selection of outside furniture and seasonal decorations as it is for its plants and gardening tools, a Dobbies is handy to have nearby. Earlier this year Dobbies outlined plans to shut 10 ‘mainline’ garden centres and six ‘Little Dobbies’, and move two ‘mainline’ centres. All six of those Little Dobbies have now shut.
Here’s everything you need to know about which Dobbies garden centres are set to close.
RECOMMENDED:
💄 All the Boots stores closing before the end of 2024 in the UK – and in London.
🎥 All the Cineworld cinemas closing in the UK.
Which Dobbies are closing down and when?
Here are all the Dobbies outposts that are closing, and when.
- Gloucester - December 15 (closed)
- King’s Lynn - December 15 (closed)
- Pennine - December 15 (closed)
- Altrincham - December 17 (closed)
- Harlestone Heath - December 17 (closed)
- Gosforth - December 19 (closed)
- Inverness - December 23
- Reading - December 23
- Stratford-upon-Avon on - December 23
- Huntingdon - December 23
Separate to these are closures of branches in Morpeth and Stapleton. However, these will move to other garden centre operators.
These Little Dobbies have already closed.
- Bristol
- Richmond
- Cheltenham
- Edinburgh Stockbridge
- Chiswick
- Westbourne Grove
How many jobs could be lost?
The closures are set to impact over 400 Dobbies employees, out of a total of 3,600.
Who has taken over Dobbies Garden Centre?
No one has taken over Dobbies Garden Centre – well, not recently, anyway. The chain was acquired by investor Ares Management in in February 2023.
The restructuring plan has been put together by Ares Management, Dobbies and FTI Consulting.
Why is the garden centre chain closing down?
Dobbies says that the 16 stores slated for closure are ‘unprofitable’. It says that the restructuring plan intends to ‘address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability’.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.