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A-Rosa owner ‘in talks to buy Great Rail Journeys’

A private equity firm is in talks to buy escorted train tours company Great Rail Journeys, according to reports.

Duke Street Capital, which acquired German river cruise operator A-Rosa in January, has entered negotiations with Great Rail Journeys (GRJ) over a deal expected to be worth around £100 million, Sky News reports.

Duke Street Capital has been investing in companies across western Europe for more than 20 years.

In addition to A-Rosa, the equity firm is also behind the Wagamama restaurant chain and indoor go-karting operator Team Sport.

GRJ was set up as Mac’s Tours by Ian Macbeth and Howard Trinder, both British Rail workers, more than 40 years ago.

The operator announced earlier this month that it had chartered three Amadeus river cruise ships which it will have exclusively for itineraries in 2019.

GRJ declined to comment.

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