East Anglian law firm Ashton KCJ Solicitors is aiming to strengthen its position in the franchise sector after completing the acquisition of a specialist consultancy.

Ashton KCJ, which has offices in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Norwich, has acquired the consultancy side of Norwich-based Franchise Development Services (FDS), which went into liquidation last month.

The firm has now launched a new business, Ashtons Franchise Consulting Ltd, involving five consultants who previously offered commercial advice to franchisors under the FDS banner and who will operate alongside the Ashton KCJ team based on the Meridian Business Park in Norwich.

Nick Williams, who is leading the consultancy venture, said: “I am delighted that our first class team of consultants now has a fantastic opportunity to team up with lawyers and media partners who are able to provide an unrivalled one-stop solution to our clients needs under the new Ashtons Franchise Consulting banner.

“It will enable us to provide a truly modern market leading proposition of services for those new to franchising and to established franchisors.”

Damian Humphrey, who leads the franchise legal team at Ashton KCJ, added: “We have previously had many mutual clients with Nick and his colleagues when they were trading under the FDS banner, so the opportunity to acquire the consultancy side of FDS and to work more closely with an outstanding group of consultants, was an excellent strategic fit for us.”

The new business will be working closely with national franchise media specialist Venture Marketing Group.