What the papers say - May 10, 2007

Marston's, the Midlands brewer and pub operator, is poised to announce today the sale of 279 of its tenanted pubs for around £80 million to AIM, the property investment firm backed by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, and Simon Cowell, the pop impresario. The deal is intended to serve as a foundation for an empire of more than 1,500 pubs to be built up over the next few years - The Times​

Kentucky Fried Chicken, the American fried-food giant, has contacted the licensees of a remote pub to inform them that they are committing a grave infringement of trademark. Tan Hill Inn offers a "Family Feast" menu just once a year and is the highest pub in England, at 1,732ft above sea level - The Times, The Mirror​

Booker, the cash and carry chain, is returning to the stock market via a reverse takeover by Blueheath, a grocery wholesaler. Blueheath has conditionally agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of Giant Topco Limited, the holding company of Booker Group, through the issue of 1.34bn new ordinary shares in the acquiring company - The Financial Times​

C&C, owners of the Magners cider brand, saw its annual profit rise to record levels after its sales were boosted by the hottest summer in years and an increase in demand surrounding the football World Cup. The Dublin-based company, which also owns spirits and soft drinks brands, reported a 77 per cent increase in operating profit from €119.6m (£81.28m) to €212.6m (£144.49m) - The Financial Times​

The on-off float of Capital Pub Company is back on track after the unbranded pubs group appointed two new financial advisers. Capital, led by David Bruce, the man who founded the Firkin chain of pubs, has appointed Grant Thornton to be its nominated adviser and boutique advisory house Fairfax to be its broker. It is believed the new advisory team are working towards a float on the junior Aim market before the summer break - The Telegraph​