REG.L Regulatory News (REG)

18 Jul 2006 07:00

Regent Inns PLC18 July 2006 18 July 2006 REGENT INNS PLC Pre-close Trading Statement The Board of Regent Inns Plc ('the Company') is today releasing a trading updatefor the month of June and the 52 weeks ended 1st July 2006. Since the Company's last update on 6th June 2006, trading has been in line withmanagement expectations. The last day of the Company's financial year coincidedwith England's exit from the FIFA World Cup. We therefore enjoyed the benefit offive England games in the tournament as well as Australia's success inprogressing to the first knock-out stage. Trading on key match days fulfilledour expectations and underlined the ability of the Walkabout brand to deliver agreat experience for major sporting events. As we stated on 6th June, underlying trading on the High Street since the NewYear has been difficult. Overall, like-for-like sales for the year declined by0.4%; with Walkabout, representing the largest part of the estate, achievingpositive like-for-like growth. The Board anticipates, therefore, that tradingresults will be in line with consensus market expectations. Bob Ivell, Executive Chairman, said: "Regent has continued to perform in line with expectations and benefitted fromstrong trading at the time of the FIFA World Cup. The Board remains confident ofthe on-going prospects for Walkabout and Jongleurs, our two premier brands, andcontinues to seek value enhancing opportunities for the Company. " Regent will announce its preliminary results on 26 September 2006. Enquiries: Regent Inns PLC 020 8375 3000Bob Ivell, Executive ChairmanJohn Leslie, Chief Financial Officer Merlin 020 7653 6620Vanessa Maydon 07802 961 902 (mobile)Rebecca Penney 07795 108 178 (mobile) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange