Historic timber firm bought by Bradford business

By Tim Aldred

12 Sep 2023

Savoy Timber Acquisition

Savoy Timber, a family-owned firm of more than 70 years which has ranked as one of Lancashire's best-performing SMEs, has been acquired by a growing Bradford firm for £10m.

The timber merchant group generates more than £15m in annual sales through its superstores in Preston, Blackpool and Wigan as well as its online store.

With customers across the UK, the business supplies a wide range of timber products including doors, decking and worktops. It employs 82 people.

Savoy ranked 91st in this year's Lancashire Business View Hot 100.

Now the business has been acquired by Savoy Timber Holdings Ltd, a new company set up by Chris Powell of Estate Sawmills, a fast-growing Bradford-based timber merchant.

Estate Sawmills, also a family-run business, supplies timber, fencing, decking, agricultural products and gates to trade and DIY customers nationwide.

The deal follows the retirement of George Cornwell, managing director of Savoy Holdings. The business will continue to trade as Savoy Timber.

The transaction was in the region of £10m and was supported by a team of Yorkshire-based advisers. Hitesh Tailor, Nicola Cooper and Jonathan Simms of Clarion provided legal advice to the buyer, supported by colleague Julie Evans who provided property advice; and Gavin Lamb of Azets provided financial advice. The vendor was advised by Ormrods Solicitors. Banking was provided by NatWest with legal advice from Schofield Sweeney.

Chris Powell said: “After acquiring Estate Sawmills in 2020, we have seen rapid expansion and the acquisition of Savoy will enable us to continue our growth journey in this dynamic sector. Savoy is a long-established and well-known business that not only broadens our presence across the North, but its strong e-commerce platform also increases our market share throughout the UK as well as expanding our product offering.

"While Estate Sawmills has focused on external timber products, Savoy offers an extensive range covering all timber products, both inside and outside the house. This expanded product line will now also be available via Estate Sawmills.

“We have an ambitious vision and this latest acquisition marks another important milestone as we seek to press on with our expansion, having capitalised on the garden improvement boom post-Covid. We are now actively looking for a complementary timber business in the South to strengthen our national coverage.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

2

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut Nick Holloway of administrators Interpath

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut

16 Sep 2025

3

Family business relocates in Blackburn Tristar relocation

Family business relocates in Blackburn

16 Sep 2025

4

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications Taste Lancashire Producers awards

Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 open for applications

15 Sep 2025

5

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix Stuart Buckley

Stuart Buckley appointed head of sales and account management at Netcentrix

15 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Breakfast Networking Event
business workshop photo.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

Business Breakfast Networking Event

Media Factory, University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin