The takeover of a refrigeration maintenance company for the hospitality and leisure industry has been completed by a Kent firm.

After 31 years in operation, Premier Refrigeration, based in Waltham Abbey, has been acquired by Sittingbourne-based mechanical and electrical contractor Synecore.

It comes following the retirement of its managing director Robert Chisholm.

Premier served more than 25 sites across London, including restaurants, hotels and pubs.

All the company's maintenance contracts will now be taken over by Synecore.

Synecore has worked on the national roll-out plans for Pret A Manger, Tossed, Leon Restaurants, Comptoir Libanais and Hilton Hotels.

Paul Thomas, Synecore's managing director, said: "We have a long-lasting affiliation with Premier Refrigeration, spanning 25 years.

"With such a strong relationship and a mutual ethos for exceptional customer care, our acquisition posed a sensible transition, one that would benefit Synecore and Premier Refrigeration’s client-base.”

Mr Chisholm added: "To handover my business to such a reputable refrigeration company is testimony to my lifetime’s work. I have spent the last 31 years building up a strong client-base, that appreciates my level of service. Some of my clients have been with me since the beginning, so finding a company that could continue my level of service could have been challenging.

“Fortunately, I have known Paul and the management team at Synecore for many years. I have always been deeply impressed by its methods. Therefore, I couldn’t feel more at ease and confident in handing over my refrigeration maintenance contracts, knowing they will be looked after for many years to come.”