Lay & Wheeler taken over by Majestic Wine

Majestic Wine has acquired family-owned fine wine specialist Lay & Wheeler. In a statement released this afternoon, the UK’s largest wine warehouse chain with 147 stores has confirmed its acquisition of the entire issue share capital of Vinotheque Holdings and WBI Holdco, including its subsidiaries WBI and Lay & Wheeler.

Majestic Wine believes the move will further enhance its fine wine credentials, having “successfully introduced fine wine display areas into over a third of its [existing] stores,” adding that, “the acquisition of Lay & Wheeler allows Majestic to offer its customers a complete fine wine service from the vineyard through to storage, cellar management and then secure delivery to their home.”

Commenting on the deal, chief executive of Majestic Wine, Steve Lewis said: “Given the clear and continuing appetite of our customers for fine wine, Lay & Wheeler is an extremely good fit with Majestic. This acquisition will allow us greatly to extend this important offering and help continue the Majestic growth story.”

As part of the acquisition, Majestic’s commercial director Jeremy Palmer assumes the role of managing director of Lay & Wheeler. Meanwhile, Johnny Wheeler, the only family representative within the business becomes president of Lay & Wheeler. Wheeler said: “This is an exciting move both for me and for Lay & Wheeler. Majestic is the ideal partner to take our business on to the next level.”

Lay & Wheeler will continue to operate from its base in Holton St Mary, Suffolk.

Jane Parkinson, 06.03.09