More than 50 jobs saved as Joules group subsidiary rescued from administration

An entrepreneur has acquired home and garden products business and Joules Group PLC subsidiary, The Garden Trading Company, from administration – saving all 53 jobs.

Under the undisclosed deal, TIM Group Holdings (TGH) will work with the retailer’s current management team to keep its operations going.

TGH, founded by Yorkshire entrepreneur Tim Whitworth, is a private equity house which uses independent capital to invest in and partner with businesses of varying sizes.

Whitworth, managing partner, said: “We are happy to have the opportunity to work with a business with such great history and provenance, along with an unrivalled product range.

“We are extremely impressed by the management team and have great confidence in supporting and investing in their future.”

Ryan Grant and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to The Garden Trading Company on 16 November 2022.

Founded in 1994, The Garden Trading Company takes inspiration from the British countryside and city lifestyle trends to develop products for consumers and some of the world’s leading retailers.

Laurie Houghton, managing director of The Garden Trading Company, said: “I’m pleased that TIM Group Holdings shares our vision and commitment to both our customers and our team to support our ambitious plans in growing both the brand and product range in the future.”

Grant, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “The Garden Trading Company had grown rapidly to become a leading retailer of distinctive garden and homewares, so we’re pleased to have achieved this outcome which ensures the business will continue to trade, and which safeguards over 50 jobs.

“We wish the management team and TGH all the very best for the future.”

The Garden Trading Company was advised on the legal aspects of the deal by Eversheds Sutherland. The buyer, TGH, was advised by Freeths LLP.