The new owner of Morrisons is set to sell 87 petrol stations to push through the £7 billion takeover of the supermarket group. Private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) won an auction to buy the Bradford-based grocer last year.
However, in January, the UK’s competition watchdog opened an investigation into the move as it raised concerns that the deal could lead to higher petrol prices for some customers. CD&R also owns Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the country’s largest independent petrol station operator, which runs 921 forecourts across the country.
Meanwhile, Morrisons runs 339 petrol stations across England, Scotland and Wales. The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) highlighted potential competition concerns in 121 local areas across England, Scotland and Wales.
