Arturi Garden Centre in Eastleigh has been acquired and re-branded by the owners of the on-site Orangery Tea Rooms.

Now known as The Garden Society, the garden centre was snapped up by business partners Samuel Baker and Aaron Duck at the start of January, after its previous owners Graham and Suzette Arturi retired. The duo had been operating the tea rooms at the centre for the past eight years before the opportunity to acquire the wider business arose. They were supported with the purchase by a five-figure finance package from HSBC.

The business partners now operate the whole site, which includes the garden centre, the aquatic and reptile centre, the Orangery Tea Rooms and the farm store. They also rent additional space to concessionary businesses, which offer landscaping, artificial grass and conservatories.

The whole operation currently employs 34 people, though Mr Baker and Mr Duck have plans to significantly increase its workforce over the next six to 12 months.

HSBC’s Regional Director for the Western & Wales region, Nigel B Davis commented: “Sam and Aaron are ambitious businessmen who approached HSBC with a clear strategy for the growth of their new venture. We worked closely with them in the months leading up to the acquisition to put together a finance package that best supported their plans and we’re already in talks about how we can fund the next phase of this exciting development. We look forward to seeing the business grow and continuing our relationship with Sam and Aaron.”

Mr and Mrs Arturi said in a statement announcing the business’ change of hands from January 1: “We are delighted to announce that, after many happy years of trading we are leaving Arturi Garden Centre. From today, the new owners Samuel Baker and Aaron Duck will be operating the garden centre trading as The Garden Society. As many of you will know, Sam and Aaron have been on site for many years operating the very successful Orangery Tea Rooms.

“We would like to thank you for your support over the years and we would like to wish Sam, Aaron and the Staff every good wish for the future.”