Country Fresh Produce has been bought out of administration by national foodservice supplier Fresh Direct.
The deal, which is focused exclusively on Country Fresh Produce’s site in Dereham and expected to secure more than 30 jobs, is a positive turnaround for the Norfolk-based fresh-produce operator after it entered into administration last week.
The firm, which will now trade under the name Country Fresh Direct Ltd, will continue to be run by managing director James Gunns and his family in a partnership with Fresh Direct.
David Burns, managing director at Fresh Direct, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to step in and assist the team at Country Fresh, Dereham.
“We now look forward to working with James Gunns and his family on how we can best share our knowledge, experience and scale to make this new venture a vibrant and successful business.”
Burns said Fresh Direct aims to grow turnover at the Norfolk business from £3.5 million annually to between £8m and £10m.
Country Fresh Direct MD, James Gunns, concluded: “We are here and we live to fight another day. It’s very good news for the local business, having the local supply with the bigger back up and we have got the scope to expand the business and the product range.”
No comments yet