Future of Staffordshire's Dobbies garden centre confirmed as 16 sites to close before Christmas

Hayley Parker
·2-min read
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Dobbies has confirmed the imminent closure of several stores just before Christmas - but Staffordshire's branch is safe for now. The garden centre chain had earlier announced its strategy to shut down 17 outlets by the end of the year, which includes 11 large stores and six smaller Little Dobbies locations, as a part of an extensive company restructure.

Six of the larger Dobbies stores now have set closure dates but this does not include centre in Gailey, near Stafford. Initially, Dobbies indicated that the store closures would impact 465 staff members.

Currently employing approximately 3,600 individuals, the company operated 77 stores across the UK prior to the announcement of these closures. Finalisation of the restructuring is contingent on court sanction.

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A Dobbies spokesperson previously stated: "Subject to the restructuring plan being successfully approved, we expect the affected sites to cease trading by the end of the year. Thereafter, Dobbies will operate 60 stores and continue to play a key role in the market, working constructively with stakeholders and suppliers, and having an active and committed role in the communities in which it's based."

The garden centre chain, which was acquired by investment firm Ares Management last year, reported a pre-tax loss of £105.2 million for the year ending March 2023, compared to a £7 million loss the previous year, according to its most recent company accounts, , reports the Mirror.

The following Little Dobbies stores have already closed:

  • Little Dobbies - Bristol - already closed

  • Little Dobbies - Richmond - already closed

  • Little Dobbies - Cheltenham - already closed

  • Little Dobbies – Edinburgh Stockbridge - already closed

  • Little Dobbies - Chiswick - already closed

  • Little Dobbies – Westbourne Grove - already closed

Full list of Dobbies that are earmarked for closure

  • Dobbies – Pennine - December 15

  • Dobbies – Kings Lynn - December 15

  • Dobbies - Gloucester - December 15

  • Dobbies – Harlestone Heath - December 17

  • Dobbies – Altrincham - December 17

  • Dobbies – Gosforth - December 19/20

The following are said to be holding closing down sales, without a specific closure date listed:

  • Huntingdon

  • Inverness

  • Reading

  • Stratford on Avon

Dobbies is also seeking to reduce its rent at the following further nine stores:

  • Aylesbury – World’s End

  • Hare Hatch

  • Havant

  • Leicester

  • Lelant

  • Morpeth

  • Northampton

  • Rugby

  • Stapleton

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