The Kew Gardener has announced that after 22 years of having its doors open to Richmond, it has had to shut.

Due to falling behind on rent, Owner of The Kew Gardener, Daniel Slack, has been informed by his landlords that his lease must be terminated, despite his offer to cover the arrears.

Slack, originally from Nantwich, Cheshire, first came to Richmond in the 90s to study at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for a Diploma in Horticulture.

Following that, he opened The Kew Gardener because of his 'love for plants.'

"My love is plants. I've always been into plants since a little boy," Slack tells Nub News.

The plant specialist explains that the landlord agent CBRE for James Hay Pension Trustees, was looking to increase the rent by 62.5% back in October 2023.

Already having difficulty keeping up with the existing rent, this would have made it even more difficult for him.

"I was behind in rent and asked CBRE in March for a statement of account. Never received it," says Slack.

The Kew Gardener featured in a recent 'Shop Local' video promoting independent shops in and around Richmond.

He continues: "On Sunday May 5th at 10.15pm without any advanced warning or notification, Clearway acting on behalf of the landlord broke into the shop and changed the locks to the back and front door of shop, as well as the two side gates."

He adds: "On May 7th, after the bank holiday I called Clearway and offered to pay the rent arrears in full. They informed me the lease was terminated and took no money."

Slack claims that when he found out about the locks being changed at his business he was away celebrating his son's 12th birthday.

"As it stands, I have until May 22nd to move everything out. That in itself is impossible and incredibly heart breaking.

"Dismantling the place you have put so much love into is beyond words, and where does it all go? 

"I feel exhausted, done if you will, but I have to carry on," admits Slack.

The Kew Gardener in Richmond has closed after the landlord ended its lease agreement (credit: Daniel Slack).

Soaring energy prices and the rising cost of living have left Slack facing significantly higher expenses, with his electricity bill tripling in the past year alone.

"You have staff who are wanting wage increases. I've lost staff because I can't afford to pay them more money," explains the plant shop owner.

Slack adds: "As a shop owner you give so much, it never stops, and now it kind of has stopped, there is incredible disappointment but also a relief. 

"The sadness is the loss to the community. Independent little shops like mine are what make the area what it is but they are being crippled financially."

Not only has the news of his lease being terminated impacted Slack, but also his seven-year-old daughter, Chloe who offered to buy the land The Kew Gardener is on or if not, print a massive 3D version of the shop.

Slack reveals: "I am pretty tough and can deal with most s*ht but when she (Slack's daughter) started talking like that I started crying. It breaks your heart you know."

As it stands The Kew Gardener store has shut, although Slack will continue to keep the online shop running and his gardening services too.

There is also the possibility that Slack will use his vans to sell plants in and around Richmond as its overheads are 'smaller' then the cost of his brick and mortar shop.

"I love plants. People ask why I do what I do, and that is the very simple answer. 

"This is why I came to Kew in 1994 to study at Kew Gardens. A few years later I was 'The Kew Gardener' and have been ever since," says Slack.

Slack's seven-year-old daughter, Chloe, eating ice cream in front of The Kew Gardener (credit: Daniel Slack).

Reflecting on the outpour of support in recent days after the announcement of the closure, the support has left Slack speechless and grateful.

Slack says: "Everybody has been so good and fantastic. There are not words to describe it...fantastic, incredible, amazing. You just want to give something back to them when it all works out."

Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney (credit: Sarah Olney).

Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney has today (15 May) launched a campaign to save the local business from its closure, calling it a 'treasured part of the community.'

She says: "The Kew Gardener has been a treasured part of the community for many years, and it is an absolute tragedy that it may force it to close its doors.

"Sadly, stories like this are becoming all too common, with thousands of small businesses across the country closing their doors for the last time.

"Our high streets and town centres are being turned into ghost towns because once thriving businesses have gone to the wall.

"Conservative Ministers must now give small businesses the boost they need, by tackling our workforce shortages, properly overhauling the broken business rates system and getting our economy growing again."

Slack plans to take legal action against the landlord and fight to keep The Kew Gardener alive.

Richmond resident, Elizabeth Croft, has set up a GoFundMe page so that the community can help Slack raise funds for legal fees. Find out more here.

Landlord agents, James Hay Pension Trustees, has been approached for comment.

The Kew Gardener can be found next to Kew Gardens Station at 18 Station Parade, Richmond TW9 3PZ.

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