Pinewood & Shepperton Studios looking into the possibility of a flotation or sale

UK film studios Pinewood & Shepperton, home to James Bond, have hired investment bank Cazenove to look into the possibility of a flotation or sale, sources familiar with the company said on Friday.

The studios, based in the outskirts of London, have often been mooted for an initial public offering, with UK bank HSBC at the helm.

However, the company and its private equity majority shareholder 3i have now hired Cazenove to evaluate its options, which could also include a sale to trade buyers, the sources said.

"At the moment, the discussions are about whether or not an IPO is possible," said one source. "If that`s not the case, then they`ll have discussions about whether a trade sale is possible or not."

Another source said the company had a potential enterprise value, or market value plus debt, in the region of 200 million to 250 million pounds.

Ivan Dun Leavey, the company`s chief executive, declined to comment on the prospects of an IPO.

"We are busy running our business and getting on with day to day activities," he said.

"We are very pleased with how it (the business) is working," he added.

Cazenove declined to comment.

The studios boast 36 stages and back-lots, along with digital television studio facilities, audio post production and production support services.

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