NEWS EXTRA NEWS E CAPIT S


tudley Green w as operated by Hillview Garden Centres for four years, and its acquisition forms part of


Capital


Gardens’ ongoing expansion plans. The deal takes the estate to four, as the independent group, headed up by Colin Campbell-Preston, also owns and manages Alexandra P alace, Neals Nursery and Woods of Berkhamsted.


Davies said: “We


Explaining the reason behind the sale, Hillview CEO Boyd Douglas- e have been refining


We ha


our model and… it became apparent that the site at Studley Green wasn’t going to be suitable for this model. Whilst it is a superb, traditional centre, it also sits outside of our geographical area of operations.” Meanwhile, Capital Gardens managing director Colin Campbell- Preston is delighted with the acquisition and said he is “looking forward to implementing our unique business blueprint… and putting our signature Capital Garden stamp onto the centre.”


A key part of this is the group’s strong focus on plants. “W


nts. “We DIY We We e are We will be


offering a comprehensive gardening offer, as well as an eclectic range of gifts,” Mr Campbell-Preston told eek. “We are second-to-none


on our plants offer now and also on


GROWS EST TE WITHESTATSTATTATE WIT NEW ACQUISITION


PITALTAL GAR QU


The London independent g roup has big plans f or its latest acquisition, Studley Green Garden Centre in High Wycombe, and the team is excited to implement wha t it describes as its own ‘unique blueprint’ on the business.


the service w e provide, so that most of our employees are experts on plants. With that in mind, the plants side of the business will be revved up a lot.”


There are also plans to introduce garden machinery once there is the security in place to support the high-va lue items. Overall, Mr Campbell-Preston wants to create what he describes as “a traditional- but-modern garden centre”.


The team was excited to take on the site in High Wycombe, as Mr Campbell-Preston describes it as a unique and stunning setting. “It’s a v ery nice location surrounded by woodland and with red kites flying over you… That gives it a really unique selling point,” he said.


And, that is very much in keeping with the way Capital Gardens runs the rest of its estate. Its other centres, affectionately referred to as ‘by the palace’ (Alexandra P alace), ‘in the town’ (Woods), and ‘by the nick’ (Neals Nurseries, which is located next to Wandsworth Prison) are all celebrated for their originality and, whilst Mr Campbell-Preston explained there is “a central line of buyi ng and a supplier


UISIT We


RDENS WI


We have a good core team in place and we want to build on that gradually as w e go,” he said, adding that it is v ery much about “the right


an ey e out for other opportunities and new acquisitions. Mr Campbell- Preston said the business has no fixed plans, as such and wouldn’t w ant to grow the estate too quickly. “W


S


Capital Gardens says it is “second to none” on plants” and wants to carry that over to Studley Green (pictured here: Alexandra Palace)


centre, in the right place, at the right time, and for the right price”. He also said the business is open to non- freehold sites. “We are in funds and would consider a leasehold site,” he said. “It can save a lot of money but w e would need to establish a good working relationship with the landlord beforehand.”


We e are in E


NEWS EXTRA


li st across


the business, each individual centre is for the managers to run as if it is their own.” He added: “That way they have their own individualistic and regional offer.”


The new site is in need of some investment to bring it in line with the Capital Gardens portfolio and ethos. There is a café in situ already but,, ev entually, the group will update and improve upon this, capitalising on the picturesque location in the Chiltern Hills, which has earned Studley Green the title ‘in the hills within the group.


L-R: Colin Campbell-Preston shakes hands with Boyd Douglas-Davies


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Whilst the focus for now is very much on enhancing the new est member of the Capital Gardens family, the business is still keeping


28 SEPTEMBER 2018 DIY WEEK 9


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