A FOOD distribution company in Christchurch which employs 130-staff is expecting its turnover to exceed £15m this year following its acquisition of a Kent wholesaler.

Coastline Produce Limited which stocks and distributes fresh fruit and vegetables to the catering industry in the south of England, has its head office at Airfield Way in Christchurch.

It has acquired Kent fresh food wholesaler G.J. Jones and Sons for an undisclosed sum with a view to employing more staff.

Last year, Coastline's turnover was £11.8m and this year it expects this to rise by more than £3.2m to over £15m.

Chris Lewis managing director of Coastline Produce Limited explained that his company already has a substantial client base around the London area and that he felt it was important to have a nearby base to service them.

He commented: "For us it was a major investment - buying out an established company.

"Although they only have five staff at present, we see that doubling by the end of the year and the year after we intend to take on more staff to cope with the work we anticipate."

He added that the acquisition was also important to reduce the business' carbon footprint because it meant that his vehicles would not need to travel as far.

Now Mr Lewis intends to establish a depot in the West Country to service the company's client base there.

Coastline has been trading for 17 years and employs 122 staff in Christchurch and eight at two further outlets on the Isle of Wight and Tunbridge Wells that were opened earlier this year.

The business has a policy of buying local produce wherever possible and plans to start selling meat.

It delivers to locations as far as Sevenoaks in Kent and Torquay in Devon.

It has a fleet of 36 vehicles.