Heineken offers to sell dozens of pubs to ease competition concern
HEINEKEN has offered to sell dozens of pubs to ease competition concerns over its acquisition of part of Punch Taverns.
Heineken has offered to sell pubs to ease competition concerns over its Punch Taverns deal
The Dutch brewing giant is buying about 1,900 watering holes to add to its existing 1,100.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) identified 33 local areas where the overlap could mean drinkers facing price hikes or falling service quality.
Heineken has now offered to sell pubs in each affected area, it said in a statement.
The CMA said there are “reasonable grounds for believing these proposals, or a modified version of them, might be acceptable to remedy the competition concerns”.
The Dutch brewing giant is buying about 1,900 watering holes to add to its existing 1,100
Only a small number of pubs are required to be sold
It said: “The CMA has decided that there are reasonable grounds for believing that these proposals, or a modified version of them, might be acceptable to remedy the competition concerns it has identified."
The CMA identified 33 local areas where the overlap could mean drinkers facing price hikes
A spokesman for Heineken said: “We welcome confirmation from the CMA that only a small number of pubs are required to be sold.
"It’s a sensible outcome and good news for pub-goers across the UK, who will see the benefit of well invested pubs in their communities.”