The takeover of supermarket chain Morrisons by a US private equity firm will go ahead following clearance from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) is set to complete its £7bn acquisition of the Bradford-based grocer after it agreed to sell dozens of petrol stations to alleviate concerns the deal could lead to higher petrol prices.
It follows an investigation by the CMA into a deal that would have given CD&R control of more than 1,2000 of the UK's 8,000 petrol stations.
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The private equity firm also owns Motor Fuel Group, the UK's largest independent petrol station operator with 921 forecourts, but it has agreed to sell 87 of those petrol stations in areas of concern.
The CMA said the proposal appeared "to be suitable to restore the loss of competition brought about by the deal across each of the 121 local areas in which the concerns were identified".
It added that while the number of sites proposed for sale is lower than the number of areas previously highlighted, the sale of some petrol stations will address concerns in multiple areas.
In a similar move, Asda buyers the Issa brothers - who were said to be vying with Morrisons for the takeover of the collapsed convenience chain McColls - and TDR Capital last year agreed to sell 27 petrol stations in order to secure their takeover of the supermarket chain.
David Potts, Morrisons chief executive, said: "I am pleased the acquisition has cleared the final regulatory hurdle and we can now work closely with CD&R on the path ahead.
"Following hard on the heels of Covid, the cost-of-living crisis is another critical period for food retailers in the UK and there is important work ahead of us as we look to help customers and colleagues through these difficult economic times."
Sir Terry Leahy, senior adviser to CD&R and former Tesco chief, said: "We welcome today's announcement and the CMA's thoughtful engagement throughout the process.
"We are delighted to be supporting Morrisons on the next stage of their journey and to working closely with the team to grow the business and provide quality, value, service and choice - shopping trip attributes that have long been the company's tradition."
