Thwaites selling 14 pubs

Lancashire-based pubco Daniel Thwaites is selling 14 of its pubs with a combined asking price of nearly £4m.

Nine of the sites are in the Manchester area, four in Leeds and one in Birmingham. All are freeholds, expect for one which is a leasehold.

It follows a major investment programme which has seen Thwaites purchase six new flagship sites.

Chris Wright, Thwaite's property manager, said: "Following a strategic review, a number of public houses no longer fit the company profile and the company have taken the decision to sell.

"In order to grow and develop the estate it is inevitable that sometimes pubs will be made available."

Commenting on the specific sites, Tim Martin of Fleurets, which is handling the sales said: "These pubs are sure to generate a great deal of interest in the market place - they represent a wide range of properties - some occupying good trading positions within town centres such as The Kings Head at Heywood, while others such as The Seven Stars at Wigan may attract purchasers who would be prepared to pay a premium for the development opportunities this site could offer."

He added: "We have not ruled out the possibility that there may be some purchasers who wish to try and buy the properties as a package."