Fermoy's Garden Centre in Devon has confirmed that there are talks of it being taken over by a new owner.
Staff at the centre near Newton Abbot, south Devon, were informed of the news at the end of September when it hosted its food, ale and music festival, Abbfest. This comes just weeks after plans were announced for a multi-million-pound re-development and expansion of the site and grounds.

A spokeswoman from Fermoy's told diyweek.net that everyone is keeping their job. "They were fine and everyone's been quite positive," she said.

"It's not one of the really big companies. But we only found out four or five days ago and we're waiting until the contract is signed before we say anything," she added. "We are hoping it's a positive move towards our new build with the experience this garden centre has got."

Fermoy's, having grown from a basic site with a fabric-roofed plant growing area and outbuildings, was voted Britain's Best UK Garden Retailer in the DIY Week Awards three years running, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Company director Alan Murdoch told diyweek.net in September that the company has been planning its expansion for years. Its basis is an additional five-acre site which the business acquired some four years ago, on which, it wants to build a bigger garden centre, with a bigger cafe and a new car park.