Convenience store operator, distributor and wholesaler, Blakemore is to sell its Gateshead depot to United Wholesale Grocers (UWG).
The Tyne and Wear depot will be the Scotland-based wholesaler's first cash and carry south of the border when it changes hands in June.
UWG managing director, Amaan Ramzan said, “At a time of consolidation and change in the sector, we have recognised the need to invest both in our business and the wholesale sector as a whole.'
Announced at Landmark’s annual conference in Alicante in Spain, the deal ends long-standing attempts by Blakemore to offload its entire wholesale operation as a single going concern.
Following this move, Blakemore is left with 11 remaining cash and carries, a 20% reduction compared to this time last year. The group consists of nine divisions spanning across the retail, wholesale, food service, logistics and shop fitting sectors.