The Australian bank interested in buying the London Stock Exchange, Macquarie, is now trying to buy the most profitable British chain of bingo clubs. They are offering £90 million for the company that owns and operates this bingo, but it is not the only offer placed to acquire Beacon Bingo as a part of Thomas Holdings.

Some other strong contenders are Hermes Private Equity and Barclays Private Equity, also short listed for the auction. Hermes are already part of the bingo industry, after their acquisition of Mayfair Bingo, formerly owned by Risk Capital Partners.

And this is not the first demonstration of interest in British businesses from Macquarie. Last year they paid £225 million for a ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and also tried to acquire Fitness First, the health clubs, but failed.

The investment bank Close Brothers has been appointed by Thomas Holdings to consider the offers and explore their best possibilities.