Sturmer Garden Centre in Suffolk has permanently closed its doors after more than 40 years of trading. The business shut down earlier this month, describing the decision as "devastating".
Recovery plan fails
In a statement, the company explained they had been pursuing a recovery plan and believed they would be given more time to achieve it. The statement said: "Until very recently, we genuinely believed we would be given the time needed to put our recovery plan fully into action."
"We knew recovery would not be easy, but we believed there was a real future for Sturmer if we allowed sufficient time to demonstrate what these changes could achieve. Sadly, the position has changed very quickly, and we have therefore been left with no alternative but to close."
Financial difficulties and sale
Earlier this year, the garden centre revealed six-figure losses following financial difficulties due to supply chain issues, which put it at risk of closing. In April, the garden centre was put up for sale for £2million.
A spokesman for the garden centre said: "It obviously hit us very hard and so the decision to go on the market was made."
Staff and community reaction
The statement continued: "We are devastated for our wonderful staff, our Barn Boutique businesses, our suppliers and everyone who believed in what we were trying to create."
On social media, locals said they were disappointed by the sad outcome. One commented: "Very sad. I drove by this afternoon, and it was locked, and I wondered if it was permanent. Good luck to the staff."
