Midcounties Co-op set to buy four Warner's Budgens stores

High-profile Budgens retailer Guy Warner has agreed to sell four of his Cotswolds-based stores to the Midcounties Co-operative.

Guy will retain freehold ownership of the four properties, based in Bidford-on-Avon, Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and Winchcombe, with the deal set to complete this summer.

Midcounties said the acquisition of the four Warner’s Budgens stores would strengthen its presence in the Cotswolds and give greater access for its members to high-quality food stores.

Both the Broadway and Moreton-in-Marsh stores have won the Convenience Retail Awards on more than one occasion. Broadway was Guy’s first Warner’s Budgens store, which opened in 2006.

Guy now plans to develop his existing two forecourt stores under the Warner’s Budgens brand, as well as invest in new sites.

He said: “In the past 11 years we’ve developed four highly successful food stores, reaching a turnover of £20m in 2017-18. Midcounties is an excellent fit for these stores as we have shared community values as well as a total commitment to supplying more locally-sourced food and drink products.

“Our staff will have greater opportunities in a larger organisation and our customers will benefit from the Co-op’s extensive own brand range

“We are proud to serve shoppers in the Cotswolds and will continue to do so with our petrol forecourt businesses and new ventures.”

Midcounties Co-operative ceo Phil Ponsonby added: “We’ll be delighted to welcome the Warner’s Budgens colleagues into our Midcounties family as they’ve an excellent reputation for great customer service and product knowledge and will be a valuable addition to the Society. The quality of the stores that Guy Warner has built up over a number of years now provides us with a fantastic base to build upon.

“This latest purchase will also help strengthen our relationships with local producers, allowing us to continue to develop and grow our Best of our Counties range of locally produced food and drink. In addition, we will offer an increased range of own brand products to provide even more choice for shoppers.”