Knutsford based, Fryer’s Garden Centre has completed a deal to sell the family owned garden centre and award-winning rose growing business to Blue Diamond Garden Centres of Guernsey.
The £2.7m deal for the 86,000 sq ft Garden Centre located on the 19.5 acre site in Knutsford, takes Blue Diamond Garden Centre’s portfolio to thirteen sites in the UK and Channel Islands.
Specialist retail and garden centre property consultancy, Gilbert Evans, brokered the deal on behalf of Fryer’s Garden Centre. David Bushell of Brown Turner Ross Solicitors acted for Fryer’s in the deal.
Gareth Fryer, Managing Director of Fryer’s Garden Centre said: “We started looking at succession planning and I wanted to find the right partner to take over our family firm.
"David Bushell and Mike Gilbert guided us through the process, expertly matching us with a company who shared our values and quality of service.
"Blue Diamond’s reputation for quality made them a natural choice."
Fryer’s was established in 1912 by Arthur Fryer, who specialised in the growing of roses on a small plot in Knutsford. He was joined by his sons Frank and Jim in 1945, when they returned from serving in World War II. By the late 1950’s, Fryer’s were growing 750,000 rose plants every year throughout the UK.
The current Managing Director of Fryer’s is Arthur’s grandson Gareth. He joined the family firm in 1966 and it was his energy and drive that saw the firm exhibit at over forty shows each year, developing the business further into international markets.
In early 1970, he saw the opportunity for the development of a Garden Centre. Education is at the core of this business, with rose experts on hand to ensure the very best advice is given to their loyal customers.
Fryer’s has gone on to win no less than twelve Gold Medals at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show along with a clutch of international awards, including two sought after All America Awards, a Golden Rose at the Hague, along with Gold Medals in Japan, New Zealand Australia, USA and Europe.
Mike Gilbert, Partner and Head of Garden Centres at Gilbert Evans, added: “We have represented a great number of family owned garden centres over the last 20 years, and often it is the intangible things that make a deal work.
"Fryer’s Roses are highly respected in the sector and finding the best match for them was about more than the deal on the table. It was the confidence to pass on the heritage and proud reputation to a firm who shared their vision and values.
"Blue Diamond has been trading from Guernsey for over 100 years. Their trademark is quality, service and innovation, I could think of no better match for Fryers."
David Bushell, Senior Partner of Brown Turner Ross Solicitors said: “When you are looking to sell the family firm, it is vital that the final deal fits with your own core values, and taking expert advice early on ensures the best result for all parties.
"I have worked with Mike Gilbert on a number of Garden Centre deals; they are often long standing family firms with outstanding heritage.
"However diagnosing any legal or practical issues which could delay the sale of agricultural land early on is essential.
"We are delighted that we have enabled Gareth to retain his specialist rose breeding business as part of the final deal.”
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