Parfetts not ruling out interest in Blakemore depot purchase

Wholesaler AG Parfett & Sons has not ruled out the possibility of taking over one of Blakemore Wholesale's cash and carry warehouses to fuel future expansion.

When asked about the possibility of purchasing any of Blakemore's depots currently up for sale, Parfett's head of customer development and marketing Guy Swindell told RN: “The broad strategy is growth and if the right opportunity arose, whether that be a cash and carry depot or food service offering, the board would be interested.

“We’re ambitious and forward thinking and we’ve got a lot strategies. We are geared up for expansion.”

Mr Swindell’s comments come after Blakemore announced the sale of 12 cash and carry warehouses in its wholesale arm on 3 April. Gateshead has been the only depot sold so far, with United Wholesale Grocers taking it over this month. 

The Barnsley and Newport branches are set to close on 15 June.

Parfett's head office is based in Stockport, with regional depots in Somercotes, Sheffield, Halifax, Aintree and Anfield.