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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Northern Foods shares up on approach by Ranjit Boparan | Northern Foods shares up on approach by Ranjit Boparan |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Northern Foods' shares have risen 6% after it confirmed that Harry Ramsden owner Ranjit Boparan had asked to see its books, raising speculation that he is planning a £300m takeover bid. | |
| Mr Boparan's company, Boparan Holdings, said there was "no certainty" at this stage that it would make a formal bid for Northern. | Mr Boparan's company, Boparan Holdings, said there was "no certainty" at this stage that it would make a formal bid for Northern. |
| If any bid from Mr Boparan is made, it may end Northern's plans to merge with Irish firm Greencore. | If any bid from Mr Boparan is made, it may end Northern's plans to merge with Irish firm Greencore. |
| That deal was announced last month. | That deal was announced last month. |
| Since that time, Mr Boparan has increased his shareholding in Northern Foods from less than 3% to 6.6%. | Since that time, Mr Boparan has increased his shareholding in Northern Foods from less than 3% to 6.6%. |
| Northern Foods and Greencore plan to create a new firm called Essenta, with both sets of shareholders due to vote on the proposed deal on 31 January. | Northern Foods and Greencore plan to create a new firm called Essenta, with both sets of shareholders due to vote on the proposed deal on 31 January. |
| In a statement, Northern Foods reiterated its support for the merger, saying it offered "substantial benefits for its shareholders" and recommending that shareholders vote in favour of the deal next month. | In a statement, Northern Foods reiterated its support for the merger, saying it offered "substantial benefits for its shareholders" and recommending that shareholders vote in favour of the deal next month. |
| Boparan Holdings also owns the FishWorks restaurant chain, as well as chicken processor Two Sisters Food Group, which is one of Tesco's largest poultry suppliers. | Boparan Holdings also owns the FishWorks restaurant chain, as well as chicken processor Two Sisters Food Group, which is one of Tesco's largest poultry suppliers. |
| Greencore is the UK's biggest sandwich maker. | Greencore is the UK's biggest sandwich maker. |
| Northern Foods owns Goodfella's Pizza and Fox's biscuits, and is the UK's largest maker of Christmas puddings. | Northern Foods owns Goodfella's Pizza and Fox's biscuits, and is the UK's largest maker of Christmas puddings. |