Two popular Huddersfield garden centres have got new owners.
Armitage’s Gardens Centre at Birchencliffe and Pennine Garden Centre at Shelley have been bought by Wyevale Garden Centres, the biggest group of garden centres in the country, from owners William Armitage and his parents Diana and Alistair Armitage.
The firm traces its roots in Huddersfield back to 1842.
Armitage’s Pennine Garden Centre at Huddersfield Road, Shelley, has more than 16,000sq ft of space while the centre at Birchencliffe Hill Road, Birchencliffe, accounts for 11,155sq ft.
Both sell a range of garden plants, garden furniture, tools and accessories. They are also renowned for supporting charities, schools and good causes.
Both garden centres will complement Wyevale’s existing garden centres in the region and bring the total number of sites UK-wide to 149. Wyevale already has garden centres at Denholmegate Road, Northowram and Carr Gate, Wakefield.
Kevin Bradshaw, chief executive of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “With a strong heritage dating back to 1842, the garden centres at Pennine and Birchencliffe are renowned for their high quality plants alongside garden and gift products, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff and welcoming family atmosphere.
“These acquisitions support our strategy to grow our business by acquiring exceptionally high-quality garden centres and we are delighted to welcome these centres to the group.”
He said both garden centres “offer attractive positioning” near Huddersfield and benefit from strong customer bases and popular restaurants.
In a statement, William, Diana and Alistair Armitage said: “Wyevale Garden Centres shares our commitment to fantastic customer experience, passionate employees and giving back to the community.
“We are pleased that our employees and customers will be able to take advantage of the opportunities a larger retailer can provide, while still enjoying the experience and strong local roots we have in built in Huddersfield.”
Armitage’s started in 1842 in Huddersfield town centre as an agricultural feed and seed merchant – firstly in New Street and later moving to Lord Street.
The company has been a member of the Garden Centre Association since 1983 when it purchased Pennine Garden Centre at Shelley. Last year, managing director William Armitage was elected chairman of the 200-member association for a two-year term.
