Iceland chief Malcolm Walker denies the chain will be broken up and says buying it is his “number one plan”.
Walker, also the founder who has a 23% stake in the frozen food group that is being sold, said breaking up the company was “the last thing that will happen”. The Times says interest in the group will be intensified by the belief it will represent the last big chunk of supermarket property to come up for sale for the foreseeable future. Latest performance data providing further evidence the 796-store operator is outpacing some of its larger rivals could mean the eventual price tag will be significantly higher than the £1bn valuation Walker offered for the business last year.
11/06/11 Times 51
Daily Telegraph 32
Independent 48
Guardian 27
