Irish supermarket chain Superquinn has reportedly "received expressions of interest" from British supermarkets, despite denying it is up for sale.

As reported by Reuters, investment bank Goldman Sachs handled the sale of investor Bernard McNamara’s 14.5 per cent stake in the chain in the spring, and “more than one” British supermarket has now approached the bank, according to a spokesman for Superquinn and its owners Select Retail Holdings (SRH).

He said: “There was a disposal earlier this year from one of the original investors and it would appear that on the back of that there have been some expressions of interest.” But he said SRH “is not actively looking to sell the business”.

Superquinn has been valued at €450 million (£358m) by Irish newspapers, which have also speculated that Asda and Waitrose are potential bidders.

Superquinn has 23 stores and a seven per cent share of the Irish grocery market.

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