B&M Retail secures £25m credit facility

Barclays has provided a £25m Revolving Credit Facility for B&M Retail in support of the leverage buy out by Clayton Dubilier & Rice.

B&M Retail, also known as B&M Bargains, is a chain of discount stores across the UK.

Since 2008, the business has grown from 125 to 320 stores, and seen annual turnover rise from £200m to more than £1bn.

During this period of growth, Barclays has supported two acquisitions including 36 homestores from Opus Homewares in 2010, and recently acted as Mandated Lead Arranger in the buyout facility for B&M Retail by US private equity house Clayton Dubilier & Rice.

Barclays will remain the banking partner for all money transmission, card acquiring and foreign exchange in a deal arranged by Barclays Corporate Banking team in Manchester led by Jane Khaliq, relationship director for retail and wholesale, and Glenn Clarke, head of debt finance North West.

Brothers Simon and Bobby Arora bought B&M Retail from private equity firm Phildrew Ventures in 2005.

The company, which in 2010 opened a new 625,000 sq ft head office and distribution centre in Speke, now employs 12000 staff.

Simon Arora, managing director of B&M Retail, said: "Barclays first became B&M's bankers five years ago.

"Since then, we have enjoyed continuous support during a period of rapid growth and lately the participation in the LBO that brings in some impressive new equity investors."

Jane Khaliq, relationship director for retail and wholesale for Barclays Corporate Banking in Manchester, said: "The B&M business has proven resilient through the cycle and this is a great example of how Barclays are bringing together the various parts of the business to support our client's interests and our strong appetite to provide funding to quality businesses in the region."