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Sweet Dreams for Mike Clare

by Matthew Rock - Monday, 3rd March 2008 -

Sweet Dreams for Mike Clare

Mike Clare, founder of Dreams, is mulling a sale or stockmarket flotation of his bed retailer at a rumoured £200m to £500m.

Entrepreneur and Dreams founder Mike Clare is rumoured to be considering a float or a sale of his 17-store bed retail chain. One report suggests a £500m flotation; another a £200m sale to private equity firm Exponent.

Clare, 52, is a member of an elite club of entrepreneurs who have built a fast-growing business while retaining a 100 per cent stake in the company. So any sale or float would net him and his wife Carol a huge fortune. Since launching Dreams in 1985, the former furniture salesman has transformed a one-shop business in Uxbridge into Britain’s largest independent bed specialist without a single share passing into others' hands.

Mike Clare is also one of the most likeable and approachable entrepreneurs you could ever wish to meet. Having said which, it's only fair to remind him of a quote he gave to Real Business three years ago: “I have five children, and I would no more sell Dreams than Thomas, Edward, Rebecca or Hannah”.

Watch out kids, your time's up.

Read Mike Clare profile here.

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Interest rates cut to 1.5 per cent

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Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Valentine’s Day PR puff is starting already

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 4:54pm GMT

My views on Valentine’s Day are well documented.

Do you have a moral compass?

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 3:40pm GMT

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By Rebecca Burn-Callander - January 06, 2009 5:41pm GMT

Clive Payne has invented a new fitness product. Having turned down a contract with a big American manufacturer, he's decided to launch it himself. Week by week, he will document his progress. We're going to follow him!

The future's not so bright

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - January 05, 2009 4:22pm GMT

The only thing going up in 2009, aside from unemployment, will be sales of antidepressants, says Professor Marvin Zonis

Depressing days and Dave's Big Idea.

By Catherine Woods - January 05, 2009 4:15pm GMT

It comes as no surprise to me that today is considered the most stressful day of the year. I wonder if David Cameron feels the same after his big saving announcement?

Business Comment 

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