Harry Ramsden owner approaches Northern Foods

22nd Dec 2010 09:20

Shares in Northern Foods were in demand after the Goodfella's Pizza and Fox's Biscuits group said it had received an approach from Boporan Holdings, controlled by the owner of the Harry Ramsdens chip shop chain Ranjit Boparan.Northern added that it remains committed to its proposed merger with the Irish food group Greencore. Boparan has now admitted it is at a "preliminary stage" in evaluating a possible cash offer for Northern and has requested information under Rule 20.2 of the Takeover Code. "However, there can be no certainty at this stage as to whether this will result in an offer being made for Northern Foods," it said.The announcement came after the Telegraph reported that the company was lining up a £300m bid.Northern, whose shareholders are due to vote on the Greencore merger at the end of January, said Boparan has not indicated at what price any bid might be made.The Telegraph report said that Boparan, which also supplies chickens to supermarkets, approached Northern on 17 December.