THE new owner of a North-East garden centre has saved six jobs after reopening its doors thanks to funding secured through HSBC by accounting and business advisory firm, Baldwins.

Richard Scarr of Scarr Holdings, a former employee of Paddock Farm garden centre near Croft for eight years, purchased the business through a sealed bid, in a deal which was completed in just six weeks.

He said: “Having worked at the centre for so long, I knew it inside out and was determined to keep it alive."

Baldwins worked with Mr Scarr to manage the full process, including constructing forecasts and pulling together the funding proposal.

Phil Empson, director of banking and finance at Baldwins, said: “We were working to a very short timeframe of only six weeks, so we worked closely with all parties to ensure the deal was not lost and livelihoods were saved."