• By John Harrington

Pub management company Publicana, which operates sites for major pubcos, is poised to go into insolvency, the Morning Advertiser understands.

The Blackpool-based firm was set up in 2007 and specialises in taking over under-performing venues and making them profitable again. The Morning Advertiser understands that it runs around 80 pubs.

Industry sources suggest that Begbies Traynor has been appointed at the administrator.

A new company, Norfolk-based GT Pubs, registered with Companies House on 18 March, is understood to be taking over management of the sites.

Publicana turned over £7m in 2007 and said it expected the figure to rise to £17m in 2009 and £35m in 2010. It has employed 20 full-time staff.