Dobbies to close 16 stores before Christmas - full list

Dobbies Garden Centres has confirmed the impending shutdown of several stores just before the festive season. The company had previously outlined its strategy to close 17 outlets by year's end, which includes 11 large stores and six smaller Little Dobbies locations as part of a major company restructure.

Despite earlier plans to close the Antrim store, it has been spared from closure following successful negotiations with the landlord. Regrettably, all six Little Dobbies have already stopped trading, and six of the larger Dobbies stores have confirmed closure dates, according to Gardenforum.

Clearance sales are in progress at the remaining four large Dobbie stores. Initially, Dobbies indicated that the store closures would affect 465 employees.

Before announcing these closures, the company employed around 3,600 people and operated 77 stores across the UK. Completion of the restructuring depends on court approval.

A spokesperson for Dobbies said: "Subject to the restructuring plan being successfully approved, we expect the affected sites to cease trading by the end of the year. Thereafter, Dobbies will operate 60 stores and continue to play a key role in the market, working constructively with stakeholders and suppliers, and having an active and committed role in the communities in which it's based", as reported by the Mirror, reports Gloucestershire Live.

The garden centre chain, which was bought by investment firm Ares Management last year, has reported a pre-tax loss of £105.2 million for the year ending March 2023. This is a significant increase from the £7 million loss recorded the previous year, according to the company's most recent accounts.

The following Little Dobbies stores have already closed:

• Little Dobbies - Bristol - already closed
• Little Dobbies - Richmond - already closed
• Little Dobbies - Cheltenham - already closed
• Little Dobbies – Edinburgh Stockbridge - already closed
• Little Dobbies - Chiswick - already closed
• Little Dobbies – Westbourne Grove - already closed

Full list of Dobbies that are earmarked for closure

• Dobbies – Pennine - December 15
• Dobbies – Kings Lynn - December 15
• Dobbies - Gloucester - December 15
• Dobbies – Harlestone Heath - December 17
• Dobbies – Altrincham - December 17
• Dobbies – Gosforth - December 19/20

The following are said to be holding closing down sales, without a specific closure date listed:

• Huntingdon
• Inverness
• Reading
• Stratford on Avon

Dobbies is also seeking to reduce its rent at the following further nine stores:

• Aylesbury – World’s End
• Hare Hatch
• Havant
• Leicester
• Lelant
• Morpeth
• Northampton
• Rugby
• Stapleton