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Garden centre chain Dobbies set for showdown with major investor

May 9 2008 by Tony McDonough, icNorthWest

Garden centre chain Dobbies is set for a legal clash with billionaire entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter over its plans to raise £150m from shareholders.

Sir Tom, who owns 29.9% of the chain, is attempting to block an open offer announced by the Midlothian-based group in April to strengthen its balance sheet and fund expansion.

Supermarket giant Tesco owns 65% of the chain after a £155.6m takeover deal last year, although Sir Tom said at the time the deal undervalued the business.

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