Spirits and pubs group Allied Domecq is poised to sell its Irish drinks distributor Cantrell & Cochrane to venture capital company BC Partners for about £530m. A deal is expected to be announced later this month.
Allied Domecq is currently moving to focus on its core spirits operations.
Last year it merged its Victoria Wine of-licence chain with Whitbread’s Thresher chain. Analysts believe it may review its other retail businesses, including 2,000 pubs, Baskin Robbins ice cream outlets, and the Dunkin’ Donuts chain.
Financial Times 04/01/99 page 23
The Daily Telegraph 04/01/99 page 24 (City Checklist)
The Times 04/01/99 page 43
