Molton Brown may be taken over

LUXURY beauty products’ maker Molton Brown was yesterday reported to have received a takeover approach from venture capitalists.

The London-based firm is believed to be a target of Langholm Capital, which counts consumer products giant Unilever and leisure group Whitbread among its investors.

The move triggered approaches from a host of other private equity firms and an auction could see Molton Brown valued at around €215 million.

Molton Brown, which was founded as an avant-garde hair studio in 1973, trades from 19 locations in Britain.