UK: S&N to select three for short-list

According to press reports in the UK, the leading UK brewer, Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), will decide within the next three days which three of the parties bidding to buy its chain of pubs, restaurants and budget hotels will be selected for its final shortlist.

The company is looking to complete the sell-off, expected to raise around £2.3 billion, by the end of the year. Some 1,400 pubs are included in the package.

Second-round bidders were thought to include Pubmaster, Laurel Pub Company, Mitchells & Butlers, the gaming and leisure tycoon, Trevor Hemmings, and Pontins.

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