A 138-year-old, North Yorkshire drinks business, which has been family-owned for six generations, has been acquired by a fast-growing hospitality group.

Tate-Smith Limited is a wholesaler of soft and alcoholic drinks, established in Malton in 1888. Our corporate team, working with AAB, advised shareholders Paul and Cate Tate-Smith, on the sale of the business to Deckers Hospitality Group Ltd.

The acquisition of the business, which will continue to trade as Tate-Smith Ltd, brings together two established family businesses and will ensure continuity for customers and employees alike. All current staff will remain in place and Harry Tate-Smith, will continue working in the business to support its future development as Trading Director.

Deckers Hospitality Group is a family-run hospitality, wholesale, and e-commerce business, based in Rochdale, and led by siblings Max Brierley and Victoria Cosgrove. The acquisition represents a strategic addition to the group’s portfolio and reflects its commitment to investing in well-established businesses with strong heritage and loyal customer bases.

Paul Tate-Smith said: “The business has been in our family for six generations, but the time was right to hand over the reins to a company that can take Tate-Smith to the next level. We’re confident that the Deckers team will do just that by continuing to look after and grow our customer base, and we’re delighted that our son, Harry, can continue to play a role in that.”

Maxwell Brierley of Deckers Hospitality Group said: “Like us Tate-Smith is a family-run business with an impressive history. We felt it was the perfect fit for us as we continue to develop and grow our portfolio, and we welcome them to our family.”

Legal advice on the sale was supported by a multidisciplinary team from across our corporate, real estate, private wealth & succession and regulatory teams.

• Corporate –Michael Cantwell, Alex Aitken, Victoria Boothby and Jessica Dolan
• Real Estate – Tim Richards
• Private wealth & succession – John Feaster and Simon Glazebrook
• Regulatory – Emma Reilly

The AAB Corporate Finance team, who provided corporate finance advice to the shareholders throughout the transaction process, was led by AAB Corporate Finance Partner Patrick Lynch and supported by Daniel Lightbody, supported by the Leeds Transactional tax team, led by Kate Naylor and Helen Wilkinson.

Deckers were advised by national law firm Pannone Corporate LLP and Cowgills, part of the Sumer Group.