MidOcean Partners, the private equity firm, plans to aggressively expand Laurel Pub Company of the UK in preparation for a flotation within two years.

Laurel, which owns the Hogs Head and Pitcher & Piano chains, will combine some of the proceeds from last week's sale to Greene King and the refinancing of its own estate to almost triple the business. The 180 pubs, currently worth £150m (€225m) to £200m could be worth up to £600m.