The prospect of a takeover battle for department store group Beatties has been raised after the firm announced it had received another bid approach. Last week, Midlands-based Beatties said it had agreed to be bought by House of Fraser in a �69.4m ($122.1m) deal.
However, Beatties said on Monday it had received an approach from an unnamed firm which may lead to an offer.
Beatties said it continued to "unanimously recommend" the House of Fraser offer to shareholders.
In demand
At the weekend, the Mail on Sunday reported that Debenhams was considering launching a bid for the company. Debenhams declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the BBC on Monday.
In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Beatties said it had "recently received an unsolicited approach from a third party".
"There can be no certainty whether or not this will lead to an offer," the company added.
Beatties, which started as a draper's shop in Wolverhampton in 1877, currently operates 12 department stores in England.
Shares in Beatties closed up 6.5 pence at 170.5p.
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