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.