OFFERS are being invited from the Wiltshire property market for the Countrywide Farmers store at Melksham.

KPMG chartered accountants, joint administrators of Countrywide Farmers PLC, say they will accept offers at market value for the Bradford on Avon Road store.

A spokesperson said: “It is being marketed shortly early May to the property market. We are welcoming going concern offers but they do have to be at market value.”

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan recently met with the Melksham store’s 20-plus employees to discuss their concerns about potential job losses.

Despite talking to the Competition and Markets Authority in March, she said its decision to take six months to investigate the group’s proposed merger with Mole Valley Farmers cannot be reversed.

The joint administrators - David Pike, Mark Orton and Will Wright from KPMG’s Restructuring practice – and their agents, Hilco Capital, continue to trade Countrywide Farmers 48-store portfolio following their appointment on March 7.

They said: “Store performance is reviewed weekly, but given the strong trading performance to-date, the majority of stores will continue to trade into May, which has created an opportunity to seek further going concern sales where available.

“Interest in the leasehold store portfolio has been strong and the administrators have received credible offers supported by strong under-bidders for approximately 20 stores on a going concern basis. The aim is to conclude these transactions as soon as possible.”

Lease premium interest has also been received with interested parties seeking an alternative use for some of the stores.

The joint administrators say there are 11 leasehold stores where they would like to invite going concern offers. None of these are in the Wiltshire area.

Any transaction will need to be near to completion by the end of April or the first week in May. However, this does depend on trading and credibility of interest.

Additionally, the joint administrators are seeking offers on the 20 freehold sites / stores on a ‘property only’ basis.

It is anticipated that a wider marketing process to this effect will begin in May. To date, interest in the freehold sites has been significant.

Interested parties should contact Gareth Shaw at KPMG via gareth.shaw@kpmg.co.uk or on 07740 894721.

Following the signing of a non-disclosure agreement, store, profit and loss information and data room access can be arranged.