DUNDEE BUSINESS MAN Jimmy Marr (pictured) is selling half of his east coast pubs and clubs empire in a deal understood to owe much to the smoking ban due to be implemented across Scotland in March, writes Ian Findlay, industrial reporter.

It was announced yesterday that Mr Marr, who with his brother Peter is a major shareholder in Dundee Football Club, is selling 18 outlets to the Globe Pub Company.

Neither side is saying how much the deal is worth, but it is understood to run in to several millions of pounds.

Mr Marr has said he will be using the cash realised from the sale to reduce bank debt and to re-invest in new business interests and his retained portfolio of 14 pubs and three nightclubs.

Yesterday’s announcement follows long-running speculation that such a move was on the cards.

The 18 outlets that are being sold are a mixture of community and sports brand pubs predominantly in the Dundee area.

Globe has appointed Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) to run the 18 outlets being acquired.

Mr Marr said yesterday he was “delighted” to have concluded the sale, which is expected to be completed on November 14.

“I know that S&NPE are extremely ambitious and I have been impressed by their vision for the growth and development of these popular establishments,” he commented.

Tellingly, he said that it was a “challenging time” for the licensed trade in Scotland with the impending smoking ban.

“While it was a difficult decision to sell a major part of a successful business which I have built over many years, the time was right to listen to offers which would ensure the future of these pubs, their employees and patrons,” he continued.

Mr Marr’s pubs and clubs empire stretches down the east coast from Peterhead to Kirkcaldy.

S&NPE operations and sales director for Scotland, Ken McGown, said the deal formed part of an active drive by the company to target a more diverse range of pubs.

“S&NPE is all about running pubs on behalf of its partners, and our growth strategy is inextricably linked to acquisitions, whether they be single pubs, small multiples or larger estates,” he said.

“This deal is yet another addition to our growing estate, which now stands at over 1650 throughout the UK.

“Specifically, the Jimmy Marr deal gives S&NPE the opportunity to drive competition and grow market share.”

Scottish Courage brands will benefit from the deal, securing a further 6000 barrels for the business.

The outlets in Dundee that are being sold are Bank Bar, Union Street; Campbeltown Bar, Hawkhill; Centenary, Clepington Road; Chambers Bar, Gellatly Street; Ferrari’s Bar, Ogilvie Street; John Barleycorn, Strathmartine Road; Old Horseshoe Bar, Commercial Street; West Port Bar, North Lindsay Street; All Stars, Commercial Street; and All Stars, Brook Street, Broughty Ferry.

The other sites are Imperial Bar, St Catherine Street, Cupar; Malt Mill, Holburn Street, Aberdeen; Millgate Bar, Millgate Loan, Arbroath; Tayport Arms, Nelson Street, Tayport; Coanes Bar, High Street, Johnstone; All Stars, East High Street, Forfar; All Stars, Market Place, Arbroath; and All Stars, Swan Street, Brechin.