CMA investigates Marston’s and Carlsberg £780m merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an inquiry into the proposed joint venture between Carlsberg UK and Marston’s over concerns of lessening competition.

The initial merger was announced back in May with a proposed deal to form a 60:40 joint venture in the UK called Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company. It will see both companies inject their brewing and distribution assets into the new beer company, which will have a combined value of £780 million.

A phase 1 investigation has been launched into the merger as the competition body will consider whether the deal constitutes a relevant merger situation under the provision of the Enterprise Act 2002.

The CMA will be looking into whether the merger will result in a “substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services”.

Comments from any interested party are invited by the CMA and should be provided by 2 September.