National law firm Bond Dickinson’s Bristol office has advised Countrywide Farmers, the UK’s leading supplier of products, services and advice to the rural community, on a £6m-plus acquisition that gives it a bigger presence in the South West.
Under the deal, Countrywide Farmers takes on the operation of all 12 Cornwall Farmers country stores in Cornwall and Devon, lifting Countrywide’s portfolio to 66 and creating the largest store group of its kind in the UK.
Countrywide intends to keep the Cornwall Farmers name in Cornwall and Devon and introduce Countrywide retail innovations to the Cornwall Farmers store network, including its free ‘click-and-collect’ service and an extended product range through its agricultural catalogue.
The Bond Dickinson team was led by Bristol-based corporate partner Simon Hewes, pictured, and corporate managing associate Joe Lewis and included operational property legal director Arwel Edwards, employment associate Rachel Jones and corporate solicitor Alex Fergus. 
Joe Lewis said: “We are delighted to have advised Countrywide on the acquisition of the trading business of Cornwall Farmers and to have been part of this exciting next step in the continued development of Countrywide’s updated retail strategy.
“This project follows our involvement on the recent disposal of Countrywide Farmers’ agri business and we look forward to the next stage of Countrywide’s growth in the region.”
Countrywide Farmers chief financial officer Julie Wirth said: “This is an exciting development for our business re-enforcing our growth strategy and commitment to the rural sector. Bond Dickinson has worked with us as a key partner enabling the acquisition of the trading business of Cornwall Farmers.”
Last year Bond Dickinson advised Countrywide Farmers on the sale of businesses worth £18.4m to a number of buyers which allowed Countrywide to focus on its retail network, its LPG energy and turf and amenity businesses.
