Christie + Co, the specialist property agent and advisor, has helped West Midlands-based retailer Bharat Amin become one of the first independent retailers to be passed by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for the acquisition of a Somerfield store.

Acting on behalf of Mr Amin, who currently operates five further retail stores in the region, Christie + Co helped in the acquisition of a 9,320sq ft Somerfield store in the Allesley Park area of Coventry, for an undisclosed sum.

The store was one of the 144 outlets that the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) had outlined that needed to be sold in relation to the Co-operative Group’s purchase of the Somerfield business for £1.57 billion, which was agreed in July 2008.

With Christie + Co’s help, and with the support of Nisa-Today’s, his preferred symbol group, Mr Amin was able to satisfy the MMC that he had the market knowledge, capacity and support to operate to a sufficient level to provide competition to a site that the Co-operative Group would be retaining, less than a mile from the targeted business.

Mr Amin’s company Jash Limited currently operates five other stores, three in Birmingham, one in Stoke and one in Hemel Hempstead. His units range from smaller convenience-style stores, to a 5,000sq ft former Kwiksave unit. He has already refitted the Coventry unit and reopened it under the Nisa Extra banner.

Mr Amin said: “I am thankful to Matthew Grace of Christie + Co, as he made this deal happen. I am thankful for the effort he made for me and my bother Arun in acquiring this site.”

Matthew Grace, Associate Director at Christie + Co said: “We are delighted to have helped Mr Amin through to a successful conclusion in what was a new exercise for both of us. The site has particular importance to him as it means that he has the ability to purchase any other prospective units which may require MMC clearance as well as further improving his covenant strength.”

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