Boparan close to total Northern Foods ownership

WEST Bromwich entrepreneur Ranjit Boparan will force the remaining Northern Foods shareholders to give up their interest in the firm after securing more than 90% backing for his takeover.

The poultry entrepreneur has issued compulsory acquisition notices to shareholders at the Leeds based firm who have so far not taken up his 73p per share offer.

This will allow the Harry Ramsden owner to take complete ownership of the firm next month.

Mr Boparan already has control of 91.27% of Northern Foods shares either through ownership or from having had his offer accepted.

He triumphed in a battle with Irish food firm Greencore to take control of Northern Foods with a bid valuing the company at around £342m.

Last year he bought the iconic Harry Ramsden chain of fish and chip restaurants from Sweden-based private equity firm EQT Partners.