Bestway agrees to buy two Blakemore depots

Bestway Wholesale has exchanged contracts with AF Blakemore with a view to purchasing two of the company’s cash and carry depots.

The deal, subject to completion, includes the purchase of Blakemore’s 151,000sq ft depot in Cardiff, and its 76,000sq ft site in Walsall.

Bestway Wholesale managing director Martin Race said: “We’re very excited to add these two well-located and sizeable depots into our estate, and to welcome the employees into the Bestway family as our new colleagues. The addition of the Cardiff and Walsall depots will only make us stronger, enhancing our presence in these two key areas, and expanding our footprint and coverage in the UK.

“As a business, our mission is to be the ‘Best Way’ for customers to grow their food and drinks business and the purchase of these two depots will provide Bestway with the increased scale and reach to provide the best possible service to our customers, alongside our market-leading prices and promotions.”

Both depots will remain open and will continue to be run by AF Blakemore in the interim until the completion of the Bestway deal.

All 123 Blakemore depot staff have been informed of the decision and will be retained as part of the agreement. The deal is expected to be completed over the coming weeks.