Eastleigh: HSBC supports acquisition of garden centre

The former Arturi Garden Centre in Eastleigh has been acquired by the owners of the on-site Orangery Tea Rooms with the support of a five-figure finance package from HSBC. Now known as The Garden Society, the garden centre was snapped up by business partners Samuel Baker and Aaron Duck after its previous owners retired.

The duo had been operating the tea rooms at the centre for the past eight years before the opportunity to acquire the wider business arose.

The operation currently employs 34 people, though Baker and Duck have plans to significantly increase its workforce over the next six to twelve months.

Baker, co-owner and director of The Garden Society, said: “HSBC has been a great support to Aaron and me over the years, and this latest venture is no exception. The funding options have allowed us to develop our new business to a high standard whilst ensuring the costs are affordable and realistic. HSBC’s support has helped us reduce costs, improve profitability and introduce us to local suppliers and providers that have all served to support our business.”

Nigel Davis, HSBC’s regional director for the western & Wales region, commented: “Sam and Aaron are ambitious businessmen who approached HSBC with a clear strategy for the growth of their new venture. We worked closely with them in the months leading up to the acquisition to put together a finance package that best supported their plans and we’re already in talks about how we can fund the next phase of this exciting development. We look forward to seeing the business grow and continuing our relationship with Sam and Aaron.”

The business partners now operate the whole site, which includes the garden centre, the aquatic and reptile centre, the Orangery Tea Rooms and the farm store. They also rent additional space to concessionary businesses which offer landscaping, artificial grass and conservatories.