Full list of Dobbies stores staying open as 16 set to close for good by end of year

3 weeks ago admin

Dobbies recently confirmed the closure dates of a handful of stores after announcing that 16 would shut by the end of the year.

The closures are part of a major restructuring plan – which is still subject to court approval – and included 10 larger sites alongside six of its smaller "Little Dobbies" stores, all of which have closed now. Originally, it was 11 larger sites, however, one store in Northern Ireland was saved after negotiating a new rent.

The courts are set to decide on the restructuring plan on December 9. If it is agreed upon, the 16 Dobbie stores will close by the end of the year. Nine Dobbies stores are currently working to negotiate rent reductions. These are not part of the planned 16 closures, but they are at risk if negotiations fail.

Dobbies previously said the closures would affect 465 of its overall 3,600 workers. Before the closures, the garden centre chain had 77 stores across the UK. If all closures go ahead, 61 Dobbies stores will be left overall.

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A spokesperson for Dobbies previously told the Mirror: "Subject to the restructuring plan being successfully approved, we expect the affected sites to cease trading by the end of the year. Thereafter, Dobbies will operate 60 stores and continue to play a key role in the market, working constructively with stakeholders and suppliers, and having an active and committed role in the communities in which it’s based."

The garden centre chain, which was bought by investment firm Ares Management last year, fell to a £105.2million pre-tax loss in the year to March 2023, against a £7million loss a year earlier, according to its most-recently filed company accounts.