£300 million merger plotted between Cycling Weekly owner and Cyclist publisher

As reported earlier this month, the new owners of Time Inc UK and parent to Cycling Weekly look set to table a £300 million merger discussion with the publisher of Cyclist, Dennis Publishing.

If successful, the merger would more than likely be subject to approval by the Competition and Markets Authority. If passed, the publishing houses would merge, placing Cycling Weekly, MBR, Bikes ETC, Cyclist and all other assets under one portfolio.

Sky News reports that private equity biz Eperis (Time’s new backers) is at the “early stages” of examining a takeover of Dennis Publishing, founded by the late Felix Dennis.

The Dennis business has been on the market in recent months as the executors of the founder’s portfolio look to move the publisher and charity forwards. The London outfit is noted for its charitable efforts, with profits channeled toward The Heart of England Forest Charity, something that sees the firm’s staff planting trees all over the UK in an effort to offset its carbon footprint.

Sky suggests that information about the Dennis business has been sent out to potential partners, for which it is “very likely” Epiris is one.

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