British Garden Centres (BGC) has acquired Millbrook Garden Centre’s Staplehurst and Gravesend sites, bringing two of Kent’s most popular garden destinations into the BGC family and expanding its portfolio to 77 sites.
While BGC already operates centres in the Kent towns of Paddock Wood and Ramsgate, these new locations significantly scale the group’s footprint in the county. Millbrook was founded in 1979 by Dick and Sue Allen and has been led by their daughter, Tammy Woodhouse, for many years. By passing the baton to the Stubbs family, the deal ensures that the centres remain under family ownership, preserving the community-focused values established over the last 47 years. The centres will be named Staplehurst Garden Centre and Pepper Hill Garden Centre.
Charles Stubbs, founder and director of British Garden Centres, said: “When we look at Staplehurst and Gravesend, we don’t just see two outstanding garden centres. We see the passion and dedication that the Allen and Woodhouse families and their team have poured into these sites over the years. We have enormous respect for everything Millbrook stands for, and I want every member of their team to know how genuinely welcomed they are into our family as we take the centres forward.”
Tammy Woodhouse, managing director of Millbrook Garden Centres, added: “I’m so proud of The Millbrook Garden Company, which was started by my parents, Sue and Dick Allen, 47 years ago, and has grown into a well-respected, industry-leading business. Our achievements are a testament to our passionate and dedicated team, and I must thank them for their support. It’s been a really difficult decision to sell Millbrook and leave the business and industry that we love. However, with no next generation to take the reins, we felt this was the right time to move on. We’re delighted to hand over to British Garden Centres and the Stubbs family, and wish them every success as they continue to develop the centres.”
The acquisition follows a phenomenal start to the year for British Garden Centres, which recently welcomed Dronfield and Grantham Garden Centre into its portfolio. The addition of the Millbrook Garden Centres represents the latest phase of growth, which has seen the family-owned business nearly triple in size over the past decade.