No, Dobbies has not gone bust; they've undergone a major restructuring involving the closure of 17 unprofitable stores in late 2024/early 2025 (including all Little Dobbies), rent negotiations, and cost-cutting to secure their long-term future and return to profitability after significant losses, with the aim to remain a key player in the UK market.
The brand intends to shutter 'unprofitable stores' as part of a restructuring plan. Sixteen 'mainline' and 'Little' Dobbies shut in 2024, then eight more closures were announced at the start of this year. Now, three more Dobbie's are getting the axe.
The former Dobbies site, which closed in 2024, is now being run by British Garden Centres — the largest family-owned garden centre group in the UK — which also has a site in Brockworth.
The partnership between Dobbies and John Lewis, which owns Waitrose, is coming to an end. This was a “mutual agreement” and comes after the two brands had worked together for three years. Now, Dobbies have revealed they will have new food halls opening at the end of this month and over February.
Dobbies Garden Centres closed eight locations in early 2025 (Rugby, Morpeth, Stapleton, Havant, Hare Hatch, Leicester, Aylesbury, Northampton) as part of a major restructuring to improve profitability, with some sites taken over by other operators like British Garden Centres and Gates Garden Centres, impacting over 400 staff but securing the long-term future of the remaining 60+ stores.
Dobbies has a five-year plan to 2030, is paying all suppliers and has a 15-centre 2025 refit programme underway. Dobbies chief executive officer David Robinson says the garden centre group is here for the long-term in his first interview since taking over the chain in July 2023.
The John Lewis Partnership — owner of John Lewis and Waitrose — has reported losses of £88 million for the first half of 2025, almost three times higher than the £30 million loss a year earlier.
Average John Lewis & Partners hourly pay ranges from approximately £12.89 per hour for Assistant to £13.53 per hour for Merchandiser. Salary estimated from 1,269 past and present job postings on Indeed. Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed.
The company reported a 25.1% drop in underlying pre-tax profits to £568million for the year to January 31, 2024. The high street more broadly has struggled as well, due to high inflation and combined and the trend towards online shopping.
As well as closing 11 unprofitable sites, Dobbies will be seeking temporary rent reductions on a further 9 sites. Dobbies has not been put into administration, but the restructuring plan must be agreed by the landlords and ratified by a court. The announcement says there will be no impact on suppliers.
Yes, Dobbies Garden Centres are generally dog-friendly, welcoming well-behaved dogs on leads in most store areas and designated parts of their restaurants, with water bowls often available, though they are restricted from the main foodhall and you're expected to clean up after your pet. Policies can vary slightly, so it's best to check with your specific store for details on their dog-friendly zones.
