TalkTalk founder and Ares eye consumer arm as Opus deal stalls

The founder of TalkTalk and the broadband group's biggest lender are exploring a move to take control of its consumer-facing operations after discussions with an external bidder faltered. Sky News has learnt that an exclusivity period granted to Opus Broadband to negotiate the acquisition of TalkTalk's retail arm expired earlier this week. City sources said the exclusivity would not be extended but added that TalkTalk remained in contact with Opus, which had lined up the private equity firm Alchemy Partners to help fund a deal.