A Wickes Cos. unit in Europe will go public.

Wickes PLC, a London-based division that sells timber, building materials and home improvement products in England, Holland and Belgium, plans to sell about 15% of the company on Britain’s equivalent of the over-the-counter market early next year. Bill Mallory, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Santa Monica-based Wickes, the British company’s parent, said the offering was considered to be “the most economical way to raise capital” in the local currency. The unit accounts for about 3% of Wickes’ revenue.