Focus Wickes going public

Focus Wickes intends to go public. Analysts estimate the group to be worth between £ 1.2 bn and £ 1.5 bn (€ 1.94 to € 2.43). According to unanimous but unconfirmed press reports, listing on the stock market is planned for June or July, or the end of the third quarter of 2002 at the latest. At present the investment company Duke Street Capital holds 55 per cent of the shares, the group’s founder and chairman Bill Archer has around 20 per cent, and finance director Geoff Wilson around three per cent. It seems possible that Homebase is also planning a flotation, according to a report from Reuters.