Garden centre is sold
Bridgemere garden centre near Market Drayton, which has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the UK, has been sold to a major chain. A garden centre near Market Drayton, which has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the UK, has been sold to a major chain. Bridgemere Garden World, on the Shropshire and Cheshire border, has been run by John Ravenscroft and his family for more than 40 years. It was founded in 1962 on a six-acre site. But it was announced today that the centre has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Wyevale Garden Centres. The garden centre had been on the market with a price tag of at least £15 million. Mr Ravenscroft will join the company's advisory board. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A garden centre near Market Drayton, which has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the UK, has been sold to a major chain.
Bridgemere Garden World, on the Shropshire and Cheshire border, has been run by John Ravenscroft and his family for more than 40 years. It was founded in 1962 on a six-acre site.
But it was announced today that the centre has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Wyevale Garden Centres.
The garden centre had been on the market with a price tag of at least £15 million. Mr Ravenscroft will join the company's advisory board.
A consortium led by Wyevale has acquired the Bridgemere site and Wyevale will take over the running of the garden centre business, as well as its 240 employees.
John Ravenscroft said today: "Bridgemere has been my life for over 40 years and I'm delighted it will be able to continue to grow and develop under the Wyevale umbrella. I am looking forward to having a continuing role with the group in my retirement so that I can help that process."
Jim Hodkinson, chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: "This is Wyevale's first move since going private earlier this year and it demonstrates our determination to build on our strong platform of market leadership within the garden centre industry.
"Bridgemere is already a very successful business and fits perfectly into our existing geographical coverage. It was an opportunity which we couldn't miss."
