Contributors
Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Saltaire Motor Company Ltd on the multi-million pound sale of two Yorkshire BMW Motorrad dealerships to automotive retail chain Vertu Motors Plc.
The transaction sees Vertu acquire two motorcycle dealerships trading as Allan Jefferies, in Shipley and Rotherham, from longstanding family business Saltaire Motor Company. Allan Jefferies has been trading and family run, spanning four generations, since 1901. Their 50-plus workforce will transfer with the business to provide complete continuity of customer care and standards of service.
The outlets will be rebranded under the Vertu umbrella and sit within the group's award-winning Vertu Motorcycles division. The acquisition makes the brand the largest BMW Motorrad franchise dealer group in the UK.
The WBD team advising Saltaire was led by partner Simon Pilling and associate Sarah Tallant from the firm's corporate practice in Leeds, with support from banking lawyer Lewis Sanderson, and property lawyers Claire Wilkinson and Georgia Whitfield.
Simon Pilling from WBD commented:
"We are delighted to have advised Saltaire Motor Company on the sale of Allan Jefferies, a well-established Yorkshire-family run business. The Jefferies family have built a fantastic operation and the acquisition by Vertu will help develop the business and take it forward in the next stage of its history."
Louise Jefferies from Saltaire Motor Company said:
"Allan Jefferies has always stood for trustworthy service and a friendly welcome. Vertu Motorcycles is an experienced motorcycle retailer and will keep the standards of service and friendliness customers are used to. We are grateful to the team at Womble Bond Dickinson for their expertise and commitment to get the transaction completed."
