Bristol-based drinks distributor Matthew Clark looks set to be acquired by Irish group C&C, the owner of UK cider brand Magners.
The offer for Matthew Clark, along with sister company wine wholesaler Bibendum, which is also based in Bristol, will be made on the condition that their troubled parent group Conviviality appoints administrators, which is expected to be announced later today. 
Conviviality, which also owns the Wine Rack and Bargain Booze off licence chains, has spent several months trying to avert a cash crisis that has put it on the brink of administration.
C&C this morning said it was being supported in its planned acquisition of Matthew Clark and Bibendum by its partner AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer.
It said Matthew Clark Bibendum will be run as a separate business following the acquisition.
Matthew Clark, which employs around 250 people and has its head office at Whitchurch, is the largest independent distributor to the UK on-trade drinks sector, with a range of more than 4,000 products, including beers, wines, spirits, cider and soft drinks.
It also sells its own range of own brand wines and operates a nationwide distribution network of 18 depots and sales team of over 250 serving the independent free trade and national accounts as well as a state-of-the-art on-line ordering system.
Bibendum, which shares Matthew Clark’s Whitchurch head office, is one of the largest wine, spirits and craft beer distributors and wholesalers to the UK on-trade and off-trade. It distributes more than 4,000 wines, spirits and craft beers.
C&C group CEO Stephen Glancey said: “We know the Matthew Clark and Bibendum businesses very well. They are great businesses with unparalleled on-trade market access, a wide range of supplier relationships and supported by a knowledgeable and loyal employee base.
The last few weeks have been challenging for employees, customers and suppliers alike. We hope today’s announcement can put an end to this period of disruption and uncertainty. We look-forward to working with our new colleagues and other stakeholders to bring stability and restore the group’s position as one of the leading and most respected drinks suppliers to the UK hospitality sector.”
More on this story follows later . . .
