A MAJOR gardening chain has taken over a family business in Hockley.

Cherry Lane has acquired Riverside Nursery & Garden Centre in Lower Road.

The firm, which self-styles itself as “the UK’s only value garden centre”, now boasts 17 branches across the country.

Bosses have pledged to retain all 79 members of staff employed by Riverside – a family business established in 1982.

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Nick Rubins, CEO of Cherry Lane, said: “The latest acquisition of Riverside Nursery & Garden Centre is another step in the ongoing growth and success of Cherry Lane. This is an ideal new location for us. We are delighted to be acquiring this site from the owners John and Bo, who have been successfully trading here for 20 years.

“We are very pleased to welcome the garden centre team, who bring with them outstanding gardening knowledge and expertise. As an independent, family run business, we look forward to continuing the centre’s rich history of serving the community.

He added: “We’re not planning to make any drastic changes to this much loved garden centre, but customers can look forward to our new products lines, including our famous outdoor living and furniture ranges, as well as the great value, excellent quality and ever-changing spectacular deals that Cherry Lane stands for.”

Luke Oliver, who has been working at Riverside since October 2020, has been named centre manager.

Cherry Lane plans to invest in the popular Garden Room restaurant with additional seating, as well as introducing new products across the garden centre to sit alongside all the existing favourites. 

Riverside will remain open to customers throughout the improvement works.

The new owners also plan to continue the garden centre’s well-established nursery.

Nick Rubins added: “Our environmental strategy, Value Our Planet, is the company’s commitment to responsible retailing, and caring for the environment and the world in which we live.

“The initiative will see Riverside stocking more environmentally friendly ranges and eco products. We’re also asking all our customers not to throw away their used flowerpots and compost bags but bring them to the centre for recycling or reuse.”