Mohamed Al Fayed revealed as Pinewood suitor

ke02ewwke02eww USPosts: 2,063MI6 Agent
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13159161


21 April 2011 Last updated at 12:09 ET Share this pageEmailPrint
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Mohamed Al Fayed revealed as Pinewood suitor

Mr Al Fayed said that 'there can be no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming'
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Mohamed Al Fayed has revealed himself as the rival suitor for the Pinewood Shepperton film studio.

"Mr Al Fayed confirms he is considering making an all-cash offer for Pinewood," said the Egyptian businessman in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

"There can be no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming."

Any offer would be in competition to an £87.8m takeover bid made earlier this month by Peel Holdings, a company run by billionaire investor John Whittaker.

British films
Peel Holdings has offered 190 pence per share for the 75-year-old film studio company.

But as of lunchtime on Thursday, Pinewood's shares had rallied 18% to 223p per share since the company first revealed on Wednesday that it had been approached by a possible second buyer.

Peel has recently sold the Trafford Centre to Capital Shopping Centres for £1.6bn and has already built a 29.78% stake in Pinewood.

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Pinewood Shepperton
LAST UPDATED AT 21 APR 2011, 11:30 ET

During 2010, Pinewood filmed the fourth instalment of the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise, the final Harry Potter film and an adaptation of Jane Eyre.

Pinewood has studios in Buckinghamshire, and at Shepperton and Teddington in Middlesex.

Last month, Pinewood unveiled a 31% rise in pre-tax profits to £5.8m, and said it was looking to the future with "confidence" despite a poor economic climate.

The firm also unveiled an investment plan for small-budget British films.

The company will target films with production budgets of about £2m each and will invest equity up to 20% per film.

Comments

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,443Chief of Staff
    Great - we can all look forward to a lovely statue of Michael Jackson outside Pinewood Studios now ! :#
    YNWA 97
  • ke02ewwke02eww USPosts: 2,063MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Great - we can all look forward to a lovely statue of Michael Jackson outside Pinewood Studios now ! :#

    If that's the worst that happens....

    Of course he may want to rename the 007 stage neverland.... :s
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,443Chief of Staff
    ke02eww wrote:
    If that's the worst that happens....

    You say that now...!!....but go ask Fulham FC fans just how much they like their Jackson statue :))
    ke02eww wrote:
    Of course he may want to rename the 007 stage neverland.... :s


    Or perhaps Bond will just wear the one white glove ? 8-)
    YNWA 97
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,636MI6 Agent
    There's some money that I'd rather not have...and al Fayed's would fit that description. Nothing from him comes without strings attached and everything with which he is associated gets tarnished. I can only imagine what would happen if he bought Pinewood. He certainly would not be happy to sit back, produce sounds business plans and reap the benefits of his investment. Instead, we'd probably have Dodi appear as the hero in the next Bond film and Michael Jackson as his side-kick!
  • WildeWilde Oxford, UKPosts: 621MI6 Agent
    Instead, we'd probably have Dodi appear as the hero in the next Bond film and Michael Jackson as his side-kick!

    Somewhat disrespectful, but understood and agreed.

    Regards,
    Wilde -{
  • little nellylittle nelly London, EnglandPosts: 152MI6 Agent
    There's some money that I'd rather not have...and al Fayed's would fit that description. Nothing from him comes without strings attached and everything with which he is associated gets tarnished.

    Spot on. We don't want this fruitcake anywhere near Bond.
    N O I N F O R M A T I O N I S U S E L E S S
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