A Gwynedd garden centre will close after almost 40 years of trading and four-and-a-half years after a fire because of an insurance issue, supermarkets and the rise in online shopping.

The owners of Tremadog Garden Centre have launched a closing down sale, saying the closure “has been forced upon us”.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Tremadog Garden Centre after nearly 40 years of trading,” they told the ‘Cambrian News’.

“This has been forced upon us by the ongoing non settlement of the insurance claim, now four-and-a-half years since the fire, the increase of supermarkets encroaching into the horticultural trade, and the rise of internet websites such as Amazon. As such all remaining stock will be reduced by 50 per cent from this Saturday and we expect the shop to close end of September, or when we run out of stock. We wish to thank all of our customers over the years.

“The Sheds and Garden Buildings side of the business is continuing and we will be looking to expand our display site to make it the best in North Wales, with the largest range of Buildings on display.”

The blaze broke out on 23 February, 2022.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 11.23am and residents were asked to avoid the area and close their windows and doors.

Appliances from Porthmadog, Harlech, Nefyn, Pwllheli and Dolgellau along with the Aerial Ladder Platform from Rhyl attended the scene, and North Wales Police confirmed the temporary closure of the High Street in Tremadog due to the fire.

The garden centre has also shared the news on social media where customers have expressed their sadness at the closure.

An exact date for the closure has not been given but while stocks last the garden centre’s new opening hours are Monday–Saturday 9am-5pm.