PricewaterhouseCoopers has been appointed administrator of Cains, after the beer company complained of cash flow difficulties resulting from the smoking ban.

The administration will be jointly led by David Chubb, Ian Green and Craig Livesey.

Cains Beer operates a chain of 100 pubs, including 26 freehold and 76 leasehold pubs, most of which are managed houses.

In addition to new smoking laws, a reduction in consumer expenditure in the leisure sector is cited as the cause of unpaid debt to HM Revenue & Customs.

According to Chubb, Cains Beer is a well-established business with a strong brand, and he’s confident the continuation of trade is feasible over the coming months.

‘We have already received some early indications of interest and we would also invite any parties interested in acquiring either the brewery or pub chain businesses to contact us as soon as possible,’ he said.