A portable toilet business that’s been going for more than 50 years has been sold.

Four Jays Group, run by Jonathan and Sarah Worsfold at Sutton Valence near Maidstone, has been bought by Heathcote Holdings.

The deal, described as a “perfect fit”, will help the family-owned Heathcote Holdings on its path to becoming the key provider of temporary toilets and welfare facilities in the south east.

The combined company will be able to supply nearly 2,500 mobile toilets and more than 200 welfare units, often used in the construction industry, which offer temporary facilities including toilets, seating areas and kitchens.

The firm will also have more than 50 prestige event facilities, supplying luxury toilet trailers for weddings and high-end public events.

Nathan Heathcote will take over the day-to-day management of Four Jays’ operation, which he plans to improve with new hire equipment, extra service vehicles and a new IT system.

He said: “Four Jays has much in common with our company.

“We are both family businesses and serve customers involved in construction, events and hospitality, as well as the agricultural community.

“Through the combination of Four Jays, Countrystyle Recycling and FGS Plant, we are now able to offer sites and events the complete package, from welfare, to plant hire and a full waste management service.

“The fit is perfect as our waste and plant hire companies serve many of the same industries that Four Jays has done and we have exciting plans to invest in the business.

“We’re keeping the Four Jays name because, like ours, it is known for trustworthiness and customer service.”

Four Jays’ 50 employees will now join the 1,000-strong Heathcote team.

Heathcote was founded by Trevor Heathcote, who is the company chairman, with his two sons also involved in the business.

Martin Heathcote is the chief executive of Heathcote Holdings, which includes Countrystyle Recycling. He said: “Bringing through the next generation is key for many family businesses.

“At Heathcote, we have successfully navigated that journey with both myself and Nathan actively involved in the firm.

“We’ve known the Worsfold family and the Four Jays business for many years and have always recognised that thanks to the quality of our respective teams, our operations complemented each other and could add value to the group as a whole.”

Jonathan Worsfold said: “The move of Four Jays into the Heathcote group means Four Jays will now be part of a group that is able to provide a complete package of wet and dry waste management.

“The Heathcote team are committed to taking the company to the next level and building on the expertise of Four Jays.”

Heathcote Holdings also recently acquired Clements Plant and Access Hire serving the West Midlands from its base in Coventry, and Hire Access Platforms, serving the construction industry in Dorset, based in Poole.

Heathcote Holdings is based at Stanford Bridge Farm In Pluckley and has an annual turnover in excess of £120 million.