Members of c-store buying group Nisa-Today’s will share £500,000 after the business achieved an 11 per cent increase in turnover last year.

The payout comes as Nisa attempts to fend off a takeover attempt by distribution group Bibby, which holds a controlling stake in the group’s biggest member, Costcutter.

Cash will be split among members which used Nisa’s central distribution service depending on the amount of business they had done over the last year, Nisa chief executive Neil Turton told the Daily Telegraph.

More than half of Nisa’s 980 members will receive money ranging from as little as £50 to as much as £40,000. Turton said: “This is a way for members to share in the success of the company.

“We pay it out once a year but the timing is fortuitous in that it reminds people that the business is being run for their benefit whereas in another business this payout would go to shareholders.”

Nisa has rejected an offer from Bibby, arguing it “significantly undervalued” the company. Bibby is expected to seek direct support from Nisa members for a deal, thought to be valued at between £50m and £75m, which it says would result in a payout of as much as £100,000 for many members.