3i sells Blueberry

Close Growth Capital (CGC), the equity and debt provider, has backed a £12m secondary buyout of the Blueberry Group, from 3i.

Blueberry is a UK supplier and distributor of speciality ambient food to the premium independent retail market, selling foods such as chutneys, soups, biscuits, sweets and cakes. Customers include Wyevale, Waitrose, John Lewis, Budgen and Booker as well as farm shops and independent retailers.

It was founded by serial entrepreneurs Stuart Robinson and Mike Thorne who, in January 2005, acquired Fosters Traditional Foods with backing from 3i.