Hobbycraft Owner Eyes Up Further Acquisitions

Modella Capital, the private equity firm that took on Hobbycraft last August is in talks to buy The Original Factory Shop and WHSmith.

Duke Street, the current owners of The Original Factory Shop, which has 180 stores around the UK, has been exploring a sale of the discount chain for a number of years, but after advisors from Teneo were brought in last December, a sale is expected in a matter of days, according to Sky News.

Modella Capital has made a bid to buy The Original Factory Shop after talks with Baaj Capital (owner of In The Style) stalled last week.

It is not the only acquisition Modella Capital is looking at, with the private equity firm said to be one of a number of suitors for the WHSmith high street retail estate.

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