'Exciting new chapter' at Whitehall garden centre after sale

Whitehall Garden Centre recently announced it had sold its Woodborough branch, near Pewsey, after it was marketed for over £1 million for months.

The 17-acre site has been bought by Ranu Limited, a firm entering the garden centre industry after 20 years in education.

Father and daughter duo Rajendra and Anjali Kumar will now be running the business and plan to maintain a family and community feel.

Mr Kumar said: “Woodborough Garden Centre will continue as a family-run business with strong community roots as established by Whitehall.

“The team on the ground has also cultivated a fantastic culture which we intend to build upon as we move forward. 

“We look forward to welcoming both our existing and new customers in this exciting new chapter.”

The garden centre (Image: Christie & Co) Mr Kumar says he hopes to build on the “prestigious reputation” Whitehall has built during its time running the site.

He added: “After almost 20 years of operating exclusively within the education sector, the time had come to diversify.

“This acquisition of Woodborough Garden Centre marks our first move into retail and garden centres with a commitment to upholding the prestigious reputation Whitehall has built over the years.

“Throughout this process, the support from Whitehall has been invaluable.

“With their continued efforts working closely alongside us, from the preliminary discussions to post-completion, it meant we always had what we needed to feel well-prepared and assured at every stage.

“And a huge thank you to Tom from Christie & Co for supporting and facilitating this journey.”

Whitehall sold its Whitchurch store, near Bristol, to Otter Garden Centres in late June.

The business, run by the Self family for many years, will retain its larger Lacock branch.

Tom Glanvill, director of garden centres at estate agent Christie & Co, believes the “lovely” Woodborough site is another example of the high demand for garden centres this summer.

He said: “Woodborough is a lovely garden centre that offers locals an independent and family-run farm shop, restaurant and excellent horticulture-focused garden centre.

“I am very pleased that we have sold this to local buyers who have the desire and drive to take the business forward.

“I see huge potential here, and this transaction highlights the continued demand we are seeing for garden centres, with this being the third garden centre sale that we have completed in August.”