Alphyra, the electronic payments firm, has agreed to buy a majority stake in PayPoint, which runs a network of electronic payment terminals installed in UK stores, for £80m.
Alphyra's stake is being acquired from the BT Group and EDF Energy, a unit of French state-owned Electricite de France. Alphyra is backed by Benchmark Capital.
PayPoint terminals are installed in more than 10,000 UK retailers such as newsagents and convenience stores. Over three million people use the system every week for paying bills to companies such as BT and British Gas, part of Centrica.
