Hunter plants bid for garden retailer

Published on Friday 8 August 2008 10:26

SIR Tom Hunter, the Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist, has bid to buy up a postal flower service and garden products retailer.

He has already invested in the company, called Flying Brands, and would use ownership of the company to increase his foothold in the garden centre sector.

Flying Brands – which includes Flying Flowers, mail order plant operation Gardening Direct and cards company Greetings Direct – has confirmed that it had received a "very preliminary approach" from Sir Tom's investment vehicle West Coast Capital. The Edinburgh businessman already owns a 29.9 per cent stake in the business.

The Jersey-based company, which started out in 1981 growing carnations for local tourists, has had a difficult 18 months, with former chief executive Mark Dugdale announcing his resignation in January.

The company has put a lot of money into the internet, but it was forced to close down its UK and Australia-based Greetings Direct business in recent weeks, after failing to roll it out in the United States.

Earlier this year, Sir Tom lost a long-running battle with Tesco over control of Dobbies Garden Centres, finally agreeing to sell his 29 per cent stake to the supermarket for 36.3 million.