A Northern Ireland pub chain has bought back bars it sold in a multi-million-pound sale and leaseback deal just two years ago.
Botanic Inns repurchased five of the 11 Belfast properties that were hived off and sold to property investors when Jas Mooney sold the chain in January 2004.
The five - Apartment, the Fly, McHugh's, Ryan's and the Parador - have been bought back for more than €14.5 million.
Stephen Magorrian - who acquired Botanic Inns but not the bricks and mortar in which the bars operated from Mr Mooney - said the reacquisition of the property assets was part of an strategy to streamline the company and put it on a footing for further growth.
It is believed the six bars operated but not owned by Botanic could also be bought back at a later date.
PA
