Bewley's of Ireland buys UK coffee distributor Darlington's

http://darlingtonscoffee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Bewley's](http://bewleys.com/), Ireland's leading fresh coffee company, is set to expand its UK business after buying London-based speciality coffee distributor [Darlington'sfor an undisclosed sum.

Vauxhall-based Darlington's, which was set up in the early 1990s, supplies fresh coffees, coffee service equipment and barista training to hotel, restaurant, café and catering customers. The group employs 25 people, has an annual turnover of around £4.5m and operates regionall bases in Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Cornwall.

Since its founding in 1840, Bewley's has become one of the biggest coffee roasters in the British Isles and now also operates in the USA. Its hot beverages are sold through more than 4,000 hotels, restaurants and cafés in Ireland, as well as in its historic café in Dublin and through retailers.

"As one of the largest coffee roasters in the combined Irish and UK market, Bewley's currently supplies a range of well-known UK-based customers in the food service and retail sectors. The acquisition of Darlington's will help us to greatly expand the range of services we offer in that market," said Bewley's chief executive John Cahill.

He added that both firms shared the same commitment to quality coffee, training and support.

Darlington's will retain its name, its management team and its staff.