Garden centre acquired after more than 60 years of family ownership
A riverside garden centre and plant nursery which has been run by the same North West family for more than 60 years has been acquired by a new owner.
Established in 1964, Giants Seat Garden Centre overlooks the River Irwell in north west Manchester and spans just more than two acres.
After decades of stewardship, the Kidd family have decided to retire and hand the reins over to a local partnership, with the new company Giants Seat Garden Centre Ltd to be run by Leo Yaffe.
Leo Yaffe has been involved in horticulture for the past five years and recently completed a year-long placement at RHS Bridgewater.
Yaffe plans to use this to build community events at Giants Seat, supporting individuals and groups with health and wellbeing through plants and nature.
Leo Yaffe said: "It’s really exciting: the past few months have been strange, and a little bit overwhelming, but I feel really privileged. It doesn’t feel like we’re just taking on the business – we’re taking on the history, the stories, the memories. I feel very lucky that they’ve chosen me.”
Alan Kidd added: "It has been a privilege and a pleasure for our family to serve our local community for the last six decades.
"We now happily pass on the baton to Leo and his team who are eager to build on the ethos established over many years here at Giants Seat. We wish them every success in all their endeavours in the future.”
Andrew Birnie, director – Retail at Christie & Co who managed the sale process, said: "Giants Seat Garden Centre is a very special site, in a unique location, and has been a popular destination centre for 60 years.
"There was a high level of demand from prospective buyers, including many from outside the garden centre sector who were interested in converting the site into a riverside restaurant or holiday park. However, it was important to the Kidd family that the site remains a plant nursery, and we look forward to seeing the centre flourish under the stewardship of Leo and the team."