Bass eyes inter-continental group
Rumours are rife that Bass, the brewing and leisure group, is about to mount a £1b bid for Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts.
Bass already owns more than 2,000 Holiday Inn Worldwide hotels, most of which are franchised, and is thought to be particularly interested in the 65 European Inter-Continental hotels.
The brewing group could be on the point of selling its Coral betting shops to raise cash towards the bid.
Bass declined to comment on the purchase of the hotel group.