Floorcoverings specialist Carpetright has bought two competitors in the UK and the Netherlands.

Carpetright has bought Carpetworld in the UK and floorcoverings and blinds retailer Ben de Graaff Tapijt, based in the south of the Netherlands.

Carpetright bought Carpetworld parent Melford Commercial Properties for£7.2 million and will assume about£7.8 million of net debt from the company. Carpetworld, which is owned by Melford parent Jensen Group A/S of Denmark, has 13 stores and about 85 employees. In the year to December 31, 2006, Melford’s audited consolidated turnover was£7.1 million and pre-tax profit was£600,000.

In the Netherlands, Ben de Graaff Tapijt was bought for €8 million (£6.3 milion). The retailer has 11 shops.

Carpetright chairman and chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham said: “The acquisition of Melford gives us a good presence in the northwest of England, an area where we are not well represented.

“We see opportunities to further develop this business and deliver attractive returns to our shareholders. It is intended that the Carpetworld stores will ultimately trade under either the Carpetright or Storeys retail brands and we will work with the existing staff to further develop our offering in the region.

“Ben de Graaff is a similarly well-established business, with a strong position in its local market. Once completed, this acquisition will further improve our presence and service offering in the Netherlands.”

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