UNITED Norwest Co-op has bought the Farnworth-based Hanburys supermarket chain.
The prospective deal was first revealed in the Evening News in March.
The 31 Hanburys stores, which cover the North-west, have been acquired for an undisclosed sum.
A spokesman for the new owners said all the staff had been retained and all the stores would continue to trade under the Hanburys name - at least for the time being.
Hanburys, which has a turnover of more than £30 million, is based in Emlyn Street and has eight stores in Bolton.
The business started in 1889 when Jeremiah Hanbury opened a small store in Market Street, Farnworth, selling butter and bacon.
In 1929, the business was bought by Bolton wholesale grocers E.H. Steele Ltd - the chief suppliers to Jeremiah Hanbury.
United Norwest has aggresive development plans for its successful chains of Late Shop convenience stores and Larger Co-op Food Markets.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article