Off license chain Unwins has bought all 61 of Fuller's award winning Wine Merchants stores from the London based brewery. The deal gives Unwins an increased presence in the south east and a greater clout against the two other major operators ­ Parisa, which owns the Wine Cellar fascia, and First Quench which has the Thresher and Victoria Wine names. But it says the move does not mean a flotation on the stock exchange. The family owned chain will include 435 stores and 18 food and wine c-stores, with a combined annual turnover of £200m. Fuller's store employees will stay with the stores and boost Unwins' numbers to 1,750. Marketing and public relations director Bill Rolfe said negotiations were under way to keep Fuller's buyers and field managers, but stressed other head office staff would go. Rolfe added all 61 Fuller's stores would see a redesigned fascia when they reopen as Unwins branches over the next six months. Existing Unwins stores will not be overhauled. Rolfe would not reveal details of the fascia change, but said consumers on the street would not be confused by the new look. Rolfe was unable to give details of when or where the first store would be rebranded. "We will capitalise on their prizewinning status and enhance the offering they have," he said. Fuller's said it was selling up because it had become increasingly difficult to find profitable sites to open more of its award winning stores to "ensure a critical mass" in the off licence sector It is planning to focus on its core pubs, bars, hotels and brewing businesses, whilst continuing to run its wholesale wine department. {{NEWS }}

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