Thompson and Leigh has announced its acquisition of Drakes Plumbing Supplies Ltd, saving it from closure.

Founded in 1983, Drakes operates with six bathroom showrooms out of its seven plumbing and heating counters in Kent and East Sussex. The Drakes branches are in Whitstable, Gillingham, Ashford, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, East Grinstead and Uckfield and will combine with Thompson & Leigh’s three branches in Crayford and Dartford will allow the bussiness to cover for the whole of the South East of England and service London. The business went into administration on 19 December. 

Drakes will continue as a brand name but will in future trade through Thompson and Leigh Ltd.

The Directors of Thompson and Leigh issued a statement saying: "We look forward to working with the staff to fulfill the full potential of all the Drakes’ branches. We achieve this through greater stock diversification, improved service, up-to-date e-commerce, showroom upgrades and specialist centres giving each branch individuality.

"We would like to thank David Aisher and Robert Hartman of Drakes, the administrators Quantuma, and IBB Law for their help in making the acquisition possible and preventing this great company from vanishing altogether, resulting in multiple job losses."