JD Sports ends JJB bid interest

JD Sports Fashion has abandoned interest in a takeover of JJB Sports after claiming its ailing rival had snubbed its requests for information.

With JJB working on its own survival plan, JD said it had not received a response from JJB that would have helped it proceed with its approach.

JD, whose interest in JJB was revealed in February, said: “Despite requests made with a view to enabling it to put forward alternative proposals for the future of the JJB business, since the beginning of February JD Sports Fashion has received no further information whatsoever from JJB Sports.”

Under its latest restructuring plan, Wigan-based JJB is offering landlords a sweetener of up to £7.5 million if they accept a deal that could see 89 stores close as it battles to stave off administration.

A deal with JD would have created one of the biggest high street chains in Britain.