Richard Higgins, who sold his 15-strong c-store chain RNS Holdings to Southern Co-operatives, is expanding his new business.

Higgins sold up in August 2006 but launched a new c-store business, Culverhill Retail, in February 2007. The chain now has five shops in Hampshire and Dorset under the Nisa fascia and will open a sixth, in Salisbury, next March. They offer lottery, E-top-up and Post Office services.

Before selling up, RNS Holdings was number 40 on The Grocer's Top 50 ranking of independent grocery retailers with sales of £16.5m and 198 staff.