Dunelm founder Bill Adderley has offloaded more shares in the family-run business, transferring around a 10% share of the retailer to his son and Dunelm chief executive Will.

The extra 20 million shares leaves Will Adderley with 70 million shares – equivalent to 35% of the company.

Bill Adderley, who is also life president at Dunelm, along with his wife, holds a 24% stake in the business. The transfer comes after Bill Adderley sold a 7.8% stake in the company in October.

It is understood the transfer was made for inheritance tax reasons.

Dunelm has performed strongly in the recession as it benefits from shoppers’ flight to value.

In the first 17 weeks of its new financial year, like-for-likes jumped 15.1%.