D'Aquino's Group of Companies plans to sell its liquor stores in Orange, Bathurst and Kelso after striking a deal with the newly-listed Endeavour Group, Woolworths' drinks and hotel spin-off company.
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The Central Western Daily can reveal an agreement is in place for the sale of Orange's Bathurst Road and Peisley Street stores along with D'Aquino's Kelso and Westpoint outlets, the latter being in west Bathurst.
The four stores will be re-branded as BWS outlets following the sale, the value of which remains undisclosed.
The Central Western Daily was unable to contact D'Aquino's Group of Companies, however general manager Rex D'Aquino circulated a letter to customers to communicate the sale this week.
"We are writing to advise you of some upcoming changes to our business," the letter, dated June 29, said.
"After 75 years in retail our D'Aquino's Liquor stores at Bathurst Road Orange, Peisley Street, Kelso and Westpoint have been sold to the Endeavour Drinks Group and will be rebranded BWS."
The letter goes on to explain the sale of the stores is expected to occur over a staggered period between July 21 and the beginning of September. However, the Central Western Daily understands settlement may be delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The letter also advised customers Endeavour Group's business model "does not cater for trade customers and as such we wish to continue trading with you".
It explains that, as of July 1, those customers will be supplied by Penmara Wines Pty Ltd.
Trading terms and current pricing will remain unchanged while deliveries will continue being made from the company's warehouse on Strathgrove Way, in Orange.
The impact the deal will have on staff at the four stores or local producers is not yet clear.
In a statement provided on Thursday an Endeavour Group spokesperson did outline BWS' commitment to local communities though, however the company was unable to comment on the deal itself.
"BWS is passionate about local - we employ locals, work with local suppliers and curate store ranges to suit the tastes of locals," the spokesperson said.
"BWS is always looking for opportunities across the country where we can bring our unique concept to life.
"BWS and Endeavour Group are leaders in responsible service of alcohol, and our ambition is to be Australia's most responsible retailers of alcoholic beverages."
Endeavour Group was spun out of Woolworths via a demerger, announced in July of 2019, and comprises of the biggest hotel network in Australia and the two leading retail drinks brands in Dan Murphy's and BWS.
Both brands already have a presence in Orange.
The demerger and Endeavour's debut as a standalone company on the Australian Securities Exchange last week came after shareholders voted in favour of the split on Sunday, June 18.
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