MHA’s corporate finance and transaction tax teams have advised on a deal that will see a longstanding North West petrol forecourt and fuel delivery business acquired by a fast-growing roadside retail specialist.
Whitchurch-based DA Roberts Fuels Ltd, which has been owned by Dave Roberts for 57 years, is being acquired by Roadside Real Estate Plc, which is planning significant investment in the company’s operations at Grindley Brook Garage on the A41.
Roadside is an AIM-listed business focussed on acquiring, owning and operating multi-fuel roadside destinations with place-based, retail infrastructure.
The deal, for the whole of the DA Roberts business, includes its Essar-branded petrol filling station, an MOT garage and a bulk fuel operation with 24 trucks delivering more than 81 million litres per annum to hauliers, farmers, business and homes.
Due to complete by the end of March 2026, the acquisition is part of Roadside’s strategy to establish itself as one the of the UK’s leading independent roadside retail operators.
Our corporate finance team, led by Andrew Feeke and Phil Yarwood, advised Dave Roberts on the sale process, including marketing the business, identifying the buyer, negotiating and executing the transaction. Our transaction tax team, led by Tony Reddin, provided tax advice to Dave Roberts.
Andrew Feeke, Corporate Finance Partner at MHA, said: “This transaction meets our client’s objectives of finding a buyer who would take on all elements of the business, thus enabling a complete exit for our client who has worked hard over many decades to build a successful business and who can now look forward to a well-deserved retirement.”
DA Roberts has more than 50 employees who will be retained following the acquisition, including finance director Ricky Allman who will continue to manage the business as operations manager.
Ed Barnes and Stephen Lunt at DTM Legal acted for the sellers from a legal perspective.
