3 sites acquisitions for Ascona Group

Ascona operate retail sites in the petrol retail sector across the UK from its base in Wales. We started working with them in 2018, to develop a business strategy that would help them achieve their ambitious goal of becoming one of the top four independent fuel retailers in the UK market.

Since then, their portfolio has increased dramatically – from two sites in Pembrokeshire to 59 sites across Wales and England. Last month, in one week alone, our lawyers advised on the acquisition of three new forecourts, through a mix of share and asset purchases:

  • the Ashby convenience store in Kington, Hereford (via asset acquisition)
  • the Texaco-branded Manordeilo Service Station in Carmarthenshire (via share acquisition)
  • a Shell-branded Forge Service Station in St Clears, also in Carmarthenshire (via asset acquisition)

This work involved close collaboration between lawyers from across our firm: Angelina Drljaca-Chandler and Elizabeth Cotton from our corporate team; Leanne O’Brien, Hannah Vosper, and David Goodway from our real estate team; and Reshma Jogia from our banking team.

Crusader Medical Care’s acquisition by Envivo

Crusader Medical Care is a specialist nursing care provider based in Cardiff. The business has been family owned and run since its inception over 20 years ago. It was recently acquired by Envivo Group.

We advised Crusader’s shareholders, the Ashley family, on the deal, alongside Grant Thornton Corporate Finance. This involved close collaboration between Tom Kelleher, Melanie Williams and Catherine James from our corporate team; and Catrin Mackie from our real estate team.

Envivo – which operate several residential and nursing care homes and supported living services throughout the UK – were supported in the transaction by Civitas Investment Management.

Dragon Taxis’ acquisition of A2B Taxis

Private hire and taxi firm, Dragon Taxis, has acquired A2B Taxis in Barry to extend its service into the Vale of Glamorgan, partnering with an additional 150 vehicles across the region.

Tom Kelleher and Elizabeth Cotton from our corporate team advised Dragon Taxis on the acquisition, with support from Alex Christen from our employment team, Kellsey Logue from our commercial team, and Jon Ely from our real estate team.

Dragon Taxis is owned by our client Veezu Group, which has four other major service hubs throughout the UK, each operating under established local brands – A2B Radio Cars in the West Midlands, Amber Cars in Leeds, Go Carz in Shropshire and V Cars in the South West.