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House of Townend buys Lakeland Vintners from JW Lees

Published:  24 May, 2012

Hull-based House of Townend has acquired Lakeland Vintners from brewer JW Lees.

The purchase took place in March, but it has been kept under wraps until now.

Lakeland Vintners is a wholesale wine distributor to hotels, restaurants and pubs, primarily in the Lake District area.

Tony Jackson will continue to run the company, based at Ings, near Kendal in Cumbria, and the jobs of all the staff are secure.

House of Townend managing director John Townend said it didn't want to see the company's specialist experience swallowed up by "faceless giants".

"Lakeland Vintners is a fine company with expert staff who provide a very high standard of service to their customers. With our support, I know Tony Jackson and his team can prosper. They already have an excellent wine list. It is vital that family-run, independent wine merchants continue to thrive.

He added: "They offer a level of choice and knowledge unobtainable from the supermarkets and multiples. That is why we felt it was so important to help Lakeland enjoy a bright future."

House of Townend dates back to 1906 and is now run by the fourth generation of the founding family.

In 2010 House of Townend took over Playford Ros, which continues to supply customers from its North Yorkshire base.

House of Townend is also a founder member of Merchant Vintners, the first national buying group of independent wine merchants.

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