According to a report in The Observer newspaper on Sunday, Spirit, the pub operator backed by Texas Pacific and Blackstone, has tabled a £2.6 billion bid for the pubs and hotels division of brewer, Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) which the company has put up for sale.

The offer is thought to put Spirit in a strong position in the bidding contest which is known to be between three parties. The successful bidder is expected to be named by the end of the week. Included in the operation up for sale are 1,400 pubs.

Just Drinks Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Drinks Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
De Kuyper Royal Distillers’ De Kuyper Batched 0.0% range has won both Innovation and Product Launches honours in the 2025 Just Drinks Excellence Awards. Learn how these premium, non-alcoholic RTD cocktails help operators serve consistent, bar-quality drinks while tapping fast-growing demand for sophisticated alcohol-free options.

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