The competition watchdog was due to publish its final decision into the partnership tomorrow (June 11) but announced today it had chosen to extend the date of its final decision by up to eight weeks, so as to “take full account of representations” received following the publishing of its provisional findings in April.

The CMA provisionally gave the go-ahead for the tie-up to take place, citing Deliveroo’s “deteriorated” financial position following the closure of the vast majority of the restaurant businesses it relies on due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the CMA sparked fury in retail circles when it subsequently blocked the proposed merger between footwear giant JD Sports and struggling high street footwear chain Footasylum in early May.