This is an interesting development.
French company idverde has bought The Landscape Group from shareholder Elysian Capital. Read press release.
"idverde is the largest landscape construction and maintenance business in France, with a turnover of €280 million and employing 3000 staff. The business is the undisputed market leader, being five times the size of its nearest competitor, and the only company that can offer green services on a truly national basis across all of France.
"idverde has been considering a potential acquisition in the UK for some time, and concluded that The Landscape Group provided the strongest management team, the strongest financial performance and the best cultural fit foridverde in the UK."
Living in France, I know myself how well the French manage their open spaces - whether that's the flower borders and grass around the local Mairie or one of its national garden tresures.
I think that this deal has major positive implications for competition within the large sized contractor groups and a major leap forward for the potential of the UKs open spaces to improve.
How do you feel about the French (or any other non-UK business) managing a major part of UKs landscapes?
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Interesting development indeed, but 'quel dommage' that the contract didn't go to a British company, non?
Although I am a French citizen, I have worked most of my life in the UK and I trained here. I think England is one of the best place for horticulture because the English are such a nation of gardeners, and it is reflected in the people's interests and where they spent their money.
Admittedly I haven't worked in France in this industry, but I don't feel there is as much work for freelance gardeners and garden designers. Perhaps working for a group is a different story?
I agree that it's a shame a British company didn't snap up The Landscape Company. However I think - if what I see on my travels here in France are anything to go by - this development can be a real positive one for UK open spaces and cultural landscapes.
It's a bit of a wake-up call.
Having said that, whilst France appears way ahead of the UK in terms of its public spaces it lags behind when it comes to private gardens. It is only in the last 5-7 years that I have seen life centres turn into lifestyle centres. Going are the traditional ironmonger/seed/tool.machinery farm to smallholding stores which are being replaced by what the British know as garden centres.
In my opinion there is a good opportunity developing for gardeners, designers and landscapers here in France.