Regent Inns in sale talks

January 16, 2007: Regent Inns has revealed that it is in the early stages of discussions with potential purchasers, with a number of preliminary approaches having been made.

The company says that since its annual meeting statement of December 3 it has continued to experience experience "more challenging market conditions against a background of a difficult consumer market generally".

The company's board has emphasised, however, that the approaches are at an early stage and "may or may not lead to an offer or offers being made for the entire issued share capital of the company".

Regent Inns' share price has been rising recently, and today Jersey-based investment company Sanne Trust increased its stake in Regent Inns from nearly 9% to just over 14.5%.