Popular UK garden centre Dobbies closed 8 stores across the UK in 2025, in-line with the company’s major restructuring plan.
Most of these took place earlier this year, from January to March, resulting in Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury and Northampton closing their doors for good.
However, not all gardeners need to worry about losing their local plant hotspot. The Northampton branch, for example, was immediately taken over by British Garden Centres and continues to operate under its new ownership.
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Similarly, other former Dobbies sites like Gloucester, Gosforth, Reading and Stratford-upon-Avon, have since reopened under other major operators such as Blue Diamond and British Garden Centres.
These closures reflect a turbulent time for the UK high street as a whole, with other retailers making similar moves.
Numerous other stores have faced similar challenges this year, including Claire’s, Poundland, Homebase and Hobbycraft, mostly linked to rising rents, energy costs and people spending less with the rising cost of living.
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Dobbies is still one of the largest garden centre operators in the country, but maintains that the restructuring will benefit the business in the future.
A spokesperson said: “The restructuring plan and other strategic initiatives are expected to return Dobbies to sustainable profitability through site rationalisations, rent reductions, and other tangible cost savings.
“These measures will secure Dobbies’ long-term future and allow access to future investment.”
All the Dobbies garden centres that closed in 2025:Rugby – closed January 19Morpeth (Heighley Gate) – closed January 19 (site closure; some parts later acquired by other operators)Stapleton – closed January 19 (site closure)Havant – closed January 19 (site closure)Hare Hatch – closed January 31Leicester (Rothley / Rowena) – closed February 14Aylesbury (World’s End) – closed February 28Northampton – closed March 2 (closed by Dobbies but immediately acquired by British Garden Centres)Gardening Must-Haves
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Lizzie is the Daily Editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
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