Gloucester-based cookware and kitchen retailer, ProCook, has announced the purchase of cookshop brand, Steamer Trading.

The acquisition includes 27 Steamer Trading stores, the e-commerce business and the head office team.

Daniel O'Neill, owner of ProCook said: "We are delighted to announce this news and see it as a fantastic opportunity for Steamer Trading and ProCook to grow both brands. Our focus will continue to be on providing excellent value for money, great service and innovative high-quality homewares.

"We are very excited about the future, though because of high rent and rates and the current retail climate, we had to make the decision not to take on all of the stores. However, we will endeavour to fill all vacancies across our stores by transferring people from closing stores."

Clare Burgess, who was previously the trading director of Steamer Trading and will now head up the Steamer Trading Cookshop brand, said: "While I am sad to say goodbye to some colleagues, I'm excited about the future for Steamer Trading. The new Steamer Trading stores will be offering an exciting shopping experience with a great mix of exclusive products, alongside iconic kitchen and homeware brands."

ProCook has acquired Steamer Trading stores across the UK, including one in Cirencester. 10 of the company's stores are set to close down.

Punchline said: "It's early days, but this is great news for jobs in Gloucester, as some of the central functions of the expanded company are likely to move to the city. ProCook is a great example of a Gloucestershire business which is going from strength to strength."

Photo credit: Google Image capture February 2016