Jobs safeguarded as Dobbies strikes deal for Kinross centre

Garden centre operator Dobbies has confirmed all jobs at its Kinross site have been saved following a takeover deal.

The site at Turfhills has been sold to independent group Caulders, which runs garden centres in the central belt.

Dobbies said the sale of its smallest centres, including another site at Cumbernauld, was part of a “strategic growth strategy”.

Chief executive officer Graeme Jenkins said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of our two smallest centres to Caulders, one of Scotland’s leading and most experienced independent garden centre operators.

“We would like to thank our fantastic colleagues at these centres and wish them well for the next stage of their career under Caulders’ ownership.

“The sale of these two centres is in line with Dobbies’ wider growth and expansion strategy as we focus on growing our stall with larger destination garden centres.”

All 43 Dobbies team members at Kinross and Cumbernauld will transfer to Caulders.

Colin Barrie, managing director of Caulders, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our new team members to the Caulders family and to working with them to develop these fantastic garden centres over the years to come.

“There are superb teams at both Kinross and Cumbernauld who have created successful garden centres for their local communities.

“The centres are a great fit for us.”

The sale is expected to complete before the end of the month, with both buildings relaunching as Caulders Garden Centres soon after.