A GARDEN centre near Malvern is set to close down tomorrow following a slump in sales.

Earlier this month, the Worcester News reported how two of the seven staff employed at Leigh Sinton Garden Centre had been laid off, weeks after the company was forced to call in the administrators about two months ago.

Manager Robin Loveridge said that the remaining staff were distressed to hear they would also be unemployed by the end of the week.

"They are all aware that we are closing tomorrow and are all obviously upset to be losing their jobs," he said.

"I have no idea what I am going to do after that, I expect I will join the queue with everyone else. There are a few local people who have been regular customers who are very upset."

He said that hoards of new customers had taken advantage of the half price sale over the last two weekends, leaving stocks depleted.

"Officially we will close tomorrow, but it might be today, depending on stock," he added.

"We don't have a great deal left here. The place is literally empty."

In an article in the Worcester News, on Saturday, March 18, Mr Loveridge said that the last 18 months of his three-year management had been "very tough," blaming the poor weather and a general tightening in finances for the fall in sales.

Also, leasing land on the site, off the A4103 Hereford Road are Tidy Gardens and Les Minton Fencing. They will continue to be open for business as usual.