Legal & General is refusing to comment on market speculation that its private-equity arm Legal & General Ventures is the frontrunner in the race to acquire a portfolio of 900 pubs being sold by Bass.
The pubs, which include the Hogshead and Dome chains, are likely to attract interest from both trade and financial bidders and are thought to be valued at £700m to £750m.
L&G Ventures is believed to be working with fellow private-equity company Candover. The pair worked together on the acquisition of Rank's holiday business which includes Butlin's and Haven.
