Assura takeover talks end

ASSURA, the Warrington-based healthcare property group, has said that its takeover talks have come to an end, without an offer being made for the company.

The firm had announced the possible takeover in January.

However, since then it has sold its GP business – where it partners with groups of GPs to form joint venture provider organisations – to Virgin Healthcare, retaining a 25% stake.

The company said the sale meant it could refocus on its core pharmacy and property businesses.

In March, Richard Burrell, Assura’s founder and chief executive, left the company.

The company’s first half results, announced in November revealed a strong increase in revenues and a pre-tax profit of £3.97m, compared with the massive £40.8m loss it suffered a year earlier.