New garden centre set to open at former Daisy Nook site
J Parker's, a well-established gardening retailer, is opening a new garden centre at the former Daisy Nook site, marking its fourth location in the Greater Manchester area. The centre will offer a wide range of plants and gardening essentials while retaining all current staff and honouring the legacy of the previous owners. This expansion follows the company's recent growth into Ireland and reinforces its commitment to the local community and green spaces.
J Parker’s, the family-run gardening specialist that has traded for more than 90 years, has bought the former Daisy Nook Garden Centre at Failsworth, bringing the site back into local hands and safeguarding every existing job.
The Calder family ran Daisy Nook for half a century before putting the business on the market. Parker’s, which already operates three centres across Greater Manchester, stepped in immediately, pledging to retain all 30 staff and to act as “stewards” of the adjoining Daisy Nook Country Park.
Chief executive Paul Parker said the deal gives the firm its fourth physical outlet and strengthens its position in the North-west.
”We have served gardeners online and wholesale for decades, but bricks-and-mortar sites let us meet customers face to face,” he explained. “Daisy Nook is the perfect next step: a well-loved centre in the heart of our home territory. We will invest heavily in new ranges, landscaping and community events so that Oldham and Tameside gardeners have a destination they can be proud of.”
The centre will continue to stock plants from alpines to specimen shrubs, plus seeds, tools and furniture, while Parker’s 40-acre Lincolnshire nursery will supply much of the plant range. A phased refurbishment is planned for the autumn, with extra parking, a redesigned plant area and a new café promised for 2025.
The acquisition follows Parker’s 2023 launch of an Irish warehouse and dedicated website, moves that doubled export sales. Parker said the Daisy Nook purchase shows the firm’s commitment to growth “on our own doorstep”.
”We want to honour the Calder legacy, support the friends’ group that helps maintain the country park, and work with local schools and businesses. Gardening boomed during lockdown; our job is to keep that enthusiasm alive.”
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