Strawberry Corner Garden Centre’s owners blamed crippling costs and constant roadworks (Image: Google Street View)
A popular garden centre is set to close after over three decades in business. “Crippling” costs and “constant” roadworks have been blamed for the closure of Strawberry Corner Garden Centre in Wallyford, East Lothian, after 32 years.
The family-run business, which opened in 1994, announced the store closure on social media, telling customers: “[W]e are absolutely heartbroken that our lifetimes’ work has ended this way. However, it has been out [of] our control and the company is now in liquidation.”
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Strawberry Corner Garden Centre’s owners said they saw a dramatic drop in footfall after the Covid pandemic.
They added: “[R]ising costs have been crippling, not to mention constant roadworks in the local area reducing our footfall dramatically. We tried tirelessly to make things work but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
Building work to improve Wallyford Toll roundabout linking the A199, A6094 and B1361 started in November last year, according to East Lothian Council. It said changes to the interchange would improve safety and facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and those with limited mobility.
The garden centre’s statement online added: “We would like to thank each and every one of you who shopped with us over the past 32 years, many of you became friends. We can only apologise that this has been cut short and we will no longer be part of the East Lothian community.
“To our staff past and present, who many of were more like family, we will always be grateful.”
The announcement sparked a flood of supportive comments from customers. Facebook user Rena Glass posted in reply to the company’s post: “Just so sad to read this. Always my go to place for the garden, will be so missed.”
Fellow Facebook user, Douglas Hamilton, said: “Absolutely gutted to hear this. I know how hard all you guys worked in there. I loved catching up with you all on every visit. It’s just not going to be the same again.”
Another, Jean Perrett, commented: “I am shocked and really sorry to hear this news. I’ve popped in fairly regularly over many years for all my garden needs and bird food. You have had such good plants, pots etc. I remember that you once had a little cafe. Another independent family-run business lost. You will be sorely missed by me.”
Janette Gray added: “This is such sad news. We’ve many plants and tubs in our new garden from your centre. It was always a pleasure to visit. It is so hard for businesses just now, but those road works were outrageous and have gone on so long.”
Strawberry Corner Garden Centre posted a message of thanks following the outpouring of support, telling customers there was no alternative other than liquidation, which the owners said had come as a shock to them all.
News of the closure comes amid heightened concerns over the challenges small businesses around the UK face. Figures from The Insolvency Service show in 2025 there were 23,938 registered company insolvencies, a total described by the Service as similar to the previous year.
The number of registered company insolvencies in England and Wales was 1,671 in December last year. This was 10% lower than in November (1,850) and a 13%drop on the same month in December 2024 (1,919), according to The Insolvency Service.
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