Is Revolution in Ipswich about to have new owners?
Vodka Revolution Ipswich - Credit: Archant
Takeover battle hots up for the Revolution Bars chain
Two firms involved in a bar room brawl for control of struggling Revolution Bars have tabled fresh proposals for the nightclub operator.
Slug And Lettuce andd Yates owner Stonegate said on Thursday that it had struck an agreement to acquire Revolution Bars in a £101.5 million deal, but shortly after rival Deltic Group said that it was also “evaluating a possible cash offer” for the group.
Revolution has accepted Stonegate’s offer and earlier this month rejected overtures from Deltic, one of Britain’s biggest nightclub operators, to merge the two firms.
Keith Edelman, non-executive chairman of Revolution, said that he believes the Stonegate offer provides “considerable opportunities” for the business as a whole.
Nevertheless, Deltic said that it has been granted access to Revolution’s accounts, which may lead to it tabling another proposal.
Deltic added that it continues to believe that Stonegate’s offer, at 203p a share, “significantly undervalues” Revolution.
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But Revolution said in a statement: “Deltic has not made an offer to acquire the company and has provided no detail as to how any such offer would be financed.
“Nevertheless, as a potential offeror, Deltic has been provided with access to due diligence materials by the company.”
Stonegate is the fourth largest managed pub company in the UK by sites.
Revolution has had a difficult time of late and issued a profit warning in May that sent shares tumbling.
The Ashton-under-Lyne-based firm, which owns more than 60 Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba high street bars, has said it is facing “well-publicised sector cost headwinds” that have also hit its rivals.
It said that includes the impact of the living wage and the new apprenticeship levy, as well as an above-inflation increase in business rates.
Deltic’s estate consists of 57 clubs, including those operating under the PRYZM, Bar & Beyond, Steinbeck & Shaw, ATIK, and Fiction brands.
Stonegate is already a major player in the leisure market.
Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK, with revenues in excess of £625 million, employing around 14,000 people.
The company has 692 pubs, split into two divisions, Branded, including Slug & Lettuce, Yates, Walkabout, Common Room and venues; and Traditional comprising: Proper Pubs, Town Pub & Kitchen, Classic Inns.
