One of Colchester's oldest family firms is moving its headquarters to Suffolk.

Lay and Wheeler is opening a new HQ in Holton St Mary and a new distribution centre in Staffordshire.

Going - the warehouse facility will be moved to a new distribution centre in Staffordshire Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON

It is also selling off the John Lay warehouse in Gosbecks Road.

The firm, based in Gosbecks Road, Colchester, is moving its sales and marketing departments to Holton Park in Holton St Mary.

And in March the distribution side of the business will be moved to a refurbished 200,000 sq ft warehouse in Burton on Trent, in Staffordshire.

Staying - the Gosbecks Road wine centre will become a wine store

In Colchester the wine centre will become a wine store with better displays and improved tasting facilities.

The Gosbecks Park store will have its own fleet of delivery vehicles serving local customers and restaurants.

The changes are being made to help Lay and Wheeler compete better on the national stage.

Johnny Wheeler, managing director, said: "The new distribution centre places the company squarely among the front runners in the national wine-by-mail industry."

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette