Scotmid adds 51 new stores in takeover

SCOTMID, the Edinburgh-based convenience store chain, is to embark on a major expansion across Scotland after taking over a smaller rival.

The Newbridge-headquartered company has snapped up the family-owned Botterills chain, which has 51 stores across the country stretching from north of Inverness to Dumfries in the south.

The company, which is based in High Blantyre, operated its stores under the Spar franchise and employed around 1000 people.

All of the company's Spar stores are expected to be rebranded as Scotmid over the next few years.

John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid Co-operative, said: "This is an exciting acquisition for Scotmid and is absolutely in line with our strategy to become Scotland's preferred community convenience retailer.

"The Botterills business is also a great fit geographically, extending our branch network further west and south and bringing with it some very experienced people in the convenience sector.

"This deal is good news for Scotland as Botterills has now become part of one of the country's largest retail businesses."