A pub group has been bought out by the owner of the Slug and Lettuce and Walkabout chains in a £1.28 billion deal.
Solihull-based Ei Group, which was previously known as Enterprise Inns and is the UK's largest pub owner, has 4,400 pubs and properties across the country and is now part of Stonegate.
Luton-based Stonegate, which also owns Yates and Common Rooms among other brands, was set up by private equity firm TDR Capital in 2010 as a vehicle to buy 333 pubs from Birmingham-based Mitchells & Butlers.
The company has subsequently spent £350 million on expansions and now has more than 765 sites following 11 acquisitions in the last nine years.
Chairman Ian Payne said: "We look forward to working with Ei Group and its publicans to support future growth and create stronger pubs at the heart of communities across the UK."
Robert Walker, chairman of Ei Group, added: "The commercial benefits of combining the companies are compelling.
"Stonegate is committed to continuing to invest in the business for the future benefit of the combined business, tenants and employees.
"The board believes this is a combination it can recommend with confidence to shareholders and stakeholders alike."
The deal is set to be put to a vote of Ei Group shareholders but is unlikely to face any opposition, with the board recommending the deal.
Last month, TDR Capital bought BCA Marketplace, the owner of online marketplace We Buy Any Car, for £1.9 billion last month.
