Bargain Booze owner acquires Central Convenience stores

Bargain Booze owner Conviviality has acquired 127 convenience stores operating under the fascia Central Convenience from WS Retail.

WS Retail is a wholly owned subsidiary of wholesaler Palmer and Harvey which went into administration at the end of November.

The company is funding the acquisition through a placing of 8,000,000 new ordinary shares on the London stock Exchange at a price of 375 pence per share.

Diana Hunter, chief executive of Conviviality, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition and to have the Central Convenience business join the Conviviality Group. We now welcome our new colleagues and franchisees to the group. Conviviality Retail now comprises 836 stores, serving more customers in the south and south west of England.”