Heineken's proposed purchase of 1,900 Punch pubs has for the second time had its investigation by The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) extended.
Punch has praised tenants from the company’s Mercury division in the north of England and Wales in a special awards ceremony to celebrate top performance.
Heineken’s proposal to take over 1,900 Punch pubs received a morale boost as licensees from its tenanted-arm Star Pubs & Bars voiced support for the deal.
Pubco Punch has hosted a free carvery for residents and carers at its pub the Blacksmiths Arms, in Burton-upon-Trent, as part of an ongoing initiative to give something back to the local community.
Punch shareholders have overwhelmingly backed the Patron/Heineken bid to acquire the company in a deal valuing the UK’s second biggest pub company at £1.8bn.
Heineken’s proposed deal to buy 1,900 Punch pubs will not act as an immediate blanket trigger for all the tenants to be able to request the market-rent-only (MRO) option, according to a letter from the pubs code adjudicator's (PCA) office.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on pub giant Heineken for assurances on the affect the takeover of 1,900 Punch pubs would have on its members.
Heineken is now the only remaining bidder for a portfolio of 1,900 Punch pubs after rival bidder Emerald Investment confirmed that it would not pursue its bid further.
The industry has raised questions over the identity of a person behind a blog that is campaigning against Heineken’s proposed takeover of Punch Taverns.
