Marston’s has announced a deal that will see it operate 156 Brains pubs in Wales. The combination of leased and management contract arrangements consists of a freehold estate of 86 managed and 55 tenanted pubs, together with a leasehold estate of 15 managed pubs and bars. It employs around 1,300 people. Marston’s already has 106 pubs in Wales but plans to continue to operate the existing 156 Brains pubs under the Brains brand. Marston’s will operate the 141 freehold pubs on a leasehold basis from February 2021, with rent chargeable from April 2021. The majority of these will be on long lease agreements of 25 years. The deal is set to complete in February 2021.