NEWS


Six Wyevale centres bought by BGC and Rochmills Group


The six latest sites to be sold are Bold Heath, Carr Gate, Leyland, Coventry and Bolton, which have been bought by family-run business British Garden Centres, whilst Woburn Sands has been bought by Rochmills Group. According to the statement issued by Wyevale this week, both buyers will continue to operate all sites


centres, with the purchases expected to complete by the end of this month.


Wyevale Garden Centres chief operating officer Anthony Jones said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of a further six centres – since the launch of the sale process in May 2018 we have sold 46 centres and have transformed our


financial as garden position. We


would like to thank our great colleagues at these centres, who have been central to the performance of their centres and made them so appealing to these buyers. We wish them


well for the next stage of their growth and development under new ownership.” British


Garden Centres –


which was is run by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs, and Charles’ wife Philippa – will see its current portfolio grow considerably with the new additions. The business posted a turnover of £32million in its latest accounts, and operates 11 garden centres, including Briggs Garden Centre (which it bought from Frosts in 2000), and


Ironmongery Direct completes major distribution expansion


The Manutan European Group, which owns Ironmongery Direct


and sister company


Electrical Direct has completed a major expansion project. A new 100,000sq ft warehouse will now house more than 30,000 products for both Ironmongery Direct and its co-brand Electrical Direct – all of which are available for next-day delivery. The new facilities will


pallet storage locations. Manutan


also have 2,000 Traders


Division


managing director Wayne Lysaght-Mason said of the expansion:


“We took the


decision to double the size of our warehouse in order to continue our 20% year on year growth, cement our market leading proposition and drive ambitious range extension. Whilst giving our sister brand Electrical Direct a strong base for growth.


“At the same time, we have expanded our call centre, while all other departments have been


moved into modern, purpose- built office space.” The new warehouse officially opened on Thursday, January 17 by Manutan Group CEO Xavier Guichard and Wayne Lysaght- Mason. They were also joined by the rest of the Manutan Group management board, along with over 200 staff to celebrate this significant landmark. Mr Lysaght-Mason added: Direct


“Ironmongery will now benefit from an upgraded and Tileflair expands with new Oxford showroom


The business, which offers tiles for both wholesale and retail, has opened its latest store off Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford. The


new 4,000sq ft tile


showroom takes the company portfolio to 10 branches and is part of an ongoing expansion strategy for Tileflair, which turned over £13.25million in its latest filed accounts. The new store offers an extensive product range for specification, commercial and


retail projects,


with tile choices in store. Tileflair sales director David


covering


wall tiles, floor tiles, wet room kits, underfloor heating as well


as tools and accessories. In a bid to enhance the customer experience, the new branch promises quick and easy trade account set-up, competitive trade discounts, plus a selection of room settings showcased throughout to help customers


New safety mark replacement could end up costing UK manufacturers millions A


new UK safety mark


designed to replace the EU’s ubiquitous CE mark, following a no-deal Brexit will cost British manufacturers and exporters millions of pounds in product stamping, testing


www.diyweek.net


Brown said: “We are very excited to be opening our new store in Oxford and having the opportunity to work with customers to help them create something beautiful. We have a reputation for delivering first-class customer service and quality products, with the highest 5-star Trustpilot rating of any major tile retailer.” He


added: Our team at


Oxford is on hand to provide inspiration and guidance, as well as technical advice to both retail and trade professionals.”


and red tape. The warning comes from


international courier Parcel Hero, who says the Government’s plans for a new ‘UKCA’ mark to replace the European Union’s CE safety mark, in the event


of a hard Brexit, will cost UK manufacturers millions of pounds in new product branding, packaging and bureaucracy. Currently a large number


of products manufactured or distributed in the UK and the rest of the EU are required to carry the EU’s CE mark, from toys and kettles to medical implants and hot water boilers.


Hillier has announced a new charity partnership for 2019-20 with national cancer support charity, Maggie’s. Through the partnership, Hillier hopes to raise funds, give direct support to Maggie’s Centres and help bring Maggie’s to the South of England. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, these centres provide free practical, emotional and social support to anyone with any type of cancer – and to their family and friends too. Figures show that by 2020, half of the UK population will be


expanded distribution centre,


enabling an improved customer experience. The expansion will improve all areas of the business, providing a major boost for our revenue and profitability growth.”


The expansion also allows the organisation to bring in the fulfilment of Electrical Direct orders under one roof, enabling the service and product range to be greatly improved.


Family-run Hillier announces new charity partnership with Maggie’s for 2019-20


diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, so there is a vital need for these thoughtful, practical spaces. Maggie’s has 22 centres across the world. Director of property at Hillier, George Hillier said: “We are proud to be supporting Maggie’s as our charity partner. The work they do at their centres to support all those affected by cancer is so important and we want to help raise awareness as well as funds for them.” Hillier


hopes Maggie’s to support over the next two


years both through fundraising and by offering expertise and time to directly support the centres. Maggie’s is building a new centre in Southampton in 2019, located in close proximity to a number of Hillier Garden Centres. Hillier hope to support this new location by raising awareness of the great work they do, helping bring Maggie’s to the south.


08 FEBRUARY 2019 DIY WEEK 5


its first-ever site, Woodthorpe Garden Centre in Lincolnshire. Managing director Charles Stubbs said: “We are proud to announce the purchase of these five centres into our British Garden Centres family, making our independent, family owned group now 16 centres. Myself, Robert and Phillippa and all of the team are looking forward to working with these new centres and their teams ahead of a busy spring season. We would like to express our thanks to all involved


in this complex process.” Rochmills Ltd, which


acquired the Woburn Sands site, is run by the Sehmi family, who have “significant experience in operating retail and leisure businesses”, according to a spokesperson from Christie & Co. The deal must have been in


the offing for a few months, as Rochmills created a new company, Hampton (Woburn Sands) at the end of October last year.


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