UK luxury chocolate maker and retailer Thorntons has confirmed that it is in preliminary takeover discussions with Christopher Burnett, executive chairman of the company.

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Thorntons said that, following the approach from Burnett, the company is in talks that may or may not lead to a cash offer being made for Thorntons by a special purpose vehicle at 185p per ordinary share.


The company emphasised that these talks are at an early stage and that this proposal remains subject to a number of pre-conditions, including the commitment of funding for any offer, satisfactory due diligence and a recommendation from the independent directors, all of which must be satisfied before an offer can be made.

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