A WINE merchant is looking forward to a brighter future after being bought from administration by its main rival.

Playford Ros, based in Sowerby, near Thirsk, has been bought by family firm House of Townend, more than a year after it ran into difficulties, in June 2009.

The North Yorkshire company, which had employed 29, is believed to have struggled to overcome rises in wine duty and the falling strength of the pound against other currencies.

But it has retained eight staff and its new owner, based in Hull, will continue to run it from its North Yorkshire base under its existing name.

House of Townend managing director John Charles Townend is the fourth generation of his family to take the helm since it was founded in 1906 and the company, which employs 50 people, also manages wine portfolios for more than 300 private clients.

Former Playford Ros sales director Simon Kershaw, who left the company more than two years ago, has been brought back to oversee the integration of the companies.

He said: “John approached me to come back after they had bought the business.

There is a commitment to keep the name and customer base, which is great.”

At its height, Playford Ros was selling imported wine to 700 customers, including Manchester City Football Club and rail operator GNER, alongside hotels and restaurants.

Mr Kershaw said that, although he was not party to the detail of why Playford Ros had run into difficulties, he suspected that a 20 per cent rise in wine duty in the space of a year, coupled with the falling pound, had played an integral role.

He said he believed that the merger with House of Townend made sense in a competitive market.

Mr Kershaw said: “House of Townend were really our main competitors.

“It is a very crowded environment, the wine merchant business, particularly in North Yorkshire, and in respects of House of Townend, their wine reserves are, outside London, second to none.

“It is an extremely exciting time for the company.”

Mr Townend said: “The acquisition of Playford Ros is part of a long-term growth strategy for House of Townend.

It is a good fit for us.

“And it is just the beginning – we have some exciting plans.”