SHAREHOLDERS of Holland’s Pies owner Northern Foods have been sent the takeover offer from the tycoon behind Harry Ramsden’s.

Boparan Holdings, which is owned by Ranjit Boparan and runs the fish and chip shops, wants to buy Leeds-based Northern in a £342million deal.

The takeover has been recommended by Northern bosses, who have spurned a possible merger with the Irish food business Greencore.

The offer from Boparan to Northern shareholders says: “BH Acquisitions believes that its offer of 73p in cash per Northern Foods share is a highly attractive offer.”

Northern shareholders have until March 2 to accept the deal that Boparan has tabled.

It is unclear what impact the Boparan takeover would have on Holland’s Pies, which employs more than 300 at its site in Blackburn Road, Baxenden.