GROWING Dorset brand – Jimmy’s Iced Coffee Limited – has been sold to drinks giant Britvic.

The firm, based in Christchurch, launched in 2010 aa the brainchild of Jim Cregan, who became obsessed with iced coffee while travelling in Australia.

Upon his return, he pitched the idea of launching his own brand to sister, Suzie Owen, and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee was born.

Now, it is available on shelves everywhere from Selfridges to Sainsbury’s, with a bottle sold every four seconds, establishing Jimmy’s as the fast-growing iced coffee brand in the country.

And Jim and Suzie are set to stay involved after the sale to Britvic was confirmed.

“We are all so excited and proud to have done a deal with such an iconic and powerful business like Britvic, who will enable us to reach more great fridges across the UK and beyond,” Jim said.

Legal documents for the deal were exchanged just a week after an offer from the drinks giant was accepted, with legal help for Jimmy’s provided by a team from Trethowans, led by partners Nick Gent and Lucy Gleisner.

Piper Sandler’s European Consumer Team, led by Rob Iseman and Alastair Mathieson, were lead advisors to the shareholders, with external legal advice provided by Trethowans for the shareholders and Addleshaw Goddard for Britvic.

Nick Gent, from Trethowans, said: “It has been a real privilege to have worked alongside the team from Piper Sandler in supporting Jim, Suzie and fellow shareholders in the sale of Jimmy’s to Britvic.

“It’s a wonderful success story and marks the next chapter in the continued success and development of a much-loved brand.

“A lot of midnight oil was burnt in getting the legals finalised in such a short timescale, but it was the collaborative mindset of everyone involved that really shone through.”

Lucy Gleisner and Nick Gent from Trethowans helped get the deal done

And Jim added: “To have completed the transaction in such a phenomenally short time scale is only possible when you’ve got an incredible team around you and Trethowans have been a monumental cog in this machine. Thank you to the whole team.”

Now, Jim and Suzie are set to continue working as ambassadors for the brand, helping support the transition while providing advice on brand direction and future innovation, ensuring that Jimmy’s core values and ethos continue to drive Jimmy’s.