Fans of a much-loved garden centre have lamented the 'end of an era' after its owners announced it would close after 51 years of trading. All In One was considered a pioneer as one of the nation's first garden centres when it opened in Middleton in 1971.
But now the business has announced the centre is to close, with the family owners citing the struggle to trade during the Covid pandemic. It will continue to trade online.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from its regular customers, who said it was the 'end of an era'. It was loved as much for its aquarium and Christmas grotto as it was for the garden products it sold.
READ MORE: Urgent calls to sort 'unsafe, nightmare' roundabout plaguing city's drivers
Dave Stafford opened Middleton ’s All in One garden centre in 1971 with his wife Beryl. The business went from strength to strength and in 1988 some £2m was spent on rebuilding the centre.
Mr Stafford retired in 2008 but remained as chairman of the board. When he died in 2015, Mr Stafford's son Jason said: "He was very highly-regarded in the industry and he was one of the pioneers in the garden centre business who would always challenge the way things were done.
“He was outspoken and never short of an opinion, but he was also a very generous man who shared ideas and was very keen to bring people together so they could work for mutual benefit."
Announcing the closure on its Facebook page, the garden centre said: "We at All-In-One Garden Centre are sad to announce that finally, after serving our community for more than 51 years, the time has come to close our ‘original’ Middleton Garden Centre.
"As many of you are aware, trading throughout and beyond COVID has brought upon many significant challenges - our much missed restaurant being the best example of how difficult trading has been over the last two-and-a-half years. Our site has now been sold and although we will soon be vacating the premises, we will be continuing to offer the products you love, trading from new premises on an online basis only.
"Being part of this community, helping our customers grow and nurture their gardens, or helping to inspire them to create beautiful Christmas displays inside and outside their homes, gives us a great feeling of pride. So many of you came to All-In-One to see Santa, only to return many years later with your own children and. grandchildren to continue the same tradition - we would like to thank you and let you know we are proud to have been a part of your memories.
"We would also would like to acknowledge the help and dedication our staff have contributed to our business over all these years. You all know who you are. Some may have only been with us weeks, while others have given 40-plus years service. We have been lucky to employ what felt like an extended family and to you all, you have our heart felt gratitude and we feel so much pride in what we achieved together.
"The All-in-One Garden Centre will close in early July, so until then we look forward to seeing you in store and will take great pleasure serving you for our last few weeks of trading here. From those of you who come to shop or simply feed the fish, we will miss you all.
"Thank you! Best Wishes from the Stafford Family xxx."
Posting on the centre's Facebook page, Carol Bentham wrote: "So sad, loved to look round all garden plants etc..., and we would always go in the restaurant, all the staff were lovely, end of an era."
Lisa Birtles said: "It’s the end of an era and we certainly have lots of happy memories from All in One. Wishing you all the very best for the next chapter."
Karl Tess Robinson wrote: "Sad to hear. Sending you, your family and extended family/work family all the very best. Didn’t work there but have worked within the garden centre industry for over 20 years, and all in one has always been up there. So hope that, whatever your next adventure is, it's amazing."
