CONFIRMED: Leading garden centre company set to open huge new store at vacant site near Northampton

Dobbies Garden Centre in Harlestone Heath, opposite Harlestone Firs, closed in December as part of the company’s efforts to manage its financial difficulties and restructure its national operations.

The closure impacted 28 employees, including six full-time and 22 part-time staff. Dobbies pledged to consult with those affected and aimed to redeploy them where possible.

Since then, the site has remained closed and empty.

However, speculation has been growing that Blue Diamond, the company behind Beckworth Emporium near Sywell, is stepping in to take over.

A banner spotted hanging across the entrance gates confirms the news, stating that Blue Diamond is taking over the site and plans to open around Easter.

The banner reads: “Your new garden centre from the country's number one garden centre group.”

Refurbishment work appears to be underway, with workers seen on-site preparing the interior.

Blue Diamond has been approached for further comment.

Beckworth Emporium has a stellar reputation, boasting a 4.5 out of five-star rating from 1,328 Google reviews.

One reviewer wrote: “Beckworth Emporium – a garden centre that integrates gourmet food, desserts, home furnishings, garden plants, and a restaurant. Every corner is full of dazzling items; you can spend half a day wandering around.”

Another said: “Must be one of the best garden centres for many a mile; always a pleasure and doesn’t disappoint.”

Major changes are underway in the Harlestone Firs area, with 3,000 homes being built at the Dallington Grange housing estate, along with the construction of the North West Relief Road.