Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, in Bedfordshire, will permanently close its doors in March 2027 following a long-running campaign to keep the business open. The family business, which opened in 1995 and has served the local community for over 30 years, is shutting down due to local property development plans to build 41 houses.
Closure Announcement and Reduced Hours
On their Facebook page, the company said: “Our cafe is now permanently closed. Our garden centre business will end next year, in March 2027. The garden centre will be open at reduced hours from 10am- 2pm.”
The 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.”
Impact on Staff and Stock
Lee-Lo added: “From now we won’t be getting any new stock in but will be selling off existing stock at a reduction in the run-up to the closure.” The garden centre cafe is to close sooner on September 1, with the loss of up to seven members of staff.
“We simply can’t afford to keep it going with energy costs and wages. It’s such a shame for both us and the customers. And it also means we will be losing three garden centre staff while keeping on three staff to help the family, which will be running the business while it remains open.”
Developer and Community Response
Developers Thrive Homes say the housing development will support the local economy and create employment. Director of development at Thrive Homes, Chantelle Barker, said: “At Thrive Homes, our mission is to increase the availability of high quality, affordable housing in some of the UK’s most expensive areas.”
The owners remained optimistic for months as the planning application for housing had been denied twice. Iris continued: “It’s a sign of the times. The Government says we need more housing and we all have to move with the times, but developers seem to forget these houses need infrastructure. It will be a sad day but there’s nothing we can do, but I’m now looking forward to retiring.”
Local customers are sorry to see the business go, with one person commenting on Facebook: “It is a place for the residents of the care home to meet and socialise. We don’t need more houses. We need businesses in the high street!!” Another person said: “Terrible loss to our area. Especially some businesses this side of town. Pet shop and garden centre. We use a lot.” A third one added: “I only discovered this garden centre the other day - a little gem!”
