Sarah Raven - some shockingly bad feedback

Doc_N

Farway said:

Doc_N said:

This is worth the read:

Sarah Raven bought by Sarah Raven

Sarah Raven, founder of her namesake gardening and lifestyle retail brand has acquired the brand once more in a pre-pack administration deal. 

Launched in 2008, SarahRaven.com has delivered millions of plants, bulbs, seeds and horticultural products to customers across the UK. The business faced further challenges with a 35% decline in sales after Covid-19 and ongoing financial pressures due to cost inflation, increased National Insurance costs, unseasonal weather and the implementation of new ERP systems, the business faced further challenges from an unexpected VAT demand from HMRC that led directors to consider their options. 

They decided that a sale of assets to the original founder was the best option, ensuring continuity, maintaining employment and providing a foundation for the brand’s future. 

Sarah Raven said: “The past few years have been challenging for British horticultural retailers, supplies and entrepreneurs and despite significant effort, this restructure was necessary to ensure the ongoing viability of SarahRaven.com.”

https://www.businessrescueexpert.co.uk/your-weekly-business-insolvency-news-round-up-for-july-11th-to-18th-2025/


So Sarah Raven comes out of it smelling of roses. I wonder how the creditors feel about that? That’s the very last time I’ll be dealing with this woman!

I don't know any details, but perhaps she sold as a thriving business but included the name, and she had no say in future direction of firm.?

Bit like Morrisons, all goes down hill once founder departs

Just maybe she has bought it back to save jobs & rebuild?

Hardly!

https://homeofdirectcommerce.com/news/sarah-raven-acquires-brand-she-co-founded-in-a-pre-pack-deal/

It certainly wasn’t a thriving business, and it was weighed down with debt. She will have bought it back cheaply without the debt. How nice for the people owed money.

Shaunus4

Doc_N said:  How nice for the people owed money.

Including all those who helped her crowdfund £1.25m via Triodos Bank's platform:
https://www.triodoscrowdfunding.co.uk/invest/sarah-raven-s-kitchen-and-garden-limited

Andrew_V

I had shocking service this summer with Sarah Raven.  No wonder they went t*ts up!  And now it seems that they have closed their customer service telephone lines and contact is via email or live chat only.  Not the the way to build customer confidence!  Apparently they are selling their own nursery business so hopefully they will use a nursery that can deliver what they promise from now on.

Beeblebr0x

I've used Beth Chatto on several occasions and have found the quality to be excellent. The cost of P&P is dear but the plants are extremely well-packaged.

Doc_N

Beeblebr0x said:

I've used Beth Chatto on several occasions and have found the quality to be excellent. The cost of P&P is dear but the plants are extremely well-packaged.

Agreed. A quality nursery which puts Sarah Raven to shame.