Taylors welcome Clarke & Clarke deal

Elaine Hurn —a leading expert in the Home Furnishings market — has welcomed the news that, longstanding client, Clarke & Clarke, a Lancashire-based distributor of interior fabrics and wallpapers has secured a deal worth up to £42.5m.

Hurn, who is the managing partner of Taylors Solicitors, the pre-eminent law firm in the Home Furnishings sector, believes the £42.5m deal underlines the current strength of the sector and could herald further acquisitions

Clarke and Clarke, founded by husband and wife Lee and Emma Clarke in 1999, is to be acquired by Walker Greenbank plc with Lee remaining as CEO.

“This deal is great news for Lee and Emma Clarke owners of Clarke & Clarke who have been long-standing Taylors clients (and personal friends) and we are naturally absolutely delighted for them. We have acted for them for over 10 years on a range of matters but in particular seeing off infringements of their top selling designs.

“Theirs is a tremendous business and they fully deserve this success because they’ve built up a very popular and profitable brand.

“At Taylors we also see the deal as an indication of the strength of the sector right now. There has been very little activity in this sector for some time and this is a great benchmark deal for others too. There are a number of businesses, many of them in the North West, developing strong reputations and balance sheets — we know this because we act for many of them.”

With offices in Manchester and Blackburn, Taylors is a law firm specialising in all aspects of commercial law with a particular focus on Intellectual Property matters for the home furnishings market. It has many clients in the sector going back over 30 years.

Adds Hurn: “We have a real understanding of this market and what businesses need. The dynamic and highly experienced lawyers at Taylors are committed to providing the highest quality service through a real understanding of our clients’ needs, business priorities and specific requirements. Clarke & Clarke has a headquarters in Haslingden and a design studio in Mobberley in Cheshire. It company distributes to interior design and retail customers in more than 80 countries. The brand has become one of the leading names in the home furnishings market, with a reputation for quality fabric and cutting edge design. In 2015, the business generated revenues of £22.4m and EBITDA of £3.8m.