SA Brain in deal to sell estate
The deal, which is currently close to being agreed according to reports by Sky News, is thought to see around 100 of the brewers pubs sold to Song Capital and Cerberus Capital.
Cerberus were previously involved in the pub sector after purchasing Admiral Taverns, before selling the business onto the C&C Group in 2017.
Song Capital was established by two real estate executives, Daniel MacKinnon, who previously worked with Punch Taverns founder Alan McIntosh, and Tom Pritchard.
Sky reported that the deal was expected to be signed in the coming days, although neither Cerberus or Song would respond to comments. SA Brain said it refused to comment on speculation.
The move follows in the wake of a deal SA Brain struck with leading pubco Marstons in 2020, which saw the Burton-on-Trent based business take on the leases of just over 100 of its pubs in the wake of challenges caused by the pandemic.
The deal with Cerberus and Song is unlikely to impact on that relationship, simply seeing a change of landlord for Marston’s which operates the majority of the SA Brain pubs on a 25 year lease.
The purchase, if agreed, is the latest in a series of deals for the pub sector which has seen Admiral snap up Hawthorn and a change of ownership of Punch Pubs following its purchase by Fortress Investment Group.
