THE Proculture Group based at Knowle Hill, Evesham, is heading for reorganisation and redirection.

Proculture (Holdings) Ltd., the owner of the wholesale nurseries Proculture Plants Ltd, Knowle Hill, has sold the mail order plant and chrysanthemum business of Woolmans Plants to Eastfields Ltd, of Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

Woolmans, established in 1881, has long been associated with the breeding and supply of quality chrysanthemums to the amateur grower. Proculture bought the firm in 1995 and has maintained the sales of chrysanthemums and developed the sales of perennial plants by traditional mail order plant catalogues and more recently through the website www.woolman.co.uk.

John Woolman, great grandson of the founder, Henry Woolman, will continue to work in the business. Iris Morris, office manager, retired on the day of the sale completion and her 70th birthday.

A strategic review of the Proculture group by external consultants concluded they should concentrate on the wholesale production and distribution of garden plants. In particular, the introduction of new varieties of garden plants to the market place from their partners around the world. Proculture will continue to produce all the chrysanthemums for the new owners for the foreseeable future.

Cash realised by the sale will be used on the building of a new 6.25 acre wholesale nursery on 19.5 acres of land at Longdon Hill, Evesham, alongside the Broadway Road and the Evesham bypass. Outline planning permission has already been given and detailed plans put to Wychavon District Council. A decision is expected by the middle of December.

Derek Jarman, director of Proculture (Holdings) Ltd and former managing director of Woolmans Plants Ltd, said: "The sale of Woolmans is the first part of a reorganisation and redirection of the Proculture Group.

"Despite rising labour and energy costs, the future of plant production in Evesham and the employment of nearly 100 people will be secured once the new nursery is started."