Merger Update: Admiral/Hampden

The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that the following Merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.

Completed acquisition by Admiral Taverns of pubs owned by Hawthorn Leisure Topco Limited (the Hampden Pub Estate)

The CMA has arrived at this decision under its fast-track procedure at the request of the merging parties. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer an acceptable undertaking to address these competition concerns.

The CMA is therefore considering whether to accept an undertaking under section 73 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act) in lieu of a reference. Pursuant to section 73A(1) of the Act, the Parties have until 3 November 2021 to offer an undertaking to the CMA that might be accepted by the CMA under section 73(2) of the Act. If no such undertaking is offered, then the CMA will refer this Merger pursuant to sections 22(1) and 34ZA(2) of the Act:

The text of this decision will be placed on the Competition and Markets Authority's web site at www.gov.uk/CMA as soon as is reasonably practicable.

In the event of media enquiries please email Press@cma.gov.uk.