Merritt & Fryers has acquired Briggs & Duxbury in Barnoldswick in what has been billed as “a positive development” for both long-established family firms.
The news comes at a timely moment for the Barnoldswick community which has been rocked by the decision of Rolls-Royce to pull out of the East Lancashire town. Rachel Fryers, a spokesperson for Merritt & Fryers, said: “We are delighted to be bringing our two firms together under the Merritt & Fryers brand at this time. We plan to retain jobs for all the existing staff and will be looking to develop the business further.”
Established in 1909, Briggs & Duxbury history has remarkable parallels with that of Merritt & Fryers. Both firms started out as builders and funeral directors before becoming builders’ merchants. The funeral directors’ division of Briggs & Duxbury will remain under that name, with the builders’ merchants business re-branded to Merritt & Fryers over the coming months in a gradual integration.
Mark Brennand of Briggs & Duxbury said: “We share the same values and background as family businesses with expertise and customer service central to our success, so we are confident that this transition is a great opportunity and definitely great news for our employees and the Barnoldswick community.”
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, represents a key step in Merritt & Fryers consolidating its reputation in the Craven area by extending its footprint into Lancashire. Rachel Fryers, a Pendle resident, added: “We are looking forward to working with the professional tradesman, DIYers and general public in the area and extending our larger product offering to them.”
