Birmingham-based pubs group Mitchells & Butlers yesterday clinched a deal to buy 239 pub restaurants from leisure group Whitbread for #497 million in a move to cash in on the growing demand for eating out in pubs.

The group, which has its headquarters in Fleet Street, is to spend #85 million over the next two years on converting the acquired Whitbread pubs, such as Brewers Fayre and Beefeater, to its own outlets.

Find out more in tomorrow's Birmingham Post.