Pub group Mitchells & Butlers yesterday said it had replaced its CEO Alistair Darby with insider Phil Urban as it warned weak trading would push full-year profit to the bottom end of forecasts.

British pub and restaurant owner Mitchells & Butlers is understood to have scrapped plans to expand into Ireland.

Pubs and brewing group Marston’s today boosted its premium ale offering after buying Hampshire brewer Ringwood for £19.2m (€28.3m).