The corporate team at Farleys have advised fruit and veg supplier Sharrocks Fresh Produce Ltd on the sale of the business to North West supermarket chain Booths. Sharrocks, based at Chain Caul Way on Preston Dock, has been acquired by the Preston-based supermarket group, which operates 29 stores across the North West.
Currently operated by Brian, Derek and Graham Eastham, Sharrocks was established in 1949 and has grown to become one of the largest fruit and vegetable wholesalers in the region. With a focus on quality and sourcing locally grown produce, the business is a specialist supplier to the retail industry, working with both supermarkets and independent greengrocers. As part of the deal, Sharrocks Director Graham Eastham will join the Booths management team from 1 December 2013.
Commenting on the sale, Graham Eastham said:
“Having worked closely with Booths for the past 40 years, I am delighted that our business is going to become part of a premium fruit and drink retailer. I am confident that by bringing us under the Booths umbrella, it will benefit Booths, its customers and the employees at the Riversway site.”
The deal, which will be finalised at the end of November, will secure the supply chain of fresh produce to Booths, also expanding the supermarket chain’s current manufacturing capacity.
Sharrocks was advised by a team at Farleys Solicitors headed up by Corporate Partner Debbie King and including commercial property solicitor Tom O’Neill and Employment solicitor Victoria Mitchell.
A part of Sharrocks’ business that is unconnected to the Booths supply chain will continue to operate under the Sharrocks name, to be led by finance director, Paul Whittle.