A ROSE nursery which has been run by the same family since 1912 has changed hands just months before its centenary celebrations.

Fryer’s Garden Centre in Manchester Road has been bought out by the Blue Diamond Group in Guernsey after being run by three generations of the Fryer family.

It is understood that Gareth Fryer retired on October 7 on the same day that the deal was finalised.

Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond Group, told the Guardian that his company has been interested in Fryer’s for two years and the takeover process started six months ago.

“Fryer’s had great appeal,” said Mr Roper, who has been running garden centres for 13 years.

“It’s not just that it’s a nice area around Knutsford, it’s the fact that it had a rose nursery.

“For us, roses are an important part of the business. It’s what Fryer’s is known for and what it built its reputation around.

“We really wanted that to continue.”

Fryer’s was established by Arthur Fryer in 1912 and Gareth joined the company, aged 19, in 1967.

The garden centre also helped with the war effort during the Second World War by cultivating vegetables.

Mr Roper added: “We started our business in 1904 so there’s some parallels. We’ll be selling roses as the Fryer family did.”

The business has become the 13th garden centre in the Blue Diamond Group and will continue to trade under the Fryer’s name.

Mr Roper said: “We acknowledge the quality of the business and what made it strong. We’re not just putting our stamp on it.”

But the managing director said that new job opportunities are on the cards.

He added: “As a family business, the way Fryer’s runs will stay the same in terms of the day-to-day operation but we want to freshen up the business.

“We have 15 acres and we’d like to expand it where we can.

“We recognise there’s a need for a larger operation - we’ve done our homework.

“We’ll be working with local planners and if successful it will create a number of jobs.”