Dolphin to swoop on Wolseley’s Bathstore?

Retail bathroom chain Dolphin is one of the names in the frame to acquire the Bathstore chain from builders and plumbers merchant group Wolseley, according to speculation.

Wolseley is reported to be hoping for between £70m and £90m for the retail chain, one of 19 Wolseley brands believed to be in danger of disposal.

The Independent newspaper today (December 7) reports that Sunform European Partners, the equity firm that owns the Homeform Group, is believed to have held first-stage talks with Wolseley. Homeform owns Dolphin Bathrooms, Sharps Bedrooms and Moben Kitchens.

However, Sunform is not believed to be the only private equity firm interested in acquiring the 164-store chain.

Wolseley has stated before that it never comments on speculation on matters such as this.