Bargain Booze chain owner completes acquisition following name change

Franchised off-licence and convenience store owner Conviviality Retail Plc has changed its name and completed its acquisition of a national drinks wholesaler.

Now operating as Conviviality Plc, the Cheshire-headquartered firm acquired Matthew Clark (Holdings) Limited for £200m, adding it to a portfolio that includes the Bargain Booze chain of off-licences.

Conviviality’s CEO, Diana Hunter, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Matthew Clark. The combination of the two companies is a great strategic fit and a transformational acquisition for Conviviality Plc.

Crewe-based Conviviality also owns the Thorougoods brand of convenience stores.

Diana continued: “Matthew Clark is a significant wholesaler in the drinks industry, larger than the next seven independent operators combined, and together with Conviviality this creates a unique business that addresses both on-trade and off-trade retailers.

“The enlarged group will be independent of major drinks brands, enabling us to supply an unrestricted selection of products to customers who value breadth of range, price and quality.”