Leaf Creative, a distinctive garden centre located in Huntley along the A40 in Gloucestershire, has entered administration just eight years after its 2018 launch by award-winning garden designer Peter Dowle. Despite financial difficulties leading to insolvency, the centre remains open under new ownership after being acquired by Blue Diamond Garden Centres.
The centre, known for its diverse plant selection, garden design, landscaping services, and its on-site café-restaurant, The Fernery, filed for administration on February 27. Joint administrators Brett Lee Barton and David Meldrum from BK Plus Limited oversaw the transition.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres, one of the UK’s largest garden centre groups with 52 sites and approximately 4,700 employees, took over Leaf Creative, ensuring its continued operation. The centre carries a strong community focus, offering locally sourced produce, 100% peat-free compost, and a variety of events and workshops such as terrarium-making, wreath-making, and horticultural talks. It also operates an online shop catering to gardening enthusiasts.
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The Fernery café has attracted considerable praise for its high-quality food, especially its Sunday roasts, with visitors commending both the menu and the courteous service.
Leaf Creative’s website emphasizes its niche in providing rare and specialist plants that add structure, color, and texture to gardens, alongside expert garden design consultations. The centre describes itself as more than a typical garden venue, boasting a unique atmosphere and carefully curated plant displays.
Blue Diamond’s managing director, Alan Roper, noted the acquisition was unusual due to the centre’s smaller size but was motivated by a longstanding positive relationship with founder Peter Dowle. He affirmed the group’s commitment to maintaining Leaf Creative’s boutique charm while introducing greater commercial strength.
With this acquisition, Leaf Creative looks set to continue serving its local community, blending boutique gardening expertise with enhanced business stability under Blue Diamond’s stewardship.