Regent Inns, the pub company, said today that it is still considering a number of bids after sales fell 11 per cent this year.

Companies whose names have been linked to a bid include Brook Leisure, the British nightclub operator, US buyout specialist Sun Capital Partners, Alchemy Partners, Jon Moulton’s private equity company, Novus Leisure, which owns the Tiger Tiger bar chain, and Laurel Pub Company, backed by Robert Tchenguiz, the Iranian-born entrepreneur.

The company said today that talks with potential offerors were ongoing, but there was no certainty an offer would be made.

The owner of Australian-themed Walkabout bars and Jongleurs comedy clubs has been hit by the smoking ban, falling consumer confidence and the increase in alcohol duty.

Regent said it has seen a like-for-like sales decline of 11 per cent in the period from 30 December 2007 to 14 May 2008.

The company said: “This downturn in sales has principally arisen in Walkabout, whilst Jongleurs has continued to trade robustly.”

Its restaurants business, mainly focused on the Old Orleans chain, has performed well, with steadily improving sales since the start of the year.

Regent’s share price was up 3 per cent to 16.25p in mid morning trading.

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