A renowned rose breeder has chosen a site on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border as a place to grow its operations.
David Austin Roses has taken on 28-acres at the Bradford Estates site in Weston Under Lizard, where it will to grow its award-winning flowers, one of the largest rose breeding programmes in the world.
The company, which has won 29 gold medals at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, has also taken on the commercial lease of buildings for its operations and has the potential to expand there further in the future.
It is the latest major agricultural business to take land and buildings from Bradford Estates after root vegetables producer Huntapac set up its regional centre there in 2023.
Bradford Estates Property Director Chris Hodson said: “We are pleased to add to our growing number of leading agricultural business by welcoming David Austin Roses to the Bradford Estates.
“The David Austin Roses team are proactive in growing their business so it is great that we can support their growth with both a cropping licence and commercial space.
“As a landed estates business with a regenerative farming operation, it is pleasing to see other successful agriculture businesses recognise the opportunity of taking licences alongside Bradford Farming and we look forward to seeing them generate further success.”
Tim Smith, Chief Operating Officer at David Austin Roses, said: “We are pleased to launch a partnership with Bradford Estates by making use of their land holding for growing our popular roses.
“This collaboration supports our continued growth as an award-winning rose breeder and grower whilst also reducing transport costs through using local storage, aligning with our commitment to socially responsible practices that benefit our people, planet and the gardening community.”
- Bradford Estates recently increased the number of industrial estates in its property portfolio by 50 per cent by purchasing four new multi-let industrial estates totalling 150,000 sq ft. The acquisitions in Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Avonmouth and Gloucester have been described as a major milestone in the company’s growth strategy.
