British Garden Centres turns 35
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Amy, Charles, Phillipa and Amy Stubbs
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Chilton
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Brigg Garden Centre
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Ariel shot of Brigg Garden Centre
From a single site in Woodthorpe, Lincolnshire, in 1990 to becoming the UK’s largest family-run garden centre group, British Garden Centres is celebrating a remarkable milestone in 2025 — its 35th anniversary on 25th August. What began as one garden centre founded by the Stubbs family has now grown into a nationally recognised brand with 73 locations across the UK.
This year also saw major acquisitions, including former Dobbies sites at Shinfield, Gloucester, Gosforth, Heighley Gate, Rugby, Havant, and Northampton, as well as Hayes Garden World in the Lake District. These additions cement the group’s position as the largest in the country by store numbers, while maintaining its headquarters — and heart — in Lincolnshire.
The company’s growth story is rooted in family and passion. Charles Stubbs and his brother first displayed their entrepreneurial spirit as teenagers selling plant cuttings outside Woodthorpe Hall, a venture that was even featured on local television. That early determination set the stage for decades of expansion, with the business growing from a single centre into a thriving national group that has increased from 10 locations in 2018 to 73 in 2025.
The next generation is now stepping up to lead. This summer, at just 26 years old, Amy Stubbs became the company’s Managing Director, making her the youngest leader in the group’s 35-year history. With hands-on experience across the business and a modern vision rooted in family values, Amy is set to guide British Garden Centres into its next chapter, focusing on growth, customer experience, and community engagement.
Today, the group employs over 3,000 people across its centres, restaurants, nurseries, and distribution hubs. It is growing more plants at its own nurseries than ever before, offering customers the best in UK-grown quality while continuing to invest in customer experience at sites nationwide. From new restaurants like the Gardener’s Retreat to ongoing refurbishments, the company remains committed to staying ahead in a competitive retail landscape.
Reflecting on the milestone, Charles Stubbs said: “From a small seed in Lincolnshire, we’ve watched British Garden Centres blossom into something truly special. Seeing the next generation take the reins fills me with immense pride.”
Amy Stubbs added: “It’s an honour to continue our family’s legacy. I look forward to building on 35 years of success, driving growth, and strengthening the family commitment that has made us the UK’s largest garden centre group.”
With Lincolnshire still at its core, British Garden Centres’ roots run deep, and its vision for the future is clear: to remain a proud family-owned business bringing communities together and inspiring generations of gardeners across the nation.