The watchdog made the recommendation after it previously identified “local concerns” about a monopoly, with fears that some areas could experience raised prices and lower quality products.
Stonegate intends to acquire Ei Group for £1.27bn, a move that would make the former the largest pub company in the country with around 5,000 sites.
In a notice issued today (9 January), it said the sale of 42 pubs “might be acceptable as a suitable remedy” to local competition concerns.
It assessed whether each of the pubs proposed by the companies were “saleable” and “likely to continue in operation after the divestment” and concluded they were.
The watchdog said it had seen evidence that there are “several potential suitable purchasers who have expressed an interest” in acquiring the pubs.
The CMA said previously it would clear the acquisition if local concerns in 51 areas were overcome as the takeover did not raise national competition concerns.
It said it had found “a limited number of local areas where significant concentration gives rise to significant competition concerns”, ranging from High Wycombe to Caerphilly.