Dobbies and Sir Tom Hunter in the picture
AIM-listed garden centre retailer Blooms of Bressingham has received a takeover approach, with speculation that Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter could be leading a consortium bid.
Blooms said it was in 'preliminary' takeover discussions after receiving an indicative offer of 85 pence a share from an unnamed bidder.
According to Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner, the bid could have come from garden centre chain Dobbies. He said: 'It would be a good fit, because the geographical locations between the two companies are complementary.'
Hunter has built almost a 4 per cent stake in Dobbies. In partnership with Icelandic firm Baugur, Hunter also acquired garden centre chain Wyevale in June 2006.
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