Sir Tom Hunter may go head to head with Apax Partners in a fight for Dobbies Garden Centres. The Times

The AIM-listed gardening chain confirmed takeover talks with the private equity firm.

Hunter holds a 10.6% stake in the Scottish company and has led consolidation in the sector, having spearheaded the £445m acquisition of Wyevale Garden Centres, Britain’s biggest chain of garden centres, last year, and the £30m takeover of Blooms of Bressingham, its smaller rival, this year.