Hall’s Garden Centre takes control of The Place 2B, former home of BBC newsreader Ashley Blake.   Robert Hall, senior partner, took possession of the keys to The Place 2B last night. The pub had previously been on a long term lease to BBC newsreader Ashley Blake and his partner Jessica. Blake is currently serving a jail sentence after being convicted following an incident earlier this year. Further incidents in July 2009, following a party at The Place 2B resulted in the death of one man and serious injuries to another.   The Place 2B was put on the market by Punch Taverns and has now been acquired by the family business that runs the adjacent Garden Centre. “Acquiring The Place 2B will allow a natural progression to our current site adding both undercover showroom area and outside display space” said Mr. Hall.   The pub was purpose built in the 1920’s and named The New Oscott Tavern to replace the original pub that was on the site. And it was that original pub, and the surrounding land that Hall’s Garden Supplies bought in the 1950’s to open its garden centre.   There is plenty of room to display garden furniture, barbecues and more during the busy summer months but Simon Whitehead (partner) has even bigger plans for next winter when he will convert the whole of the ground floor area into a Christmas spectacular!   The new addition to the garden centre will initially be open to the public in April 2010 with a new coffee shop, whilst other areas of the building will be opened later.   Hall’s Garden Supplies have attracted local customers from the Birmingham area for over 50 years, but the success of its popular website www.GardenSite.co.uk means it is now trading throughout the UK and into Europe.   For further information contact: Simon Whitehead (partner) 0121 355 7701   Hall’s Garden Supplies, 211, Chester Road, New Oscott, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B73 5BD   www.WorldOfChristmas.co.uk www.GardenSite.co.uk