Dobbies Receives Restructuring Plan Approval

Dobbies restructuring is approved meaning the exit from 12 garden centres.  The company says this will enable Dobbies to return to sustainable profitability.

The Dobbies Statement

Dobbies Garden Centres Limited (Dobbies) is pleased to announce the Restructuring Plan (RP), launched in September 2024, has been approved by the Court of Session in Scotland.

The approval of the RP means Dobbies will exit the leases of 10 loss making sites. An agreement was reached with landlords for an eleventh site, in Antrim, to remain open. 

Furthermore, and as part of the discussions with landlords over temporary rent reductions, two additional sites will move to other garden centre operators.

Sustainable profitability

This, alongside other strategic initiatives, will enable Dobbies to return to sustainable profitability, unlock access to future investment and deliver a strong and well capitalised platform for the business going forwards. 

Having successfully secured approval of the RP, focus is now on accelerating a return to sustainable profitability, working constructively with suppliers, and on providing excellent products and experiences for customers and local communities.

Dobbies would like to thank all of its colleagues, partners and suppliers for their commitment and hard work as they have navigated this process.  

A Dobbies spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to have worked constructively with landlords on the Restructuring Plan (RP). The approval of the RP means we can now be focused on the future, building a strong platform for a return to sustainable profitability in our stores across the UK. Thank you to all our colleagues, customers and suppliers who supported us during this process.”

Further updates

Gardenforum will publish further updates on who will be taking on the garden centres that Dobbies are vacating.

Originally 11 garden centres were scheduled for closing, but Antrim has since been reprieved following a deal with the landlord.

Gardenforum understands that new tenants will shortly be announced for Gloucester, Gosforth, Harlestone Heath, Huntingdon, Kings Lynn, Pennine, Reading and Stratford on Avon.

Altrincham and Inverness have yet to be finalised and may find alternative uses.

Gardenforum understands that some of these centres are being cleared of stock and fixtures ready to hand back to the landlords.  Therefore the new tenants may not occupy till the early spring.

Source : Reproduced with permission from George Bullivant at Gardenforum

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