Move reinforces Scottish entrepreneur’s position in sector

Sir Tom Hunter has added to his portfolio of garden centres with the£15 million acquisition of Somerset garden centre chain Sanders Garden World.

The Highbridge-based Sanders will be added to the Wyevale chain, which Sir Tom bought last year for£445.1 million.

The deal reinforces Sir Tom’s dominant market position in the garden centre sector, where he already owns Wyevale, Blooms of Bressingham and has a 29 per cent stake in Dobbies.

Last month, he failed to block a bid by Tesco for Dobbies, despite stating that he thought the price offered undervalued the chain.

The Scottish billionaire had a number of partners in the Sanders deal including HBOS, Baugur and property investment vehicle Prestbury.

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