Hillier Buys Ducks Hill Garden Centre

Hillier has bought its 19th garden centre, Ducks Hill in Ruislip.  This extends its presence in the south and west of London after the opening of Syon last year.  

The centre will go through a few days of transformation and re-open as Hillier Garden Centre Ruislip, with new Hillier ranges available from spring. Through this new centre, Hillier looks forward to being part of the local community, sharing the company’s passion for plants.

Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre and Wholesale Nurseries Director said, “This is a nice compact garden centre in good condition, which is very plant focussed.  Ruislip is ideally located in the outskirts of Greater London and fits in well geographically with our existing centres.”

Most recent accounts for its parent company, Russell Garden Supplies, show a turnover of £2.9m and a profit before tax of £296,000.

Extending Hillier’s online business

The acquisition is more than just adding a profitable site to the group.  It will also extend Hillier’s online business, giving more people access to their popular Hillier branded plants in the southwest of London.   The company grows around one million plants a year across its Hampshire nurseries and is the largest grower of semi-mature trees in Europe.

The purchase follows the opening of Hillier at Syon Park last April.  Chris Francis said, “Syon is going very well.  We have a strong plant sales drawing on the Hillier name.” 

Goodbye

The former owners Antony and Susan Larkin placed the following message on the Ducks Hill website: “We would like to thank you for your custom & loyalty over the years and to say goodbye to you.

“After 30 years of trading at Ducks Hill Garden Centre Tony & Sue are retiring to spend more time looking after their own garden. We would like to thank you for your custom & loyalty over the years and to say goodbye to you.

“We are pleased to announce that Hillier Nurseries are taking over the Garden Centre. You will still see many of the Ducks Hill Garden Centre team in store when you next visit."

Source : Reproduced with permission from George Bullivant at Gardenforum

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.