Poor economy blamed as Whiteleys Garden Centre goes into administration

A buyer is being sought for the business and assets of Whiteleys Garden Centre in Mirfield near Huddersfield, which has become the first big garden centre casualty of the recession.

The garden centre has traded for more than 25 years, the garden centre is well-known locally and sells a wide range of plants, garden furniture, and pets and aquatics supplies as well as having a café. 

Its annual turnover is estimated to be over £2m and assets include its freehold site and significant levels of stock.  The business employs 45 full and part time staff and there are no plans to make any redundancies.

Pitts said: "This is a well-established and viable business which has suffered from financial pressures that are not related to its day-to-day operations. We are continuing to trade the business and the garden centre will be running as usual while a buyer is sought.  We want to reassure customers that the garden centre will be open as normal during the busy Christmas period and its full schedule of festive events will go ahead as planned.  

 "This is a long established business with a loyal customer base and represents an excellent investment opportunity.  We expect it to generate a high level of interest which we anticipate will result in securing a future for one of the area’s most popular garden centres."

The business is continuing to trade and a representative said the economy rather than bad weather this year was the reason for the garden centre going into administration.

Owner since 2007 is Pippin Street Ltd. Some 68 creditors are owed more than £1 million.

Begbies Traynor of Manchester - telephone number 0161 837 1700.