After a difficult year experienced across the gardening sector, Dobbies is moving to address what it calls historically uneconomical rent costs across its chain of garden centres and smaller urban high street stores via a restructuring process.
The gardening centre group has set out plans to close 17 out of its chain of 77 stores by the close of 2024. This would affect the jobs of 465 staff in Scotland, Northern Ireland and across England. The earmarked closures include 11 unprofitable garden centres and six ‘Little Dobbies’ high street outlets.
In a statement Dobbies said: “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.
“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
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