Pub chain Marston’s shares fizz on takeover bid January 29, 2021 Shares in Martson’s jumped this morning after the pub chain confirmed it had received a takeover offer from a US private equity firm. In a statement this morning the British brewer said it had received an “unsolicited non-binding proposal” from Platinum Equity Advisors over a potential cash bid. Shares in Marston’s rose as much as [...]
Takeover talk mounts as Chinese tycoon ups stake in Cineworld January 29, 2021 A secretive Chinese tycoon has increased his stake in Cineworld, fuelling speculation of a possible takeover offer for the UK’s largest cinema chain. Liu Zaiwang’s Jangho Group has built its holding in Cineworld to 13.3 per cent, according to stock market filings published yesterday. The Chinese magnate, whose net worth is valued at $760m (£556m) [...]
Dr Martens valued at more than £3.7bn in London IPO January 29, 2021 British bootmaker Dr Martens started its London IPO in style on Friday, attracting bumper demand in a sale valuing the company at £3.7bn. Dr Martens’ shares were up 19 per cent in their market debut after the company priced the deal at 370p a share, raising nearly £1.3bn. Known for its chunky boots, Dr Martens [...]
Boohoo confirms talks with Philip Green’s Arcadia over high street retail deal January 29, 2021 Boohoo has confirmed this morning it is in exclusive talks with Philip Green’s Arcadia group over the acquisition of Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton. Topshop owner Arcadia collapsed at the beginning of December, launching 13,000 jobs into uncertainty and becoming the biggest retail casualty of a harsh year on the high street. Boohoo said in [...]
Reading resurgence leads Bloomsbury to hike guidance January 29, 2021 Bloomsbury said that its revenue and profit would both be ahead of forecasts for the full year due to the surge in reading over lockdown. In a trading update, the publisher said that strong trading in its consumer division would leave profit “well ahead” of expectations of £12.1m. Current revenue forecasts for the year, which [...]
Junk food ad ban could harm Covid recovery, warns hospitality chief January 28, 2021 Plans to roll out a total ban on junk food advertising could hamper the hospitality industry’s recovery from the pandemic, a top industry boss has warned. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, described the government’s decision to press on with consultations during lockdown as “tin-eared” and warned any new laws would deal a fresh [...]
Exclusive: London food hall Mercato Metropolitano to raise £5m to fund international expansion January 28, 2021 London street food market Mercato Metropolitano is aiming to raise up to £5m in a funding round in the coming months. The firm, which this week announced it will open three new sites in the capital in 2021, will raise capital in the second quarter after its plans were delayed due to coronavirus. City PM [...]
Paperchase secures future of 90 high street stores – but 37 set to close January 28, 2021 Paperchase has secured a deal to rescue the majority of its high street stores, saving 1,000 jobs, but 37 shops are set to close following the sale. The stationery retail chain announced it appointed administrators this morning and was bought by Aspen Phoenix Newco. Funds managed by Permira Debt Managers are the majority stakeholders in [...]
J20 and Tango owner Britvic suffers slump in sales due to hospitality restrictions January 28, 2021 Soft drinks group Britvic, which owns J2O, R White’s lemonade and Robinsons, suffered a slump in sales in the first quarter due to restrictions on pubs, bars and restaurants. The FTSE 250 firm said this morning that total revenue declined 9.8 per cent to £328.1m in the three months ended 31 December. The Hemel Hempstead-based [...]
Joules mulls hiking prices for shoppers to offset rising Brexit costs January 28, 2021 Fashion retailer Joules has warned it is considering increasing prices for consumers as it revealed that Brexit had disrupted exports and could cost it an extra £1m per year. Joules said that, despite its preparation for the end of the transition agreement, exports to certain EU markets had suffered, with Germany being particularly impacted. The [...]
