OFT investigates sale of Harry Tuffins

The Office of Fair Trading has confirmed it is investigating the multi-million sale of the Montgomeryshire-based Harry Tuffins business to The Mid-Counties Co-operative.

The sale was announced last month involving the famous Harry Tuffins business which is based at Churchstoke and employs more than 450 people throughout the regiona and neighbouring English and Welsh counties.

But the OFT has said it is looking into whether the acquisition of the business by The Mid-Counties Co-operative could mean less "substantial lessening" of competition for shoppers.

A statement issued by the OFT said: "The Office of Fair Trading has opened a merger investigation into the completed purchase of the Harry Tuffins' stores by the Midcounties Co-operative. The OFT's investigation will look at whether the deal could result in a substantial lessening of competition for local shoppers."

The Mid Counties Co-operative issued a statement saying the investigation did not give it cause for concern. The business employs 8,500 Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire.

Shoppers and businesses can comment on the OFT investigation and the impact of the takeover before 18 by e-mailing elisa.hutchinson@oft.gsi.gov.uk.