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Anglia Co-operative Society has reached a conditional agreement for JE Beale PLC to acquire its Westgate department store business. 

The deal is likely to complete by the end of May this year and covers 19 of the Society’s 23 Westgate department stores – including the store at Park Road, Peterborough.

It will make Westgate part of one of the largest department store groups in the UK.

Anglia Co-operative chief executive Mr John Chillcott said: “Beales are a long-established department store operator and combining the respective store portfolios into one enlarged group makes strong commercial sense for both parties and improves job security and opportunities for the 900  staff employed in the 19 Westgate stores covered by the deal – including the 124 people employed at Peterborough.”

Anglia Co-operative members will still be able to earn points and redeem dividend at Westgate stores in future and Anglia will continue to operate the furniture, travel, optical and hairdressing departments within the stores.

Members’ share accounts remain invested in Anglia Co-operative and will be serviced via the members’ offices as usual and by post, telephone and on-line (see website for details).

Anglia Co-operative will have a significant investment interest in the enlarged Beales department store group and as a result of this deal the Society will be better able to invest in the growth and development of its Co-operative Food, Funerals, Travel, Optical and AHF furniture businesses.

Mr Chillcott added: “In difficult economic times the Society is pleased to have secured the future of the Westgate Department stores and anticipates minimal disruption and change for customers both during and after the transaction.”

Neil Darwin, director of economic development at Opportunity Peterborough, said: “This is more good news for Peterborough which will not only see the additional investment in the Westgate Department Store but also in new food stores and other Anglia Co-op businesses across the sub-region.”