Charitable garden centre to close after 28 years

Braywick Heath Nurseries was opened in 1997 by Prince Charles, as he was then titled

A social enterprise that was opened in 1997 by Prince Charles, as he then was, has announced plans to close for financial reasons.

Braywick Heath Nurseries and Garden Centre in Maidenhead, Berkshire, has spent 28 years providing employment to people with disabilities and other needs.

Founder Robin Pemberton, 80, said staff would be made redundant after Christmas.

He said he hoped to find an organisation to continue the work, although a deal with one potential partner had fallen through.

In a statement, Mr Pemberton said: "With deep regret the directors have decided to cease trading at the end of this year.

"The door is not yet closed, but it is closing, while the need for training and employment for those left behind is getting greater.

"We would very much like to find a partner to continue and serve that need and we are busily working to do that."

Mr Pemberton, who has an autistic son, started the not-for-profit enterprise in 1996 on a former council nurseries site.

He said: "It's been like pushing water uphill. Costs are going up, income is shrinking. We have lost some grounds maintenance contracts.

"We are solvent today... but we knew we could soon be trading insolvently.

"It's a cruel twist because more and more people are on the spectrum or with ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]."

More than 1,000 people were supported at the centre and several had gone on to start their own garden businesses, Mr Pemberton added.

The firm had a £61,000 surplus of assets over liabilities, according to its latest accounts for the year to the end of 2024.