Sale of 42 pubs would ‘remedy’ concerns over Ei-Stonegate deal
The watchdog made the recommendation after it previously identified “local concerns” about a monopoly, with fears that some areas could experience raised prices and lower quality products.
Stonegate intends to acquire Ei Group for £1.27bn, a move that would make the former the largest pub company in the country with around 5,000 sites.
In a notice issued today (9 January), it said the sale of 42 pubs “might be acceptable as a suitable remedy” to local competition concerns.
It assessed whether each of the pubs proposed by the companies were “saleable” and “likely to continue in operation after the divestment” and concluded they were.
The watchdog said it had seen evidence that there are “several potential suitable purchasers who have expressed an interest” in acquiring the pubs.
The CMA said previously it would clear the acquisition if local concerns in 51 areas were overcome as the takeover did not raise national competition concerns.
It said it had found “a limited number of local areas where significant concentration gives rise to significant competition concerns”, ranging from High Wycombe to Caerphilly.
Here is the list of pubs in full: Old Ford, Ash Vale Anchor, Benfleet New Inn, Erdington Red Lion, Erdington Bay Horse, Fulford Plough, Fulford Rylston, Fulham Barca, Gosforth Blacksmith's Arms, Gosforth Home Bar & Kitchen, Ickenham Hyde Arms, Edmonton Railway Tavern, Edmonton Fishermans Rest, Bedwas White Hart, Tongham Clarence, Fulham Colton Arms West Kensington Cumberland Arms, Hammersmith Elm, Fulham Old Oak, West Kensington Bar Italia, Uxbridge Beehive Hotel, Birkenhead Beeswing Ale, House York Caerphilly Cwtch, Caerphilly Garden Farm, Chester-Le-Street Imperial Hotel, Birkenhead Masons Arms, Caerphilly Old Packet House, Altrincham Prenton Park, Birkenhead Station Inn, Caerphilly Swan, Wickford Slug & Lettuce, Beckenham Antelope, High Wycombe Three Tuns, High Wycombe Chiltern Taps, High Wycombe Bull, Barming Occasional Half, Palmers Green Bird in Hand, Forest Hill Gatehouse, Tonbridge Goose, Fulham The Red Back, Fulham Dam Inn, Wakefield Elmbridge Arms, Weybridge |