Greene King / Spirit Pub Company merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Greene King plc of Spirit Pub Company plc.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 11 March 2015
• Last updated: 26 June 2015 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Recreation and leisure
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
• Opened: 11 March 2015
• Closed: 22 June 2015

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
22 June 2015	Undertakings in lieu accepted
29 May 2015	Decision published
11 May 2015	Decision announced
11 March 2015	Launch of merger inquiry
11 March to 25 March 2015	Invitation to comment

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

22 June 2015: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference under the Enterprise Act 2002 for the anticipated acquisition by Greene King plc of Spirit Pub Company plc. A copy of the undertakings and the decision can be found below.

• UIL acceptance decision (26.6.15)
• Greene King final undertakings (22.6.15)
• News story: CMA accepts undertakings in Greene King/Spirit merger (22.6.15)

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: Now closed

4 June 2015: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by Greene King plc of Spirit Pub Company plc.

• Notice of consultation (4.6.15)
• Greene King proposed undertakings (4.5.16)
• Press release: CMA invites comments on Greene King pub sales (4.6.15)

CMA to consider undertakings offered

26 May 2015: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Greene King plc, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. A copy of the notice is available below.

• Notice to consider undertakings offered (29.5.15)
• CMA news story: CMA to look in detail at Greene King proposed undertakings (26.5.15)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

11 May 2015: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (29.5.15)
• Press release: Pubs merger faces phase 2 investigation unless suitable undertakings offered (11.5.15)

Launch of merger inquiry

11 March 2015: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (11.3.15)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

11 March 2015: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Cleo Alliston

Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

[email protected]

Published 11 March 2015
Last updated 26 June 2015 + show all updates

1. 26 June 2015

   Undertakings in lieu acceptance decision published.

2. 11 March 2015

   First published.