Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, in Bedfordshire, will shut its doors for good in March 2027 following a lengthy campaign to save the beloved business. The closure follows the go-ahead for local property development plans to build 41 houses.
On their Facebook page, the company announced: "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."
Family Business Since 1995
The family-run Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre first opened its doors in 1995 and has been a cherished part of the local community for more than 30 years. The closure has been forced upon the business due to the housing development plans.
Developers Thrive Homes claim the housing development will boost the local economy and generate jobs.
Owner's Heartbreak
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."
She 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," Lee-Lo said.
Housing Plans and Community Reaction
The owners stayed hopeful for months as the planning application for housing had been refused on two separate occasions.
Iris went on to say: "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."
Chantelle Barker, Director of Development at Thrive Homes, commented: "At Thrive Homes, our mission is to increase the availability of high quality, affordable housing in some of the UK's most expensive areas."
Local residents are devastated to see the much-loved business close its doors, with one person writing 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 added: "Terrible loss to our area. Especially some businesses this side of town. Pet shop and garden centre. We use a lot."
While a third said: "I only discovered this garden centre the other day - a little gem!"
