Dobbies Garden Centres to Close 17 Locations

Dobbies Garden Centres is undergoing a significant restructuring plan, resulting in the closure of 17 locations, including sites in Gloucester, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Gosforth, with a total of 465 jobs affected. The restructuring, approved by a court, aims to exit leases on unprofitable sites and ultimately return to sustainable profitability. The Gloucester location is set to close on December 15, while Stratford-upon-Avon will close on December 23, both sites experiencing closing-down sales. Despite these closures, Dobbies has managed to secure the future of its flagship store in Antrim after successful negotiations with landlords. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £105.2 million for the year ending March 2023, exacerbated by poor weather and rising costs. Dobbies plans to operate 60 stores moving forward, focusing on strategic initiatives for recovery.