The company has been reassessing its nationwide portfolio amid rising operational costs and shifting consumer behaviour – here are all the remaining Dobbies locations
Dobbies has closed eight garden centres this year(Image: Getty)
A prominent garden centre retailer has closed several branches this year as part of an extensive overhaul designed to safeguard the firm’s future viability. Dobbies Garden Centres shut down eight of its locations during the first quarter of the year.
The affected sites were in Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury and Northampton. This followed a challenging spell for the business, which has been reviewing its national estate amidst escalating running costs and evolving shopping patterns.
In a statement, a Dobbies spokesperson explained the move was integral to a wider strategy focused on bolstering the enterprise and enhancing its financial performance.
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“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,” the spokesperson said.
They continued: “These measures will secure Dobbies’ long-term future and allow access to future investment.”, reports the Express.
That said, not every location will disappear from the gardening landscape entirely. The Northampton outlet, which ceased trading in early March, was swiftly acquired by British Garden Centres and remains operational under fresh management.
The wave of closures represents a notable shift across the UK’s garden retail sector. Numerous traders have grappled with difficulties stemming from increased property costs, soaring energy bills, and the persistent impact of inflation on household budgets.
Despite the shutdowns, Dobbies continues to be one of the country’s leading garden centre chains, and the firm maintains that its restructuring strategy will secure a more sustainable future.
The 76 Dobbies garden centres remain operational:
InvernessGloucesterLisburnPerthMoreton ParkHungerfordThornburyBostonChesterfieldAtherstonePeterboroughAltrinchamKestonGaltonRichmondAylesburyCarlisleStockbridgeTewkesburyMilngavieCirencesterYorkNorthamptonHare HatchDunfermlineBirtleyStirlingSouthportBraeheadWoodcote GreenLiverpoolAshfordGosforthBrightonPontelandMarpleRoystonLeicesterRugbyWestbourne GroveTelfordGillinghamBeaconsfieldHavantLivingstonShepton MalletSandyholmMilton KeynesStapletonSwanseaGaileyDerbyAberdeenWoodbridgeKings LynnShrewsburyCliftonHuntingdonAntrimBury St EdmundsAyrLelantAndoverShenstoneReadingSwindonStratford-upon-AvonHarlestone HeathChiswickPrestonStocktonEdinburghDundee
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