The Midcounties Co-op has made a deal to buy four Cotswolds-based Warner’s Budgens food stores.
Due to finalise this summer, the deal will help Midcounties strengthen its presence in the area, acquiring four stores in Bidford-on-Avon, Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and Winchcombe.
The stores are owned and operated by independent retailer Guy Warner who will retain freehold ownership of the four properties.
Phil Ponsonby, group chief executive of Midcounties, said: “We’ll be delighted to welcome the Warner’s Budgens colleagues into our Midcounties family.
“They have 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.”
Mr Warner said: “In the past 11 years we’ve developed four highly successful food stores, reaching a turnover of £20 million 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.”
Mr Warner opened his first supermarket in Broadway in 2006. With the sale of these stores, Mr Warner will be investing in new sites and develop his existing petrol forecourt businesses where the Warner’s Budgens brand will continue.
He added: “We are proud to serve shoppers in the Cotswolds and will continue to do so with our petrol forecourt businesses and new ventures.”
The Warner’s Burgens stores stock more than 700 locally produced items.
