Booker expands Classic Drinks business to become a national wholesaler to the on-trade

 Classic Drinks is now operating 22 sites. A further five sites are now open in Exeter, Peterborough, Cardiff, Lowestoft and Edinburgh.

The company supplies wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks to pubs, bars and hotels. Also coffee, snacks and cleaning products. Classic also offers a Cask Ale Club and works with 70 different breweries on their range. Booker acquired Classic Drinks in October 2010.

Mark Aylwin, managing director of Booker Direct, said: “Classic Drinks have proven to be a popular choice with publicans who have been looking for an alternative supplier and we are also pleased with the performance of the five new Classic sites.

The company is also expanding its Chef Direct business, its delivered foodservice business which operates out of a distribution centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire. Inventive’s Revolution Bars is among its customers.

Alwyin added: “Chef Direct has made great progress and we were delighted to be awarded the prestigious Aramark contract and we believe we are well on the way to become the new force in foodservice.”

Booker’s total sales in the 52 weeks to 29 March 2013 were £4bn, up by 3.5% compared to last year, and total like-for-likes were up by 3.3%. 

The Competition Commission is still reviewing the transition of the Makro business to the company, which it acquired last July. During the review the company is required to continue to hold the rest of the Makro business separate from the rest of Booker. 

Charles Wilson, Booker chief executive, said: “The Booker Wholesale business is doing well and we are pleased to be rolling out Classic and Chef Direct. We are excited about the opportunities of Booker and Makro coming together with the continuing aim of helping independent businesses prosper in the UK.”