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04
Mar
Is garden centre near Knaresborough set for new owners?
New owners appear to be on the horizon for a garden centre between Knaresborough and Harrogate.
Moorland Nurseries and Garden Centre, on Forest Moor Road, was listed for sale in September last year by estate agent Christie and Co, with the freehold guide price set at £2.5 million plus stock.
At the time, Andrew Birnie, director of garden centres and retail at Christie and Co, said the business was listed privately, but was put on the open market.
The Stray Ferret understands that Lincolnshire-based British Garden Centres, whose 60-plus sites include Harrogate Garden Centre on Ripon Road, may be about to take over.
A spokesperson for the company said it was unable to comment on the reports at this stage.
Moorland Nurseries and Garden Centre opened in 1947 and is now operated by third and fourth generation family members.
At the time of being put on the market, its listing said it turned over more than £765,000 and recorded a net profit of £139,000 during the 2024 financial year.
The garden centre features cash desks, two managers’ offices and two staff rooms.
It also includes three “seasonally-heated” glasshouses – the largest of which is used to store and sell real Christmas trees – a propagation room and two polytunnels, as well as a loading bay, a number of storage spaces, a potting and production room and 75 designated parking spaces.
Two third-party businesses — Harrogate Aquatics and Lime Tree Café and Deli — operate at the site.
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