First Blakemore Wholesale depot is sold

Site in Gateshead is bought by United Wholesale Grocers – saving 45 jobs

The first depot of Blakemore Wholesale’s estate has been sold, with United Wholesale Grocers purchasing the company’s site in Gateshead.

As well as ensuring that the depot remains within Landmark’s buying group, the deal also comes with confirmation that all 45 existing members of staff will retain their jobs when ownership changes hands next month.

The acquisition means that United Wholesale Grocers has extended its portfolio to three depots, with the others based in Glasgow – and Managing Director Amaan Ramzan is delighted to welcome them on board.

“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,” Ramzan said.

“We, like other Landmark members, are firmly focused on identifying opportunities for growth and this deal signifies a clear step forward in our plans for expansion.

“We have some incredibly exciting plans for the Gateshead depot which we will share in due course, and we look forward to taking over in June.”

The news was revealed at Landmark Wholesale’s annual conference in Alicante and comes less than two months after it was confirmed that Blakemore’s wholesale division was up for sale.

John Mills, Landmark Wholesale Managing Director said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Gateshead depot and all members of staff will remain within the Landmark family.

“We hope that other Blakemore depots will also be bought as going concerns, preferably by Landmark members or others in the wholesale sector.”

Blakemore Blakemore Wholesale Gateshead Glasgow Landmark United Wholesale Grocers