Regent Inns director goes Walkabout

The operations director of pub group Regent Inns resigned today as the company warned that pre-tax profts would be down on last year.

Regent announced this morning that Michael Thiele, whose main responsibility was the developement of the Walkabout chain, had resigned with immediate effect.

Regent then warned that the improvement in sales at its branded operations trumpeted in February had not been sustained over recent weeks.

The company said: "Walkabout sales have been adversely affected by approximately a dozen consistently poorly performing venues.

"Additionally, much of the rest of the Walkabout estate performed below our expectations during late March and April, including the Easter bank holiday period.

"As a result of this disappointing trading performance, the board expects profit before tax from continuing operations for the current financial year to be materially below last year's."

In order to improve matters at Walkabout, Thiele has been replaced as director of operations by David Turner, formerly Regent's property director.

A freeze has been put on new Walkabout openings, so the money can be used to update existing venues. New drinks pricing policies will also be put in place.

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