The Oxfordshire Gardener has fallen into liquidation owing more than £240,000 to creditors, many based in the county.
Founded in 2007, the business specialised in landscape design, building, planting and maintaining gardens.
Although registered in Witney, the business operated from Kirtlington Business Centre in Kirtlington near Bicester.
It is understood the business has closed down with it being listed as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.
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The company’s website, Facebook, Twitter/X and LinkedIn have all been deleted, too.
Its now closed down website says it operated across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, the Cotswolds, London “and beyond”.
The website says: “Led by founder, Simon Murfitt, the practice consists of a small team of horticultural specialists and landscaping professionals.
“Based at a studio-barn in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, each of the team have a broad knowledge base, as well as areas of individual specialism, allowing us to offer excellence across any discipline of garden care and creation.”
Rob Keyes and David Taylor, both of Reading-based KRE Corporate Recovery, were appointed as joint liquidators on July 31 to wind down the company of 18 years.
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Statement of affairs submitted to Companies House during the liquidation process say there are 30 creditors who could be owed money.
This includes HMRC Debt Management, which is owed £89,609 from two separate claims.
HSBC in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, has three claims totalling £97,858 from a bounce back loan and commercial card.
Plant, tool and equipment hire firm Greenplant, from Wheatley, is owed £12,832 while Banbury-based topsoil supplier North Oxfordshire Topsoil is owed £5,000.
The Witney branch of Travis Perkins is owed £2,128 while debts of £2,682 is owed to South Hinksey builder’s merchant AWBS.
In 2024, The Oxfordshire Gardener had employed 16 people – up by four from the previous year – accounts show.
They are said to be owed £13,220 on the statement of affairs.
However, there is expected to be a shortfall for preferential creditors (those who can receive money first) of £57,611.09.
In all, there are 30 claims from creditors totalling £246,737.
Assets for the business are said to be worth £114,000.
Horticultural Trades Association director of public affairs Jennifer Pheasey had previously said the confidence within the horticulture business industry “elusive”.
She said: “We urge the government to prioritise decisive action to alleviate the cost burdens in the sector and commit to fair policies, so that our members can continue to contribute to the UK’s environmental sustainability and overall economic wellbeing.”
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