Brabners Chaffe Street Solicitors - Corporate Services

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Share in Lancashire's leading book supplier
17/09/2007

Ownership of a Lancashire firm which is one of the country`s leading suppliers of books to libraries and schools has changed hands.

Preston-based Askew`s Library Services has been bought by The Little Group Limited of Eastbourne for a significant but undisclosed sum.

Askew`s, which was founded in Preston more than a century ago, provides a range of services including book supply, protection and cataloguing to public, school and academic libraries across the UK and Europe.

The company has more than 200 staff working out of its North Road headquarters and a subsidiary firm, Book Protectors and Co, at Walthamstow in East London.

Managing Director Kathryn Pattinson said the deal not only safeguarded the future of the company and its employees but would allow for improvements in its service to customers.

`Throughout the sale process the fit between our company and The Little Group was clear. This deal means Askew`s will maintain its position at the forefront of library services. The additional resources and expertise brought to the new group will enable us to offer an even better service to our customers, far and wide.î

Private equity firm 3i is also selling its 26 per cent stake in Askew`s as a condition of the deal.

Jonathan Little of The Little Group, which includes Gardners Books Limited and Browns Books for Students, becomes the new Askew`s chairman while Andrew Little and Yvette Stafford also join Askew`s board.

Jonathan added ëWe`re very excited about the future, following this strategic acquisition. The enlarged group will enable us to compete strongly in the marketplace, at all levels, going forward.

A four-strong team from Brabners Chaffe Street`s Preston office ñ including corporate partner John Boydell, corporate solicitor Nick Hodgson, property partner Ross Shine and legal assistant Heather Brierley - advised management shareholders on the sale.

Manchester-based 3i director Will Clarke was advised by Paul Medlicott of Addleshaw Goddard in the city.

The Little Group was advised by Nicholas Hart of Nicholas Hart Solicitors in London.


For further information contact John Boydell at Brabners Chaffe Street on 01772 823 921

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