Leisure group Whitbread was upbeat about its prospects after seeing an "encouraging" sales performance across its hotels, restaurants and health clubs.
The group reported solid like-for-like sales growth across its businesses, with only its hotels chain, Marriott, posting a negative trend. Along with rivals, Marriott has suffered tough conditions in the four-star market in the wake of September 11 and uncertainty over the situation in the Middle East.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article