British pub group Mitchells & Butlers is understood to be sizing up expansion opportunities across Ireland, with up to six potential locations already thought to have been identified in Cork and Dublin.

Britain’s biggest banks saw shares slide today as fears over the eurozone debt crisis were compounded by a far-reaching debt downgrade of Spanish banks.

Two of Britain’s biggest pub chains will reveal this week whether April’s washout weather hit sales, while bakers chain Greggs will be quizzed about how it plans to deal with the so-called pasty tax.

Mitchells & Butlers — the British-based pub and restaurant owner, in which John Magnier and JPMcManus hold a significant stake — has reported a 4.4% year-on-year increase in sales for the first 17 weeks of its current financial year.

BRITAIN’s largest pub owner, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) — which counts Irish businessmen John Magnier and JP McManus as shareholders — has reported a 5% increase in annual revenue and a return to profitability.

THE boardroom turmoil at Harvester owner, Mitchells & Butlers, intensified yesterday when its interim boss became the latest leader to call time on the troubled company.

IRISH financiers John Magnier and JP McManus are being linked with a takeover bid for the British pub group, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), which could value the business at more than £1.7 billion (€1.9bn).

Shares pressure in the retail sector weighed on the FTSE 100 Index today as a mixed session on Wall Street also hit stocks.

Strong gains in the retail sector helped London’s blue-chip share index return to positive territory during a buoyant final session of the week today.

The FTSE 100 Index was dragged lower today as continued fears over the pace of economic recovery offset the impact of merger and acquisition activity in the oil and gas sector.

Budget hotel chain Travelodge stepped up its expansion today with the addition of 52 hotels from pubs and restaurant group Mitchells & Butlers.

The London market edged lower today as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of Alistair Darling's imminent Budget announcement.

British department store chain Debenhams today named its successor to retail veteran John Lovering, who is stepping down after seven years as chairman.

FINANCIERS John Magnier and JP McManus are to oppose the re-election of the board of directors of British pub group Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) at the company’s annual general meeting later today.

BRITISH pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) – in which Irish financiers John Magnier and JP McManus are significant shareholders – said trading has been strong since the start of its current financial year, at the end of September.

MANAGEMENT at British pub and restaurant owner, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is preparing a submission to the British Panel on Takeovers and Mergers regarding what it sees as an attempt by some of the group’s largest shareholders to force control of its board.

The FTSE 100 Index roared to its highest close since last October today as strong banking results and a renewed surge from mining stocks cheered investors.

The FTSE 100 Index set a new high for the year today after bumper profits fuelled hopes the worst may be over for the beleaguered banking sector.

The FTSE 100 Index endured a second day of losses after amid continued doubts over the US Government’s bank bail-out plans today.

Airline stocks were under pressure in London today after warnings of losses from budget carrier Ryanair.

Harvester owner, British company Mitchells & Butlers today said it had grown market share as more customers opted for cheaper pub meals in the economic downturn.

Pub group Punch Taverns today called off all talks about a potential deal with rival Mitchells & Butlers.

Embattled British pubs group Mitchells & Butlers today confirmed talks to buy the managed pub business from its rival and former takeover suitor Punch Taverns.

British Airways suffered share price misery today in the wake of the high-profile problems hitting the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Recent volatility in housebuilding shares continued today following the release of downbeat price data from building society Nationwide.

Walkabout owner Regent Inns said today it saw no signs of a trading revival last month as the impact of the smoking ban hit home and customers reined in spending.

Crisis-hit Northern Rock will be booted out of the FTSE 100 Index on Christmas Eve under the biggest overhaul of the index since the September 11 terrorist attacks, it was confirmed today.

Stricken bank Northern Rock was today named as one of seven blue chip firms set for relegation from the FTSE 100 Index in its biggest shake-up since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The FTSE 100 Index is heading for its biggest shake up since the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks as companies feel the force of the global credit crunch.

The London market failed to extend its three-day rally today after a nervous session for shares in the leisure and mining sectors.

MITCHELL & BUTLERS, the Birmingham-based pub and restaurant owner in which Irish financiers John Magnier and JP McManus hold an interest, has reported a slight fall — 0.5% — in pre-tax profits to £207 million (€289m) for the year to the end of September.

Shares Alliance & Leicester powered 15% higher today after soothing investors with a reassuring trading statement.

The FTSE 100 Index lost more than 1% today despite the emergence of a potential saviour for troubled mortgage lender Northern Rock.

Beleaguered mortgage lender Northern Rock’s shares soared nearly 30% on the FTSE today after a Virgin-led team was unveiled as the preferred choice to rescue the firm.

UK pubs giant Punch Taverns today poured cold water on speculation it was in talks over a £5bn (€7bn) merger deal with the owner of bar chain All Bar One.

News of a possible multi-billion pound bid for mining giant Rio Tinto helped offset steep early session losses on the London market today.

Mining stocks came to the rescue of the London market today after BHP Billiton confirmed its interest in a tie-up with blue-chip rival Rio Tinto.

Strong first half results from Unilever and Barclays helped steer the London market into positive territory today.

Mining stocks led a rally for blue-chip stocks as the London market reversed losses seen earlier in the session.

British pub group All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers offered hope to the under-pressure pubs sector today with news of a recent sales surge.

FROM a high of £2.57 in August, Mitchell and Butlers’ share price has underperformed the wider British market by 11% over the past month.

British Airways and directories business Yell were preparing to win promotion to London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 Index today, with the latest quarterly reshuffle set to be announced later this week.

UK entrepreneur Hugh Osmond will make a hostile bid for the leisure group Six Continents if his proposed offer is rebuffed, it emerged today.

UK pubs entrepreneur Hugh Osmond is planning a takeover bid for hotels and pubs chain Six Continents, it was confirmed today.