Pinsent Masons team advises on Halfords deal

LAWYERS from the Birmingham office of Pinsent Masons have advised long-standing client, Halfords on its £73m acquisition of fellow Midlands firm Nationwide Autocentres.

The Redditch-based car accessories retailer wants to build on its strong position and expand into the £9bn car servicing and repairs market.

The deal will see Halfords (HFD) take over Solihull-based Nationwide’s existing branch network, which comprises 224 outlets.
Halfords plan is to virtually double the size of the network over the next few years, an expansion which should create hundreds of new jobs.

The Pinsent Masons team was led by corporate partner, Paul Harkin, assisted by Ed Stead, Zanna Patchett, Alex Burton and Jason Fisher (Corporate), John Edwards (Property), Eluned Watson (Environmental), Matt McDonald (Employment) and Liz Morgan and Matt Davies (Tax).

Mr Harkin said: “We are delighted to have advised Halfords on the acquisition of Nationwide Autocentres.  The transaction meets the company’s acquisition strategy and will further extend Halfords’ presence in the car maintenance market.”