Fryer’s Garden Centre sold for £2.7m

FAMILY-owned Fryer’s Garden Centre has been sold for £2.7m to Channel Islands-based chain Blue Diamond.

The deal for the 86,000 sq ft centre, which is on a 19.5 acre site in Knutsford.
takes Guernsey-based Blue Diamond Garden Centre’s portfolio to 13 sites in the UK and Channel Islands.

Specialist retail and garden centre property consultancy, Gilbert Evans, brokered the deal, while David Bushell of Liverpool firm Brown Turner Ross Solicitors acted for Fryer’s.

Gareth Fryer, managing director of Fryer’s Garden Centre, whose grandfather Arthur, a rose grower, founded the business in 1912, said: “We started looking at succession planning and I wanted to find the right partner to take over our family firm.

“David Bushell and  Mike Gilbert guided us through the process, expertly matching us with a company who shared our values and quality of service. Blue Diamond’s reputation for quality made them a natural choice.”

Arthur Fryer’s sons  Frank and John joined the business in 1945 and by the late 1950’s it was growing 750,000 rose plants every year and selling them to retail outlets throughout the country. 

Gareth Fryer joined the family firm in 1966 and he developed the business further into international markets. In early 1970, he saw the opportunity to open a garden centre  to supply direct to the public.

Fryer’s has won 12 Gold Medals at the Chelsea Flower Show along with a clutch of international awards, including two sought after All-America Awards, a Golden Rose at the Hague, along with Gold Medals in Japan, New Zealand Australia, USA and Europe.

David Bushell, senior partner of Brown Turner Ross Solicitors said: “When you are looking to sell the family firm, it is vital that the final deal fits with your own core values, and taking expert advice early on ensures the best result for all parties.

“We are delighted that we have enabled Gareth to retain his specialist rose breeding business as part of the final deal.”