OTTAKAR'S, the leading UK book chain with its head office in Salisbury, has bought Hammicks.

Ottakar's, which has 93 book stores, has acquired the 24 branches of Hammicks, which have an annual revenue of £28 million, for £3.275 million.

The deal means that Ottakar's square footage increases by 30 per cent, its annual turnover by 25 per cent and its net assets by £6.4 million.

The transaction has not needed shareholder approval and Ottakar's is not acquiring the Hammicks Legal Division.

Most of Hammicks' stores are in the south of England and trade as general bookshops with a product mix similar to Ottakar's.

They will be re-branded as Ottakar's within a three-month period.

Ottakar's announced that in the 12 weeks to April 19 its total sales have grown by 20 per cent.

Chairman Philip Dunne said: "We are excited by this acquisition which provides us, at a good price, with both 30 per cent more trading space and a business whose shop locations, range and culture are entirely complementary to our own.

"We look forward to the task of integrating the Hammicks stores into our group and to working with the talented Hammicks staff."

For the year to February 1 2003, Ottakar's reported a profit before tax of £5.1 million on a turnover of £114.8 million.

Hammicks was founded in 1968 and employs more than 400 people.