John Woods Nurseries, one of the UK's leading suppliers of plants to the garden retail market, has gone into administration.
Based in Pettistree, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, the £6m-turnover company produces hardy nursery stock on a 95-acre site in Suffolk. The product range extends to 1,500 lines in a range of sizes across shrubs, perennials, roses, ericaceous plants, climbers, trees and fruit. More than 1.3m units are produced annually.

The company, which has early ties with what is now the garden centre chain Notcutts, claims to be among the top five nurseries supplying UK garden retailers.

Jamie Taylor and Lloyd Biscoe from the Southend-on-Sea office of Begbies Traynor have been appointed as joint administrators.

An online auction of some £500,000-worth of John Woods container-grown trees, shrubs and other plants will start on Tuesday, November 24, run by chartered surveyors Eddisons. The lots will be available to view at the John Woods site the previous day.

Eddisons director of machinery and business assets Kevin McAndrew told the Ipswich Star: "It's really sad to see a company like John Woods, which has such a proud heritage in plant growing and gardening, being brought down by financial problems.

"The lots that we are auctioning next week will be an opportunity for trade buyers and individuals to pick up some fantastic plants and other items from right across the nurseries' vast product range."

John Woods Nurseries was incorporated in August 2007, following a management buyout of the then Notcutts Nurseries by managing director John Lord and finance director John Kirkum. The original John Woods Nurseries was established in 1837 and purchased by RC Notcutt in 1897. The new business reverted to its old name in order to reinforce the company's heritage and authenticity.

Family-run UK garden centre group, Notcutts has expressed regret at hearing that administrators have been appointed to John Woods Nurseries.

Notcutts had a long-standing association with the nursery. Notcutts sold the nursery in 2007 to the management team, as part of its strategy to focus on the growth of its Garden Centres.

Notcutts chairman Nicky Dulieu commented: "Notcutts has been a supporter of John Woods Nurseries for many years and we are very sorry to hear the news."