Two family-run garden centres to close down in 2027 with full list of locations confirmed

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The beloved garden centres will close their doors in early 2027

Two much-loved garden centres in England have recently announced they will be shutting their doors at the beginning of 2027. Hillier Garden Centres confirmed it will be closing its Hemel Hempstead site in Hertfordshire in January.

The garden centre is set to be demolished and transformed into a storage and distribution hub, following approval from the local council. Hillier Nurseries is a family-run business operating 22 garden centres across the South of England, having first opened its Hemel Hempstead branch back in 1990.

George Hillier, chairman of Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres, said: "This was not an easy decision for us to make; however, it does present an exciting opportunity to reinvest in our business and continue the growth trajectory the company has achieved in recent years.

"The proposed sale forms part of Hillier's long-term strategy to strengthen the business and enable continued investment across its operations, including innovation, sustainability and customer experience. Our priority remains supporting our colleagues at Hemel Hempstead throughout the proposed transition."

Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, a family-run establishment in Bedfordshire, will also shut its gates in March 2027, bringing to an end more than 30 years of serving the local community. Despite a long campaign to keep the business afloat, the owners haven't been able to prevent its closure after a property development plan was given the green light.

Developers Thrive Homes maintain the housing project will boost the local economy and generate jobs.

Garden centre owner Iris Lee-Lo said: "It's heartbreaking. We have heard from Thrive Homes, which means the business is closing early next year, in March. But we are grateful to the councils, councillors, customers and the Leighton Buzzard Observer for all the support we've been given to help our campaign to keep the garden centre and other businesses on the site going."

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