Jarrold & Sons Ltd and W.J.Aldiss Ltd have announced that negotiations have ceased and that the proposed acquisition of the Aldiss business by Jarrolds will not now proceed.

The proposed acquisition, which was announced last month having been agreed in principle, was intended to bring together the two independent family-owned businesses. The negotiations have failed to reach agreement over a number of property-related matters and as a result the two companies have decided, with much regret, to halt the acquisition and once again concentrate on their future independently of each other.