SOUTHAMPTON corporate finance firm Fanshawe Lofts has just completed the acquisition of luxury arts and greeting card company Prime Arts for an undisclosed sum.

The firm, which specialises in the niche £1m to £50m turnover market, was acting on behalf of long-standing clients Simon and Annette Eason, who own a portfolio of leisure sector businesses based in Bath.

Prime Arts has been established for 17 years and has built a reputation for working with artists who paint stylish, original pieces with an ethnic flavour.

The company, also based in Bath, includes chains such as Athena and John Lewis Partnership among a 1,000-strong client list.

Rosemary Penn-Newman of Fanshawe Lofts, pictured above with Simon and Annette, said: "We have advised Simon and Annette on a number of projects they have been working on. They have the energy and track record to take this business and achieve the objectives they have set for it."