Talks about a bid to buy pub company Honeycombe continuing

Pub and hotel company Honeycombe Leisure has confirmed it remains in discussions with a third party about a possible bid for the company.

The Preston-based company revealed last November that it had received a preliminary approach from a third party.

Prompted by movement in its share price, Honeycombe chief executive James Baer said today that talks were continuing, although there was no certainty of an offer being made.

Founded in 1976, the company and now operates a managed estate of around 150 pubs, bars, inns and hotels in the north of England.

In the year to 1 May 2005, Honeycombe reported a pre-tax loss of £800,000 compared with a loss of £100,000 for the previous year.

Turnover grew by 7.7% to £36.24m.

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By Chris Druce

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