HCR Law’s Midlands Corporate team advises shareholders of Gardner Retail Limited on its £22.5m sale

HCR Law’s Midlands Corporate team has advised the shareholders of Gardner Retail Limited, trading as Gardner Garages, on its £22.5m sale to Roadside Real Estate plc.

Founded by Clive Gardner in 1994 and run by the family ever since, Gardner Garages has grown to six petrol stations across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Salisbury. Clive was joined by his daughter Emma as Managing Director and later by his son Ashton as Operations Director.

Under the Gardner family’s strategic leadership, the business has built a strong reputation for retail excellence and customer service. Three of its sites have won national awards, including the prestigious ‘Best Forecourt in the Midlands and East of England’ award at the annual Forecourt Trader Awards.

The HCR team was led by Partner and Head of Midlands Corporate, Alison Scott, supported by Alex Stenson and Hyein Ma. Real estate advice was provided by Philip Parkinson, HCR’s Head of Real Estate, who has worked with the family for a number of years.

Commenting on the deal, Alison said: “The Gardner family have been a long-standing client of the firm, and it has been an absolute pleasure to advise them on their exit. We wish them every success in their new chapter.”

Emma Gardner, former Managing Director of Gardner Garages, said: “Selling a business as complex as ours, with many moving parts, was no small undertaking, but Alison, Philip, Hye and the wider HCR team steered us through every stage with confidence and clarity.

“They were always available, responsive and patient, whilst expertly managing questions from both us and the buyers and going above and beyond to keep the deal on track and moving at pace. We are immensely grateful for their support at such a significant moment for our family and the business.”

Accountancy support to the shareholders was provided by Ian Price of Griffiths Marshall, with further support from Dave Morris of Christie & Co.