Everton Nurseries, near Lymington, has been owned by the Collyer family for more than 100 years, but has now been acquired by the Your Local Garden Centre group.
The group’s owner, Paul Richards, started his career as a nurseryman, and was the owner of local horticultural business Golden Acres Nursery for many years.
Tim Mason, Maria Currie, Alessio Colyer, Simon Colyer, Charlotte Richards, Paul Richards, Toby Collyer, Lucy Collyer. (Image: Sea Pop Ltd)
Mr Richards said: “It has been a pleasure dealing with the Collyer family and our values closely align.
“We have no plans for redundancies.
“Quite the opposite, we will want more staff as we act on our plans to develop the business and make sure it has many more successful years as a family-owned and horticultural business.”
All jobs at the nursery are secure, with no planned redundancies, and two members of the Collyer family’s fourth generation will remain in management roles.
The retiring Collyer directors said: “It was a difficult decision but it was important to us that all staff will be retained.
“We are confidant that the business is in safe hands and will continue to thrive and prosper.
“We are very grateful to all our loyal and longstanding staff and customers and we are confident that the decision has helped to secure the future of the business.”