Education caterer Taylor Shaw acquires Pro Serv Corporate in pre-pack deal

Warrington-based education catering firm Taylor Shaw has acquired catering company Pro Serv Corporate in a pre-pack administration deal.

The deal, which will extend Taylor Shaw's reach in the South-west, is expected to save 260 jobs. Taylor Shaw, which is part of the Waterfall Services group, will also continue to operate all of Pro Serv's existing contracts.

Waterfall Group managing director, Jim Lovett, said: "As one of the leading national education specialists, we have been keen to expand into the south west, so when the opportunity came up to acquire Pro Serv, we were immediately interested.

"Pro Serv's strength in the education, as well as healthcare, sector meant there was a natural fit for it within the Taylor Shaw business. As such, we will continue to operate all Pro Serv's clients in education and healthcare, together with its corporate and industry contracts."

Pro Serv was established in 2004 and serviced clients across the South-west from its headquarters in Bridgwater, Somerset. It has an annual turnover of £5m but called in administrators at Begbies Traynor after getting into financial difficulties.

Taylor Shaw bought the company out of administration on Friday, 23 August.

Lovett continued: "While a national company with contracts and suppliers country-wide, the South-west was the only region Taylor Shaw didn't have a strong foothold in. The acquisition of Pro Serv changes that.

"Staff will make the transition with immediate effect and we will enter into discussion with existing suppliers and clients to answer any questions they may have, hopefully continuing and strengthening all relationships."