Cheshire retailer Pets at Home is planning a £1.5bn float on the stock exchange, according to reports.

Sky News reports owner private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) has appointed a group of investment banks to lead the listing on the stock exchange for the Handforth-based company, which could happen as soon as the first quarter of 2014.

The buyout group has appointed its in-house capital markets division alongside Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Nomura to oversee the listing, according to Sky.

Pets at Home was bought by KKR in 2010 for £995m.

In August it reported turnover nearing the £600m mark as well as EBITDA of more than £100m.

Pets At Home declined to comment on the reports.