When news broke that Barton Grange Garden Centre had been acquired by Blue Diamond, it sparked curiosity among loyal customers. For more than six decades, the Topping family has been at the heart of the business, located between Preston and Garstang, turning it into one of the country’s most admired garden centres and a much-loved local destination.
After 61 years, the family decided it was time to hand over the reins. With the next generation choosing careers outside horticulture, Guy Topping and his family made the difficult decision to sell the centre to ensure its future remained secure. They wanted a buyer who would care for it as they had – and that’s where Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, came in.
‘There’s something special about Barton Grange,’ says Alan. ‘To be honest, it’s the only garden centre I’ve ever bought that’s already successful and delivering the profit you’d expect. Most of the businesses we acquire are struggling, and we turn them around.’
That ‘something special’, he explains, goes beyond the award-winning displays and beautifully stocked plant areas. ‘Everyone in the industry knows Barton Grange is one of the most iconic independent garden centres in the country,’ he says. ‘Having known and admired it for years, I felt we’d be the best people to protect that unique identity.’
What impressed him most was the people. ‘In other centres we’ve acquired, maybe 60 per cent of the team are good at what they do. At Barton Grange, every single person I’ve met, without exception, is outstanding,’ he says. ‘Everyone is genuinely customer-focused. That’s the Blue Diamond culture too – we’re a people business. I see a team that’s completely at one with itself, which is quite remarkable. We share a similar DNA.’
Although Blue Diamond is one of the UK’s largest garden centre groups, Alan insists every centre keeps its individuality. ‘We’re made up of individual businesses, each named after their original founders,’ he explains. ‘We don’t rebrand and put Blue Diamond signs over the door. If I did, I’d destroy the reputation and brand that’s been built up over so many years.’
Part of that legacy, says Alan, is Barton Grange’s strong community connection. ‘Garden centres play such an important role in local life,’ he says. ‘Each of our centres keeps its local identity and its own connection with the community. That will absolutely continue at Barton Grange. We’re very community-focused and always open to working with local groups.’
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For customers wondering what might change, the answer is: not much. ‘Barton Grange already delivers brilliant customer service,’ he says. ‘We just want to build on that. Customers have been asking for fashion, so we’ll be launching our Cerulean by Blue Diamond fashion department in January. We’ll also strengthen the homeware offer and introduce a more aspirational furniture collection. In the outdoor plant area, customers can expect even more choice and authority in the range. Really, we just want to add a little extra sparkle without changing what people love.’
That sense of continuity also extends to one of Barton Grange’s most beloved traditions – Christmas. ‘Christmas at Barton Grange is already magical, so that’s not changing,’ says Alan. ‘But after listening to feedback, we created a new Santa’s Grotto Experience that takes the magic even further. It’s a fully immersive journey through the North Pole where children can meet Santa and make their own soft toy to take home. It’s really special.’
Alan’s vision is simple. ‘It’s business as usual,’ he says. ‘The relationship between the team and customers is what makes Barton Grange exceptional, and I want to make sure that continues. Of course, we’ll keep evolving to give customers reasons to come back, but the heart of Barton Grange will stay the same.’
bartongrange.co.uk
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