Bathroom retailer and plumbers’ merchant Thompson & Leigh has acquired Drakes Plumbing Supplies, in a pre-pack deal, from administrator Quantuma.

Founded in 1983, Drakes has six bathroom showrooms, operating 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.

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These will join Thompson & Leigh’s trade counters in Dartford and Crayford, as well as bathroom showrooms in its Crayford branch and separate studio in Bexleyheath.

Thompson & Leigh started out as a supplier of plumbing and sanitaryware to the building trade, in 1946, and it reports the acquisition will allow it to provide coverage across the South East of England and London

Drakes will continue as a brand name and will trade through Thompson & Leigh.

A statement from Thompson & Leigh’s directors read: “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.

“As we close out 2024, we would like to thank all the Thompson & Leigh staff and suppliers who have helped us achieve what will be our most successful year of trading.

“With the addition of Drakes’ locations, we will continue to work hard to make 2025/26 an even better year.

“We would also 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.”