Pubs chains, including Chef & Brewer and T&J Bernard, are to go on sale as part of a £2 billion disposal by owner Scottish & Newcastle (S&N).
The Edinburgh-based company is thought to want to offload its retail division, which also features the Premier Lodge budget hotel business, so it can expand its brewing business and strengthen its balance sheet.
An announcement on the proposed sale may come in a trading statement today.
S&N had originally pledged to sell a smaller number of its pubs in order to raise cash. Its retail arm, with 1,400 sites, includes a large number of unbranded pubs.
The sale of the retail division will enable S&N to seek further acquisitions to build up a brewing division that makes John Smith's and Foster's through its Scottish Courage subsidiary.
One possible target could be Carlsberg.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article