Blue Diamond Garden Centres

Last updated
Blue Diamond UK Limited
Industry Garden centres
Founded1904
Headquarters Eastleigh, Hampshire, England, UK
Key people
Alan Roper (CEO)
Website https://www.bluediamond.gg

Blue Diamond Garden Centres (legally incorporated as Blue Diamond UK Limited, and commonly known as Blue Diamond) is a British chain of garden centres based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. [1]

Contents

As of 2024, it is the largest garden centre group in the UK and the Channel Islands. [2]

History

Blue Diamond Garden Centres began as the Fruit Export Company in 1904, based in Guernsey, with John W. Dorey appointed as manager, and his son Percy as the company's secretary. [3] Percy would later be a part of the States Controlling Committee, a group charged with running Guernsey in conjunction with German forces, during the German occupation of the Channel Islands. [3]

In late June 1940, German forces launched an air raid on St Peter Port Harbour in Guernsey, mistaking a fleet of tomato trucks for military vehicles. The attack occurred on 28th June, just days before the island's official occupation. The bombing resulted in the destruction of the fruit export company’s operations at the harbour, devastating the local export of tomatoes, which was a significant industry for the island. Tragically, 33 civilians were killed during the raid, and several more were injured. This incident marked one of the first major civilian casualties in the Channel Islands during World War II. [4]

Following the end of the World War II, Percy's son, John Dorey, was appointed as managing director of the Fruit Export Company until his retirement in 1978. [3] John's son, Geoffrey Dorey, started working at the company in 1962, assisting in the sundries store, and fruit collection for export. Following his father's retirement in 1978, Geoffrey became the company's managing director, serving a dual role of managing director and chairman from 1990 to 1998, and continuing to serve as chairman until his retirement in 2015. [3]

In 2021, Blue Diamond began a partnership with The Soil Association, a charity spreading awareness of the importance of sustainable food, farming, and forestry. [5] [6] The partnership aims to offer nature-friendly alternatives that reduce the usage of chemical-based products, through the promotion and focus on natural alternatives across different areas of the garden. [5] [7] Examples of the partnership include plant feed, seeds, and bug houses, all approved by The Soil Association. [5]

In August 2022, Blue Diamond began a partnership with the National Trust in a five-year collaboration to develop new seeds, bulbs, and plants inspired by the gardens operated by the National Trust. [2] [8] This collaboration also involves designing a show garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2024, alongside Ann-Marie Powell Gardens. [9] [10]

In November 2022, Blue Diamond acquired the Van Hage group of garden centres. [11] The three centres are the flagship store at Great Amwell, the Van Hage centre in Peterborough, and Chenies located between Amersham and Rickmansworth. [11]

In January 2024, Blue Diamond listed on The International Stock Exchange (TISE). This listing enabled the company to raise capital for further expansion and development, particularly in the acquisition of new sites and the enhancement of its existing centres. Known for its strategic growth, including notable acquisitions such as the Van Hage garden centres, Blue Diamond's presence on TISE also highlights its financial strength and commitment to long-term investments in the horticulture sector. The group's listing on TISE supports its continued ambition to expand across the UK and the Channel Islands, consolidating its position as a major player in the garden retail industry. [12]

In 2024, Blue Diamond Group won the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Chelsea Flower Show for their Octavia Hil l Garden, a collaboration with acclaimed designer Ann-Marie Powell. This garden, which appeared in the Balcony and Container Gardens category, was particularly noteworthy as it was also chosen by schoolchildren for a new award aimed at inspiring the next generation of gardeners. The garden's vibrant design, featuring a sustainable mix of plants and materials, captured the public’s imagination and highlighted Blue Diamond’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility in the horticultural world. [13] [14]

Locations

Blue Diamond currently operates 44 garden centres across the UK and its dependencies. [15] Some of the locations include a range of restaurants and cafes. [16]

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References

  1. ↑ GOV.UK. "BLUE DIAMOND UK LIMITED overview". GOV.UK. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 Blue Diamond UK Limited. "National Trust - Our Collaboration". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 7 April 2024. As the UK's largest Garden Centre Group, we are delighted to announce a long-term collaboration with the National Trust.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Blue Diamond UK Limited. "Blue Diamond History". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "St Peter Port Harbour bombing to be remembered". BBC News. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  5. 1 2 3 Blue Diamond UK Limited. "The Blue Diamond Group is working in exclusive partnership with The Soil Association". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  6. ↑ Soil Association. "Who we are". Soil Association. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  7. ↑ The Soil Association. "Blue Diamond Garden Centre Group - About the partnership". The Soil Association. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Blue Diamond UK Limited. "The official launch of the Blue Diamond and National Trust collaboration". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  9. ↑ National Trust. "National Trust, Blue Diamond and Ann-Marie Powell join forces to celebrate 'gardens for all' at 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show". National Trust. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  10. ↑ RHS. "The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond with the National Trust". RHS. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  11. 1 2 Blue Diamond UK Limited. "Blue Diamond - The Van Page Story". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Editor, Tracey Boles, Deputy Business (2024-01-02). "The International Stock Exchange aims to cash in on listings lull". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Subscribe to read". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-10-07.{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  14. ↑ Gatten, Emma (2024-05-24). "Colourful National Trust garden wins people's choice award at Chelsea Flower Show". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  15. ↑ Blue Diamond UK Limited. "Blue Diamond - Garden Centres". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Blue Diamond UK Limited. "Blue Diamond Restaurants". Blue Diamond UK Limited. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
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