BRUSSELS, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Heineken NV is closingin on its acquisition of some 1,900 pubs in Britain after aninvestment vehicle linked to the Dutch brewer increased itsstake in Punch Taverns.
Heineken and partner Patron Capital agreed to buy and breakup Punch at 180 pence per share for a total of 403 millionpounds ($502 million) and have already won over Punch's boardand its top three shareholders representing 52.3 percent of itsshares.
Heineken said in a statement on Monday that VineAcquisitions Ltd, the bid vehicle of Heineken and Patron, hadbuilt up a stake of about 28.5 percent of Punch by Feb. 3.
Heineken is paying some 305 million pounds for its sharesand assumed intercompany debt and will take on some 1,900 pubs.Real estate investor Patron will have more than 1,300 sites.
Heineken and Patron's joint bid appeared a near certaintylast week after potential rival Emerald Investment Partners saidit had decided not to make a takeover offer.
Punch shareholders will meet on Feb. 10 to vote on the deal,which is seen closing in the first half of the year. ($1 = 0.8021 pounds) (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Adrian Croft)
