Hamper maker Spicers of Hythe bought for 'seven figure sum' by Lanchester group

A family-owned luxury hamper specialist founded in 1926 has been snapped up by a gifts company for a seven-figure sum.

Spicers of Hythe and its ladies golfwear business One Up Golf have been bought by the Lanchester group of companies based in County Durham in a deal which will make it one of the largest suppliers of gift hampers in the UK.

Evolving from a quaint grocery shop on Stade Street some 90 years ago, the Spicers now has a 45,000sq ft warehouse on Lympne Industrial Park where its baskets are packed and shipped.

From left, Lanchester group of companies managing director Tony Cleary, Lanchester Gifts operations manager Ruth Peyton and Spicers of Hythe managing director Ian Spicer
From left, Lanchester group of companies managing director Tony Cleary, Lanchester Gifts operations manager Ruth Peyton and Spicers of Hythe managing director Ian Spicer

Its founder Percy was great grandfather of managing director Ian Spicer, who describes the firm as “a small family business who are big enough to cope but small enought to care”.

The acquisition of the £5 million turnover business is the latest part of the Lanchester group’s strategy to grow its revenues to £100 million over the next year.

“A small family business who are big enough to cope but small enough to care...” - Ian Spicer, Spicers of Hythe

Its new businesses will operate as part of Lanchester Gifts, which specialises in the design, development and packing of food and drink gifts for businesses, high street retailers and consumers.

Lanchester group managing director Tony Cleary said: “Spicers of Hythe has a long tradition of delivering exceptional range, quality and value of hampers making it a perfect fit for Lanchester Gifts.

“As a fourth-generation family-owned business, managing director Ian Spicer has instilled many similar values and ethics as at Lanchester, which is also a family-owned business.

“The Spicers of Hythe team have done an excellent job of growing the business, which is renowned for supplying hampers of distinction and now is the right time to pass on the baton to the next stage in its evolutionary growth.

“We look forward to working with Ian and his team to provide our customers both new and old with exciting and innovative gift offerings.”

Clothing retailer One Up Golf, which is also included in the deal, was established more than 15 years ago and acquired by Spicers of Hythe in 2008.

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