UK pubs are continuing to be shuffled between owners with Mitchells & Butlers the latest chain about to shed some of its smaller units to willing buyers.

M&B wants to focus on its big dining outlets rather than smaller drinks-led pubs. About 100 outlets are tipped to be going for as much as £120m.

The reshaping of the pub industry has seen a huge volume of pubs change hands in the past few years as pub operators churn their estates and refocus on particular niches.

Smaller managed pubs are increasingly being turned over to tenancies, particularly if they are not food orientate or do not have the potential to increase food sales.

Regional brewer and pub operator Wolverhampton & Dudley also has plans to sell pubs, again about 100 are going. These outlets are also bottom-end units, although already tenanted.

In the past week there have also been reports that Laurel, the chain owned by the previous suitor of M&B Robert Tchenguiz, is looking to shed about 150 pubs. Luminar was tipped as a possible buyer but City analysts think this unlikely.

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Expansion is key to success for Wolverhampton & Dudley >>

By Andrew Sangster

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