Bestway buys Bargain Booze in Conviviality deal

More than 2,000 jobs have been safeguarded after Bestway bought the retail division of Conviviality for £7 million. The deal comprises the Bargain Booze, Wine Rack, Select Convenience and WS Retail (trading as Central Convenience Stores) brands.  

PwC, which is acting as administrators to Conviviality, made the announcement late Friday. Earlier in the week, Magners owner C&C bought the wholesale arm of Conviviality through a pre-pack administration. The company had been struggling through profit warnings and the discovery of a £30 million tax bill.

Matthew Callaghan, Partner at PwC, says: “This deal safeguards the jobs of more than 2,000 employees, ensures franchisees have the ability to continue to trade and creates some much-needed stability for business customers and the sector in general. Alongside the sale of Conviviality's Direct business, the total number of staff whose jobs have been protected stands at more than 4,000.”