Bestway Retail to sell 37 stores

The project sees Christie & Co bring to market a selection of 37 stores from across the estate which “no longer fit” Bestway Retail’s future strategy.

The stores were acquired from the administrators of Bargain Booze Ltd in 2018 when Bestway Wholesale created Bestway Retail to manage the assets of the former Bargain Booze.

In June 2019 Andy Cresswell, chief retail officer at Bestway Retail, told Talking Retail that the company was undertaking a review of its estate.

The stores are all held leasehold and the majority of stores have seen record uplifts in trade during Covid-19.

Mark Kaluza, director of retail at Christie & Co – who is leading the project, said: “These stores couldn’t have come to market at a better time, when there is heightened interest in convenience retail. We have already agreed a number of deals on these stores since coming to the market.

“The sector has received a real boost through the Covid-19 crisis as more customers shop locally. At the same time, Christie & Co’s Buyer Registration Index shows a significant rise in retail buyer registrations as existing retailers are keen to add stores and first-time buyers look for their own business.”

Offers are invited as soon as possible, with a final bid deadline set at noon on 19 August 2020.