Hillier md Andy McIndoe confirms Redditch garden centre will be under new management from early September. It is understood former Webbs chief exec Boyd Douglas-Davies' Hill View Group is behind the acquisition.
Explaining the move, Mr McIndoe told DIY Week: "We are hoping to sell Redditch to a new operator. Redditch, as a centre, was not working that well with the Hillier model." He added that the centre "lacks enough local focus" and believes it will "benefit from a more independent management approach".

The garden centre's location has also proved a challenge in terms of day to day management, said the firm. Hiller operates 13 garden centres across the UK, with Redditch in Warwickshire the most northerly site.

While Mr McIndoe could not confirm the name of the company acquiring the centre at this stage, it is understood that the "new operator" he referred to is The Hillview Group (THG), the firm Boyd Douglas Davies joined following his departure from Webbs in January this year.

Earlier this year THG announced plans to start a new group of garden centres, taking over existing sites within the UK. Mr Douglas-Davies, who took up the role of THG ceo in April, is tasked with heading up the acquisition programme.

Hillier's Mr McIndoe said of the sale: "Personally I have been involved with Redditch since the previous owner first made contact with us hoping that Hillier would take on Yarningdale Nurseries (it's previous name)... I wanted it to remain a good horticultural establishment. I believe that its new owners, with their local knowledge and experience in the garden centre industry, will grow the business and further develop this site to its potential."

Meanwhile, following the positive reaction to its revamped Eastbourne site, Hiller plans to focus on investing in and enhancing its existing garden centre chain over the next year.