Question mark over future of Dobbies Garden Centres as owner is rumoured to be ready to sell

Staff at Dobbies Garden Centres face an uncertain few days as speculation mounts that the business is about to be sold by its owners Tesco.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Apr 2016, 11:57 BST

Updated 11th Apr 2016, 12:02 BST

The supermarket giant is understood to have earmarked the garden centre chain, which has outlets in Peterborough, King’s Lynn and Cambridge, for sale as it seeks to focus on its core business.

It is thought an announcement will be made on Wednesday when Tesco reveals the full details of its trading performance for the year.

But today a Tesco spokesman said the company would not comment on “rumour” and “speculation” about the garden centre chain that it bought in 2008.

Dobbies has 35 garden centres across the UK and made a £48 million loss last year after a £54 million writedown on the value of its property.

But its sales rose by seven per cent to £153 million in the year to the end of March 2015.

Tesco is also thought to have earmarked the Harris & Hoole coffee chain, which has outlets in Huntingdon and Cambridge, for sale.