United Co-op buys Neighbours c-store chain

United Co-operatives has acquired c-store chain Neighbours, which has 12 stores in the Northwest and Wales.

United Co-operatives Food Group general manager Tim Hurrell said: 'We are keen to expand our business portfolio by purchasing further convenience stores, together with add-on businesses and new-build stores.'

The 200 Neighbours staff will join United Co-ops when the deal goes through on August 2. Neighbours managing director Howard Jones will leave the business. He said: 'This has been an extremely difficult decision to arrive at, and one that is forced by the changing market in which we operate today.'

With 415 stores, including Neighbours, United is the biggest independent co-operative society in the UK.