Takeover deal sees Blackburn cash & carry firm change hands

Blackburn-based Provider Cash & Carry has been sold to Supreme Limited.

The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

Provider specialises in the wholesale of toiletries and general household goods as well as medicines, healthcare, hair and beauty, dental and paper products.

It primarily supplies discount retailers, wholesalers and convenience stores, with export sales having become a more prominent part of the business in recent years.

Supreme is based in Trafford Park and is a battery and lighting distributor, and also operates in the e-cigarette and vaping market.

Chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group PM+M acted on behalf of Provider’s owners, Andrew and Carol Cockburn.

Jim Akrill, corporate finance partner at PM+M, advised the two founding shareholders of Provider on key elements of the transaction, including sourcing the buyers and on all corporate finance advice matters.

A team from Napthens’ East Lancashire office, led by Richard Robinson, advised on legal matters. The deal was funded internally by Supreme.

Jim Akrill said: “Andrew and Carol started Provider from scratch and have built up a very successful business.

“It has been a pleasure to help guide them through the sale and I’m sure it will continue to grow under its new ownership.”

Andrew and Carol Cockburn jointly added: “Growing and developing Provider has been our lives for the past 30 years and we knew that now was the right time to pursue other business opportunities.

“It’s a big step for us but we are happy that Supreme has a vision for the firm that will see it expand over the long-term.”