Ellisons has advised David Thompson, founder of the Willow Park Group, on the £2.5m acquisition of Mill Race Garden Centre in Aldham, Essex.
The purchase follows the garden centre’s closure in August 2025 and marks the start of an ambitious project to revitalise the site into a “mini-industrial estate”, creating new jobs and commercial opportunities for the local community.
The site is earmarked for mixed commercial use, including business units, a café, padel courts, and a nursery, with the vision of transforming it into a thriving rural employment hub.
Ellisons’ Commercial Property team, led by Partner Chris Harvey and Solicitor Holly Smith, acted for Mr Thompson on the acquisition.
Chris Harvey commented: “We were pleased to act for David on this significant local acquisition. The transaction required careful handling to meet challenging timelines and address several complex property issues, but thanks to strong collaboration between all parties, completion was achieved smoothly. This project has real potential to deliver long-term benefits for the Aldham community and wider area.”
David Thompson, owner of the Mill Race Garden Centre site, said: “With Ellisons’ support we were able to move quickly and complete the acquisition efficiently. Working with a full-service firm that understood both the local market and the commercial realities of the deal made all the difference. Our ambition is to create a rural business hub that brings jobs, investment, and renewed energy to the area.”