Surrey & Borders Urged to Rethink Future of Local Public Asset

Dear Ms Edwards

Old Moat Garden Centre

I’m concerned by plans to transfer ownership of the Old Moat Garden Centre site to Richmond Fellowship perhaps not in the best interests of taxpayers or employees. Asset stripping may appear immediately attractive but in the longer term is usually counter-productive.

Do you not agree it is in the public interest to suspend current plans for disposal of the Garden Centre until other options have been examined especially but not only the possibility of business development as described in my attached submission?


Yours sincerely


Walter Dean (prof.)

BSc, MIIE, MBA, BIM, FRSA

Hon. Lect., European Ctre. for Prof. Ethics



Retired Professor of Business Studies

Warwick (University) Business School



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Old Moat Garden Centre



Business Opportunity Discussion Paper


Briefly reviewing the situation of this enterprise it appears there is a good case for consideration of business development

A. The land is a significant borrowing asset and there may be considerable
untapped local product demand including supermarket and other distribution outlets which could be proved by survey


B. It seems that promising promotion/distribution possibilities such as Direct Marketing; Internet; Home Deliveries, targeted A&P etc., etc. have not been considered

C. Understanding of these issues together with review of opening hours, customer-oriented staffing levels and training may well demonstrate a significant business opportunity offering income and retaining assets within the public domain

D. Hence I suggest Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust employ local professional business expertise to produce a Business Opportunity Development Plan for public consultation and Council review before final decisions are made


Walter Dean (prof.) 18th September 2006

BSc, MIIE, MBA, BIM, FRSA

Hon. Lect., European Ctre. for Prof. Ethics