Following on from news emerging on Monday evening (30 September), Dobbies have today confirmed that the company’s flagship Antrim store will close by the end of 2024.
The Antrim store is one of at least 11 stores that have been marked for closure across the UK as part of a restructuring plan aimed at steering the company back to sustainable profitability.
The overall plan is expected to impact around 465 employees.
A prominent name in the UK's horticultural retail sector, Dobbies opened the newly constructed store at The Junction Leisure and Retail Park in Antrim one year ago in October 2023. It was heralded as its largest ever store at 110,000sq ft and was the company’s second venture in Northern Ireland, with a store already opened in Lisburn.
A spokesperson for Dobbies commented:
“We are implementing a Restructuring Plan to address historically uneconomical rent costs and to create a strong platform to return our business to profitability, access future investment, and to ensure a sustainable, long-term future for Dobbies.
“We are sorry to confirm that this includes the closure of our Antrim store. Subject to the Restructuring Plan being approved, we expect this store to cease trading by the end of the year. Until that time, the store will remain open as usual.”
Dobbies has emphasised that while the restructuring plan (RP) has been initiated, it is not entering administration. However, the plan requires approval from landlords and must be ratified by a court before it can be fully implemented. During this period, all Dobbies outlets will continue operations as usual.
The company, which will retain 60 stores post-restructuring, expressed regret over the impact on its staff but highlighted the importance of these changes for the survival and health of the business moving forward. The affected employees, of which 82 are full-time, will be supported through this transition according to Dobbies' corporate policy.
This move by Dobbies reflects the challenges faced by traditional retail sectors in adapting to economic pressures and changing consumer behaviours. The garden centre chain hopes that these strategic initiatives will not only return it to profitability but also strengthen its market position in the long run.