Mario Bautista
Dobbies is set to close its garden centre in Altrincham as part of a restructuring plan.
The former Wyevale Garden Centre, on Green Lane in Timperley, was acquired by Dobbies – Europe’s largest garden centre business – in September 2019.
But after its most recent financial results showed widening losses of £130m, owner Ares Management appointed FTI Consulting to advise on a restructuring plan.
That plan will see the chain close 17 sites, including its one in Altrincham which also has a popular cafe and children’s soft play area, with 465 staff facing redundancy.
Dobbies said the plan was necessary to address “historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability”.
It added in a statement: “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 – securing its long-term future and allowing access to future investment.”
The plan, which still need to be formally approved, would leave Dobbies with 60 sites.
The other locations affected are Antrim, Gloucester, Gosforth, Harlestone Heath, Huntingdon, Inverness, King’s Lynn, Pennine, Reading, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham (Little Dobbies), Chiswick (Little Dobbies), Clifton (Little Dobbies), Richmond (Little Dobbies), Stockbridge (Little Dobbies) and Westbourne Grove (Little Dobbies).
