Two long-established garden centres have been sold after the family behind the business said “there was no next generation to take the reins”.
The Millbrook Garden Centres in Staplehurst and Gravesend had been run by the same family for more than 47 years.
From left, Charles Stubbs, director of British Garden Centres, with Tammy Woodhouse, managing director of Millbrook and Matt Heston, manager of what’s now named Pepper Hill Garden Centre
They have been bought by British Garden Centres.
The deal takes the group’s total to 77 sites nationwide, including centres in Paddock Wood and Ramsgate.
Under the new ownership, the sites will be renamed Staplehurst Garden Centre and Pepper Hill Garden Centre.
Millbrook was founded in 1979 by Dick and Sue Allen and later led by their daughter, Tammy Woodhouse.
Tammy said: “I am so proud of The Millbrook Garden Company, which was started by my parents 47 years ago and has grown into a well-respected industry-leading business.
Millbrook Garden Centre in Gravesend has been sold and is now called Pepper Hill Garden Centre
“Our achievements are a testament to our passionate and dedicated team and I must thank them for their support.
“It has been a really difficult decision to sell Millbrook and leave the business and industry that we love, however with no next generation to take the reins, we felt that this was the right time to move on.
“We are delighted to hand over to British Garden Centres and the Stubbs family and wish them every success in the future as they continue to grow and develop the centres.”
British Garden Centres began as a single site in Woodthorpe, Lincolnshire, opened by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs after they started out selling seedlings from a stall outside their home.
The business has since grown into the UK’s largest family-led garden centre group.
In 2019, the company significantly expanded by acquiring dozens of sites from Wyevale and Hillview, accelerating its national reach.
It now operates more than 70 stores across England and Wales and employs more than 3,000 people.
Charles Stubbs, director of British Garden Centres, said: “When we look at Staplehurst and Gravesend, we do not just see two outstanding garden centres, we see the passion, the dedication that the Allen and Woodhouse families and their team have poured into these sites over the years.
“We have enormous respect for everything Millbrook stands for and I want every member of their team to know how genuinely welcomed they are into our family as we take the centres forward.”
The Gravesend site, just off the A2 near Pepper Hill, became known as a destination store.
Alongside plants and gardening supplies, it features a food hall and butchers stocking more than 300 products from more than 20 local producers, as well as The Mill restaurant offering breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas.
It has also hosted seasonal events, workshops and festivals throughout the year.
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