Glasgow-based United Wholesale Grocers has acquired AF Blakemore’s Gateshead depot. All 45 existing members of staff are being retained.

A Landmark member, United Wholesale Grocers has two depots in Glasgow – in Springburn and Polmadie. It employs 180 people between those sites and has a turnover of more than £140 million.

Amaan Ramzan, managing director of United Wholesale Grocers, commented: “At a time of consolidation and change in the sector, we have recognised the need to invest both in our business and the wholesale sector as a whole.

“We, like other Landmark members, are firmly focused on identifying opportunities for growth and this deal signifies a clear step forward in our plans for expansion. We have some incredibly exciting plans for the Gateshead depot which we will share in due course, and we look forward to taking over in June.”

John Mills, managing director of Landmark Wholesale, added: “We are absolutely delighted that the Gateshead depot and all members of staff will remain within the Landmark family. We hope that other Blakemore depots will also be bought as going concerns, preferably by Landmark members or others in the wholesale sector.”