Directors take major step for the Gates Garden Centre brand
A family owned garden centre at Cold Overton has taken over the freehold of its other site in Leicestershire to consolidate its flourishing brand.
Gates Garden Centre is now a destination shopping and gardening retail site after starting out in 1948 as a small market garden in a walled kitchen garden in the grounds of Cold Overton Hall.
In February last year, it adopted the lease of the Woodlands Garden Centre, which is based at Stapleton, near Hinckley, relaunching it as Gates Woodlands Hinckley, with the name paying tribute to the site’s heritage and reputation during its independent years.
Since then, significant investment has been made in the centre, including a comprehensive refurbishment programme and the creation of the highly successful Fred & Ivy’s Restaurant.
Throughout the transition, Gates retained the existing team and all shop-in-shop concessions, ensuring continuity for customers and preserving valuable local employment.
The purchase of the freehold now represents a major milestone for the business, providing long-term security for its now 130-strong team and creating a solid platform for future investment.
Director Nigel Gates commented: “We are delighted to now have ownership of Leicestershire’s two leading garden centres, plus the Woodlands Nursery, which ensures sourcing continuity for much of the high quality annual and perennial planting across both the sites.”
Fellow director Jack Gates added: “This investment reflects our confidence in the future of the business, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with the local community, supporting gardeners throughout the seasons, and continuing to enhance the experience for our customers for many years to come.”