Hammerson raid

FEARED hedge fund Elliott has taken a 1.5pc stake in shopping centre firm hammerson – piling fresh pressure on its beleaguered boss David Atkins.

it will lead to speculation that Elliott is plotting change at hammerson to boost its profits. hammerson, whose estate includes the Bullring in Birmingham, had to abandon a £21bn merger with rival intu after a backlash from investors.

it was a personal humiliation for Atkins, 52, who had championed the deal.

Elliott’s investment was revealed last night. Shares rose 4pc, or 20.6p, to 540p.