Another high profile private equity buyout collapsed today when it emerged that UK discount fashion chain Matalan had ended talks regarding a potential sale of the business.

Private equity firms Advent International, TPG Capital and Warburg Pincus had been touted as potential bidders for the operation, but reports suggested there was disagreement over pricing. The Sunday Telegraph said one firm was willing to pay up to £1.3bn (€1.5bn) but the seller, entrepreneur John Hargreaves, was holding out for £1.5bn.