Dobbies to close 17 stores - full list of garden centres shutting down
Dobbies has confirmed its plan to shut down multiple sites
DOBBIES
Dobbies has announced its plan to shut down 17 of its sites across the UK as the recent wave of store closures looks set to continue.
The country's largest garden centre chain is closing multiple of its "unprofitable stores" as part of a wider restructuring plan which will see 456 jobs axed.
Of these roles being cut, 82 are full-time staff positions out of Dobbies' 3,600-strong workforce.
According to Dobbies Garden Centres, the proposed closures will assist the business in returning to profit and slash its rent costs.
The organisation was purchased by investment firm Ares Management last year and plummeted to a £105.2million pre-tax loss in the year to March 2023, against a £7million loss a year earlier.
So far, Dobbies has not been placed into administration but its restructuring plan has to be approved by the landlords and ratified by the court.
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Many sites across the country are set to shut down
DOBBIES
Here is a full list of the 11 Dobbies stores that are due to close in the near future:
- Altrincham
- Antrim
- Gloucester
- Gosforth
- Harlestone Heath
- Huntingdon
- Inverness
- King’s Lynn
- Pennine
- Reading
- Stratford-upon-Avon.
Here is a full list of the six Little Dobbies garden centres that are due to close in the near future:
- Cheltenham
- Chiswick
- Clifton
- Richmond
- Stockbridge
- Westbourne Grove
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
High streets have been hit by a wave of store closures since the pandemic, on top of banks shutting down PAAs part of the overhaul, Dobbies is in talks with nine landlords from other sites to reduce their rent bills at their locations.
The restructuring plan was put together by the garden centre, its parent company and consultancy firm FTI Consulting.
"The restructuring plan, and other strategic initiatives, are expected to return Dobbies to sustainable profitability through site rationalisations, rent reductions and other tangible cost savings, securing its long-term future and allowing access to future investment," the company stated.
"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."
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