Garden centre business up for sale as owners plot exit

A garden centre business in Waltham, near Grimsby, is up for sale.

Property adviser, Christie & Co and joint agent, Clark Weightman, has been instructed to sell the Millstone Garden Centre on Cheapside in the town.

The business was established in 1989 by current owners, Tom and Joanna Rutherford, and is spread across a 4.2-acre site.

Also included in the sale is a detached, five-bedroom house with a double garage, gardens front and rear, pond, greenhouse and vegetable plot.

After almost 35 years of ownership, Tom and Joanna have decided to sell as they are hoping to retire.

They said: “After 50-plus years landscaping and 40 years nurturing our family-run garden centre, retiring feels like we are ready to bring our story closer to a conclusion.

“We really do cherish the countless memories, blooming friendships, and the joy of cultivating a thriving and passionate gardening community.

“It’s our time to bid farewell and send our heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful staff and our beloved customers. We’re very much looking forward to writing the next, peaceful chapter in our book”

Andrew Birnie, director at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, added: “This is a great business, ideal for a family to purchase and live on site. Alternatively, as the house is accessible through its own driveway, a new owner may wish to sell it separately without too much alteration at a later date.

“The site is well-managed, has ample space for development, and enjoys a loyal customer base which is continually expanding. With the hundreds of houses being built nearby, there is plenty of scope to grow the business and capitalise on the increasing demand.”