Hands prepares to sell Wyevale

BUYOUT tycoon Guy Hands is selling his Wyevale Garden Centres, claiming that its turnaround is nearly complete.

The 58-year-old’s Terra Firma Capital Partners bought the chain in 2012 for £276m from the Garden Centre Group, which had heavy debts after the financial crash.

There are now 145 Wyevale centres in England and Wales, employing around 6,000 people, and another 700 concessions.

Terra Firma said the firm could be broken up, with Christie and Co exploring options.

A spokesman added: ‘The centres are expected to be attractive to a wide range of buyers, from financial buyers through to existing garden centre operators and local entrepreneurs.’