Why are Dobbies closing down?
Why is the garden centre chain closing down? Dobbies says that the 16 stores slated for closure are ‘unprofitable’. It says that the restructuring plan intends to ‘address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability’. In 2023, there are 2,300 garden centres in the UK. Dobbies are the UK’s largest chain with almost 80 sites, followed by British Garden Centres with over 60.Dobbies restructuring is approved meaning the exit from 12 garden centres. The company says this will enable Dobbies to return to sustainable profitability.Rising rents, energy costs, and staffing expenses have put pressure on profitability, leading many businesses to reconsider their viability. In October, garden centre chain Dobbies announced it would be closing 17 stores by the end of the year – with nearly 500 employees affected.dobbies garden centres limited (styled as dobbies) is a british chain of garden centres based in lasswade, scotland. It was formerly the biggest garden centre operator in the united kingdom, for a time, operating as many as 77 stores, some of which it acquired from the previous biggest garden centre chain, wyevale.
Are Dobbies stores closing in 2025?
Popular UK garden centre Dobbies closed 8 stores across the UK in 2025, in-line with the company’s major restructuring plan. Most of these took place earlier this year, from January to March, resulting in Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury and Northampton closing their doors for good. The garden centre chain has made closures this year following a major restructuring plan. Dobbies is the latest retailer to be undergoing restructuring plans. It comes amidst a turbulent time for the retail high street, with multiple other big names making similar moves.British Garden Centres has today announced the acquisition of three Dobbies Garden Centres in Gosforth, Gloucester and Reading, making it the UK’s largest garden centre operator by number of sites. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the business.Join David Robinson, Chief Executive of Dobbies, as he shares insights from his journey leading one of the UK’s most recognisable garden centre brands.Dobbies to close 17 outlets to reduce rent costs Dobbies has said all sites will continue to operate until the restructuring process is given the green light. The garden centre chain fell to a £105. March 2023, against a £7 million loss a year prior.
Why is Dobbies garden centre closing?
Dobbies to close 17 outlets to reduce rent costs The company says it is putting in place a restructuring plan to address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability. Popular UK garden centre Dobbies closed 8 stores across the UK in 2025, in-line with the company’s major restructuring plan. Most of these took place earlier this year, from January to March, resulting in Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury and Northampton closing their doors for good.Why is the garden centre chain closing down? Dobbies says that the 16 stores slated for closure are ‘unprofitable’. It says that the restructuring plan intends to ‘address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability’.Dobbies, a household name and one of Britain’s biggest specialist garden centre retailers, has been forced to close many of its outlets over the past year as part of a court-approved restructuring plan after years of financial difficulty.Dobbies recorded a drop in earnings over the last two years in its first accounts since 2023. The garden centre reported results covering both 2023 and 2024 due to the timing of its restructuring disrupting its usual schedule.
Who owns Dobbies Garden Centres now?
The UK’s largest garden centre retailer Dobbies has been acquired by funds managed by long-term investor Ares Management which has committed to financially support the business. Ares Management acquired Dobbies Garden Centres in February 2023 from Midlothian Capital Partners and Tesco. The private equity firm stated at the time that its funds “have been lenders and shareholders since the business was acquired from Tesco in 2016.British Garden Centres has announced the acquisition of Dobbies Rugby and the leasing of the Dobbies Northampton site. These additions increase the company’s total number of garden centres to 72, further cementing its status as the UK’s leading family owned retail operator.The garden centre chain has made closures this year following a major restructuring plan. Dobbies is the latest retailer to be undergoing restructuring plans. It comes amidst a turbulent time for the retail high street, with multiple other big names making similar moves.
Is Dobbies garden centre in financial trouble?
Dobbies, a household name and one of Britain’s biggest specialist garden centre retailers, has been forced to close many of its outlets over the past year as part of a court-approved restructuring plan after years of financial difficulty. Why is the garden centre chain closing down? Dobbies says that the 16 stores slated for closure are ‘unprofitable’. It says that the restructuring plan intends to ‘address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability’.The closures come as part of a major restructuring plan Dobbies Garden Centres shut down eight branches in 2025 as part of a major restructuring initiative. They had warned earlier this year that restructuring plans were under way to return profitability and have confirmed which outlets are set to shut.The company says it is putting in place a restructuring plan to address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability. Among those affected by the closures are the Gloucester, Altrincham, Gosforth, Huntingdon, King’s Lynn, Pennine and Stratford-upon-Avon garden centres.
Is Dobbies Garden Centre owned by Tesco?
Tesco has sold its garden centre chain Dobbies for £217m as the retailer continues with its strategy of focusing on its supermarket business. Dobbies has been sold to a group of investors led by Midlothian Capital Partners and Hattington Capital. On 17 June 2016, Tesco sold the company on to a group of investors led by Midlothian Capital Partners and Hattington Capital for £217m.