The company owned by one of the UK's biggest greengrocers has been put up for sale after the owner's sudden death.
Joe Richards owned shops in Coventry, Warwickshire, and elsewhere in the West Midlands, making him one of the biggest independent greengrocers in Britain.
He was found dead at his home in Coventry on July 24. Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. An inquest could be held in the next few months.
Accordiong to the Coventry Telegraph, the task of selling Richards’ fruit and vegetable retail chain has been handed to Cranfield Business Recovery, who are acting as administrative receivers for the business, which employs around 100 staff.
They say they have already had interest in more than half of the stores across the region.
Tony Mitchell, from Cranfield, told theCoventry Telegraph: “Joe Richards had built-up a considerable business which he founded in 1994, and had built it into a £6.5 million turnover company by the time of his premature death.
“It is clear that the founder was the main driver of the business and the administrative receivers are keen to conclude a sale.
“The business had developed a high-quality reputation and there has been extensive goodwill shown from suppliers and customers in the weeks after Mr Richards’ death.
“We will be working to achieve a disposal of the business and wish to talk to any interested party about them acquiring one or more of the stores.”
The company has stores in Coventry, Earlsdon, Cheylesmore, Kenilworth, Shirley, Erdington, Tamworth, Lichfield, Sheldon and Harborne, and a warehouse in Birmingham.
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