MFG has been given conditional permission to integrate the majority of MRH’s sites (about 440 out of 490) into its business, while the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues to consider the merger, and under-takings proposed by MFG.

But the CMA has ruled that 52 MRH "hold separate" sites will still have to operate independently from MFG while its investigation continues. The CMA has identified 29 locations where MFG and MRH are close competitors and warn this could lead to consumers facing higher prices. However, two weeks ago it released a statement saying there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by MFG or a modified version of them might be accepted.

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