Scarborough's Dean's Garden Centre family set to enjoy retirement - with new business to take over

The Bradford-based company has announced it is to operate the Dean's Garden Centre sites at Scarborough and York, with these being added to the group that already has sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley.

The Dean's business dates back to 1968 when they opened the York store on a four acre site at Stockton on the Forest.

This was followed by the acquisition of the eight-acre Scarborough site in 1986.

The business now employs more than 100 people and all the roles will transfer with the sale.

Richard, Helen and Sarah, who are the second generation of the Dean family to run the business, will all enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Mark Farnsworth, MD of Yorkshire Garden Centres said: "We are delighted to welcome the Dean's sites into the Yorkshire Garden Centres group in partnership with Altia Estates.

"We are grateful to the Dean family for letting us take the business forward, and we intend to continue to use the Dean's name, which has become so well respected over the years.

“While several members of the family retire, we are also really pleased that others have agreed to stay on and continue to work in the business.”

Richard Dean, a partner at Dean's Garden Centre, said: "We are pleased our Centres are joining the Yorkshire Garden Centre group.

"We have followed their progress with interest and feel that we have many shared values.

"Having grown up living on the York site, we've been involved in the business in some capacity or other from a very young age.

"Now though is the right time for my sisters and I to retire, something that I personally was aiming to do in 2021, before Covid hit.

"The business can now move forward and provide, what will no doubt be an enhanced shopping experience for our customers.

"We are grateful to Antony Harker of Altia Estates for the financial support and faith he has shown in us.

Mr Harker added: "We are delighted to support this opportunity and we wish the whole team at Yorkshire Garden Centres the very best."