A fast-growing Suffolk food firm has acquired a business at London’s Smithfield market as it expands into new areas.

The family-owned Gressingham group, based at Debach, Woodbridge, has snapped up JF Edwards (Smithfield) Ltd, with four shops on Smithfield market and a butcher’s shop in Primrose Hill through its new arm, Gressingham Smithfield Ltd.

Gressingham Foods, best known for its Gressingham Duck, has a long association with Smithfield market and says it sees the purchase as “a very natural fit” to expand the group, and “an exciting opportunity” to grow the food service side of the business. Co-owner and joint managing director William Buchanan said: “We see this as an excellent opportunity to grow the Gressingham business and provides the opportunity to diversify into new markets.”

JF Edwards, which employs about 70 staff, all of whom will be retained under the deal, was sold for an undisclosed sum.

Steve Barber will be its managing director, supported by John Reid, currently boss at Reid’s of Norwich.

Earlier this year, Gressingham bought the business and assets of Yorkshire Game 17 Limited out of administration.