Automobile Association members are understood to be voting strongly in favour of accepting Centrica's £1.1 billion sterling (€1.67 billion) offer for Britain's largest breakdown operation. Votes are already pouring into the AA, ahead of next Wednesday's deadline for postal votes. People can also vote in person at a special general meeting at the London Arena on Sept 16th.
Centrica, the demerged domestic supply arm of British Gas, is seeking to add to its expanding household services business which already sells electricity and offers credit card, home insurance, plumbing, air conditioning and mobile phone services.
Two-thirds of AA members voting will need to support the deal if the offer is to go ahead. Only the AA's 4.6 million eligible members - mostly personal members - are allowed to vote.
Total membership of the roadside recovery service, including families of members and those in corporate schemes, is 9.6 million. Eligible members, only, will each receive £240 sterling if the offer is approved. The organisation has 185,000 members in the Republic, about 90,000 of whom will receive the cash payment.
Financial advisers to the AA, despite the strong support for the offer, are concerned not give the impression that the deal has already been approved causing remaining members to believe that they have no need to vote.
A high turn out is wanted to give the AA's management, which is supporting the deal, confidence that it has the overwhelming backing of members.
