Ryde’s Busy Bee Garden Centre Joins Blue Diamond Group

Ryde’s much-loved Busy Bee Garden Centre is set to become part of the Blue Diamond Garden Centre group later this month.

The family-run business, founded in 1987 by Chris and Mary Leslie, has grown into one of the Island’s largest and best-known retail destinations for gardening, homeware and gifts.

With the couple now retiring, the business will officially transfer to Blue Diamond on 31 August.

The move secures the future of the Brading Road site, which will join the UK’s largest garden centre group.

Blue Diamond currently operates more than 50 centres across the UK and Channel Islands, including Brambridge Park near Southampton.

Blue Diamond’s Managing Director, Alan Roper, confirmed that the Busy Bee name will remain, along with its hugely popular Christmas World. The plant department is expected to see significant investment, with plans to increase both variety and space.

All 60 members of staff will stay on under the new ownership, with senior managers due to visit the Island next week to meet the workforce.

The purchase has been several years in the making, and both parties say they are pleased the deal is now moving forward.