The Leicester brewer Everard is to concentrate on its new strategy of building its tenanted house business and is looking to acquire a number of new sites this year.

Reports suggest that it has put aside £20m to extend its 130-outlet tenanted estate with the acquisition of a number of pubs in the Leicester area.

Everard used to run 40 managed pubs until last year. It transferred 30 of these and sold a number to Noble House. It is now ready to add to its tenanted estate.

Last year Everard acquired five new sites, including one pub with its own microbrewery.