Hillier Garden Centres announces progress on proposed sale of Hemel Hempstead location

Hillier Garden Centres has announced that the proposed sale of its Hemel Hempstead site is now moving forward. The company has confirmed that the developer has exercised their contractual right to purchase the site and if the sale completes, this is likely to result in the closure of the centre by the end of January 2027. This would mark the end of an era for the centre while signalling a new phase of significant investment and growth for the wider business.

George Hillier, Chairman of Hillier Nurseries and Garden Centres, said: “This was not an easy decision for us to make; however, it does present an exciting opportunity to reinvest in our business and continue the growth trajectory the company has achieved in recent years. We are committed to supporting our Hemel Hempstead team throughout this proposed transition and would like to thank both colleagues and customers for their continued loyalty and understanding.”

The move forms part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen the company’s position as one of the UK’s leading horticultural businesses. Founded in 1864, Hillier has built a reputation for excellence in growing and retail, underpinned by more than 160 years of horticultural expertise. Today, the family-run business continues to combine its heritage with a forward-looking approach, investing in innovation, sustainability and customer experience across its garden centre estate.

As the business prepares to close one chapter, it looks ahead with confidence, reinforcing its legacy while investing in a sustainable and innovative future.

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future” Hillier is one of the leading names in the horticultural industry, with 160 years of growing and retail experience.

Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow.

Not only is Hillier the largest producer of semi-mature trees in Europe and grower of over one million plants at its Hampshire nursery, but it also employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions and is a flourishing multi-million pound company. It proudly holds the world record for the most consecutive gold medals awards at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with 74 wins.

As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives, including the RHS Peat-Free Fellowship, the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally. The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.

Recent successes for the company include the launch of its online shop, the substantial redevelopment of Hillier Garden Centre Newbury and the acquisition of the Rosebourne Garden Centre Group in November 2022, as well as sponsorship of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, and the incredibly popular free ‘Hillier Gardening Club’ loyalty program which now has over half a million members.

Renowned for being a leading breeder of plants in the UK at its 100% peat-free nursery in Hampshire, each year Hillier introduces amazing new varieties. Many of these have become essentials in British gardens and the company continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.