Historic Birmingham retailer Lee Longlands has acquired four Furniture Barn stores out of administration.
The furniture company, which was founded in 1902 in Broad Street where it retains its flagship store, has bought shops in Kidderminster, Sheffield, Grantham and Doncaster.
It is the first deal completed since the retailer unveiled a
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Furniture Barn Group, which had been trading through administration since last year, previously had eight stores across the Midlands and North.
Lee Longlands will start trading from its quartet of new additions immediately.
All stores will retain the Furniture Barn brand except for Kidderminster which will switch to Lee Longlands after an initial trading period.
Staff currently employed at the four stores will be retained, meaning the buyout has safeguarded 26 jobs, with a further ten roles to be created.
Furniture Barn's website has also been acquired as part of the deal but Lee Longlands will not take ownership or control of it until next month.
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Financial director Darren Campo said: "This is the first major investment for Lee Longlands since the management buyout was completed last year.
"It's an important and exciting opportunity for us that is aligned to our strategic growth objectives."
Lee Longlands was supported in the acquisition by law firm Shakespeare Martineau and funding body Finance Birmingham.