Bristol-based professional advisors have overcome the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the South West’s food sector by helping a long-established, family-run foodservice firm sell parts of its business.
The corporate team at accountants Mazars and a cross-sector legal team from law firm Thrings acted for Somerset-based L&F Jones on the disposal of its wholesale and butchery divisions to a West Country food supplier. 
Midsomer Norton-based L&F Jones, which trades as Jones Food Solutions, has supplied a range of ambient, chilled and frozen goods and meat to the foodservice sector for more than 100 years.
Following the transaction, financial details of which have not been disclosed, the company will concentrate on its core hotel and convenience store operations.
The wholesale and butchery divisions were bought by Newton Abbot-based RD Johns, which has operated in Devon for more than 40 years and more recently expanded into Cornwall.
The acquisition expands its geographic footprint across the wider South West and offers greater scale and a broader customer base.
Mazars’ Bristol office managing partner Tim Ball said: “I am delighted that our regional corporate finance team was able to help this Somerset-based family business, that has been trading for 109 years since its first retail shop opened in in 1911.
“It has grown and thrived during that period, and survived two world wars, so we are very pleased to have helped secure an excellent deal for the shareholders, employees and suppliers during the current coronavirus crisis.”
Mazars deal advisory associate director Josh Thorneycroft said the transaction showed it was possible to complete deals in the current market, providing there were willing parties and a strategic rationale to do so.
“We are delighted to have structured a deal that worked for all parties and that addressed the complexities of carving out multiple divisions from the group,” he said.
The Mazars team also included Paul Joyce, Frances Mowat and Rhys Lewis. 
Thrings’ team was led by company commercial partner John Richardson and solicitor Lizzie King – who advised L&F Jones’ acting chairman and board adviser Robin Allen and board members Ray D’Arcy and Dave Jones on the terms of the asset sale agreement.
John and Lizzie were assisted by head of employment Kerrie Hunt, who acted in respect of TUPE matters, and partner Alex Pinhey, who represented the owners of the freehold property from which the business operated in relation to the granting of a new lease to RD Johns.
John Richardson, pictured, said: “L&F Jones has been providing its customers with a full range of ambient, chilled and frozen goods for more than a century, and during this period the company has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence and customer care.
“Transferring this part of L&F Jones to the established and highly respected RD Johns will enable L&F Jones to focus on the hotel and chain of convenience stores side of the business, while ensuring continuity of service to the customers of its extensive range of butchery and wholesale food suppliers.
“Thrings is very pleased to have been able to help the business complete a transaction during what is a challenging period for the wholesale food supply industry.”
Torquay law firm Boyce Hatton advised RD Johns.
